From Gratitude to Transcendence: Spiritual Practices That Uplift Your Mind
Step into a journey that begins with a single, heartfelt “thank you” and ascend toward moments of pure awe—those rare instants when time dissolves and your spirit tastes the infinite.
In GOD, NATURE, AND MENTAL WELL-BEING: The Healing Balance, acclaimed author Goldy Noor illuminates this path with the precision of a scientist and the soul of a poet. From the first pages, Noor shows us how a daily practice of gratitude can open doors to healing, grounding us in resilience even as we reach for something higher.
In the blog, you’ll discover practical rituals—rooted in ancient scriptures, modern research, and luminous personal stories—that guide you from simple appreciation to transformative transcendence. Prepare to be invited, step by step, into a life where every breath becomes a bridge between your ordinary world and the Divine.
Planting Seeds of Gratitude
Every mighty oak begins as an acorn, and every life-changing spiritual journey often starts with a spark of appreciation. Noor invites us to treat gratitude not as a fleeting feeling but as a muscle we can strengthen:
- Morning Gratitude Journal
Before the day’s demands pull you in a hundred directions, pause for five minutes. Write down three things you’re grateful for—big or small. A cool breeze on your face. A friend’s unexpected text. The very breath that fuels your body. Over weeks, these entries become anchors, reminding your mind where goodness lives, even on stormy days. - Gratitude Walks
Step outside, leave your phone behind, and notice. The way golden flecks of sunlight shimmer on the pavement. The rhythm of your footsteps. The song of a sparrow.
As you walk, mentally name what you appreciate—the strength of your legs, the sky’s wide canvas, a hidden world humming beneath the surface. This simple exercise rewires neural pathways, priming you to spot blessings everywhere.
Noor stresses that gratitude isn’t naïve optimism. It’s a practical therapy that lowers anxiety, sparks positive hormones, and lays the groundwork for deeper spiritual work.
Faith as Therapy: Rituals That Heal
Once gratitude takes root, faith steps in as a nurturing force. Whether you belong to a formal traditional religion or draw from a personal spiritual practice, intentional rituals anchor us in stories greater than ourselves:
- Scripture Reflection
Choose a brief verse or passage that resonates—perhaps a line about compassion, courage, or unconditional love. Read it slowly. Circle words that catch your eye. Let the language wash over you until it ignites a flicker of insight or comfort. Putting your thoughts into words allows that inner light to flow into your soul’s daily walk and rhythm. - Prayer and Mantra
Harness the power of repetition— Five prayers a day in Islam, a “Jesus Prayer,” a Sanskrit mantra, or a simple phrase like “Be still.” Let its rhythm steady your breath, soothe racing thoughts, and open a sacred space within. Noor describes how the regular mantra mindfulness meditative practice consistently reduce mental chatter and decrease stress. She explains on detail how daily prayer practice cultivates a renewed sense of purpose. - Sacred Breathing
Inhale gratitude. Exhale surrender. Count to four on the in-breath, hold for a moment, then release to the same count. This ancient technique synchronizes mind, body, and spirit, signaling your nervous system that you are safe, supported, and connected to something larger than yourself.
Through these faith-as-therapy rituals, we cultivate inner calm, clarity, and the relational resilience needed to face life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Elevating Resilience Through Daily Practice
True resilience isn’t about bouncing back like a rubber band—it’s about growing sturdier from each stretch. By weaving gratitude and faith rituals into daily life, we build a reservoir of well-being that carries us through storms:
- Evening Introspection
Ask yourself: “Where did I feel closest to the Divine today? When did I feel distant?” Without judgment, simply observe. Celebrate moments of connection and note areas needing extra care. - Community Sharing
Talk about your gratitude and faith experiences with a friend or small group. Hearing another person’s breakthroughs amplifies your own, and offering encouragement solidifies your commitment to these practices. - Creative Expression
Paint, journal, compose a short poem—whatever medium feels right. Let your deepest longings and praises flow outward. Creativity acts as a bridge between inner insights and outer manifestation, reinforcing the lessons you learn on your spiritual journey.
Research shows that individuals who commit to at least three of these practices weekly report measurably higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional stability.
Moments of Transcendence: Touching the Divine
Transcendence isn’t reserved for monks on mountaintops—it can emerge in your kitchen, your office, or even your morning commute. These peak experiences share common features:
- Timelessness. The clock fades away. You’re wholly present.
- Self-Transcendence. The boundary between “you” and “everything else” dissolves.
- Unity. A profound sense of connectedness—to nature, to other people, to the Divine.
To cultivate these moments, Noor recommends:
- Open-Eye Meditation. Fix your gaze on a single, ordinary object—say, a teacup. Observe color, texture, and shadow. As your analytical mind relaxes, you may sense the object’s miraculous aliveness, sparking wonder and deep connection.
- Gratitude Prayer with Breath. As you inhale, mentally say “Thank you.” As you exhale, breathe out the word “Amen.” Repeat for several minutes: many report spontaneous tears, goosebumps, or a radiant glow of peace.
- Nature Immersion
Borrowing from forest bathing, spend focused time in a green space. Instead of walking, find a rock or bench and simply sit. Close your eyes and listen—wings flapping, insects buzzing, wind sighing through leaves. The natural world becomes a mirror reflecting your sacred nature.
Your Next Steps
Ready to walk this path yourself? Begin with one small commitment:
- Choose Your Practice. Start with morning journaling or a two-minute breathing mantra.
- Set a Reminder. Tie it to an existing habit—after brushing your teeth, before your first coffee.
- Track Your Journey. Keep a log of insights, feelings, and emerging questions.
As these steps become second nature, weave in new practices. Before long, you’ll discover that gratitude blossoms into peace, faith-as-therapy grounds you in resilience, and moments of transcendence uplift you into a richer, more expansive life.
In GOD, NATURE, AND MENTAL WELL-BEING: The Healing Balance, Noor reminds us that every spiritual mountain begins with a single, humble step—and that step is often just a whisper of thanks. Embrace the practices, trust the process, and watch as your mind, heart, and spirit rise together toward the Divine.