People come to spirituality for different reasons. Some of us may strive to find the Source or God, while others may want to connect to their Higher Selves to function better in their day-to-day life. Whether you have just begun your spiritual journey or if you’re simply feeling a sense of disorientation on the path, setting goals can be a great way to focus in on your pursuits. While the idea of goal-setting may not feel aligned with spiritual practice, in actuality, any long-term undertaking that unfolds over time can benefit from the support of a spritual roadmap. 

Whether you’re looking for meaning in the universe or a way to live a more positive, aligned life, creating a roadmap can keep you grounded and focused as you navigate the vast, ancient world of spiritual teaching and knowledge.

Step 1: Ask yourself what means the most to you in life.

Spirituality can mean very different things to different people. Starting to clarify what it means to you and what you hope you understand as you continue your studies is a great way to start your journey. Slowly read through this list of common goals several times, gently asking your Higher Self which objectives seem the most in line with your spiritual path. 

1. Finding a way to open their hearts more and be more loving.
2. Learning more about the universe and evolution.
3. Understanding how science can interact with the concept of the Source or God.
4. Seeing a way to better their lives.
5. Longing to be part of a like-minded community.
6. Seeing things with the glass half empty and wanting to see things more with the glass half full.
7. Believing that they can change and grow spiritually.
8. Wanting to be more of service in the world.
9. Desiring to investigate the unknown.
10. Longing for a reality that makes better sense to them.
11. Trying to make their lives more fulfilling.
12. Believing there is more in life.
13. Seeing others in a way that helps them have faith in humankind.
14. Wanting to feel that a Higher Being is directing life.
15. Striving to find out more both per-sonally and for the continuation of life on the planet.
16. Longing for world peace and not knowing what to do to help that happen.
17. Feeling there is more to life that they haven’t yet discovered.
18. Intuiting that what is called the Source—or God—exists and longing to find it.

Step 2: Narrow that list down to goals that resonate the most with you.

As you read through the above list, you may start to feel your intuition gently pulling you towards some of those goals. Write down each goal. (This can be the perfect chance to start a spiritual journal!) Next, there’s a good chance you’ll have some personal goals of your own. Sit in quiet reflection for a few minutes, asking your Higher Self if there are any other goals you have that aren’t listed, then write those down as well.

Step 3: Rank goals in terms of priority and ease of accomplishment

Once you have your list of spiritual goals, put each one in your heart and ask: How important is this goal to me at this time? Rate each item on a scale from one to ten, ten being the most important. When you are finished, prioritize the list, putting the most important goals at the top. 

Trying to accomplish every single one of your spiritual goals at the same time is a recipe for frustration, and can cause new seekers to stumble on their path. Prioritizing your goals and deciding which ones you want to accomplish first can keep your journey from feeling overwhelming. 

Tip: It can also help to prioritize the goals that are easier to accomplish. Just like making your bed in the morning can quickly give you a feeling of accomplishment and momentum, crossing a few of these off your list can give you a tangible feeling of progress, and can keep you motivated during the long journey ahead. 

Step 4: Understand that you yourself must act.

A roadmap is just that… a map. A spiritual roadmap won’t take you to your destination any more than Google maps will physically take you from point A to point B. Likewise, a spiritual teaching of any kind, including this one, won’t simply tell you the answers you seek. Instead, it will help you find the answers yourself. It will guide you on your quest, but it will not do your quest for you.

It’s also important to remember that this is not an easy path, even for the most devoted or loving among us. There will be challenges along the way, but do not see these as impediments to your spiritual path, or things keeping you from your destination. While these obstacles may seem like they are preventing you from continuing on your path, they are in fact valuable lessons that will teach you something you are meant to learn. These challenges do not keep from the teaching, but rather, they are the teaching. Overcoming them will teach you what you need to know to accomplish your goals.

Step 5: Be open to change.

Human beings are not static creatures. Just as we change over the course of our lives, so too can our spiritual goals. It’s a good idea to check your list of goals every month or so to see if your list is still the same. You may have made great progress towards some of your goals, while other goals have fallen by the wayside. Other goals may come into being as you continue along your spiritual path. In many cases, people start with a personal goal (overcoming anxiety, finding their true career path), but transition to a more spiritual one. Again, there is no “correct” set of goals. It is simply necessary that you regularly check in with your Higher Self to make sure you’re on the right path. 

This practice comes from “The Spiritual Teaching of Higher Self Yoga,” the latest book from Nanette V. Hucknall. You can order the book in paperback and on kindle.  For more advice on starting your spiritual journey, check out Higher Self Yoga Books and other publications from Nanette V Hucknall today!