Six questions that can shape your life

For many, the art of asking questions is part of a spiritual contemplation.

Contemplation is a spiritual practice that has been used for centuries to tease out universal truths and personal insights that can only arrive when we get quiet, align with our spirit or inner voice, and become aware.

It works like this: you settle down for a time of planned quiet. Then, you pose a question aloud or silently. At this point, some people journal their thoughts or impressions. Others sit silent and mindfully and notice the thoughts coming in and out. Still others might just make up a mental grocery list – or maybe that's just me. No matter, when you get quiet, ponder a question for which there may be no obvious, logical answers, profound insights or awareness can occur. Epiphanies, even. Or there can be nothing at all.

Answers may reveal themselves in the weeks or months to come through impressions or synchronicities, or through a deep sense of intuitive knowing. Or they may burrow into your brain in such a clear way that it feels as though you've known the answers all along.

Contemplation then is really about living with the question.

As I explained in Monday's post, the quality of the questions shape your life more distinctly than any answer you'll get – so it's worth giving a little attention to the questions.

Here are six questions that will provide interesting insights and launch your life in a powerful way.

 1. What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Fears often evolve out of our own patterns of limiting beliefs. Once you identify what they are keeping you from, you are more able to embrace the fears, move through them and live your best life.

2. Who am I?

Only by contemplating this question can we move closer to our essence as a spiritual being.

3. What is my life's purpose?

Remember you don't have to know the answers, nor will they necessarily reveal themselves to you instantaneously. But by asking the question you set in motion a ton of factors that will help you begin the exploration.

4. What do you want to experience next?

This is a question asked by intuitive consultant and teacher Sonia Choquette. Desire is the heart of creativity and inspired action. It's expansive and joyful. By contemplating this question, you're bound to move closer to your passions and purpose.

5. What am I grateful for?

You could also ask: What or whom do I love? Simply seeking the answers to either or both of these questions will boost your energy and your mood and remind you of what is working in your life.

6. Imagine that you are on your deathbed and answer this question: If my life has not been a success what do I wish I'd done to make it a success?

This is the question posed by author and teacher Gay Hendricks in his book The Five Wishes. It's worth thinking about it now, while you have an opportunity to take inspired action. Don't judge or punish yourself over any answers just take note of them. You are now in a position to take right action to insure that you have no regrets and can live a life deemed successful by your standards.

You may want to pick a question for a contemplative session or a journaling prompt. Ask it in your mind's eye. Sit with the question a moment, take three deep breaths and then begin writing any impressions or begin mindfully noticing what comes.

Then, after you gain this awareness, ask one more question of the answers you get: "Is that true?"

If you're getting any answers that tend to be negative or constrictive or judgmental or limiting it's either because you have started a less-than-powerful inquiry, or because you are answering from your brain beliefs – the limiting beliefs or expectations implanted by ourelves, and teachers, parents, and other influences during our lives. They are almost always false, or at least inaccurate. If you are getting caught up in limiting beliefs or negative feelings let them go, reframe the question, and put your brain on the business of creating your life rather than sabotaging it.

Once you've contemplated these questions it's likely they'll spawn a whole slew of inspired actions or ideas that you may never have considered before.

I love that! This is a creative way of engaging in your life. From the questions, more questions will arise. Contemplate those too. Be diligent in asking good questions and be okay with not knowing the answers. Then notice as your life experience shifts on a positive trajectory as it moves in search of the answers.