Meditation practices are only a first step on the spiritual path. One must light the lamp of inner wisdom and march on, clear and unobstructed. In India the jyothi or inner light is the light of wisdom. Ignorance is often associated with darkness, and lighting an inner lamp to dispel this darkness means bringing in a divine name or meditating on a form that is filled with light.

The ancient practice of namasmarana or remembering the name of the divine is a powerful way to anchor the mind and help it to find calm. This practice is easy. Find the name and form of the divine that most speaks to your heart. Begin to repeat the name and focus the mind on it for several minutes. Using a mala or rosary beads can help to maintain the focus. If the mind wanders from the name — it may be Allah, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mary, Wanka Tanka or some other that you Love — settle on the form. When it moves away from the form, gently bring it back to the name. By doing this practice the mind and the whole being takes on the divine qualities of the One it associates with.

This ancient practice has been used by many traditions around the world. It’s a wonderful tool to help focus and overcome anxiety, fear and worry. What name and form will you choose?

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and internationally. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years learning meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online athttp://www.awakeintheworld.com.