I love sparkling wines. The sound of a popping cork uplifts my spirit and makes my heart sing. Though I drink little, I still enjoy a small glass once in awhile. Sparkling wines, champagnes, prosecco (from the Veneto area of Italy) and Asti’s, offer vibrant symbols of a happy harvest. They are made from grapes grown on beautiful, sunlit hillsides from France to Italy and California. They sit still in dark wine cellars while they ferment. And then they’re invited to exquisite dinners and parties to help with celebrations. Imagine being as fun and as welcoming as a sparkling wine! The thought alone brings smiles.

On the spiritual path it’s possible to get caught up in feeling pious and our practices can take on an almost rigid quality. Sometimes we may feel that being spiritual means being ascetic and cutting out anything that brings pleasure and enjoyment. By doing this we take the joy out of the divine dance. The spirit loves to dance. And it’s possible to marry the sacred and profane, and to marry the physical, sensual, emotional and spiritual in this joyful play of life without losing the soul to indulgence.

We live in a physical world and it’s possible to master the senses without falling prey to their whims. Moderation and conscious awareness help us to maintain the balance.

Today I’d like to invite you to a “bubbly meditation.” Become conscious of little ways to bring more joy into your spiritual life. Be attentive to the dance of life as both the spiritual, material, physical and emotional all weave together in an intricate and beautiful play. Let your spirit rise like the bubbles in a glass of sweet sparkling wine and experience the sweetness of life. Share as much of it as you can with others. Cheers!

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 Europe. 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 practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.