Resources for Deepening Connection
The journey of sacred connection continues beyond the pages of this book. This resource section offers carefully selected books, digital tools, communities, and practices to support your ongoing exploration of connection with yourself, others, and the divine.
Rather than overwhelming you with exhaustive lists, we've chosen resources that are accessible, practical, and aligned with the integrative approach presented in this guide. Each suggestion includes a brief description to help you discern which might be most relevant for your unique journey.
Positive4Mind Digital Resources
The Positive4Mind ecosystem offers several digital tools specifically designed to support your journey of sacred connection:
Positive Affirmations App
This app delivers daily affirmations to support all three dimensions of sacred connection. Features include:
- Customizable affirmation categories focused on self-connection, relationships, and spiritual awareness
- Scheduling options to receive affirmations at key moments in your day
- Ability to save favorite affirmations for quick access
- Option to create your own personalized affirmations
The affirmations are designed to counteract limiting beliefs and strengthen positive patterns related to each dimension of connection.
Access the Positive Affirmations App
Daily Mood Journal App
This reflective journaling app helps track your emotional states and patterns while supporting your connection practices. Features include:
- Mood tracking with customizable categories
- Practice tracking for spiritual habits
- Connection balance assessment
- Journaling prompts related to self-awareness, relationships, and spiritual insights
- Pattern recognition to identify correlations between practices and well-being
The journal creates a record of your journey that reveals patterns and progress that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Access the Daily Mood Journal App
Positive4Mind Website
The Positive4Mind website offers a wealth of articles, guided practices, and resources related to all dimensions of sacred connection:
- Mindfulness Section: Practices for developing self-awareness and presence
- Meditation Guides: Techniques for deepening spiritual connection
- Relationship Resources: Tools for authentic connection with others
- Spirituality Articles: Perspectives on divine connection from various traditions
- Blog: Regular posts exploring all aspects of sacred connection
The website is regularly updated with new content to support your ongoing journey.
Visit Positive4Mind.comRecommended Books
These carefully selected books offer deeper exploration of the three sacred connections and their integration:
Books on Self-Connection
- Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
A research-based approach to developing self-compassion, with practical exercises and insights. - The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Essential understanding of how trauma affects the body and approaches for healing. - The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
A depth approach to understanding personality patterns and pathways to growth. - Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Insight and practices for embracing all aspects of yourself with compassion.
Books on Connection with Others
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
The definitive guide to compassionate, authentic communication. - Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Understanding attachment in adult relationships and building secure connection. - The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Creating meaningful human connections through intentional gatherings. - I and Thou by Martin Buber
A philosophical classic on the sacred dimension of human relationship.
Books on Divine Connection
- The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr
An inclusive vision of divine presence as the ground of all reality. - The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts
An accessible introduction to non-dual awareness and spiritual presence. - When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
Spiritual wisdom for finding peace and awakening in difficult times. - The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr and Mike Morrell
A relational understanding of spirituality through the lens of Trinity.
Books on Integrated Connection
- A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer
Integrating inner life, authentic relationship, and sacred purpose. - The Wisdom Way of Knowing by Cynthia Bourgeault
A balanced approach to knowing through body, heart, and mind. - Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Indigenous wisdom on the sacred interconnection of all relationships. - The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo
Daily readings that integrate personal, relational, and spiritual awareness.
Digital Resources
Beyond the Positive4Mind ecosystem, these digital resources offer valuable support for your connection practices:
Apps and Digital Tools
- Insight Timer
Free meditation app with thousands of guided practices for all three dimensions of connection.
Website | Available for iOS and Android - Ten Percent Happier
Approachable meditation app with courses specifically focused on self-connection, relationships, and spiritual awareness.
Website | Available for iOS and Android - The Presence Course
Online program for developing presence in all dimensions of life.
Website - Center for Nonviolent Communication
Resources and training in compassionate communication.
Website
Communities and In-Person Opportunities
While digital resources are valuable, in-person connection offers dimensions of support that can't be replicated online. Consider exploring these options for community-based practice:
Finding Supportive Communities
- Meditation Groups
Local sitting groups that meet regularly for meditation and discussion.
Find nearby groups through Meetup.com or search for "meditation community [your location]" - Spiritual Direction/Companioning
One-on-one accompaniment with a trained spiritual companion who supports your unique journey.
Find directories at Spiritual Directors International - Mindfulness-Based Programs
Structured courses like MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) or MSC (Mindful Self-Compassion) offered in many communities.
Search for local offerings at MBSR Programs or MSC Programs - Retreats
Immersive experiences ranging from weekend to extended stays at retreat centers.
Explore options at Retreat Guru or Retreat Finder
When exploring communities, trust your intuition about whether a particular group feels right for you. Healthy spiritual communities respect personal boundaries, welcome questions, make space for doubt, and honor each person's unique journey.
Practice Resources
These resources support specific practices mentioned throughout the book:
Self-Connection Practice Resources
- Self-Awareness Journal Template (PDF download)
- Body Scan Meditation Guide (PDF download)
- Values Clarification Exercise (PDF download)
- Self-Compassion Practices (Online Guide)
Relationship Practice Resources
- Compassionate Communication Guide (PDF download)
- Deep Listening Practice Instructions (PDF download)
- Healthy Boundary Setting Worksheet (PDF download)
Divine Connection Practice Resources
- Meditation Starter Guide (PDF download)
- Sacred Reading (Lectio Divina) Instructions (PDF download)
- Nature Connection Practices (PDF download)
- Spiritual Practice Collection (Online Guide)
Integration Practice Resources
- Sacred Connection Practice Tracker (PDF download)
- Integration Reflection Journal (PDF download)
- Creating Your Daily Practice Rhythm (PDF download)
Creating Your Personal Resource Collection
While external resources can provide valuable guidance and support, your own experience is the most essential resource for your unique journey of sacred connection. Consider creating a personal collection of resources drawn from your direct experience:
Your Personal Connection Archive
Create a physical or digital collection that might include:
- Journal entries documenting significant insights, questions, or experiences
- Quotes or passages that have particularly resonated with you
- Images or objects that evoke a sense of connection for you
- Practices you've developed or adapted that work especially well for your temperament
- Letters or notes from meaningful relationships that remind you of authentic connection
- Questions that continue to guide your exploration
This personal archive becomes a resource you can return to during challenging times or when you need to reconnect with your core values and experiences.
Digital Archive Option
The Daily Mood Journal app from positive4mind.com can serve as your digital connection archive, with features for saving insights, tracking patterns, and recording meaningful experiences across all three dimensions of connection.
Try the Daily Mood Journal appNavigating the Abundance of Resources
In our information-rich world, the challenge is often not finding resources but discerning which ones truly support your journey without creating overwhelm. Consider these guidelines for navigating the abundance of available resources:
- Quality over quantity: It's better to engage deeply with a few well-chosen resources than to skim many superficially
- Experience over information: Prioritize resources that encourage direct experience rather than just adding conceptual knowledge
- Resonance as guide: Trust your intuitive sense of which resources genuinely resonate with your current journey
- Integration time: Allow space between new inputs to integrate what you're learning before adding more
- Seasonal approach: Different resources serve different seasons of your journey; what's helpful now may be different from what you need later
Remember that external resources are meant to support your direct experience of connection, not substitute for it. The most valuable "resource" is your own presence brought to each moment of your life with awareness, compassion, and openness.
A Final Reflection
As you continue your journey of sacred connection, may you discover the truth expressed by the poet Rumi:
"What you seek is seeking you."
The connections you long for—with yourself, with others, and with the divine dimension of life—are not distant achievements but present realities waiting to be recognized. The practices and resources offered in this book are not creating something new but removing the obstacles to what has always been here: the inherent connectedness that is your birthright and true nature.