Spiritual joy is our natural state. However, many religions refer to deeply uplifting experiences as “supernatural.” They really are not “super” but normal. It’s just that most of us spend our time in a subnatural, less than blissful state.

Finding our way back to spiritual joy doesn’t have to be difficult. The combination of elements of key spiritual techniques produces a wonderfully simple and effective practice to help one “get in the habit” of living in spiritual joy.

Consider these:

1. Love God. This is the greatest commandment and ultimately the most practical and effective spiritual technique for communicating with God in spiritual joy. Yet many times when we try to improve ourselves, complexity comes in and the greatest commandment, or call to action, is overlooked.

2. Gratitude. Every spiritual and religious tradition emphasizes gratitude. Contemporary research has documented the positive effects of gratitude.

3. Breathe. Deep breathing is a mainstay of many meditation techniques. Much research has shown the positive physical and emotional effects of deep diaphragmatic breathing.

4. Repetition of mantras. Mental repetition of a name of God calms the mind and helps prevent it from drifting into random thoughts.

Loving breathing is a technique that combines all of these.

Begin by sitting (or standing) with your back straight, push your chest out slightly, this helps energize the heart area. Inhale deeply, but don’t strain. As you inhale, feel the energy of love enter your chest or heart area. As you exhale, mentally say “God” or some other word that has spiritual meaning to you. As you exhale, feel that you and God love each other during an intense moment right at the end of the exhale.

Love God with deep gratitude for love. We can practice gratitude in many ways and for many things. But the greatest thing is the love of God, so practice gratitude for him. Or if it’s easier at first, remember a feeling of love you felt for someone and thank God for that love.

While this practice can be done at any time, it is good to spend at least 10 minutes a day, where all you do is practice. Sitting in a living room, in a park, in a car are good places. Walking is a great time to practice. In addition to a dedicated 10 minute time, practicing while commuting, shopping, standing in line are great extra times to practice.

With long-term sincere practice, loving God and feeling spiritual joy can become habitual in your breathing. In fact, feeling spiritual elevation and joy can be just a few breaths away.