How to Turn a Commute Into a Sacred Ritual — Yes, Even on the Subway

There was a time when I rushed through my mornings, earbuds in, head down, already three thoughts ahead of where I actually was. It didn’t matter if I was in traffic or on the subway — I was anywhere but present.

Eventually, I realized something: these in-between moments are life. They can be sacred, too.

Here’s how I began transforming my commute into a quiet, grounding ritual — and how you can try it, too.

🌱 5 Simple Steps to Create a Sacred Commute

1. Begin with a Breath

Before you even leave the house — pause. One deep inhale, one full exhale. I like to place a hand on my heart or belly to remind myself that I’m more than a task list. I’m a living, breathing soul entering the day with intention.

2. Create a “Commute Container”

Decide how you’ll treat this time. Maybe no emails. No music with lyrics. No doomscrolling. Just you, the rhythm of the road or rails, and your breath. Give yourself permission to be inward even while the world moves around you.

3. Choose a Centering Practice

Pick something simple. I sometimes repeat a mantra like “I am here.” Or I count my breaths. Or I just look out the window and notice light, color, people — not with judgment, but with presence. What might draw you back to the moment?

4. Let Discomfort Be Part of It

The subway isn’t always peaceful. Neither is traffic. Sometimes it’s noisy, crowded, annoying. But part of the practice is meeting discomfort without immediately fleeing from it. Breathe through it. You’re building inner spaciousness.

5. Close with Gratitude

As your commute ends, acknowledge something — anything — you’re thankful for. The quiet moment you found. The stranger who smiled. The fact that you made it there safely. Gratitude helps seal the ritual with meaning.

These small shifts may seem subtle, but over time, they create spaciousness in your spirit. And maybe, just maybe, the commute stops feeling like a gap — and starts becoming a bridge back to yourself.