Pressure is building for Ottawa to reverse its decision to eliminate part-time prison chaplains across the country.

In a cost-cutting move revealed by CBC News in early October, 49 chaplains' contracts are not being renewed.

Now, 17 of the remaining 71 full-time prison chaplains have signed a letter to the federal government, asking that it reconsider the decision.

The chaplains say they’re particularly concerned about non-Christian inmates not receiving religious counsel in their own faiths and the potential effects on their rehabilitation.

“It may not have been intended to be, but it appears to be discriminatory and that's not what we believe Canadian society to be,” said Lloyd Bruce, a New Brunswick United Church minister who was among the signatories.

The cuts will leave one full-time non-Christian prison chaplain on the government payroll. Before the cuts, there were also 18 part-time non-Christian chaplains.

Bruce said the decision is already creating problems, with some contracts already eliminated and the rest expiring in the months ahead.

“Taking away professional chaplains of other world faith traditions is taking away hope from others who are struggling to turn their lives around,” said Bruce.

The moderator of the United Church of Canada, Rev. Gary Paterson, called on his Canadian congregations to support the protest.

"I think it behooves us as Christians to stand with those of other faiths and say: 'No, we're all in this together,'" Paterson said.

Many religious groups — Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and others — have also lined up to condemn the cuts.

Charmaine Mak was a part-time Buddhist chaplain whose contract wasn't renewed.

Mak said that to expect the remaining chaplains to explain the intricacies of Buddhism isn't realistic.

"If someone shows up with a book that says Buddhism for Dummies, that's the level of spiritual depth they're going to get," said Mak.

Dozens of complaints

Advocate D.J. Larkin, of the Office of Prisoners' Legal Services in Abbotsford, B.C., said that so far, she's heard complaints about the cuts from more than 30 prisoners.

“We're being contacted daily by clients who are feeling completely devastated, they're demoralized,” Larkin told CBC News.

“We have a client who's living in segregation right now who says he has no one to go to, he has no one to talk to, he's completely cut off from access to even a prayer mat to pray on.”

Larkin said her organization has also written the government, saying the cuts are discriminatory and a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

She said if there's no response, legal action is likely.

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The decision to cancel the contracts was made by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, who said it will save Canadian taxpayers $1.3 million and that many part-time Christian chaplains were also cut.

Toews said the full-time chaplains will have the help of 2,500 volunteers across the country, representing all faiths.

Bruce said counting on voluntary help isn’t good enough.

"Volunteers are very well-meaning, they come with all kinds of gifts and skills," said Bruce. "But they don't have the pastoral care skills, they may not have the education or the professional training that will assist them in dealing with individuals with complicated needs."

Also on HuffPost:

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• Salt Lake City, UT

  73,487 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Temple_Square_October_05_%288%29_c.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Birmingham, AL

  Metro area Birmingham-Hoover, AL<br> 70,990 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/16th_Street_Baptist_Church.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Oklahoma City, OK

  60,249 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Bricktown_Canal_Water_Taxis_in_Oklahoma_City.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Memphis, TN-MS-AR

  Metro area: Memphis, TN-MS-AR<br> 58,847 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Hernando_de_Soto_Bridge_Memphis.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Pittsburgh, PA

  57,695 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Pittsburgh_WEO_Night_1.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Chicago, IL-IN-WI

  Metro area: Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI<br> 57,162 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/2011-08-07_2000x3000_chicago_from_skydeck.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Providence, RI-MA

  Metro area: Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA<br> 56,840 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Providence_Cathedral%2C_RI_edited.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Boston, MA-NH

  Metro area: Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH<br> 56,765 religious adherents per 100,000 persons.<br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/USA_09562_Boston_Luca_Galuzzi_2007.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• New York, NY-NJ-PA

  Metro area: New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA<br> 55,595 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> (Photo: In this March 26, 2012, file photo, One World Trade Center towers above the Lower Manhattan skyline and Hudson River in New York. One World Trade Center, the giant monolith being built to replace the twin towers destroyed in the Sept. 11 attacks, will lay claim to the title of New York City.)

• Dallas, TX

  Metro area: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX<br> 55,536 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/The_Catholic_Cathedral_of_Santuario_de_Guadalupe_in_the_Downtown_Dallas_Arts_District%2C_10-26-10.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Houston, TX

  Metro area: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX<br> 55,144 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Aerial_view_of_Texas_Medical_Center.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Buffalo, NY

  Meto area: Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY<br> 54,706 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/20080310_Soldiers_and_Sailors_edit.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

  Metro area: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD<br> 54,668 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Independence_Hall.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• San Antonio, TX

  Metro area: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX<br> 54,093 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/11/Rio_del_pasio_05.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• New Orleans, LA

  Metro area: New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA<br> 53,479 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Altaner.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Minneapolis, MN-WI

  Metro area: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI<br> 52,061 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Minneapolis_05042012.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Milwaukee, WI

  Metro area: Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Alis, WI<br> 51,823 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/St_Stanislaus_Catholic_Church.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Charlotte, NC-SC

  Metro area: Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC<br> 51,764 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Southpark_aerial_Charlotte_NC.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Los Angeles, CA

  Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA<br> 51,382 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Hollywood_boulevard_from_kodak_theatre.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Cleveland, OH

  Metro area: Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH<br> 51,185 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/StTheodosius.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Nashville, TN

  Metro area: Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN<br> 50,694 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Nashville_Downtown.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Louisville, KY-IN

  Metro area: Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN<br> 50,445 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Cathedral_Assumption_Louisville.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Richmond, VA

  50,113 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Cathedral_of_the_sacred_heart_.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Jacksonville, Florida

  50,093 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/ChurchJax1.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Atlanta, GA

  Metro area: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA<br> 49,721 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Shrine_of_the_Immaculate_Conception.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Kansas City, MO-KS

  49,702 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Community_Christian_Church_KCMO.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• St. Louis, MO-IL

  48,889 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Tower_Grove_Park_Scene_1.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Hartford, CT

  Metro area: Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT<br> 47,226 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Cathedral_of_Saint_Joseph_in_Hartford_3%2C_2009-09-02.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

  Metro area: Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN<br> 44,672 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Cincinnati_oh_skyline.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Detroit, MI

  Metro area: Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI<br> 44,583 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Ste_Anne_de_Detroit.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

  Metro area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV<br> 44,576 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Cherry_Blossoms_and_Washington_Monument.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Raleigh, NC

  Metro area: Raleigh-Cary, NC<br> 44,469 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Downtown-Raleigh-from-Western-Boulevard-Overpass-20081012.jpeg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• San Jose, CA

  Metro area: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA<br> 44,189 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/San_Jose_Basilica.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Rochester, NY

  44,066 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Colgate_8751.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Austin, TX

  Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX<br> 43,921 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/AustinSkylineLouNeffPoint-2010-03-29-b.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• San Diego, CA

  Metro area: San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA<br> 43,917 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/San-diego-mission-chuch.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Riverside, CA

  Metro area: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA<br> 42,293 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Riverside_06Skyline.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Indianapolis, IN

  Metro area: Indianapolis-Carmel, IN<br> 42,213 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Indiana_State_Capitol_Market_St.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Baltimore, MD

  Metro area: Baltimore-Towson, MD<br> 42,077 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/E-mt.vernon.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Orlando, FL

  Metro area: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL<br> 40,631 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Orlando_downtown_2011.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Virginia Beach, VA-NC

  Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC<br> 40,417 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Sunset-_Waves.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Miami, FL

  Metro area: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL<br> 38,058 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Mouth_of_Miami_River_20100211.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• San Francisco, CA

  Metro area: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA<br> 37,796 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/SF_From_Marin_Highlands3.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Columbus, OH

  37,702 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/ColumbusNightSkyline2.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Phoenix, AZ

  Metro area: Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ<br> 37,518 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Phoenix_AZ_Downtown_from_airplane.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Denver, CO

  Metro area: Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO<br> 36,968 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/DENCP.JPG" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Sacramento, CA

  Metro area: Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Rosenville, CA<br> 36,512 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Sacramento_Skyline_%282%29.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Las Vegas, NV

  Metro area: Las Vegas-Paradise, NV<br> 35,761 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Sacramento_Skyline_%282%29.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Seattle, WA

  Metro area: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA<br> 35,643 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Seattle_Ferry.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Tampa, FL

  Metro area: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL<br> 34,761 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Tampa_Florida_Lawyers.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• Portland, OR-WA

  Metro area: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA<br> 31,591 religious adherents per 100,000 persons. <br> Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Original photo <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/TomMcCallWaterfrontPark.jpg" target="_hplink">here</a>.

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• Being Awe-Struck

  Taking in a breathtaking view or considering the wonders of this world is scientifically <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120719161901.htm">proven</a> to expand our sense of time, increase patience and decrease materialism.

• Finding Solace in Relationships

  Many members of HuffPost Religion community said that family was how they found peace. Religious texts often shed relationship wisdom. Quran 30:20:21 says, "Among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts."

• Volunteering

  Connecting you to new or current communities, volunteering is a peace inducing activity with spiritual, social and educational benefits. Philanthropy can be applied to Galatians 6:10 in the Bible which says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

• Having Faith

  On what gives her peace, HuffPost Religion community member Naomi Whitaker said, “Knowing that God works out ALL things for my good, because I love Him and I’m called according to His will." Another community member Debby Jacobus said, “Only God can make me feel peace. No matter what my problems are I know he always around me.”

• Listening or Performing Music

  There’s nothing like the power of sound to dissolve frustration or anxiety. Music can even transcend belief. Princeton University neuroscience professor and atheist Michael Graziano <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-graziano/why-is-mozart-a-religious_b_875352.html">wrote</a>, “When I am listening to certain pieces of music I feel a reverence creeping over me, an awe that has a spiritual quality.”

• Reading

  Melting into a word of stories and characters can be inspiring. Ultimately, reading can serve as a peaceful respite from life. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/reading-good-for-brain-_n_1884054.html"> Research</a> shows reading is good for your brain, rev up your imagination and relieve stress. For a list of religious books, click <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/top-100-influential-relig_n_1836687.html">here</a>.

• Studying Scripture

  Sometimes primary religious texts like the Bible get a bad rap for being culturally outdated. Despite the theological arguments that come up, scripture is full of wisdom that can add peace to your life. Spending time in the word of your faith can too. Community member Salome Herrera said “Listening to the Holy Qu’ran” gives him peace. Religion Data Archives writer David Briggs <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/frequent-bible-reading-ti_b_897017.html">reported</a> on a Baylor Religion survey that showed frequent Bible reading can lead to social justice and openness to to science.

• Creating Art

  In addition to creativity having emotional health <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4893420/ns/health-aging/t/creativity-may-play-key-role-healthy-aging/">benefits</a> that lead to feelings of peace, passionate artists of many mediums often describe their work as spiritual. In a <a href="http://spirituality.ucla.edu/docs/newsletters/3/Paintner_Jan07.pdf">study</a> about the connection between creativity and spirituality, UCLA researcher Christine Paintner PhD wrote, “Creativity is about honoring another kind of intelligence that originates from within us rather than from outside sources.”

• Showing and receiving love from pets

  One HuffPost Religion commenter Frankie Tice shared that his pets are a vital part of his peaceful spiritual practice. He said, “Cuddling with my Schnauzers and casting a circle for any ritual--brings peace to the whole house. My Schnauzers like to sleep in the circle while I do my ritual.”

• Visiting places of worship

  Being in a sacred place was a common answer for readers responding to what gives them peace. Arnold M. Eisen, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arnold-m-eisen/making-sacred-spaces_b_1310499.html">wrote</a>, “God is everywhere, but must somehow also be here, really here, especially here where we are, if we are to feel connected to God. The sense of divine presence is enhanced to the degree that the "dwelling place" (literal meaning of Mishkan or Tabernacle) we build for God elicits our highest effort and meets the highest standard of beauty, dignity, and sanctity that we are conceive."

• Mindfulness

  Buddha once said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Mindfulness and calm thoughts was a common response on Huff Post Religion’s peace question. So was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/yoga-heart-health_b_900621.html">yoga. </a>

• Fellowship

  Company adds to our happiness but company in presence of fellow believers or members of your faith community provides a certain harmony in your life. HuffPost community member MK McAdams said “surrounding himself with virtuous people who can laugh” is one thing that gives him peace.

• Prayer

  Not surprisingly enough, prayer was a top response on what gives our community conversation. Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee Ph.D. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/llewellyn-vaughanlee/mystical-prayer-opening-a-door-to-silence-and-love_b_1533374.html">wrote</a>, “The tradition of mystical prayer is another way to access the peace that belongs to our soul. It is born from a need to rediscover our heart's relationship with the divine, our own personal and most intimate inner connection.”

• Nature

  The health benefits of nature have long been known. The spiritual benefits are<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fr-richard-rohr/nature-and-the-soul_b_919602.html"> vast</a> as spending time in nature can connects us with our higher power. HuffPost Religion community members Linda Ford, Brian Waldrop and Lori Harding said mother nature (or God's creation, depending on your view) brings them peace. For Ford? Daily life on the farm. Waldrop? Clean rivers. Lori S. Harding? The beach.