Spiritual journaling is healthy in many ways. In this article, we will be talking about the benefits of keeping spiritual journals and the types of spiritual journaling you can try in your spiritual journey.
What Is A Spiritual Journaling?
A spiritual journal differs from a diary. A journal is a record of happenings; it asks the question, “What? ‘. A spiritual journal focuses on your connection with God, not your relationship with your lover, pastor, or psychiatrist. It may mention those other items, but that is not its focus.
It concerns the “why? “, “what now? ‘, the ‘what am I thinking, feeling, or experiencing? ‘. However, the diary, they are to be viewed through the prism of your relationship with God and with yourself, as well as through your attempt to live a life that is genuinely spiritual. Those individuals can be included in what you write about; anything can.
Benefits Of Keeping A Spiritual Journal
People are completely honest while writing to God. Without editing, they write whatever is on their minds. God, who already knows what’s on our minds, is the best person to tell us what might be bothering us. Writing is a liberating and therapeutic activity. I occasionally might be shocked by what appears. Self-discovery includes everything.
Other journaling formats could be therapeutic, advantageous, and growth-promoting. All of this and more is done in spiritual journals. They provide us the chance to vent, explore thoughts and wishes, unleash creativity, and become closer to God while doing so in a secure setting. As a result, we have a record that we can review and reflect on to gain a new understanding of our spiritual path and the ways in which God has intervened.
Here Are The Types Of Spiritual Journaling
journaling experiences in your life is a personal practice that you can indulge in as frequently as you like, whenever you feel inspired. You can do this by writing in a notebook, typing on a tablet or laptop, or speaking into a recorder.
Not sure where to begin? Think about the following journals:
Gratitude Journal
Taking stock of your blessings can improve your mood and increase your sense of well-being. Consider listing three things each day for which you are thankful, such as a hot cup of coffee, your grandchildren, or the sunlight streaming through your windows.
It could be enormous or small. Writing it down and thinking about it makes it more real for us, which enables us to appreciate the positive aspects of our lives.
Intention Journal
Setting some spiritual objectives for yourself and writing them down is a terrific way to look back and determine whether you’re making time for the things that are important to you. For instance, “You’re declaring what you want to do, and it’s there on the paper as a reminder to live it.” What are your intentions for the day and the week? It may be as easy as smiling at a complete stranger, or it might be something more challenging like forgiving someone who has wronged you.
Reflection Journal
This kind of journaling focuses on taking note of your surroundings and of yourself. It is advised to sit quietly for a while and pay attention to your thoughts and the longings in your heart. What can you do in your life that you haven’t already done? Consider your environment as well.
Jot down what you see, hear, and smell while sitting outside. Describe the smell of your garden or the wind rustling through the trees.
Poetry Journal
Poetry may be able to express your feelings when you are unable to do it in a conventional manner. Writing poetry might help reveal our deeper, subconscious selves. Let your mind wander as you freely connect words to observe what emerges.
There is no one “correct” way to assemble the words; each person has their own method. If it suits your mood, you might even adapt existing poetry and write it in your journal.
Dream Journal
You could want to write down your wonderful fantasy life. Examining your dreams can reveal a sign or symbol that gives you spiritual instruction. A problem you’ve been having or a person you’ve been concerned about might become clear to you.
You can even come to realize something about yourself that you didn’t know. When retelling your dreams, using a recorder might assist you to remember the specifics and order of what happened.
Ways How To Keep A Spiritual Journal
Get a separate journal to write in
A blank journal is what you want to start with. Alternatively, you can locate a daily devotional diary with pre-established subject sections. These are typically available at bookstores, although spiritual or religious shops will have a wider selection.
Take out some time to write daily
Consider where you are in your spiritual development. You can consider how you are feeling and consider the reasons behind it. Throughout the day, you can also jot down items that inspire you.
Keep your journal always with you
You never know what will cause you to consider spirituality. Having your journal nearby enables you to jot down quotations, references to spiritual texts, or general thoughts you want to think about later.
Write down your blessings
Write about the facets of your day that have left you feeling appreciative. According to research, those who intentionally practice gratitude tend to be happier and healthier.
Set your spiritual goals
These could be daily activities you want to engage in to advance your spiritual development. Make sure to pick a completion date so that you may work to reach your objective within the allocated time.
Review your journal every month
This process of reflection is important. You can more clearly understand the direction of spiritual enlightenment you are moving in by taking some time to think over your earlier entries.
You can utilize the information from reading your daily devotional writing to work toward new objectives, look up answers to questions you’ve asked yourself recently, and express gratitude for the lessons you’ve already learned.
The Ending Note
Figure out which types of spiritual journaling suits you the best. Purchase a good, durable book for it, possibly a leather-bound diary with many pages. When you travel, go on the road, attend a retreat, or go on a journey, you’ll be bringing it with you. It’s a job that’s too important to be entrusted to a flimsy notebook.