Spiritual meditation can help you connect more deeply with the most important being in your life: a divine power, or even a higher version of your own self. Of all the forms of meditation, this type really allows you to delve deeper into your thoughts and emotions, empowering you to reach a higher consciousness – or, at least, to obtain some inner peace.
If this sounds appealing to you, read on to learn more about what spiritual meditation can potentially do for you.
What Is Spiritual Meditation?
Spiritual meditation can feel like an abstract concept due to its lofty ideal. At its core, though, this type of meditation simply centers on creating a clearer or deeper conversation between you and what you consider your higher power. It can be your idea or belief of God, the Universe in its entirety, or even a more evolved or conscious version of yourself.
The goal of this meditation is to gain more awareness and understanding of something beyond or greater than yourself. It isn’t such a tough idea to grasp when you realize that this too is the aim of many religious traditions around the world – to understand, to connect, and to allow this higher consciousness to affect and inform your daily life.1,2
What Are The Potential Benefits Of Spiritual Meditation?
Both scientific research and anecdotal evidence show that a spiritual meditation practice can impact both body and mind. While the goal, or even meaning, of this practice should be unique and personal for every individual, studies show common positive effects that contribute to overall improved quality of life.
Potential Spiritual Benefits
Experts agree that a consistent and healthy daily practice can create a stronger mind-body connection, giving rise to the following:
- Clarity of mind and purpose
- Reduction of ill feelings and negative thoughts
- A deeper sense of connectedness with the inner self and the environment
- Feelings of inner bliss or tranquility3
Potential Health Benefits
The effects of meditation can extend to your physical body. One study shows that spiritual practices can help support the recovery of individuals with substance abuse issues. Similarly, more evidence supports the theory that spiritual meditation techniques may support overall good physical and mental good health.4,5
Also, the 2017 National Health Interview Survey concluded that of all the types of meditation practices, spiritual meditation is a viable option for children without clear and consistent access to conventional healthcare services.6
Spiritual meditation may also support sleep quality. This is because the practice eases your mind of burdensome thoughts and helps relieve stress, thus removing common roadblocks to healthy sleep patterns and routines.7
How Do I Do Spiritual Meditation?
Religious practices can be considered as kinds of spiritual meditations – for example, Christian prayer. But if you’re looking for a more generic approach, here are some steps you can take:
- Set the scene. Avoid noise and distractions. Find a comfortable, seated position. The goal is to be open and relaxed, but not so much that you’ll fall asleep.
- Learn to let go – try not to control the process. Focus on your breath and in acknowledging, but ultimately letting go of, transient thoughts and emotions that may cross your mind. This step may take a long time, as your mind is used to being constantly inundated by information.
- As you sit in a state of calmness, compose a prayer. It need not be specifically religious if you don’t subscribe to any particular ideology. Maintain your breathing, and recite your short prayer at every exhale.
- Direct your thoughts towards your physical body. Observe any sensations or stimuli from your surroundings. As you slowly emerge from your meditative state, open your eyes. Allow yourself some extra time to simply sit and come to. Acknowledge how different you may feel now compared to when you started your meditation session. Give your body a good stretch before you end.8
Meditate To Meet A Better You
The potentially beneficial effects of meditation are widely accepted, yet it is ultimately a personal journey unique to every person. Take the time to approach spiritual meditation in the way that makes the most sense to you, and allow its positive effects to impact your life. Whether you’re on a spiritual journey to support emotional or physical health, or you simply want to live as stress-free as possible, spiritual meditation can be the best tool in your self-care kit.
Learn More:
–Movement Meditation: What It Is, Benefits, And How To Practice
–How Long Should I Meditate? Learn How To Get The Best Results From Meditation
–What Is Running Meditation And Should You Try It?
Sources
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/spiritual-meditation#what-is-it
- https://www.uh.edu/adbruce/wellness/spiritual-meditation/#:~:text=Spiritual%20meditation%20is%20an%20experience,light%20warms%20up%20your%20being
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/spiritual-meditation#what-is-it
- https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-017-1827-8
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0203336
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229918312913
- https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.32469
- https://www.uh.edu/adbruce/wellness/spiritual-meditation/#:~:text=Spiritual%20meditation%20is%20an%20experience,light%20warms%20up%20your%20being