Spiritual Practices
This program is about spiritual disciples and the role they can play in helping us live better and/or more spiritual lives. The questions encourage members to discuss which spiritual practices we find most useful in helping us along our spiritual journey, as well as which ones we’d like explore further
Member Preparation
In preparation for this session, read the handout—Spiritual Disciplines Overview, and think about which spiritual disciples, you have practiced, currently practice, or would like to explore in the future.
These questions provide ways you may want to approach this topic. Remember to focus on just one or two of the questions, if you choose to use them, as this will allow you to explore the topic in more depth.
- What makes something a spiritual practice?
- What are your thoughts about different types of spiritual disciplines? Have any helped (or do you think they could help) you along your spiritual journey?
- What kinds of spiritual disciplines have you practiced (or do you practice)? What has worked for you? What hasn’t?
- Have you given up anything (e.g. donating time or money, fasting, etc.) in the pursuit of a spiritual practice? How did this affect your spiritual growth?
- Is there a spiritual discipline that interests you, and that you’d like to explore?
Special Materials
- Spiritual Disciplines Handout
- Optional: CD, audio tape, or mp3 of meditation sounds. Important: If you bring a DVD, CD, or other form of media, be sure you also have the appropriate equipment to play it.
Further Exploration
- Everyday Spiritual Practice: Simple Pathways for Enriching Your Life. edited by Scott W. Alexander (Skinner House Books: 1999)
- Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys
Journal-Writing
- Writing the Sacred Journey: The Art and Practice of Spiritual Memoir by Elizabeth J. Andrew (Skinner House Books: 2004)
- “Reading our lives” by Marshall Hawkins. UU World.org (May 15, 2007)
Meditation
- The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh (Beacon Press, 1999)
- “Pema Chodron” Bill Moyers on Faith and Reason. PBS (August 4, 2006)
- “Learn to Meditate Podcast” The Meditation Society of Australia
Personal Sacrifice
- “Why I am fasting for Ramadan” by Abhi Janamanchi. UU World.org (October 2, 2006
- “The Generous Life” sermon by Rev. Bill Hamilton-Holway, UUSF, March 18, 2007.
Pilgrimage
- “Struggling up the mountain” by Paige Grant. UU World.org (May 15, 2006)
Prayer
- “Approaching Prayer” Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett. American Public Media (March 23, 2006)
- “Language of the Heart” by A. Powell Davies. UU World (July/August 2002)
Service
- “Justice or Just Us?” sermon by Rev. Greg Stewart, UUSF (November 12, 2006)
- UUA Justice Ministries, Inspired Faith Effective Action ( June 2006) (pdf)
Worshipping Together
- “The spiritual practice of hospitality” by David Rynick. UU World.org (May 15, 2007)
- “The central act of a religious community” by William G. Sinkford. UU World.org (May 15, 2006)