During my deconstruction, I wrestled with knowing the benefits (even outside of faith) of spiritual practices and feeling like the traditional ones of prayer and worship weren't serving me anymore. What was the point of doing these things? I had done them for years because other people had modeled them for me, but I hadn't ever consciously thought through what they meant for me. Actually, they felt draining.
Traditional vs. Untraditional Spiritual Practices
When we think of spiritual practices, we often think of the traditional ones, like going to church, praying, reading the Bible and fasting. These practices have been passed down through generations and are regularly brought up in the Bible on how to follow Christ's example. However, as I was navigating deconstruction, I found these weren't helping me and I decided to turn to other practices instead of pursuing the regular ones.
The activities I replaced my time with were less conventional and not at all as described in Scripture, which is what I needed at the time. Please do not take this as a permanent solution, but rather to break the legalistic rhythms you may have learned along your faith journey.
Prayer in Deconstruction
One of the most fundamental spiritual practices is prayer. When I tried to pray, I was met with the roaring sounds of the air conditioning blasting overhead (it was summer) and the sound of my own breathing (ew). In that moment, I evaluated why I even thought I should pray and what the point of prayer was.
I didn’t realize I was reframing what prayer meant to me. Instead of saying words in my head directed toward the sky, I turned to journaling, solitude, counseling, and poetry. Yes, solitude is a traditional spiritual practice, but it wasn’t one I learned in church. The goal was still to have meditative experiences, just without feeling like I had to do it a certain way. If reading the Bible doesn’t feel helpful right now, it’s okay to take a break. If you’re unsure about prayer or why you’re doing it, it’s okay to pause. While I fully support finding your own spiritual practices, I also encourage you to remember the importance of history. Generations of people practiced faith in certain ways for a reason. C.S. Lewis prayed. N.T. Wright read the Bible. These are incredibly smart people, and it means something that they engaged with these practices.
Untraditional Spiritual Practices to Consider
As you navigate your new frame of faith, here are some practices that were helpful to me:
Mindfulness and Meditation
Cultivating a regular mindfulness or meditation practice can help find a sense of grounding and inner peace. This can look like journaling or going to counseling. I encourage you to find a Christian counselor who has experience in meeting with people who have experienced or are experiencing something similar.
Nature-based Spirituality
Connecting with nature through activities like hiking, gardening, or going on walks is grounding (get it?). We reconnect with the outdoors, which is inherently spiritual, and it reminds us to slow down. I often envisioned hiking during this time, but I was living in Los Angeles. Whenever I was done with my degree, I immediately moved to Colorado and started hiking, which helped in a lot of my healing.
Creative Expressions of Faith
Engaging in creative pursuits, such as writing, painting, or playing music, can be a way to explore and express our beliefs and processing. You don't have to go in with the intention of processing - just have fun with it. People were meant to make things, so make something. If you're only consuming literature and content, you're missing out on a core, necessary human experience.
Balancing Individual and Community Practices
As you start to explore these untraditional "spiritual" practices, it's important to find a balance between individual time and community support. While personal practices can be helpful, it's important to still connect with others. Community is essential for health - holistically and spiritually.
Look for or create spaces where you can engage in open-ended discussions, share your experiences, and find support from others who are also asking questions about their faith.
Conclusion
By expanding what spiritual practices look like and allowing yourself to explore new activities, you might discover meaning, purpose, and a connection to God in a way that feels personal and true to you. Embrace the new and remember what's true.
Remember, your spiritual path is uniquely yours—there’s no one way to walk it. It’s okay to embrace the unknown and continue exploring.
Комментарии