Meditation And Spiritual Life – My Guide

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Through my extensive experience as a meditation teacher, I’ve come to learn that meditation is a golden gateway to a spiritual life.

Perhaps you came to meditation recently, during the wave of extreme popularity that mindfulness is currently enjoying. And if so, you may very well wonder what other spiritual practices can help you, or perhaps how to live a spiritual life in general.

In this guide I’m going to describe how meditation and spiritual life mix, how to be a spiritual person, other exercises to do alongside meditation, and a shocking bit of self publicity to convince you to take a private session with me.

The Link Between Meditation and Spirituality

Meditation and spirituality have a very interesting relationship. On the one hand, meditation stems from two of the oldest religions in the world, Hinduism and Buddhism [1] (it was first mentioned in the Hindu texts Upanishads and then massively evolved through Buddha). So in that way yes, meditation is spiritual. On the other hand, meditation is so practical and helpful that millions of non-spiritual people do it. Because of that, it is totally up to you whether you choose to meditate as part of a spiritual life or to use it as a tool. Either way is fine.

One of the most beautiful things about meditation is that it meets you where you are. Whether you’re seeking inner peace, spiritual awakening, or just a break from the chaos of modern life, meditation can support you. So decide what it means to you.

Spirituality doesn’t have to be esoteric either. For some, it’s simply about connection—to self, to others, to the universe, or to something sacred. Meditation often provides that connection. If you do want to combine meditation and spirituality, keep reading as I’m about to discuss exactly how to do that.

How To Make Meditation Spiritual

While there is no “correct” way to meditate spiritually, or to live a spiritual life, here are my tips to get started.

Start with an informed decision:

Make a conscious choice to make meditation part of a broader spiritual life. Decide for yourself what “spiritual” means to you. For some, it may involve God, gods, or the divine. For others, it might be about inner truth, compassion, or universal energy.

Learn about the spirituality of meditation:

Read about the spiritual origins of meditations, such as by reading the Pali Canon of Buddhism and its modern interpretations. Also learn about how meditation intermixed with other spiritual paths such as Taoism in the Tao Te Ching, Christianity, and whichever paths click with you. You might explore mystic Christian traditions like Centering Prayer, or Sufi meditation practices in Islam. All of these can offer insight and connection

Choose the right techniques:

Some meditation techniques are spiritual, others not so much. Pick the spiritual ones. (More below). Don’t be afraid to try a few before settling. Some methods speak more directly to the heart, others to the body or mind.

Live compassionately:

Buddhism uses meditation as a means to cultivate compassion (Karuna). And virtually every religion and spiritual path touts the importance of compassion. So. Try to live a compassionate life. That might mean acts of service, forgiveness, kindness, or simply showing up for yourself with gentleness.

Create a spiritual meditation space:

The space you meditate in can have a profound effect on the quality of your meditation. In fact, research shows that certain types of architecture help us access the spiritual mindset. So. Create a sacred spiritual space where you will meditate every day. You can include items like an altar table, statues of deities and sacred texts. This will help you to have a spiritual mindset when you meditate. Even small details—like soft lighting, natural materials, or incense—can shift your mental state. Make it feel special. Make it feel like yours.

Reflect afterward:

One of the biggest differences between spiritual and non-spiritual meditation is that in the former we reflect on the experience after each session. After meditating, ask yourself what you connected with during the session. Did you feel a presence? Did something arise from deep within? What insights or emotions surfaced? Journaling can help you process this. Over time, these reflections might form a personal spiritual journal or record of your journey. 

Spiritual Meditation Techniques

While some meditation techniques are not remotely spiritual (Body Scan, Somatic, Acem), others offer profoundly spiritual experiences.

Here are some of the best spiritual meditation techniques:

  • Mantra: In mantra meditation we meditate on sacred sounds, such as Om. Spiritual mantras have specific meanings based on the religion / spirituality that they come from. Reciting these spiritual mantras can be a truly transcendent experience. The vibration of the sound itself can draw your awareness inward and create a deep feeling of connection.
  • Neti Neti and Self Inquiry: These two techniques are used to dissolve the ego. Many spiritualities discuss the importance of transcending the ego (some go as far as to advocate “ego death”). If that vibes with you, give Neti Neti and Self Inquiry a shot. The question “Who am I?” asked deeply and repeatedly, can unravel layers of false identity and lead to profound inner truth.
  • Merkaba: Merkaba is a very complex and deeply spiritual form of meditation. It uses sacred geometry said to make practitioners transcend to the fifth dimension (if you believe such things—that’s up to you!). Whether you take it as metaphor or metaphysics, it’s a powerful visualization practice involving the energy body.

Other honorable mentions:

Zazen (Zen Meditation): Deeply spiritual, often focused on presence, silence, and watching thought arise and fall.

Kundalini Meditation: Engages spiritual energy stored at the base of the spine and can lead to powerful awakenings.

Loving-Kindness (Metta): Rooted in Buddhism, this practice is a direct cultivation of unconditional love and spiritual compassion.

Other exercises to try:

Tai chi and qigong: Daoist mindful movement exercises that are excellent for connecting with your chi.

Contemplative reading: Choose a spiritual text that stands out to you. Read a small section and contemplate its meaning.

Art: All forms of art can be made spiritual, whether it’s painting a picture of a deity or meditating on choral music.

Your Meditation, Your Path

If you take one thing away from this article, please make it this. Your spiritual path is up to you.

There are so many people who will try to tell you how you should live, and who will tell you that their spiritual path is the right one. Hooey! The right spiritual path is your spiritual path. You don’t have to chant in Sanskrit, sit in lotus position, or follow rules that don’t resonate with your heart.

Meditation can be quiet or expressive. Still or moving. It can involve prayer, or not. The deeper truth is this: spirituality is the courage to sit with yourself and listen. And meditation gives you that courage. And I can help you find the path that you want to walk. I will help you find a path that is entirely yours. Book a private session with me today.