Reflecting Practices

Portrait of a Man Writing In His Study by Gustave Caillebotte

Journaling

Journaling, or keeping a diary, is one of the most common and effective contemplative techniques. In its most basic form, a practice of journaling is simply recording or narrativizing one’s experience - whatever one notices - and later reflecting on it. For the purposes of The Mystic’s Almanac, I recommend keeping personal journal entries and meditation journal entries separate, or using different books altogether, to make revisiting entries as simple as possible. Recent evidence has shown that handwriting journal entries produces greater recall and subjective feelings of satisfaction than using a computer, so I also recommend writing by hand. There is great pleasure in writing with a quality fountain pen, if you feel so inclined!

This video has good ideas for journaling, as well as some important parameters and tips for journaling about meditation.

Examining the Conscience

The Catholic sacrament of confession is famous outside of the faith as one of the world’s oldest and best-known traditions of relational healing. There is also a solo confessional practice, known as examining your conscience, that is essential to the wider Christian faith and often recommended by spiritual directors from other religions, as well. The practice is simple: at the end of the day, reflect on your actions and whether you acted in any way that causes you to feel shame, guilt or regret. Feel the fullness of any of these contractions, be penitent, and consider how you might change your behavior to prevent something similar from happening again. If you like, ask for divine help to do better next time. This practice can be done with or without a journal. 

Here is a high-quality guided examination of conscience by Father Mark-Mary, a Franciscan monk.

Seclusion

The Jewish practice of reflective prayer is known as hitbodedut, which means “seclusion.” It is a practice of finding a place in nature where one can be completely alone and have a free, open-hearted conversation with God, simply by speaking aloud with Him. In this way, one builds their sense of the presence of divinity, deepens intimacy with their innermost thoughts, and comes to understand their deepest yearnings and conflicts. 

Here is a brief video explaining the concept and practice of hitbodedut by Rabbi Meir Elkabas.