What Is Spiritual Meditation? Meaning & What You Should Know

Do you desire a significant change in your body’s physical, psychological, and emotional state? Do some spiritual meditation. It will aid in your de-stressing, focus, and self-awareness. It takes extra effort to disconnect from the hectic energy of the outside world and pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you. Make the extra effort to practice spiritual meditation and see the magic that happens.

Spiritual meditation focused state of meditation allows you to explore your innermost self. All the opinions you had of yourself up until that point in your life are taken away from you, as your true self. You feel happiness and peace as a result. Your being is warmed by a sense of light and love.

For more information, continue reading.

“Spiritual” And “spirituality” Meaning

The definition of spirituality, according to Google Dictionary, is “the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.””

The concept of spirituality is broad and encompasses a variety of viewpoints. In general, it encourages a feeling of connection to something greater than ourselves, as well as a connection to your higher self or higher consciousness. It promotes pursuing a deeper sense of purpose and adopting a more expansive outlook on life. It appeals to all people on a very deep level and touches them all. A deep sense of positive emotions, such as peace, awe, wonder, interconnectedness, contentment, gratitude, acceptance, compassion, and unconditional love, can be used to describe a spiritual experience. Other words that people use to describe spiritual experiences include sacred, ethereal, mystical, transcendent, and sacred. All of these represent the true attributes of our spirit.

Globally, various cultures have a wide variety of spiritual traditions. The majority of the traditions advise having a guru or spiritual guide to assist you on your path to achieving spiritual enlightenment, which is the end goal of many of these traditional practices.

What Is Spiritual Meditation?

Spiritual meditation is a tool used by cultures all over the world to communicate with the divine.

Spiritual meditation is practiced in tens of thousands, if not millions, of different religious and spiritual traditions. The following are just a few instances of spiritual meditation in significant religious traditions:

• Hindu japa mala and mantra meditation
• Sufi dhikr or remembrance of God
• Jewish kabbalistic practices
• loving-kindness or metta meditation in Buddhism
• Marananussati bhavana or reflection on one’s mortality in Theravada Buddhism
• Zazen meditation in Zen Buddhism
• trance states in Shamanistic traditions
• Christian contemplative prayer

“A spiritual meditation is a meditation practice that you engage in with the intention of making contact with a higher power, such as the universe, god, your Higher Self, etc.,” says certified meditation coach Jen Alico

According to a 2017 studyTrusted Source, spiritual meditation focuses on developing a deeper understanding of spiritual/religious meaning and connection with a higher power.

Spiritual meditation, in contrast to other types, aims to achieve more than just relaxation or stress reduction.

“This practice is spiritual because it is done with the intention of reaching out to something bigger than yourself, according to Alico.

Alico is supported by Shaman Nisha, a South African and South-East Asian sixth-generation shaman.

“According to my viewpoint and spiritual meditation experience, Nisha, the connection to one’s soul is where spirituality derives its essence.

Is There Any Meditation That Is Not Spiritual? 

This is such a sensible query.

For me, practicing meditation primarily involves spirituality. Be it mantra meditation, breathing meditation, or guided spiritual meditation, any genuine meditation practice is all about establishing a connection with the divine.

If we understand what is meditation and its real meaning, it simply means connecting to your natural or higher self, the source of love, joy, bliss, peace, pure energy that you are!

Though meditation offers many benefits; physical benefits, mental benefits, emotional benefits, therapeutic benefits, the most profound effects are at the level of the spirit!

There are numerous methods of meditation. Some of them are legitimate, having their roots in ages-old scriptures, and they have advantages supported by cutting-edge research. While others are too novel, haven’t been thoroughly tested, and might not deliver the promised advantages.

We can explore spiritual meditation as a different type of meditation. However, any sincere form of meditation is fundamentally a spiritual one, and it will keep you on your spiritual path while providing spiritual benefits.

Can Meditation Help Me Gain Spiritual Power?

Some individuals erroneously believe that the purpose of spiritual meditation is to acquire “superpowers” like telepathy, the capacity to heal oneself and others, knowledge of previous lives, future visions, levitation, and so forth. There will undoubtedly be a snake-oil guru out there who will make them almost any promise they can think of in exchange for their signature.

It is possible for the simple elegance of spiritual meditation practice to be overshadowed by the allure of fantastic spiritual powers. Being truthful and kind, as well as our dedication to improving ourselves as people, are the foundations of spiritual awareness. It is very difficult to recognize and appreciate the wonder of being alive and everything that goes into making this possible when there is a strong desire for magic and miracles. What could be more miraculous and magical than the air we breathe, the sunshine we enjoy, straightforward deeds of kindness and compassion, interconnectedness, and everyday blessings of all kinds? The true outcomes of spiritual awakening include a mild appreciation of the present moment and a benevolent attitude toward all living things.

Spiritual Advantages Of Meditation

Nisha offers a lengthy list of what he considers to be the advantages of spiritual meditation, based on his own experience:

• a more balanced sense of being
• inner stillness and peace
• less reactivity
• a sense of inner bliss that isn’t dependent on outer circumstances
• a strong and authentic sense of who you are on a soul level
• a reduction in unhealthy stress
• an increase in creativity
• a strong sense of belonging
• increased self-esteem, self-trust, and self-acceptance
• clarity in your life purpose

“The realizations you experience as a result of your practice will make you aware of your ability to choose how you experience each moment of your life, according to Nisha.

It strengthens the mind-body connection, in Alico’s opinion.

“You’re encouraged to approach everything with intention when you meditate. You’ll be able to more clearly hear what your body needs if you regularly practice meditation, the expert claims. “You are inherently leading a more mindful life when you decide to pay attention to your body.”

Nisha emphasizes that spiritual meditation is not a quick fix, which is important to note.

“According to him, the advantages it brings come from commitment to daily practice and a desire to advance.

Health Advantages Of Spiritual Meditation

A 2020 study and 2018 studyTrusted Source noted that spiritual meditation can be an effective complementary treatment for several conditions, including:

• substance use disorders, including opioid, methamphetamine, and stimulant use
• depression
• anxiety
• stress
• pain management

A 2019 study found that spiritual meditation can provide children without reliable or consistent access to medical or mental healthcare with supplemental support.

The advantages of spiritual meditation are profound and wide-ranging for both Alico and Nisha.

“The overwhelming sense of bliss and self-assurance that comes from spiritual meditation, in my opinion, is its most significant benefit. As Alico describes her experience, “you feel so blissfully confident in the fact that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing in life.”

Spiritual Meditation For Sleep

Sleep benefits from spiritual meditation may also be present. A 2019 studyTrusted Source found that the use of mind-body medicine, including spiritual meditation, may be an effective modality to ease sleep problems for cancer survivors.

Nisha offers a religious justification for how meditation might improve sleep.

“Since you are no longer under unhealthy stress and have a greater understanding of your daily experiences, he claims, your sleep will improve.

Alico agrees.

“Many of my clients who meditate report feeling less stress and anxiety, which is typically what keeps them up at night, says she.

If you have trouble falling asleep at night, Alico advises just concentrating on your breathing as in step two of her meditation.

“Put your hands on your body and begin to connect with your breath as you would when practicing meditation, she advises. “Getting rid of whatever is keeping you up will help the body relax.”

Other suggested methods to promote sleep include body scans and guided meditation. See more about What Is The Purpose Of Meditation?

Technique Of Spiritual Meditation

Select A Comfortable Position

Finding a spot and a position that you feel comfortable in is crucial before you start the practice. This entails avoiding as many city sounds as you can and surrounding yourself with greenery and the tranquil chirping of birds. You may fall asleep almost instantly during spiritual meditation. You must be especially careful when choosing the position you want to meditate in order to avoid that. Choose a position that is comfortable for you, but avoid one that is overly soothing and causes you to nod off easily. Take a seat in the Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Vajrasana. You could also stand up straight with your back against a wall, or you could sit on a chair with your back straight. Then, lightly close your eyes, whatever works.

Experience The Process

What do you usually do when you have a task to complete? You prepare, mentally run through the steps, and consciously adhere to the pattern. We are accustomed to performing tasks in this manner. They are carefully planned and carried out by us. To deal with meditation, however, is not the best approach. You must let it go in this instance. Relax and allow nature to take its natural and organic course. You should simply observe the process as it unfolds. Don’t worry about doing it correctly or being anxious about the outcome. Let nature take its course.

Acknowledge The Thoughts

The world in which we live is information-based. Through social media, breaking news, and live updates, you are constantly fed new information. Your brain’s response to new information causes your mind to constantly be active. It’s a never-ending game while you’re awake, and even when you’re asleep, it can be difficult to quiet your racing thoughts.

Every thought makes you react, and you inevitably get affected by it. Even as you sit to meditate, thoughts will distract you. The difficulty comes from refusing to react to them and letting them have control over you. Let the thoughts come, as they always do, but resist the urge to respond. Allow them to vanish so you can return to your meditation.

Utter A Prayer

Keep your body loose and at ease at this point. Breathe normally and slowly. Watch your breath as it comes and goes. When thoughts arise, you know how to deal with them. After every thought digression, come back to your body and take a deep breath. After that, recall your chosen prayer with each exhalation. Say it out loud each time you exhale. To return your focus to observing your breath, use the prayer as a tool.

Keep your body loose and at ease right now. Take deep, relaxed breaths. Watch your breath as it comes and goes. Thoughts may obstruct your workflow, but you are aware of how to deal with them. Following each thought break, come back to your body and your breathing. Then, as you exhale, consider the prayer you selected. Say it out loud each time you exhale. To return your focus to observing your breath, use the prayer as a tool.

Reflect On Yourself

Your body, awareness, and presence in the environment should now be the focus of your attention. Take note of your surroundings. Feel your body’s sensations. Pay close attention to your breathing and thoughts. Stay calm and completely at ease. Sit for some time in the same position after slowly opening your eyes. Let meditation’s benefits sink in. Feel it, and savor how light your body feels. Consider the entire procedure and your approach. Observe how you are less agitated than you were before the meditation. Recognize that it was only natural for you to react to the process.

After a while, exit the meditative state, take a few steps back, and resume your normal activities.

Keys To A Successful Spiritual Meditation

Really getting to know yourself is the first step. It’s likely that, like most people who commit to self-knowledge, you’ll focus on aspects of yourself that you’d like to change. The first step in truly becoming friends with yourself through spiritual meditation is to acknowledge and accept who you are. The meditation master Pema Chödrön expresses this beautifully in her book Start Where You Are: “It is our unwavering compassion for ourselves that inevitably leads to unwavering compassion for others. We will be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others and never give up on them if we are willing to stand fully in our own shoes and never give up on ourselves.” It is only through accepting who we are that we can accept others for who they are. Giving up is no longer an option when we connect with what is sacred in ourselves and others.

So you don’t have to worry about having spiritual experiences while you’re in meditation, gaining spiritual power, or becoming “enlightened” spiritually.” Instead, consider the following advice to help you get real and work on yourself:

Improve Spiritual Awareness

Many people discover that living out their faith is a great comfort and a fantastic way to feed their spirit. They find a source of happiness in their place of worship or meditation center, or even just by practicing alongside other like-minded individuals. And when religious practices uphold the fundamental spiritual tenets of kindness, openness, and connection, they may result in spiritual awakening experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

On the other hand, some people choose to reject life in all its flaws rather than embrace it. You stay receptive to the connection and blessings of the present moment by incorporating mindfulness into your spiritual practice. Your mindfulness supports your faith, and your faith supports you in the present.

Be Open To New Possibilities

Even though we are all unique in many ways, there are some needs and experiences that all living things share. All living things, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest king, strive to maintain wellbeing and minimize suffering. In addition, none of us could possibly exist alone. Through guided spiritual meditation, we can become more aware of our interconnectedness and reduce the significance of our individual selves. Accepting that we are only a tiny but crucial piece of the bigger picture, a speck of cosmic dust in the universe, or just a grain of sand as some people put it, gives us a lot of freedom. We can free our minds to all the possibilities that this freedom offers us, as opposed to remaining entrapped in self-importance. Right now, we can accept change and advance toward higher spiritual awareness. The best free online meditation class allows us to do this without getting up from our chair.

Release All Your Resentment

Forgiving someone who has wronged you or someone you care about can be incredibly difficult. But as you develop your spiritual meditation practice, you’ll come to understand that harboring resentments only makes you feel bad and doesn’t do anything to make others feel better. The sooner you forgive, the faster you’ll be able to let go of your pain and move on. Don’t let your pursuit of spiritual awareness be hampered by your inability to forgive. By being mindful and wishing others happiness, you can train your mind to let go. Although it might take some time, letting go is clearly preferable to holding on to the anguish of resentment.

Make Others The Center Of Your Spiritual Aspirations

The goal of true spirituality is to help others, but in order to do this, we must first help ourselves. We discover how to accept who we are with kindness and tenderness by taking a good look at our own minds. Following that, we can show others this kindness and tenderness. As we continue our spiritual development, we observe that our tendency is to worry less about our own wants and frustrations and more about the good of others. We start to understand that all of us are merely attempting to live happy lives and stay as pain-free as possible. We are all similar in this way.

According to the Dalai Lama, “I often joke that if you really want to be selfish, you should be very altruistic!” It may seem contradictory, but we can clearly see that the more energy we devote to others, the happier we become. You should take good care of others, be concerned for their welfare, help them, serve them, make more friends, and make more smiles.

Be Authentic

The oft-repeated adage “be yourself” exhorts you to stop feigning being someone or something you’re not in order to appease others or hide your flaws. Sadly, a lot of people are so used to living pretend lives that they are unable to be authentic, that is, to be who they truly are. If the person you are at home is different from the person you are at work or with friends, you may want to take a closer look at that behavior to determine whether or not it promotes your well-being and the well-being of others. Being sincere, open-minded, and morally upright is embracing authenticity. On the road to true authenticity, meditation practice’s clarity and openness are invaluable allies. The dual traps of spiritual bypassing and spiritual materialism are also avoided by authenticity.

Spiritual meditation can result in a healthy, rich inner life in addition to the physical and mental advantages of mindfulness.

The End

Realizing the eternal truth and letting go of everything that has happened and will happen are two effects of spiritual meditation. You want to be and find comfort in the present. Spiritual meditation is necessary because of a deep-seated desire to think and see beyond the confusing world you are currently living in.

I appreciate you reading.