Creating your own spiritual journal is much like creating your own specifically-focused art journal. Instead of capturing quotes of the day, drawing what you desire, and scribbling about any topic, this type of journaling revolves around your spirituality. Do you want to solidify your relationship with God? Do you want to walk further on your spiritual path? Are you a visual person? Bible journaling might be the solution for you.
Traditional spiritual journaling requires that you take a standard holy text and begin drawing out the scriptures within along the margins. For instance, there are special Bibles with wide margins for this. You are, essentially, illuminating your own manuscript. However, writing directly in a holy book doesn’t feel right to some people. What if you took your journaling out of the scripture and created your own? All it takes is your chosen text, some pens, and a fine leather journal to get started. You would be able to do the same things that you do with the Bible, but leave the scripture untouched.
Does it have to be Bible journaling?
No. No matter the source of your spirituality, you can draw it and become closer to that faith through journaling about it. If you’re a Buddhist, you might want to illustrate parts of the Pali Canon. If you follow the Quran, there are passages which might inspire you. The book doesn’t matter in this instance, as long as you connect with it. You could highlight scenes from your faith through drawing or writing them down in your journal.
What supplies do you need for spiritual journaling?
● Your spiritual book of choice
● A leather journal
● Something to write with (a pen, a pencil, a crayon, what have you)
The materials that you use are purely up to you, as this is a communication between you and your spirituality. If you choose to illustrate your book using watercolors, then do it. If you’re fond of colored pencils, that works as well. If you want to use a single ball-point pen, that works, too.
What do I work on first?
You have a leather journal at your disposal, which means that the realm of imagination is open to you. As long as you have a journal which fits your needs and a pen to write your thoughts down, then you should be good to go.
Starting from the beginning of your book allows you the chance to make multiple books while you go further into your spiritual studies. Maybe you’re illustrating a journal for each chapter? Others choose to pick the most meaningful passages to them, the ones which really stand out in their minds. By doing this, you don’t have to be stuck with just one subject or one idea for any specific length of time.
Wherever you start, just know that the book is uniquely yours. Read the passages carefully and reflect on them. Let them inspire a new piece of art or a new quotation from you about your feelings and write it down. Spiritual journaling is a deeply personal process, much like art journaling.
But I can’t draw! How can I do journaling like this?
Just like we talked about in the advantages of art journaling, it’s time to say that it’s all about the process. Think of it as making a joyful noise, not being judged at the local art contest. Your artwork only has to please yourself. As long as the images are meaningful to you, that’s what’s important. Write or draw what inspires you as you read your chosen book and see what comes out. You could surprise yourself.
Take spiritual journaling for a spin. All of the journals that we have reviewed have the ability to keep your truest, most sacred thoughts. By writing your thoughts down, you can grow deeper in your chosen religion or spirituality.