Keeping a Spiritual Diary

A brother in Christ asked me about my spiritual diary, what that is all about, how I structure it, and what kind of contents I put in it. A very solid question!

First of all, a spiritual diary is a diary. Just like any diary, the amount of differences between one to the next is probably as many as the amount of individuals living on Earth right now. It is a unique expression of oneself. The structure and content will be as unique as everyone’s fingerprints.

With that in mind, let’s take it one step further. What makes it “spiritual” then?

For me, instead of writing just on a blank piece of paper, I am seeing myself writing these expressions directly “on” the heart of God. Yes, it may still be on a piece of paper or in a blank document in Microsoft Word. However, when I am writing it, I bear in mind that I am expressing myself directly to God.

I come with no defense, no walls, nothing fake. I am being brutally honest, and completely “naked” in front of God. I write both the joy and ugliness I experience in my own spiritual journey. I write down my dreams, wishes, prayers, love poem, confessions about my sin, what I am called to be in life, things I wish I could change, the kind of things I can change, touching experiences for that day, someone whom I love, someone whom I have difficulty to love, etc.

When I write my spiritual diary, I don’t think, I just write.

In the beginning it was hard because my tendencies were to run away from these facts about myself, especially the ugly ones. Early on, I needed to “force” myself to write pretty much whatever to get into the habit of expressing myself.

Even if it is only one word, it is ok. Many people say they don’t know what to write. Then write the words, “don’t know” or “blank” or “confused.” Really, any words will do. At this stage, it is about getting things out from us. It only takes less than 5 seconds to do so. Don’t let any excuses stop us from expressing our inside.

At the start, it is about engaging our inner spirit. Once a routine is developed, then the heart starts to get involved. At this point, learn how to express the day in one or two words; “happy” or “sad” or “frustrating” or “jiggly wiggly,” etc. Then once we are up to it, start writing why we are happy or sad or frustrated or “jiggly wiggly.”

All these things are done while realizing that we are not just expressing ourselves on paper or digital file, but directly on the heart of God.

I give my spiritual diary a name. It is taken directly from a name of a saint whose talents and charisms are similar to mine. She is the patron of my spiritual diary.

For the sake of its content, I password protect my spiritual diary. It has to be. Because the kind of writing I have in it is the kind of thing that can create the end of the world if read by others. Yes, I am that honest to God and myself.

Every time I approach my spiritual diary, I approach it with a lot of respect and love.

These are God’s words I keep in mind whenever I am expressing myself in His heart,

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you” – Isa 43:1, 4.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” – Jer 1:5.

Just like the way we need a mirror when fixing our hair to get it right, we also need a “mirror” to assess ourselves in front of God. A spiritual diary will do just that. It serves as our mirror in our spiritual journey.

Glory to the Most Holy Trinity,
Bro Chan