Not everyone meditates just to reduce stress. Some people are looking for something deeper—connection, meaning, purpose, or a sense of the transcendent.
Spiritual meditation is meditation with that orientation. It’s not a specific technique, but an approach that uses meditation as a doorway to inner exploration.
What Makes Meditation “Spiritual”?
Any meditation technique can become spiritual depending on your intention:
Secular meditation asks: How can I focus better, feel calmer, reduce anxiety?
Spiritual meditation asks: Who am I beyond my thoughts? What is the nature of consciousness? How do I connect with something larger than myself?
Same techniques, different questions.
Some people frame this in religious terms—connecting with God, the divine, or a higher power. Others approach it secularly—exploring consciousness, inner wisdom, or the deeper self without religious overlay.
Both are valid forms of spiritual meditation.
Common Spiritual Meditation Practices
Contemplative Prayer
Found in Christian mystical traditions, this involves silent, receptive prayer—not asking for things, but opening to divine presence. The practice of Centering Prayer, developed by Trappist monks, is essentially meditation with a sacred word.
Loving-Kindness (Metta)
A Buddhist practice of cultivating love and compassion—first for yourself, then expanding outward to others, and eventually to all beings. It connects meditation to relational meaning.
Self-Inquiry
Popularised by the Indian sage Ramana Maharshi, this involves asking “Who am I?” and investigating the nature of the one who is aware. It’s meditation turned inward toward the subject rather than the object.
Kabbalistic Meditation
Jewish mystical tradition includes contemplative practices focused on divine names, letters, and attributes. It connects meditation to Jewish theology and symbolism.
Sufi Practices
Islamic mysticism includes dhikr (remembrance of God through repeated names), muraqaba (watchfulness), and movement practices like the whirling of the Mevlevi order.
Non-Dual Awareness
Found in Advaita Vedanta, Dzogchen, and some Zen traditions, this points to recognising awareness itself as the ground of being—not separate from the divine or ultimate reality.
Secular Spirituality
You don’t need a religious framework to meditate spiritually. Many people explore:
- The nature of consciousness — What is this awareness that experiences everything?
- Interconnection — The sense that you’re not separate from the world around you
- Flow states — Moments where self-boundary dissolves and action becomes effortless
- Awe and wonder — Cultivating appreciation for existence itself
- Inner wisdom — Accessing intuition and deeper knowing beyond analytical thought
These orientations can be as “spiritual” as any religious practice, depending on how you engage with them.
The Benefits of Spiritual Orientation
Research suggests that having a sense of meaning and purpose is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing. Spiritual meditation connects practice to that bigger picture:
- Grounding in values — Meditation becomes aligned with what matters to you
- Transcending ego concerns — Less rumination about status, comparison, and petty worries
- Facing mortality — Many spiritual traditions use meditation to prepare for death, which paradoxically makes life more vivid
- Ethical development — Spiritual practice often cultivates qualities like compassion, patience, and generosity
When Spiritual Meditation Might Not Be Right
Some people find spiritual framing unhelpful:
- If you’re recovering from religious trauma, spiritual language might trigger negative associations
- If you’re highly analytical, claims about “the divine” might feel intellectually dishonest
- If you just want practical stress relief, spiritual framing might distract from the basics
There’s nothing wrong with keeping meditation secular. The benefits of attention training don’t require any spiritual beliefs.
How InTheMoment Handles Spiritual Practice
InTheMoment adapts to your orientation. In the check-in, you can share what you’re seeking:
If you want spiritual exploration:
- Tell the AI you’re looking for meaning, connection, or inner exploration
- Sessions can incorporate contemplative elements, questions, and spaciousness
- Techniques might include loving-kindness, self-inquiry, or open awareness
If you want secular practice:
- Just focus on your immediate needs—stress, focus, sleep
- No spiritual language unless you ask for it
- Evidence-based techniques with practical framing
We don’t push any particular worldview. The AI meets you where you are.
Looking for meditation with depth? Try InTheMoment—share what you’re seeking and get a session that genuinely fits.
Last updated: November 2025