Goal:
to develop an understanding of spiritual discipline that includes community worship, quiet meditation or prayer, and physical activity.

Background:
Introduce the concept of spiritual discipline with this explanation from On the Path:
“A spiritual discipline is a way that you organize yourself to be open and available to your own spirituality on a regular basis. Spirituality is an experience of a depth dimension to life—beyond the physical, the obvious, the provable, and the universally shared. It involves the relationship between one’s being and the universe. Discipline means that you choose to explore the spiritual part of yourself, and you choose to do this regularly—every day, every week, or on some other regular basis. When you work with a spiritual discipline, you do this activity, whatever it is, not just when you feel like it, but according to whatever agreement you’ve made with yourself. Whether or not you feel like it at that moment, you still go ahead, you do this activity, whatever it is, not just when you feel like it, but according to whatever agreement you’ve made with yourself. Whether or not you feel like it at that moment, you still go ahead with the activity.”

For UUs, the most common spiritual practice is collective worship. The common elements of worship are: sacred space, opening words, chalice lighting, music, sermon, prayer or meditation, and closing words.

Other common forms of spiritual practice for UUs include physical exercises (yoga, running), or ascetic practices like fasting, journal writing, or meditation.

Also Read: Statements About Spirituality

Activities: Choose one or more these activities to give yourselves an experience of meditative practice.
• Meditative Nature Walk
• Guided Meditation
• Mindfulness Exercise