I did not set out to keep a spiritual journal. The practice of serious “spiritual journaling” came about as the result of reading Morton Kelsey’s book Adventure Inward. I had inquired at the library what books it might have by the theologian and prolific writer, Merton Kelsey; and Inward Journey was among the titles available through inter-library loan. At the time, I was unaware of the subtitle, “Christian Growth through Personal Journal Writing” and requested the book as one of a couple by Kelsey.
Although I had kept a prayer journal from time to time, written short essays on Bible verses and participated in Bible and theological studies, I had never consistently kept a daily spiritual journal. Adventure Inward changed that. After reading only a few pages, I became inspired and motivated to start a journal, and, consequently, committed to daily journaling. In sharing my personal experience with spiritual journal writing, I will attempt to summarize Kelsey’s reasons for journaling and his experience with such as well as the “how to” or mechanics of journal writing. One perhaps cannot read Adventure Inward without becoming excited about the prospect of spiritual transformation and growth through the daily practice of keeping a journal.
Kelsey states that the purpose of journaling is to become closer to God and to enter a personal relationship with God. He carried on a dialogue with God within the pages of his journal and Adventure Inward encourages the reader to do such.
I have been diligently journaling daily for several months now, and it has become habit, as I have not missed a day. My past experience with journaling ten years ago lasted a short time, in that it perhaps it was only the recording of the day’s events, and not, a sacred ritual of seeking understanding through writing. Kelsey emphasizes that a quiet time and place is required, and although he choose the day’s end, I have chosen the day’s beginning, before the sun rises. It is when I think best, feel refreshed and unencumbered. Although perhaps, anticipatory of the day ahead, I am not caught up in the day. I may reflect on the previous day, but the purpose of my journal is not to record my activities, but my inner experience. The daily ritual is a time for me to record my thoughts, inspirations, and interpretation and application of Bible readings. The writing is many times prayerful. I have not yet “progressed” to dialoguing with God which Kelsey describes in his book. Journaling causes me to be quiet and reflective and to listen. This is what perhaps Kelsey means by his title, Adventure Inward.
The journal itself is special in that I journal in is a leather-bound book with lined pages and a ribbon marker.
I placed into service a gold-filled personalized mechanical pencil, a gift of twenty-five years ago and it is used exclusively for writing in my journal. Previously, I had recorded on sometimes loose sheets of notebook paper or in spiral notebooks which did not provide a feeling of “permanence.”
Kelsey instructs the reader to date every entry, so that the journaler may return to a previous time and review change and growth. I think that it was fortuitous that I read Kelsey’s Adventure Inward when I did. My mother had died suddenly, and I was dealing grief and loss at the time. Journaling helped me to become grounded in that I could focus my thoughts and feelings and express them on paper. By doing such, I became peaceful and reflective. It changed me in that my grief became suddenly an opportunity for growth. I recorded the reading of the Psalms that uplifted me, and I felt inspiration from them, because I was journaling my interpretation of them, while reflecting on the agony or ecstasy of David at the time.
Currently, I continue my daily Bible reading (the commitment to read the Bible in a year) and again record verses which jump out at me. My experience in journaling is somewhat different from what I perceive Kelsey’s to have been, but I imagine everyone’s experiences are different. I do not know if I have been transformed by journaling, but I doubt if one can recognize one’s own transformation. What I do know is that I wake up each morning with a purpose to sit and reflect and write in my journal. I do not even know what I will write. Kelsey warns about “automatic writing”, but the writing is not “automatic” but reflective of where I am at the moment. I write now in my journal in conjunction with my Bible reading. They seem to go hand in hand.
I do feel changed in that I see journal writing as way to deepen my commitment to growing spiritually. It is a tool for such. At first, journal writing required discipline, but now it is a habit for me. However, it is important, perhaps, for it not to become too automatic. The freshness and excitement of journal writing can be exhilarating, since it many times provides the writer with unexpected insights.
While Kelsey carried on a dialogue with God, I express thoughts, praise, and thanks. I copy and examine scripture of which I am reading. This sounds somewhat simplistic, but I believe that the journaling has made an impact on my spiritual life.
I agree with Kelsey that journaling is a learning experience. It is a discipline. I had previously written thoughts about scripture and prayer which could be considered sporadic journaling. After reading Kelsey’s book, I became excited about journaling and it did become something to which I looked forward and it has become a joy as Kelsey said it should become. Even when things seem very busy, I do not neglect writing something every day. Writing in my journal in the morning gives me the opportunity to anticipate and prepare for the day. I cherish and value the time I set aside for it.
The impetus for me to again attempt to keep a journal was the reading of Adventure Inward, and the impetus for reading the book was the sudden death of my mother, and the grief I felt. However, any time is the “right” time to begin keeping a spiritual journal. I would attest that the act of journaling is an act of expanding one’s spiritual
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