Spiritual Autobiography Guidelines

In order to transform a personal or professional experience into spiritual insight and understanding it is necessary to gain some perspective the writing of one’s spiritual autobiography can cover your entire life, or you can select several significant experiences and write about them in detail.

Use the LifeLine Exercise to identify the events you might wish to write about. Consider events in your life that were formative to your beliefs.

As a child, what were some significant “spiritual” experiences? Then think of yourself as an adolescent and remember the first time you might have believed something different from your family. Who were some significant role models for you? and why? As a young adult, where did you go for spiritual insight? What kind of peak experiences did you have or what kind of community were you seeking?

Create an outline of events from the above that you want to explore from a spiritual perspective.

1. Describe the situation and your role. What went particularly well, with a minimum of effort? What special challenges did you overcome? What special talents did you use?

2. What values were met and which were being challenged or threatened?

3. Describe the people involved and your relation to them. Who was there for you? What relations were deepened as a result of the experience? Which spiritual values were expressed and by whom?

4. Finally, write about the gifts you received as a result of this experience. What were the rewards? Did you overcome a weakness or fear and how has the experience made a difference in your life?