spiritual autobiography
This is the story of your spiritual journey. Your story begins with what you were taught as a child by your parents and family and your religious community (church, synagogue, mosque, temple). Your story ends with where you are today. Perhaps nothing much has changed. Perhaps much has changed. It may be that your family is not spiritual. You should tell your story from wherever you are. Write about the following:
1. The nature of God (What is God like? Where is God? What can God do? What does God want?).
2. Why do bad things happen in the world?
3. What happens when I die?
4. Why am I here? What is the purpose of living?
As you think about your story, be sure to consider how your beliefs or thinking has changed over time. You might use the following strategy in your writing: I used to think..., and then...., now I think... You can use this strategy for all of the questions above or, chose a different one. This is your story. Tell it in your own words and write in the first person. Finally, write about questions you have or things you are curious about concerning the spiritual life or religion.
Your autobiography should be at least one typed page. Make sure that the margins are one inch on all four sides, that you double space, and use Times New Roman or a similar font with a 12point font size.
Tips for Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography.
I invite you to begin thinking about this unit by writing and submitting your own story of personal belief. I understand how challenging this is—it requires intense self-examination and no one else can do it for you. To guide you through this process, consider these suggestions:
Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.
Be brief: Your statement should be about 500 -750 words or three to four 12 pt. double spaced typed pages. That’s about five minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.
Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Write about what you do believe, not what you do not believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.
Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. I recommend you read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.
Show change: Show how your beliefs have changed over time. Try using phrases like, "I use to believe..., But then..., Now I believe..."
1. The nature of God (What is God like? Where is God? What can God do? What does God want?).
2. Why do bad things happen in the world?
3. What happens when I die?
4. Why am I here? What is the purpose of living?
As you think about your story, be sure to consider how your beliefs or thinking has changed over time. You might use the following strategy in your writing: I used to think..., and then...., now I think... You can use this strategy for all of the questions above or, chose a different one. This is your story. Tell it in your own words and write in the first person. Finally, write about questions you have or things you are curious about concerning the spiritual life or religion.
Your autobiography should be at least one typed page. Make sure that the margins are one inch on all four sides, that you double space, and use Times New Roman or a similar font with a 12point font size.
Tips for Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography.
I invite you to begin thinking about this unit by writing and submitting your own story of personal belief. I understand how challenging this is—it requires intense self-examination and no one else can do it for you. To guide you through this process, consider these suggestions:
Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.
Be brief: Your statement should be about 500 -750 words or three to four 12 pt. double spaced typed pages. That’s about five minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.
Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Write about what you do believe, not what you do not believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.
Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. I recommend you read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.
Show change: Show how your beliefs have changed over time. Try using phrases like, "I use to believe..., But then..., Now I believe..."