Definition:
Journaling: Write in a journal or diary.
A daily record of news and events of a personal nature; a diary. (Lexico Dictionary)
Meditation: The action or practice of meditating.
Focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.
A written or spoken discourse expressing considered thoughts on a subject. (Lexico Dictionary)
Achieving Spiritual Resilience’s Description of Journaling and Meditation
Journaling
Under Developing Spiritual Resilience, writing in a journal about your daily life, feelings, and thoughts is listed as one of practical ways to staying spiritually fit.
“Without maintaining our spirituality and keeping it strong and healthy, we risk compromising our performance and total well-being.”
“make the time to tend to our spirituality and work at it to keep it resilient.”
Meditation
Under the Integration, practicing meditation or prayer is listed as one of the practical ways for spiritual growth.
As well, under Developing Spiritual Resilience, establishing a regular time for meditation, reflection or prayer is listed as one of practical ways to staying spiritually fit. (Achieving Spiritual Resilience)
Kripalu’s Description of Journaling and Meditation
“By opening up to the richness of our interior life through meditation and journaling… we can invite deeper self-reflection and self-expression into our daily existence.”
“Both meditation and journaling create an “open-hearted space of discovery...” by letting things be as they are—not changing, not critiquing, but simply observing and noting our thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise.”
Potential change in perspective.
Meditation “hones our attention and expands our awareness by allowing us to pause from the busy-ness of our lives in order to delve deeply into the roots of our experiences.”
“Journaling provides a complementary practice:”
“When we put thoughts to paper—or type them—we are able to clear our mind and gain perspective on any given situation. “Journaling gives our internal landscape a voice. It’s a chance to document our process, to reflect upon and release our longings and questions.””
““By combining meditation and journaling… you can access the wisdom from the deeper layers of your being and develop a greater understanding of the messages they have to offer.” And though profound, incorporating these practices into your life doesn’t have to be time-consuming or elaborate.” (Kripalu: Center for Yoga & Health)
The Christian Approach to Journaling and Meditation
St. Patrick’s Church at Moody Air Force Base teaches the practicality and usefulness of prayer journals.
“Keeping a journal is a meaningful prayer practice. In essence, you put your thoughts on paper as you pray to help you be more reflective about what you feel and think.”
“Journaling can open your mind and heart so you're better able to hear what God really wants of you.”
“Journal writing has been an honored practice throughout Judeo-Christian history.”
“Writing about life challenges and re-visiting that writing later helps us to gain clarity in our relationships with God, ourselves, and others.”
“Over a period of time, patterns of acting, relating, and thinking all emerge as tools for self-understanding.”
“We begin to see evidence of God’s work in our lives, reminding us of our inner beauty and gently confronting our limitations.” (St. Patrick’s Church at Moody Air Force Base)
Meditation according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
“Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking.”
“To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves.”
“Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly, lest they come to resemble the three first kinds of soil in the parable of the sower.”
“But a method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance, with the Holy Spirit, along the one way of prayer: Christ Jesus.”
“Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary.”
“This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Bible Verses Regarding Journaling and Meditation
“Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.” (Jeremiah 30:2)
“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” (Psalm 119:27)
“This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.” (Joshua 1:8)
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
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