Spiritual Autobiography: An Introduction

The practice of writing a spiritual autobiography is a powerful way to bring awareness to the
hidden patterns, beliefs, and attachments that shape our lives. It is not merely an exercise in
recounting personal history, but rather an opportunity to bear witness to how we have been
formed by our experiences, how our conditioning influences our choices, and how we might
cultivate greater freedom and clarity in our relationships with money, the body and sexuality, and
intoxicants.
In the Zen tradition, this practice aligns with the principles of self-inquiry, impermanence, and
non-attachment. By engaging in honest reflection, we can observe the ways we have
unconsciously constructed our sense of self and begin to recognize opportunities for deeper
wisdom and compassionate action. Writing a spiritual autobiography allows us to see the ways in
which we have been shaped by cultural, familial, and societal influences, as well as the ways we
might consciously reshape our relationship to these forces.
This process is not about judgment or self-improvement, but about seeing clearly. By exploring
our relationship with money, the body and sexuality, and intoxicants, we develop an
understanding of how these forces function in our lives—where they bring connection and
wholeness, and where they create suffering or disconnection. Through this reflection, we
cultivate an open-hearted curiosity toward ourselves and our habitual patterns, making room for
new ways of engaging with the world.