Spiritual practice

A spiritual practice, spiritual discipline or spiritual exercise includes any activity that one associates with cultivating spirituality. In Hinduism, this is known as sadhana. Spiritual practices, like meditation, yoga and vegetarianism, have traditionally been thought to characterize Eastern religion more than Western.

Hindu practices

Japa, the silent or audible repetition of a mantra, is a common Hindu spiritual practice.

Buddhist practices

In Zen Buddhism, meditation (called zazen), the writing of poetry (especially haiku), painting, calligraphy, flower arranging, and the maintenance of Zen gardens are considered to be spiritual practices. The extensive Japanese and Korean Tea Ceremonies are also considered spiritual.

Chinese spiritual practices

Some martial arts, like Aikido and Jujitsu, are considered spiritual practices by their practitioners.

New Age and new religious movement practices

Passage meditation was a practice recommended by Eknath Easwaran which involves the memorization and silent repetition of passages of scripture from the world's religions.

Adidam (the name of both the religion and practice) taught by Adi Da Samraj uses an extensive group of spiritual practices including ceremonial invocation (puja) and body disciplines such as exercise, a modified yoga, dietary restictions and bodily service. These are all rooted in a fundamental devotional practice of Guru bhakti based in self-understanding rather than conventional religious seeking.

Muslim practices

Spiritual practices that are practiced by Sufis include Dhikr, Muraqaba, Qawwali, Sama and Sufi whirling.

Christian practices

Spiritual practices that have characterized Western religion include prayer, baptism, monasticism, chanting, celibacy, the use of prayer beads, mortification of the flesh, Christian meditation, and Lectio Divina.

The Religious Society of Friends (also known as the Quakers) practices silent worship, which is punctuated by vocal ministry. Quakers have little to no creed or doctrine, and so their practices constitute a large portion of their group identity.