What do you do where you hit the point where everything spiritual feels dead to you?

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DarkLight

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What do you do when spirituality just starts to feel dead? Like, not that you don’t believe things, but that everything just feels like a chore and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything from any sort of spiritual activity? It’s very hard to focus and keep my mind from wandering during prayers or study, and I often find myself resenting taking time out for them simply because I feel that I have almost stared blankly at a page or a set of beads for a few minutes (not for lack of trying).

I go to Mass every week, I go to confession every 1-2 months (it’s kind of hard with my schedule, because I have to arrange for it 2-3 weeks out). I was praying the liturgy of the hours for a while but I stopped because I was finding myself distracted and merely annoyed with it rather than gaining anything.
 
DarkLight said:
What do you do when spirituality just starts to feel dead? Like, not that you don’t believe things, but that everything just feels like a chore and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything from any sort of spiritual activity? It’s very hard to focus and keep my mind from wandering during prayers or study, and I often find myself resenting taking time out for them simply because I feel that I have almost stared blankly at a page or a set of beads for a few minutes (not for lack of trying).

I go to Mass every week, I go to confession every 1-2 months (it’s kind of hard with my schedule, because I have to arrange for it 2-3 weeks out). I was praying the liturgy of the hours for a while but I stopped because I was finding myself distracted and merely annoyed with it rather than gaining anything.
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Try silent, passive contemplation. I found The Cloud of Unknowing very useful. It’s easy to read and to follow.
 
What in this life gives you passion? What excites you? What do you love?
 
Michael_Mayo said:
What in this life gives you passion? What excites you? What do you love?
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I don’t really know. I loved my academics but I hated the attitudes that came with it and I found I did not want to subject myself to the material insecurity that pursuing it would cost (I like philosophy but I also like having a job that pays the bills). I enjoy being in a place where I can discuss such things with others but it is difficult with very limited hours and transportation available to me, and I don’t always feel welcome in Catholic groups because of some of my perspectives and experiences. I get more from group experiences and discussion than from individual study, but such things can be very difficult when you’re on 2nd shift.

I’ve also battled mental illness most of my adult life and it gets tiring and frustrating sometimes. I am doing better than I used to but it is tough, and treatment is always a series of trade-offs. I regret the time and energy I lost to such things and sometimes I feel that it made me make choices I wouldn’t have otherwise made or deal with long-term consequences that can be difficult.
 
For me going for a walk, then sitting and being aware of the breath are great ways to recharge the spiritual battery.
A walk of 30-50 minutes in fresh air and sunshine, then about 5 minutes of mindfulness on the breath. All this helps to clear the cobwebs so to speak. Take care.
 
DarkLight said:
I don’t really know. I loved my academics but I hated the attitudes that came with it and I found I did not want to subject myself to the material insecurity that pursuing it would cost (I like philosophy but I also like having a job that pays the bills). I enjoy being in a place where I can discuss such things with others but it is difficult with very limited hours and transportation available to me, and I don’t always feel welcome in Catholic groups because of some of my perspectives and experiences. I get more from group experiences and discussion than from individual study, but such things can be very difficult when you’re on 2nd shift.

I’ve also battled mental illness most of my adult life and it gets tiring and frustrating sometimes. I am doing better than I used to but it is tough, and treatment is always a series of trade-offs. I regret the time and energy I lost to such things and sometimes I feel that it made me make choices I wouldn’t have otherwise made or deal with long-term consequences that can be difficult.
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Thanks for sharing. Like Puzzledtoo, I find spiritual refreshment in things that are not usually classified as “spiritual”, a walk, nature, pets, slow reflective reading, breath awareness, journaling, yoga, coffee with my wife at the local shop, music listening and playing (even though I have no talent).

It is great that you value group activities. That is more spiritual than we often realize.
 
Just sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. A Holy Hour without prayer. All Jesus asked of the apostles were to stay awake while He prayed. Of course we should and need to pray as Jesus tells us but at times like you describe it’s okay to just sit with Him.
 
I usually stand back from my emotional situation and realize God’s promise that He would never leave me or forsake me. Then I just wait to feel differently. Over the years, this has always worked for me. Religious fervor comes and goes. Sometimes we are hot, sometimes cold. It’s natural. Give it a while…days…weeks…sometimes months…it will change and come aright again. Our emotions aren’t an indication of God’s faithfulness or of our relationship with him. Mother Teresa said that she rarely felt God’s presence. Feel blessed for the times that you do.
 
When you are at the end of your rope…you tie a knot and HANG ON!
 
I have mental illness too. Make sure your meds are adjusted correctly. If not that can also leave an “empty” feeling within you or certain meds can make you feel that way. But if its not the meds I would say…stop trying so so hard and just enjoy being. Being with God, doing nothing much but just talking. Sit at adoration and just share your heart. Stop doing so much for Him and try being for a while to help you feed from the streams of His living water and of course pray pray and pray! Hope this helps. 😉
 
As elohimrules offered. Stop trying so hard and enjoy being. As Michael Mayo alluded to, noticing the spirituality in the mundane.
 
When I was 19. I had just graduated high school the year before, and was working full time at the job that I had worked part-time all through high school. I got a letter from my church - the church I was active in for about 10 years, was confirmed in (Lutheran), and had attended nearly most of my life, saying that they have noted I haven’t been at church for awhile (because I work Sundays) and haven’t contributed to the congregation, so they were going to remove me from their rolls if they didn’t see my name on an offering envelope in the next two weeks.

Nobody called to ask what was up, or why I wasn’t around. Nobody tried to figure out what was wrong. Just “pay us or you’re gone.” That’s when I let it go.
 
DarkLight said:
What do you do when spirituality just starts to feel dead? Like, not that you don’t believe things, but that everything just feels like a chore and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything from any sort of spiritual activity? It’s very hard to focus and keep my mind from wandering during prayers or study, and I often find myself resenting taking time out for them simply because I feel that I have almost stared blankly at a page or a set of beads for a few minutes (not for lack of trying).

I go to Mass every week, I go to confession every 1-2 months (it’s kind of hard with my schedule, because I have to arrange for it 2-3 weeks out). I was praying the liturgy of the hours for a while but I stopped because I was finding myself distracted and merely annoyed with it rather than gaining anything.
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I look at the crucifix over that altar and realize that my “dark night of the soul” was shared by Him who created all beauty, magnificence, and love. And I take comfort in the thought that to get to Easter Sunday, you have to go through Good Friday.

I also take comfort in Christ’s admonition that the kingdom of Heaven was made for small children. The flip side of that is the God sees us a children and judges us with the mercy of a loving and devoted father. He loves us when we do good, and when we have our many moments of child like spiritual attention deficit syndrome.

One other thing that I like. Go to You Tube and bring up Josh Groban’s song, “You raise me up.” Find the version sung to the backdrop of excerpts of the film, “*The Passion of the Christ” * It is inspiring. Hope these thoughts help.

Shalom:);):heaven:
 
What I would do (and did) was to buy a copy of Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. It is a spiritual masterpiece that teaches the benefits of spiritual aridity, using the teachings of Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross. These times, these dry spells are intended to draw you closer to God, in a more intimate relationship with Him - focusing on His greatness and your (our) nothingness. It follows the Church year and consists of 365 daily reflections and a conversational prayer with God that cannot help but improve your spiritual life.

A little pricy, but leather bound with gilt-edged pages - crafted like a fine bible. It will last a lifetime and its lessons will endure throughout all eternity. The Mystic Monks have it at the best price on earth, and some of the best coffee - which they roast themselves.
 
DarkLight said:
What do you do when spirituality just starts to feel dead? Like, not that you don’t believe things, but that everything just feels like a chore and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything from any sort of spiritual activity? It’s very hard to focus and keep my mind from wandering during prayers or study, and I often find myself resenting taking time out for them simply because I feel that I have almost stared blankly at a page or a set of beads for a few minutes (not for lack of trying).

I go to Mass every week, I go to confession every 1-2 months (it’s kind of hard with my schedule, because I have to arrange for it 2-3 weeks out). I was praying the liturgy of the hours for a while but I stopped because I was finding myself distracted and merely annoyed with it rather than gaining anything.
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When spirituality starts to feel “dead”, that is the time to make acts of faith and love to the Lord who is always with you. You can say the words of a prayer or speak to Him in your own words without any feelings. Feelings come and go, and at times the Lord tests us through the times we feel nothing. He is still there loving you. Just continue to make acts of faith, hope and love in His Presence.

We need to be willing to pray without feelings. This is what strengthens us.
 
johnnyc176 said:
Just sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament. A Holy Hour without prayer. All Jesus asked of the apostles were to stay awake while He prayed. Of course we should and need to pray as Jesus tells us but at times like you describe it’s okay to just sit with Him.
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I love this idea as it is not a possibility for me right now… I so wish it were… 🙂
 
elohimrules said:
I have mental illness too. Make sure your meds are adjusted correctly. If not that can also leave an “empty” feeling within you or certain meds can make you feel that way
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You know how sometimes meds can be, too. It’s always a tradeoff - you get one thing from them, but you don’t get another, or you give up one benefit to be free from another side effect. It’s never quite as good as just not having the disorder.
 
I knit. Bright colours and pretty things that will be sold for baby food for the little ones literally thrown in the rubbish in India and Nepal where my family work

I find it odd to see the way folk separate off what they deem "spiritual " and “holy” . So artificial.

OP I have a major systemic illness that especially as I am nearing 80, severely limits what I can do and affects me in so many ways

I see now no difference between spiritual as defined here and phsyical or mental.

So there is no stressing. Jesus has all I am and have. He lived here on this earth and enjoyed it. So do I in so many ways. In all the ways we are given. He knows our needs and our fragility. And loves us .

Sp today? I am rock bottom exhausted, so I will knit something easy and bright, and stay snug alongside my purring cats. My pillows are my resting place, like the arms of God.
 
Crusaderbear said:
When you are at the end of your rope…you tie a knot and HANG ON!
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Sometimes, that’s about it.

You do your best, DarkLight.

I have been through a period of what we would call “spiritual dryness.” It happened many years ago. I felt like I had no energy to pray. It’s like everything just “stopped,” in a sense.

However, I just kept trying despite everything.

I kept going to Mass, and I kept on praying and I kept on going to Adoration, too. I held on tight to everything. I waited for it to pass, and it eventually did.

That’s when you don’t rely on your feelings in a sense, but rely on faith instead, when you’re in the middle of this dry period.

I remember that I was in this phase for some time, like several months, and then it finally passed.
 
MY CHILD, hear My words, words of greatest sweetness surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of earth. My words are spirit and life, and they are not to be weighed by man’s understanding. They are not to be invoked in vanity but are to be heard in silence, and accepted with all humility and with great affection.
-The Imitation of Christ
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Again, I find listening to be an important part of prayer. Sitting and Listening in an empty church, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament or an image of our Holy Mother. Sometimes I find that God speaks to me from listening to my thoughts. It’s like a two-way conversation where I ask a question and listen to the thoughts that come to mind. It can take a lot of discernment at times, but other times the correct questions and answers are just so obvious that they are coming from the Divine!

Other times I keep my mind perfectly quiet and reach my awareness ever so higher to the point that I can sense a higher-ordered spiritual world and that God is perfectly pleased with my efforts and already knows what I am praying for and what needs are. When I end such a prayer I feel a powerful sense of consolation and a most powerful sense of being spiritually content.
*
The Imitation of Christ* is my favorite book next to the Bible and I find that reading just one very short chapter daily leads me to live a holiest life. leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html

And it often happens that I’m being deprived of all consolation and I must struggle forward based on faith alone. Such times are to be expected and The Imitation of Christ speaks of them very often. Moments of doubt can often come to mind during such times but we just need to persevere and the doubts fade away sooner or later.
 
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