Spiritual formation is an intentional Christian practice that has as its goal the development of spiritual maturity that leads to Christ-likeness. Ancient Christian spiritual practices (prayer, the study of scripture, fasting, simplicity, solitude, confession, worship, etc.) Spiritual Theology that includes historical and contemporary practices Christian Spirituality and Mysticism Many authors have attempted to define spiritual formation. Christian spiritual writers and institutions have differing definitions due to their various purposes of spiritual formation. Some authors suggest it is to discover the leadings of the heart, renewal of the mind (sanctification), walking in the spirit, intersection between spirituality and vocation, or a type of character formation. The single thread of commonality between the different definitions is engagement in spiritual disciplines by the spiritual traveler. In Care of Mind, Care of Spirit, Gerald G. May has written, “Spiritual formation is a rather general term referring to all attempts, means, instruction, and disciplines intended towards deepening of faith and furtherance of spiritual growth. It includes educational endeavors as well as the more intimate and in-depth process of spiritual direction.”
