I came across these classification of spiritual disciplines recently. These terms came from “The Spirit of the Disciplines” by Dallas Willard, and I strongly believe that these are valuable to be recorded and shared.

Dallas’ list of spiritual disciplines, which are separated into two categories:

Disciplines of Abstinence and Disciplines of Engagement

Disciplines of Abstinence:

• Solitude (alone with God)
• Silence (quiet with God)
• Fasting (from food and/or the distraction of media)
• Frugality
• Chastity
• Secrecy (discovering God’s secrets)
• Sacrifice

Disciplines of Engagement:

• Study
• Worship
• Celebration
• Service
• Prayer
• Fellowship
• Confession (to God and to others who will encourage and support us)
• Submission (saying no to pride)

Have you practices any of these disciplines? Do you have a balance between “Abstinence” and “Engagement”, or is it one-sided?