How to Pray or Meditate in Church, Even If You're Not Religious

For the millions of us who believe in a God, but don't particularly find any one organized religion to be for us, we often feel as if we have nowhere to relax and "reconnect" with peace, solitude, or deep understanding.

I recently realized that even though I am not religious, I enjoy the "good energy" that comes from sitting in an ancient place-plus it is quiet and generally cool temperature in a church, so you can sit there and collect your thoughts.

I would recommend walking around your neighborhood or city and finding the oldest, most austere church you can find. I love the really old looking ones made of stone, with gothic arches and steeples.

Once you find such a church, walk in during regular hours (not during a service or mass or anything of that sort)-I recommend midday on a week day, as it will just be you, and possibly a couple of other people. But for the most part, you will encounter extraordinary silence and peace.

I live in New York, and it is amazing how well a church blocks out the outside noise and distractions. I like to sit there, close my eyes after some reflection, and focus on what I want out of the next week or month. Even though I am not religious, I do believe there is a higher power (seems like human life is too "delicate" and complex for it to have all been an accident), so I will also sometimes pray directly to God and tell Him what I need help with.

As I leave, there is a donation box by the exit. Normally I do not give to church charities (I feel like most churches already make an obscene amount, and they enjoy tax-free privileges that would make most Fortune 500 companies salivate). Despite this, when I have had a particularly good "session" of meditation or prayer, I will shove a few dollars into the donation box. It feels good to give so freely, and a green sheet of paper taped to the donation box says: "It costs $5 per minute to operate this church" so I always feel guilty about that! I do not doubt that figure because real estate in Manhattan is fairly outrageous, and also it must cost a lot to heat a large building with tall ceilings and no insulation.

But I digress. The point here is this: try going to a church, Zen temple, or synagogue at some point in your life even if you are not religious. Do not feel the need to show up when they are doing intricate services; instead, pick a day and time when no one is there and quietly meditate on the purpose of your life. I think you will find it energizing and and also a thoroughly healthy addition to your daily or weekly routine.