Soul Explorations

A Journey/Journal for Two Through Five of the World’s Religions

Soul Explorations is a set of questions and activities that gives you a window into your interior life. It guides you through an exploration of the world’s religions through a study of yourself–and an exploration of yourself through a study of the world’s religions–all through the technique of “relational journaling.”

Each journal activity is based on a centuries-old practice that helps us look at our interior lives. For example, after reading about the Jewish practice of observing shabbat or “a day of abstinence from work,” we design our own rules for a day of rest, engage in it, and then write about our experience—what was frustrating, intriguing, enjoyable. When we are finished, we exchange our journal with a trusted “soul-friend”—a friend, partner, teacher, spouse, or classmate—reading each other’s entry and responding to it before moving on to the next prompt. This patterned activity leads to deeper self-awareness, a deepening relationship with our friend, and a better understanding of the world’s religions. It also just might turn out to be fun.

Consequently, Soul Explorations is a way to increase our spirituality. Spirituality is a word that refers to our relationship to, and/or identification with, realities beyond ourselves. We have relationships with ourselves, our families, friends, communities, ethnicities, animals, the earth, the universe, and possibly even supernatural realities (that which we call “God”). As such, spirituality can be secular or religious.

Religions first developed the tools of spirituality; secular science is now examining these practices, affirming and explaining their effectiveness. Soul Explorations offers us 37 evidence-based tools and activities inspired by these spiritual technologies. They are “evidence-based” in three ways:

1. Human beings have tested these techniques for centuries. They have survived because of how well they have worked.
2. Modern science is now starting to test and measure the effects of these techniques. It would take a whole other book to document that endeavor, though we do mention a few instances of it throughout the book. For example, neuroscientists have been able to use SPECT scan imagery to show how meditation affects the brain to produce experiences of interconnectedness. There is even one fieldwork study—referenced in the book—that confirms the effectiveness of Soul Explorations in particular.
3. You get to perform your own personal experiments to test whether and how these techniques work on yourself and in your life. Each reader gets to see how these techniques lead to higher levels of self-awareness and spirituality. If they are done with a friend, each reader will also witness how they lead to a deeper relationship with that person, as well as even deeper levels of self-awareness and growth. And, along the way, readers will gain knowledge of five of the world’s religious traditions.

Together, we can confirm some age-old truths: Little of what matters can be put into words, and what can be put into words is worthless unless it is experienced firsthand. And none of this is very fun unless you have someone to share it with. This is where Soul Explorations comes in. It is not a book about world religions, it is a book leading you to an experience of those religions. It is not a book about spirituality, it is a book leading you to the depths of your soul. It is not a book about relationships, it is a book that helps you cultivate a relationship with yourself and others. It recognizes that what is important comes from within, and from the relationship formed as one engages in this work with another person.

At a time when many of our daily communications are surface-level and conducted through social media, meaningful connections often seem elusive and people are left longing for them, consciously or unconsciously. Soul Explorations is an antidote, a way for people to connect with each other and with themselves, to be happier individuals, and better local and global citizens.

You can use these journal prompts on your own, but they are even more effective when you use them with another person. Use the drop-down menu above to view and try out some sample journal prompts!

I am currently looking for a publisher for Soul Explorations, so let me know if you are interested!

Praise for Soul Explorations:

“I never knew my dad knew so much stuff. I just thought he was the guy in the kitchen making funny noises while cooking dinner.”
–The author’s youngest daughter

“Soul Explorations is a gentle yet profound guide to self-discovery through the lens of the world’s great spiritual traditions. Included are teachings on mindfulness, self-compassion, and meditation that help me navigate the pressures of a busy career, law school, and life with greater clarity and resilience. Each journal activity invites deep reflection, meaningful connection, and the possibility of real transformation. Soul Explorations is more than a book, it’s a companion for the journey inward.”
–Veronica Merril, NCS ’17, UVA ’21, UVA Law ’26

“As a personal growth enthusiast, I highly recommend Soul Explorations. This workbook is ideal for those seeking to explore various religious practices or gain mindfulness techniques. Through its exercises, it offers a platform for endless self-discovery and is also suitable for both academic and partnered settings. As a former student of Maaia’s, I witnessed how the prompts seamlessly facilitated group connections and revelations. Despite discussing significant religious and philosophical concepts, Maaia organizes the text in a way that remains both accessible and engaging. Soul Explorations is truly one of the most transformative texts I have encountered during my academic career.”
–Dr. Sydney Featherstone, Chief of Staff – At-Large office of Prince George’s County Council | Michael B. Keegan Traveling Fellow

“I could not recommend this book more. I first completed some of these exercises almost a decade ago, and the lessons I learned from them are ones I still think about and ponder. Prompts such as “Where is your altar?” “Design your own day of rest” and “What is your highest power?” were some of the more intellectually rigorous exercises I have done, and my only wish is that more people will read and use this book so that I can reference the exercises and what I learned from them! I encourage everyone to use this book to learn more about global religion and to learn more about themselves.”
–Charlotte Scott, Sociology PhD, University of Pennsylvania

“As someone who’s long navigated the interplay between belief, doubt, and curiosity, I was struck by how Soul Explorations doesn’t just talk about religion — it creates space to experience it. This journal isn’t a guidebook or a lecture. It’s a companion. It honors both the ancient and the personal, offering prompts that are at once rooted in tradition and expansive enough to meet you wherever you are.”
–Mary Clare McMahon, Paralegal

“In the decade since I participated in several of these exercises as a high school student, my understanding of words like “faith,” “spirituality,” and “religion” has shifted in many ways. Throughout periods of uncertainty, I have often found myself returning to these prompts. As a teenager, they introduced me to what has become a spiritual lifeline over the years: a way to engage with my own religion, as well as with religion in general, that finds beauty in the unknown and delights in diverse perspectives. As an adult, these prompts encourage me to keep seeking the beauty, growth, and good that can be found in religious traditions and practices. Though my responses to these prompts today look almost nothing like my responses ten years ago, I know that I will keep pondering them for years to come.”
–Margaret Bader, Math Teacher