Spiritual boredom is a real struggle. Many people enter a spiritual practice expecting peace, insight, or a deep connection, only to find their minds wandering mid-sermon or their patience wearing thin during meditation. A new study finally puts data behind this experience, revealing that Catholic sermons rank as the most boredom-inducing spiritual activity, while pilgrimages are the least.

The research, published in Communications Psychology, confirms that spiritual boredom is widespread and often discourages people from continuing their spiritual journey.

Psychologists today recognize similar patterns. They note that boredom often signals a lack of engagement, either because an activity is too easy or too difficult. When spiritual practices fail to strike the right balance, boredom sets in, pushing people away from activities that are meant to inspire them.

What Did the Study Find?

This study examined boredom across five spiritual activities: Yoga, meditation, silent retreats, Catholic sermons, and pilgrimages. Researchers studied both long-term boredom (how often people feel disengaged over time) and immediate boredom (how bored they feel in the moment).

Freepik / Throughout history, people have wrestled with disengagement from spiritual practices. Medieval Christians called it “acedia,” a state of restlessness and dissatisfaction that interfered with religious devotion.

They surveyed 1,267 participants across 10 separate studies, collecting detailed insights into how boredom affects spiritual engagement.

Catholic sermons topped the list, scoring 3.56 out of 5 in long-term boredom, making them the most likely to leave attendees feeling disengaged. Pilgrimages, on the other hand, had the lowest score at 1.35 out of 5, suggesting that movement and novelty might keep participants engaged.

Across all spiritual practices, the study found that boredom significantly reduced motivation. When people frequently felt bored, they were much more likely to abandon their practice altogether.

Why Does Spiritual Boredom Happen?

Spiritual boredom arises when a practice fails to engage the participant at the right level. If an activity is too hard, frustration sets in. If it is too easy, the mind checks out. Either way, the result is the same – disinterest and disengagement. A challenging yoga pose that is beyond someone’s ability can lead to discouragement. On the other hand, an overly simplistic meditation session can feel pointless.

If someone does not see a meaningful purpose behind their spiritual activity, they are more likely to feel bored. A monotonous sermon filled with abstract theology might not feel relevant to daily life. This makes it difficult for listeners to stay engaged. In contrast, a spiritual journey like a pilgrimage offers new experiences, movement, and a sense of purpose, reducing the likelihood of boredom.

Erik / Unsplash / The perceived value of a practice (say worship) plays a key role in keeping people engaged, the study suggests.

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When spiritual activities become tedious, people lose motivation to participate. Over time, this leads to disengagement, making it harder to maintain a regular practice. The study found that high boredom levels directly correlated with a decreased willingness to continue spiritual practices. The more bored someone felt, the more likely they were to stop altogether.

A Look Back at Spiritual Boredom in History

Spiritual boredom has been a problem for centuries. Medieval monks struggled with “acedia,” a restless dissatisfaction that made prayer and contemplation feel unbearable. St. Thomas Aquinas described it as a dangerous state of mind that pulls people away from spiritual joy.

Modern psychologists see the same pattern today. When people lose interest in their spiritual activities, they often feel unfulfilled and disconnected.

Even existential thinkers recognized boredom as a serious issue. The famous psychologist Viktor Frankl observed that when life lacks meaning, boredom quickly follows. In spiritual settings, this means that if a person does not find personal relevance in a practice, they are likely to lose motivation. Without meaning, even the most sacred rituals can feel like empty routines.