Is prayer meditation? Where prayer and meditation meet...
"True prayer means not solicitation but communion. Prayer is communion in the same sense as that in true meditation there is neither a meditator nor anything meditated upon.” Ramesh Balsekar
What is prayer? Prayer is conversation with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to the Universe. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant. Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, its ability and willingness to communicate with us, his/her personal control of all things, and of all his/her creatures and all their actions.
What is meditation? Meditation is a mental discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation is a component of many religions, and has been practiced since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual or psycho physical practices that may emphasize different goals—from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.
Today again, I struggled with malaise...hm, source? I have a slight cold. YUK! Instead of giving in to old behavior which included at least me hiding away in a dark hole until I experienced enough agony to admit defeat, I did a Kriya for "Seven Steps to Better Health". However, I began my day with prayer.
Some of you keep asking me what I mean by prayer so I have given a "rote" definition above. Simply put prayer is when I open my mind and heart to the universe to lay out my pains, joys, struggles and ask only for guidance to be the best me I can be. I learned a long time ago not to ask for specifics! Unfortunately I am no omniscient and can not see the pitfalls of my own desires. Today, I am grateful to have that massive responsiblity on the shoulders of the vast expanise universe that I choose to be a part of!
Recently there have been new developments not only in my meditative journey, but also in my prayer life. What's changed? Whew, thanks for asking! I prayer and during my prayer, questions are being asked of me. "What can I do differently today than yesterday? Have I done my best? Do I speak with a forked tongue?" Huh, could you repeat the last one! "Do you speak with a forked tongue?" Now, I don't know about you but my immediate response was like - NO! But you no me well enough by now, to know, that I had to google this topic. But only after I meditated.
Mediation went smoothly, I walked through the valley and there were snakes all over the path, but I was not afraid. I was kind of even a little sassy in my step. Maybe a little of that came from watching old videos of my last "runway" walk! Bitter sweet to say the least but I am digressing! I walked down the path past the baskets kind of sensing my way - I think I was looking for dangerous animals to be lurking behind trees. Funny because the think I am most afraid of is the stupid snakes I was walking past! They just slithered away! Ohh. So you guessed it, I wanted to sit on the Mountain top again! So I had to scale the mountain. My hand were burning and bleeding by the time I got to the top! But Lagan came and climbed beside me. On the way up I saw lizards and kimono dragons hissing from the dark crevices, but I kept climbing! Ahh, the peak, the sensate as I visually explored the vast expanse in the Valley! Lagan said, see your world through your heart! I was like, um - coudl you give me a hint how to do that? He said, "you already know." ARGGHH...! I began to look over the now populated valley beneath us. Images of people in my life past, present and future flashed through my minds eye, I began to feel them with my heart - "she's afraid, he's afraid, she is full of love, he is scarred." This went on for what seemed like days (but it wasn't cause I only meditated 30 minutes!), it was amazing. I thought I had to use my eyesight and intuition to read people...but apparently I need to use my heart! Wow, I can't wait to practice that. My friend says Walmart is a good place - maybe I'll go there next!
Now, back to the forked tongue! Do I say one thing and mean another? Um...guilty! I often say what I think people want to hear - people seem so easily offended. Perhaps the best thing to do is say nothing at all? I do not have the answer here!
Only more questions...do I say nothing? Do I say something nice? Do I stand firm on the ground in the Valley of My Own Soul?
answers will come...
