Today I want to take some time to talk about Meditation and Prayer! I find that most people have a better understanding of one or the other, but they are both very important practices for spiritual growth! For those of you who have a basic understanding of both, consider this your official invitation to deepen your practice !~.^!
I specifically wanted to talk about Meditation along side prayer to help define them and create a broader understanding of the way these two processes work. I’m sure you’ve all heard about how important meditation and intention are, and if you haven’t, you need to spend more time in the store with Kellie and the Ladies!
First of all, since we’re in the socially conservative suburbs of the Mid West, I think it’s important to point out that meditation has nothing to do with worship of any god or idol. Meditation and prayer are completely different “sports” in the world of the spiritual seeker, and just like kids can be involved in multiple extracurricular activities in high school, prayer and meditation can be practiced side by side.
So, let’s talk about the basic differences between the two.
Prayer is the term I am using for any number of spiritual practices that are active, creative and intended to aid in a specific purpose. When a person is praying they are formulating an intention and projecting it outwards from within themselves.
Meditation is, by contrast, passive, de-constructive and intentionally devoid of purpose. When a person is meditating they are observing their thoughts and intentions and they may delve continuously further inward to find the source of those thoughts and intentions.
These are very basic renderings of the two but the differences are stark. Prayer is intention directed outwards while meditation is inquiry or observation directed inwards. If your spiritual practice is a conversation with The One, prayer is speaking and meditation is listening.
It’s easy to see how these two skills are equally important to cultivate, and you probably know, right in this moment with great certainty, which of them you need to work on more.
I invite each of you to make peace within your self by working to balance this flow of energy in your own life. When we cultivate a balanced cycle of inward reflection and outward intent, we live lives that are both sustainable and deeply rewarding.
As always if you have any questions feel free to contact me through the store or directly via [email protected]
Wishing you the Softest of Blessings
as well as the Grandest of Splendor,
Michael Sunspirit!
