Meditation - Choose the Type That Suits You, part 5

Meditation part 5

Prayer and devotion as mode of meditation

Prayer, as a mind quieting activity, is another type of meditation. Even though prayer is relational, it is more about listening than talking. The praying person is in a receptive mindset, waiting for the higher power, nature, deity to resonate. This is very key as you may deepen a feeling of appreciation of nature. When you say the words of gratitude you want to express, you can dwell on that thought until you get a response – a feeling from nature, a shift in consciousness, or a closeness to the divine.

You can also make a prayer of healing and hold the mind on that for a long period of time. You may ask for help from God, a higher power or nature, and then wait with appreciative patience. It is important to understand and heal the psychological dimension before you start the journey with prayer.

If praying to God or meditating on a statue or landscape gives you inner peace, keep doing it. The forms of devotion are so many. When you are able to find a relationship to the divine that is fulfilling, use these strong beliefs to dedicate all of your energy to a higher power.

Here is one example on how you can expand your devotional practices.

Exercise: Gazing at a spiritual object

Choose an object for devotion or meditation. Looking passively at a revered picture or a nature scene are both good for reaching a peaceful state. You may begin by gazing at a statue or the flame of a candle. Close your eyes and feel in your heart that your entire being is united with the object of your meditation. In profound devotion, the subject and object merge into one. If your mind wanders, you may open your eyes to come back to the meditation. Then, close your eyes to focus within again.

Elena Alexandrova

Your Coach to Success
www.envisionlifedesign.com.au

Source: Butera, Robert, “Meditation for Life”