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Prayer vs. Meditation(engaging head bone .....) In prayer, I'm trying to say something. In meditation, I'm listening for something. OR put another way.... In prayer, I'm talking to my Self. In meditation, I'm listening to my Self. Prayer is the projective aspect of communication. Meditation is the receptive aspect of communication. OR put another way.... Prayer is the Magician. Meditation is the High Priestess OR put another way... Prayer is the man in Key 6 (the lovers) Meditation is the woman in Key 6 Their function is reciprocal ! Prayer needs meditation just as the Magician needs to bring down Superconsciousness via his up-raised wand. Meditation needs prayer just as the woman (Sub-C) in K6 needs the man (Self-C) to release her from erroneous ideas and suggestions (from Self-C) which hold her in bondage, so that she can become a clear reflecting mirror for SuperConsciousness, which can then be reflected into self-conscious awareness. So prayer and meditation are a form of LOVE - harmonious reciprocity between opposites, which moves us towards the perfection of our vehicle - ever greater receptivity and ever greater ACTION in accordance with the ONE WILL. (head bone dis-engaged) JC ======== N.J. writes: JC, I invite a reengagement of your head bone. What, exactly, does meditation do. what phenomena does it produce that is desirable to you? The same with prayer? What circumstances incites you to each? Is one more dominant than the other in your life? N.J. << (engaging brain bone. . . .) Meditation: When I meditate, I always choose a subject/object/issue/image/problem for my meditation, with my intention being to obtain some understanding on the subject. Then in a quiet atmosphere, I make myself comfortable and focus my attention on that subject, using some image (often a tarot key), or question as a point for my focus to revolve around. As I do this, images, emotions, ideas, thoughts well up in my mind. I just let them flow by as I again and again redirect my attention to the central image or question. Sometimes, when I'm meditating I'll have an Ah-Ha! experience, and some new insight or revelation will occur. Often, however, I'm just left with a feeling of peace and relaxation. Generally, though, my posture during meditation is one of being still and receptive while I focus on a central image or question. Now, I will admit my foolishness in that I don't do "formal" meditation that often (formal defined as sitting alone in a room in a particular posture for the purpose of "meditating"). However, I sometimes try to assume a receptive posture when I'm in the everyday world, especially when I am communicating with another person (and I really desire to understand them). Most would call it "being a good listener", but when I can still my own thoughts enough to tune in and focus on the other person and what they are saying, then sometimes something special can happen - a sense of peace and understanding - for the both of us. There's a reciprocal benefit. (I could go into more analysis here, but I'll try to resist that foolish temptation). Prayer: When I pray, It's always a positive request - a statement, or an utterance of some sort designed to bring about some outcome. My two most recent prayers are: "God, make me an instrument of your Will." and "Dear God, please show mercy on Patti. Please don't let her suffer." (yet she does suffer) In the two above examples, it seems that I am trying to invoke some higher power and direct it (via affirmation or supplication) towards some purpose, towards some goal. And yet, when I look at the above prayers, they do seem somewhat vague. Perhaps I am asking God to do something that I'm not willing to do myself? Perhaps a more effective means of praying would be to confidently affirm my own intentions as if they were God's intentions - manifesting as present realities. Maybe something like: "God, I AM an instrument of Your Will." (brain bone disengaged) JC |