The Difference Between Prayer and Meditation
This article is part of my on-going series on Prayer & Faith and Meditation.
The spiritual journey, no matter the name of the path or the structure of the belief has always contained the techniques of both prayer and meditation.
Some paths include both prayer and meditation, comfortably vacillating from one to the other depending upon the purpose or needs of the moment.
In many ways prayer and meditation are twins, but they are not identical twins. They differ in subtle but significant ways.
When I was first taught to meditate by a Maharishi Yogi; as I was leaving the instruction called an “initiation” back in the 1960s, I recall pondering about the experience I had just had. I remarked to myself that I had previously known the state of consciousness that I had just experienced at the conclusion of a time of deep prayer; a state I had referred to as “prayer beyond words.” Ponder on this!
Even at that young age the universality of the path we take to connect to our Soul struck me. Beyond the connection to our Soul, which I have come to believe is the hearts desire of everyone, exists the desire to connect with a higher source (God), however, you define God.
Each one of us needs time and space for recollection, meditation and calmness…. Thanks be to God that this is so!”
– Pope Benedict XVI
It is to reach the Soul and connect to God that people along all spiritual paths engage in the practice of both prayer and meditation. And although both prayer and meditation serve a similar function there are differences in both the purpose, method, and outcome of the two practices.
Prayer is you speaking to God & meditation is allowing the spirit to speak to you.”
– Deepak Chopra
Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra on prayer vs. meditation
Prayer has always seemed to be best suited to times when praise or petition is the need. In times of great need, prayer seems to spring naturally from the human heart as we reach out for help and healing in times of danger, distress, and pain, be it physical or emotional.
In times of trouble we reach automatically for the help and intervention of the Divine, even if we have no sustaining belief in the Divine. It is archetypal in the human experience to reach out, indeed cry out for that which is beyond our human limitations for help and comfort.
Likewise, in times of transcendent joy praise rises spontaneously in our heart. Even if we do not conceptualize what we are praising that welling feeling, praise accompanies the experience of great joy and great love.
I deepen my experience of God through prayer, meditation, and forgiveness.”
– Marianne Williamson
Meditation is best suited for contemplation, deepening our understanding or quieting the chattering mind and engaging the power of our higher source (Soul) to bring about the desired result. One would meditate for deep relaxation, healing and to invoke the power of our intention using techniques such as visualization.
Meditation is more a conscious approach than prayer and as such garners the best result when entered into with conscious intent and regularity. The continuity of consciousness that disciplined practice of meditation grants makes meditation the technique of choice when one desires a specific outcome, which is why visualization is a technique incorporated into most meditations.
There exists a myriad of techniques of meditation designed by spiritual leaders and masters throughout time to bring the student of meditation to the desired state of consciousness, being or understanding.
In understanding the subtle differences that exist between prayer and meditation, we are empowered to draw from these two ways to connect with our Soul and connect with our Source using whatever method is best suited to our desired outcome.”
– Genevieve Gerard
Fortunately, we can choose and use whatever technique best meets our needs at the moment, freely guided by the wisdom of our inner nature and our Soul in any moment of time to receive what we need.
I encourage you to explore prayer and/or meditation and see which resonates with you.
Namaste,
Genevieve
The Blessing of Love on All That You Do!
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Last Updated 11-03-2019
About the author:
Genevieve Gerard teaches Transformational Consciousness – from first awakening to enlightened Soul awareness. She helps you experience the joy that results from the spontaneous “touch of your soul.”
Read more details…
Genevieve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and for over thirty years has worked one-on-one with people who were recovering from devastating disabilities and chronic pain. Teaching the mastery of the mind-body relationship she was one of the early professionals trained in biofeedback, visualization, imagery, and meditation as essential techniques to help people heal their bodies, heal their emotions, heal their minds, and heal their lives.
Genevieve’s work demonstrates what she knows so well, “It is spiritual connectedness that triggers physical healing and emotional and mental well-being.” Helping people, like you, tap into your higher-self is the power she wields to guide you to heal and transform your life.
Now, with this understanding, she combines the effective techniques she developed over decades teaching mind-body mastery along with her extensive experience in meditation and spiritual development to create a synthesis of mind-body-spirit that delivers complete healing and opens the door to unlimited personal growth and an encounter with your Soul.
In addition to her current life guidance coaching sessions, and workshops performed around the world, Genevieve has produced more than 20+ guided meditations in the last eight years that are available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and her website.
It is her vision that through your experience with the techniques of awareness, visualization, and meditation, the love of your Soul will touch and transform your life through her writings and products. It is her sincere desire that the potential of a life of joy and celebration that seems to elude so many people can become a reality for you, now and forever.
Browse her life story and read the Touch of the Soul that changed her world. To contact Genevieve, visit her keep in touch page.
Copyright © 2012-2019 Genevieve Gerard and Touch of the Soul LLC. All rights reserved.
Its like you read my thoughts! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book on it or something. I believe in what you are saying. Thank you for sharing. Prayer and meditation don’t have to be mutually exclusive either. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
Thanks for your insight and all the great help on your site.
I hope you are having an awesome Sunday!
I had never realized how close meditation and prayer were until I read this post. Makes you wonder. Thanks.
I think the key is that we honor ourselves and have some type of self assessment and then prayer/meditation.
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Anything that is of value in everyday life only multiplies when it is given. ~ Deepak Chopra
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I’d always wanted to know what the diference was between prayer and meditation. Especially during the holy days like these I loved you talking about meditation. It can do so much for you. I look forward to new updates.
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Throughout the grand design of things you’ll receive an A with regard to effort. For the moment I will deeply consider your point. I would like to learn more about these things so I will be back.
As I pray I’m asking the presence of God and as I meditate I fell the presence of God. Thanks GG, God bless you always.
A great differentiation.
Blessings always! Namaste.