2006-12-23 06:28:55 · 25 answers · asked by Rangan S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In prayer we ask for something, whereas in mediation we only enjoy communion in the presence.
There are many references to prayer at http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/search/node/prayer
Meditation is defined here http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/168
There are also references to meditation at
http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/search/node/meditation
2006-12-23 06:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to learn how to do a serious meditation, ask a Buddhist. Christians have an extremely underdeveloped idea of what meditation actually is (which probably explains your question). Of course, there's also the somewhat psychological and metaphorical idea of meditation that states that whatever we are thinking on is a meditation.
If you are performing a ceremony, it's a meditation.
If you are thinking about what's for lunch, it's a meditation.
If you're walking and chewing gum at the same time, it's a meditation.
But seriously, take a good look at how Buddhists meditate, it will really open your mind.
2006-12-23 14:39:48 · answer #2 · answered by Good Times, Happy Times... 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both have proven to be good for the human soul. God wants us to talk to him. Just as important though, he wants us to shut up and listen. Much is revealed through the practice of both prayer and meditation. Meditate on that for a while.
2006-12-23 14:42:56 · answer #3 · answered by papaz71 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is a conversation with God. Meditation on the other hand is thinking about the Law of God and how it applies to you, and how you have not kept to them. If you have broken one of them then you have broken all of them. Meditation helps you to find the link between the Laws. Do not use Eastern meditation, the finding of your quiet place is the place where you meat satan, not God.
2006-12-23 14:42:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is more of a dialog between God and yourself. Meditation is thinking about the things of God...mulling them over in your head so to speak. It's goes deeper than that, but that's basically it in a nutshell. Prayer and meditation go hand in hand. There's no definitive line where one ends and the other begins.
Was I helpful?
Be Blessed.
2006-12-23 14:38:40 · answer #5 · answered by motherbear 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is when you communicate with a deity. Meditation is when you train your mind to stay alert and focused, thus achieving full awareness where you can experience things as they really are. Meditation has nothing to do with a deity, or religion in general.
2006-12-23 14:33:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer should be like talking to God. Meditation is thinking about one aspect of something...not necessarily a conversation.
2006-12-23 14:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by bethybug 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics have been meditating for almost 2,000 years.
Mediation as prayer is encouraged by the Catholic Church.
For Catholics meditation is a quest to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking.
One way this is done is by reading scripture, asking God to give you understanding of it, and then pondering it in your heart.
Here is the Pope promoting meditation on the Scriptures: http://www.catholic.net/global_catholic_news/template_news.phtml?news_id=76678&channel_id=2
With love in Christ.
2006-12-23 22:54:38 · answer #8 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is a one sided communication with a divine entity. Meditation is a communication with one's self. One could argue that on the deepest level these two things are the same, but only if one is not a deist.
2006-12-23 14:44:55 · answer #9 · answered by Lao Pu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is active, meditation is passive. Both have a place.
2006-12-23 14:31:24 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋