Prayer vs. Mediation

[dcharlesworth]

I was wondering what thought were on prayer vs. mediatation.

Are they or can they be two disctinctly different acts?

Prayer can be meditative or not, inclusive of meditation, or exclusive?

Meditation seems to be a non Christian idea, yet we still speak of meditating “on” something.

The Buddhist monk meditates.

We meditate upon the word of God.

Thanks.

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

I was wondering what thought were on prayer vs. mediatation.

Are they or can they be two disctinctly different acts?

Prayer can be meditative or not, inclusive of meditation, or exclusive?

Meditation seems to be a non Christian idea, yet we still speak of meditating “on” something.

The Buddhist monk meditates.

We meditate upon the word of God.

Thanks.

Transcendental meditation is an attempt to gain control of one’s own mind. Though it is often justified in terms of “world harmony”, with the meditators claiming to have a calming influence on external events, in fact the level of co-ordinated activity in such groups is quite low, and most members are seeking personal goals.

However the word is a bit broader than that. We can meditate upon a mystery or upon the Blessed Sacrament. It is not quite the same as prayer which, strictly, is a petition. Christian meditation does not claim to unlock inner powers inherent in the human psyche.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Meditation as Br, Lawrence or St. Teresa of Avila teach is resting in the presence of God, who dwells within. It is the path to contemplation.

If you want more info, PM me, I’ll provided it there.

The subject tends to draw attacks that become overbearing.

Jim