10 Things You Should Know about Practicing Prayer and Meditation l Ways to Pray and Meditate l Tips on Prayer and Meditation

Practicing Prayer and Meditation

Do you ever wonder about the difference between prayer and meditation? Because, if you’re doing one and not the other, you might be missing out. After much experimentation, I have found that meditation and prayer are powerful partners on the path of self-knowledge. I’ve been meditating for 20 years and I love it. I lived in a yoga and meditation ashram for 14 years, and I practice a form of free awareness meditation that comes from the Advaita Vedanta tradition. Meditation helps me to relax and let go. It also keeps me grounded and awake to the present moment. And most importantly, it always reminds me that life is mysterious and positive beyond measure. Over the last year, I’ve added prayer to the mix of my contemplative practice. It’s a Jewish prayer practice called Hitbodedut, developed by the Hassidic master, Rabbi Nachman. I find it rewarding, positive, and therapeutic. And although meditation and prayer both connect me to something deeper, they are different in many ways. Here are my top 10 observations on the similarities and differences between these two perennial modes of contemplative practice.

Self Growth

I have found that prayer and meditation can help you develop different qualities in your self. Meditation can help you cultivate a steady mind, a grounded soul, and equanimity. It can supercharge your mindful presence through the day. In that, it brings a rich layer to your whole experience of life and your capacity to be awake to the mystery of life unfolding all around you. On the other hand, I feel that prayer is more effective at helping you nurture gratitude for each day through giving thanks. Different than meditation, I feel prayer helps me consider the needs and suffering of other people. It helps me empathize and connect with my own humanity. Of course these are not hard distinctions. In some cases I am generalizing. But I think that understanding these similarities and differences might be useful if you are interested in exploring the intersection of prayer and meditation. In the end, beyond the similarities and differences, meditation and prayer are mutually enriching. On their own, each is transformative. Taken together, you can’t lose. I hope you’ll explore this rich intersection for yourself.