(November 17, 2015 at 11:55 am)Rhythm Wrote: Think of prayer like meditation Mia. Especially in the case of rote or repetitive prayer. It constricts your breathing to a pattern, and shifts your focus away from self. If it's a standardized regimen of prayer it imposes structure. Prayer and "divine experience" show an unsurprising correlation. Does this help you to understand why your friend prays to "let go" of difficulties?
Yes sir I understand if you were to compare that to Christian meditation. Love God with your heart, mind and soul. They tend to develop their minds to understand Gods love or truth better.
Where as Buddhist meditation is to make one's self better. To improve ourselves for a better state of mindfulness, concentration Etc. Yes both concepts are more or less the same but two different outcomes.
As to my friend praying asking for benefits (him sacrificing to enjoy a drink) is hard for me to understand. To overcome difficulties it's ones responsibility and dedicated hard work. Praying will not make a sick child better. Visiting a doctor will.
"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path" - Gautama Buddha
