How does meditation differ from prayer, is it possible to meditate Orthodox?

Meditation in the modern world is considered useful. But the church condemns the fact that often meditation is compared with prayer, is it so?

At first glance, these concepts have a lot in common: concentration, departure into oneself, concentration of attention on certain thoughts. Both prayer and meditation suggest complete detachment from everything external. What is the essence of the first and second, and what are the differences?

How meditation differs from prayer: characteristic of the term meditation

• If we consider the concept meditation from the point of view of religious beliefs, then for Christians this is primarily concentration. Perhaps on any aspect, topic, teaching, and maybe on religious topics.
• In Western Christian teachings, the concept meditation It was interpreted that way. At the same time, both meanings implied their own work, concentration on their thoughts, and not an appeal to God, as it happens during prayer.

• From the point of view of oriental religions, in particular, Hinduism and Buddhism, There is no analogue of Christian prayer. Here everything is concentrated on human consciousness, on spiritual self -cleaning and improvement, and not on a lively connection with God.
• In addition, often the concept of God in these religions comes down to impersonal reality or to material idols, with which it is difficult to communicate directly. This leads to the fact that the ideal is not approaching God, but the achievement of a certain state of satisfaction, which is achieved precisely by meditation, and not by prayer.
• A similar perception is observed in Islamic Sufi practices, which use ritual movements, music, etc. As prayers. This achieves a certain change in consciousness, which is also meditating, but not by prayer. But not only in this meditation is different From prayer.

How does meditation differ from prayer?

• Many theologians are convinced that meditation is not just different from prayer, but what they are opposite and even contradictory concepts. The point is not only that, meditating, a person strives merge with the harmony of the universe, And praying, directs his words and thoughts directly to the image of the Almighty.
• The main difference is that turning to God, a person completely mobilizes himself as a person. Meditation involves the “dissolution” of the personality in the world around him, adaptability to it.

The church defines meditation as an attempt by a person to plunge into the spiritual world, bypassing God. In this case, the commandment given by the Apostle Paul is violated about the need for constant prayer. This violation leads to the fact that instead of communicating with the Almighty, a person can meet fallen spirits and communicate with them, which is unlikely to positively affect his condition and energy.

• There is also an opinion that meditation is a kind of trance state, In which a person is also not protected from the negative influence of external forces.
• The perception of the mind becomes passive, and the subconscious comes to the fore, depriving a person not only of consciousness, but also freedom and thereby closing the path to comprehending truth.

How to move from meditation to prayer?

• Meditation differs from prayer with its focussince the first is addressed to his consciousness, and the second to God.
• In Christianity, the prayer is talking all the time with the Almighty and sees himself precisely in the dialogue with him, in meditations, which are essentially the prayers of many eastern religions, a person turns to himself and also listens to his sensations, trying to achieve the absolute.
• Therefore, according to the ministers of the cult, in the presence of experience in meditation It is unlikely that it is possible to find a transition to a state of prayer. To turn to God, you should discard all thoughts about vain and think only about what is in your soul. And to do this, you just need to read prayers.

• Even if a person does not know any words related to the due prayer, he can use a prayer book and read the necessary lines from him. This will be the first step towards understanding God In his life and the need to appeal to him.

Can meditation replace the prayer?

• As you can see meditation differs from prayer And quite significantly. Sometimes you can meet the statement that mantras, praising and glorifying gentlemen, are also a prayer. Or that Buddhism is aimed at achieving freedom from suffering, at understanding a person and his state by conscious disconnecting the concentration of consciousness.
• At the same time, in the Christian teaching that speaks of the highest perfect love of God for people, prayer is understood as the embodiment of a person’s comprehensive love for the Almighty.
• Sometimes we can even say that it is to some extent a measure of this very love. And is it possible to consider a state of trance, which essentially becomes the goal of meditation, an expression of love?

• The Christian church gives a definite answer to this question: no you can not. Meditation, based on deepening into himself, is not able to replace a person with a prayer that is aimed at love for the Lord and His creations. Moreover, it is impossible to bring the practice of yoga, based on spiritual meditation and physical development, closer to prayer.

Can an Orthodox person engage in meditation?

• As noted by studies conducted before and after meditation sessions, despite the fact that meditation is different from prayer, wellness result and benefit Of course, there is: there is: there is a normalization of physiological indicators regarding the work of the cardiovascular or nervous system, the brain function improves.
• On the other hand, proceeding to prayer, a Christian does not aim to physical healing. The meaning of prayer is in spiritual purification, in the salvation of the soul. And from this point of view, meditation, aimed at himself, and not at God, is hardly appropriate as a replacement of Orthodox prayer. Moreover, according to some theologians, meditation can even contribute to the cultivation of a certain pride in a person.
• In prayer, a person repents of his sins, i.e. He experiences completely different feelings than a blessed euphoric state, which is achieved by meditation. That's why There is nothing bad in meditation If we are talking about bodily health and emotional balance.

• When a person needs in cleansing your own soul - Meditation is powerless to help, only prayer can do this.

Video: The difference and similarity of meditation and prayers