Meditation vs Prayer - Page 1

Are they the same thing?

No.

Explain?

meditation - trying not to focus on anything at all and find inner peace w/o a thought, make things in your life in that moment unimportant.
prayer- a conversation/message with God, requires thoughts, feelings, etc. focus on things that are important to you and give thanks or ask for help.

(in a nut shell)

Doesn't prayer require meditation to be done properly?

i dont think so....
during meditation - you can chant...and that does not require a conscious thought...
are we talking like meditation that Buddhist monks do? or Hinduism?  or the typical Americanized Yoga meditation when everyone just sits and make their shopping list in their head?..LOL

you do not need to meditate to pray...i think anything from the heart...it is an open conversation with a God you pray to....now that would depend which God person is praying to also....some will require a song like pray, others banging head on the ground, others in a quiet of their room behind closed door...

The thing is LF, why isn't "meditation" a universal idea? Different life-styles use the technique in the exact same way. If one is making a shopping list in their head as a form of meditation, they seem to be missing the point. I think the idea of quieting that "voice" in your head has to happen first, before conversation with God. Or, at least for some people, it can prevent misinterpretations, perhaps.

 

Explain?

No,

Actually prayer could be a form of meditation IMO...

beetree ...you would think...but once you lump it into one than Muslims will be offended that you put them in same category with Buddhism...it is what you want it to be...you can call it anything you want....
M.Lion, sure is could be..(many people recite Lords Prayer without thinking about what they are saying, filling their head with a repetitive chant to slow down the thoughts, would i call it a prayer...probably not)... is praying - meditating for you? it is not for me...actually nothing in my life is in meditated state, i do everything with a "kick" if it does not have adrenalin effect, or excitement, makes a difference, makes me happy or some sort of instant reward i don't do it, or make it a priority...i like my life just the way it is...would I ever meditate? maybe...just to say..i done it....i'll try anything at least once...