I just read on one of the web-sites: “It’s beneficial to begin your meditation with a prayer. Praying helps you remember why you are meditating.”
Here are my two cents:
- Yoga doesn’t imply a particular sort of prayer or “belief-system”. You don’t have to be a Hindu (or Buddhist) to meditate.
- Yoga doesn’t force you to be a “believer” – you could be great master of meditation without praying. – In fact, I think that improper way of praying (if I could say so) – in particular “automatic” praying, without presence and mindfulness – would shut and distract your mind into “dream world” – just as much as any other thought. Dreaming (in whatever form) is good for relaxation, but it is not meditation.
What is your prayer for/before meditation?
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March 12th, 2010 | Tags: 
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Posting here from a FaceBook exchange:
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Alexey Yogi:
What is your prayer for/before meditation? (if any)
Sanjeev Kochar:
yeah ! but the main target of yoga or the word yoga means unity of the soul with the supreme soul, always keep that in mind
Alexey Yogi:
I agree. What I’m saying – is that if one accepts mindlessly and repeat automatically some words – it doesn’t mean they come from heart. Bhakti Yoga is as “difficult” as Jnana Yoga in a way. For me union is a mindful Unity… (not sure if I explained myself well)
Alexey Yogi:
And what exactly do you mean when you say “the main target of yoga or the word yoga means unity of the soul with the supreme soul”? – You have a particular concept, philosophy for that, right? – But others may have a different one… Even if end-result is the same. That was a second thing I was saying – to encourage everyone whatever their ways are… With meditation practice answers some…
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Sanjeev Kochar:
what i realize, that when we practice yoga & meditation regularly for the long time,like
traditional hatha yoga method
the eternal power (Chakra) of our body and brain boosts intensely, and we consider our self more
superior then others, the word “I” strongly rises in subconscious mind, thats why yogins wrote
Yoga Vandana (Yog Prayer) in Hath Yoga Pradeepika. A simple meaning of yoga Prayer is, i bow to… See More
the divine science of Yoga which lightens all the human beings equally, which make my body strong
and keeps me close to that almighty.
yoga prayer has not any relationship with dreaming…!
Alexey Yogi:
Sanjeevji, I’m not saying your practice or the prayer you use are dreaming. I’m not questioning Hatha Yoga Pradeepika. I think you misunderstood my words and my intentions.
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Sanjeev Kochar:
But Yeah ! i agree that improper way of praying leads you in the dreamworld ! good
ok ! alexey
Alexey Yogi:
Thank you, Sanjeev!
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