What is the difference between prayer and meditation?
Although some people define the difference between prayer and meditation as a religious interpretation, others believe that the difference lies in the physical act of any practice itself. The real difference in both cases is not in the words that are listed or in the method used. Instead, the difference between prayer and meditation is defined by the personal beliefs of individuals who perform every practice.
Prayer is a requirement or wish that is addressed to the divine being. He often asks for information or is looking for a grant, even if he could also thank for something that has been received. This act may include both the mental psyche and the physical body, like meditation. Prayer could be practiced when kneeling, sitting or standing during worship. The main goal during prayer is to clean the mind of all external thoughts and focus on the prayer itself and request.
On the other hand, meditation is used to focus the mind of the impression to think about the inner self and concentrate your own awareness of man. MEditing could be performed, like prayer, in a group environment or individually alone. There are many forms of physical meditation. Some meditation methods use seating, standing or walking. The primary focus of meditation is not to get any of the divine source, but to achieve a state of relaxation.
It is assumed that both prayer and meditation have the advantages of mental and physical health. Meditation has been shown to help relief from stress, reduce pain and breath control. It was also associated with changes in metabolism, blood pressure and brain activity. Prayer with the assistance of experts with relief from stress, depression and maintaining general good health was also attributed.
Some religions use both prayer and meditation together in practice known as prayer meditation. This form of prayer requires the practitioner to sit quietly and relax during prayer. Incorporated aspect of meditation afterlies in the focus of the mind before the start of prayer.
Prayer beads could be used during prayer bead meditation. Like the Catholic rosary, prayer beads are a number of beads strung together with a fiber. To use prayer beads, it holds a practicing beaded string between his hands and prayed with the formulated delivery of words. These words, when it was said in a repeated process, help focus the mind and relax the body.