What’s the difference between prayer, meditation and visualization? It depends on how they are defined and used. While praying is often viewed as communicating with an external higher power, meditation involves connecting with something deeper and internal. Many would say they are the same thing – a spiritual connection – just different processes. Visualization doesn’t have to involve spirituality as the mind can be used to envision whatever it likes and the body can be used to imagine the feelings and sensations that go along with experiences, but when prayer or meditation precede visualization, the soul can take your imagination on a broader, more fulfilling journey.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein.
I’ve described the difference between prayer, meditation and visualization below, along with how they can go together to support each other. For more information on these topics, click on the book image Riding The Wheel To Wellness: A Buddhist Perspective On Life’s Healing Gifts, Meditation, Prayer & Visualization by Charles Atkins.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer has been used for centuries as a way to commune with God. In modern times, with a variety of religious and spiritual practices, prayer may be a communication with a higher power, nature intelligence, a guardian angel, the universe, or the source of all life; each person has their own divine connection. As I see it, praying is a way of connecting to and communicating with something beyond the physical and mental realities – with something from the higher spiritual realms that has not lost its identity in human form.
Many pray to the God of their heart for help, guidance and wisdom. Some pray to express gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in their life. Whatever the purpose, prayer is an act of speaking (silently or out loud) directly to this divine essence. At times prayer also involves receiving spiritual guidance which may be heard, seen, felt or sensed through intuitive awareness.
“Prayer is the spirit speaking truth to Truth.” ~ Philip James Bailey
The Merits of Meditation
It has often been said that while prayer is speaking to God, meditation is listening to God. Meditating involves quieting the mind and entering an inner stillness. There are different forms of meditation including focusing on breathing and body sensations, repeating a mantra, concentrating on a candle flame, or simply watching thoughts float by. Each of these helps to still the mind so a person can move past their intellect and into their spiritual awareness.
There are many spiritual benefits of meditation as well as mental, emotional and physical health perks. For me, meditation is a way to pull back from the busyness of the external world and connect to who I really am: a spiritual being having a human experience. It is also a way for me to connect deeply to the God of my heart. First I get centered and grounded. Then I focus on the subtle flow of energy through my body as a way to calm my active mind. As I move deeper into stillness, spaciousness and light, I know I am this powerful spiritual being. Soon I know I am one with the Source of all life. It is the most empowering way to start my day (no more caffeine, newspapers and complaints for me!).
“Still your mind in me, still yourself in me, and without a doubt you shall be united with me, Lord of Love, dwelling in your heart.” Bhagavad Gita
The Value of Visualization
Visualization involves closing your eyes and using your imagination to envision something you’d like to experience, be or create in your life. Visualization supports natural healing so some use it as a way to visualize the cells in their body repairing and healing themselves. Visualization may include self-talk – for example, going over your body and telling each limb that it is relaxing and releasing tension as a way to feel calm and peaceful. I’ve found that creative visualization is most helpful when all of the senses are involved – sight, sound, and texture, as well as imagining feelings and sensations.
Visualization is a powerful tool to use when setting goals as the body doesn’t know the difference between what is real and imagined. When a person imagines achieving something, the mind and body see this as a possibility which builds confidence. What would your day be like if you closed your eyes and imagined every aspect of it going smoothly and easily, and then tuned into feelings of joy and enthusiasm? I’m sure you’d have a better chance of creating this experience in your life if you envisioned it than if you didn’t. Try it and find out for yourself.
“The world is but a canvas to our imagination.” Henry David Thoreau
Combining Prayer, Meditation and Visualization
While each of these is an experience of its own, it is possible to combine prayer, meditation and visualization. Quieting the mind in meditation is a wonderful way to set the tone for prayer. It is also a helpful step before visualizing. Prayer may lead into quiet contemplation and then into meditation as a way to receive insights. I experience brilliant moments of clarity and wisdom while meditating. At times my meditation session turns into visualizations, as though my soul is showing me what is possible in my life. As Picasso said, “Everything you can imagine is real.”
How do you pray, meditate and visualize – have you found ways to combine them? Please share your insights below.
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Hi Laurie,
Thanks for your feedback – I did have fun with the alliteration! I agree that listening to God is still prayer as that is a good way to gain spiritual guidance. Plus I think prayer is individual for each person – so whatever works is great. I see meditation as different from prayer though as I go so much deeper into a silent, still place and for a longer time. It’s more like I merge with God rather than speak to and listen to God, when I meditate.
I don’t think the definition of meditation is focusing on a thought or phrase – that’s just a technique used to still the mind (and there are many others too). My understanding from studies and experience is that meditation is being in the stillness of spirit or pure awareness or oneness with God or however each person defines that for themselves.
I highly recommned you try it out – many experience angst and frustration when they first start as the mind wants to take over and be in control (and will suggest that you have way more important things to do than sit and do ‘nothing’, yet there is so much healing go on during meditation). That’s why techniques such as repeating a mantra, gazing at a candle flame or my personal favorite, activating my earth and cosmic energy flow through my channels and chakras, help to distract and calm the mind – that’s when the real meditating starts and the brain waves change and so on.
One of these days I’ll write a series on various meditation techniques. I’ve studied and tried several but my favorite is still the energy activating one (and it’s not a common one, but it’s very healing so it’s like receiving an energy healing while you’re meditating).
Gini
.-= Gini Grey´s last blog post: Intuition =-.
Gini,
I love this article, on so many different levels!
First, I love the alliteration in each subtitle — “the value of visualization” — that’s great.
Second, I love your balance between practical and philosophical. I’m a big fan of caffeine, and a big fan of praying…and I never thought of replacing caffeine with prayer. I love coffee too much, but I can totally see how healthy and valuable meditation would be in its stead.
Also, it’s interesting that meditation could be thought of as listening to God, and prayer is talking to God. I’m not quite on the same page here — which is partly why I enjoyed reading this article! Love to think about stuff like this.
I pray, and I think listening to God is still prayer. Meditation to me is something different. I always thought that the definition of meditation involves focusing on one thought or phrase, while prayer isn’t like that (traditionally speaking). However, I can see how the practices can blend into another.
Anyway, thanks for writing this post. I look forward to more!
Laurie
.-= Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen´s last blog post: 5 Financial Goals Couples Should Never Set =-.