As a Christian, prayer has always been an important part of my life. Through my experience I have truly learned that achieving a "divine union is the goal for all Christians " (Keating 33). Upon analyzing the four readings assigned in class, it has become apparent that there are three main components that are important in prayer. These three components are the use of a prayer word, the body's posture, and breathing. Although all of the readings touched upon similar basic aspects of connecting to God through prayer and meditation, they all have a different twist. Jaeger, Keating and Laird all seemed to interpret the path to a connection with God differently. There are some basics regarding the proper way to pray, however there are many different understandings as shown by the different opinions of these three authors. .
One of the essentials in achieving peace of mind and a connection with God is the use of a prayer word. As told by Keating, one should "choose a sacred word that expresses [their] intention of opening and surrendering to God and introduce it on the level of [their] imagination " (Keating 34). This author believes that this word should be a single word or a sound with two syllables. Keating states that this word "directs [one's] intention toward God and thus fosters a favorable atmosphere for the development of the deeper awareness to which [one's] spiritual nature is attracted " (Keating 34). This is not to say that this word will cause for all other thoughts and passions to be pushed out of one's mind, but this is the first step towards achieving union with God and it puts one at God's disposal, making it his choice as to whether or not to connect. .
Jaeger has a different interpretation of using a prayer word. To start he believes that this practice comes from an English mystic hundreds of years ago. He says that this word was used to help a man reach a divine union with God.
Of these three vows, St. ... In Benedictine spirituality, prayer is both personal and communal. ... His understanding was that common prayer and private prayer were essential for a healthy, spiritual life. ... Overall, obedience is one of the three pillars that supports everything monks practice. None of the three vows can removed without the other two collapsing with it. ...
In the Quran, unlike the Bible, there are only three books. ... Prayer is an essential piece of each religion and is practiced several times a day. ... These prayers cover Office of Readings, morning, evening, and night, accompanied by three brief daytime prayers. Other Christians observe a more informal pattern of morning and evening prayers with a grace, blessing, or prayer before each meal. ... The service is led by an imam (a man chose to lead the Friday prayer and preach the sermon). ...
" The most famous of all Jewish prayers is the liturgical prayer called the Shema. ... The theory that seems to make the most sense is that prayer was so essential to Jewish life that the sages wanted to emphasize its importance by placing the Berakhot tractate first in the Talmud. ... The first three chapters of the Berakhot discuss the famous prayer the Shema: • Chapter One - the obligation to recite Shema is discussed, along with the times when it may be recited and the details of this obligation. ... • Chapter Three - there is a discussion of special cases in which a per...
All these columns are an essential part of the complex dome and support system of the Suleymaniye, and also had significant symbolic value. ... The three levels of windows visible on the sides of the monumental gate mark the residences of the gatekeepers, the time-keeper, and the janitors of the mosque. ... It continues into the mosque as well as over the mihrab, the niche in the back southern wall that indicates the direction of prayer, toward the Kaba. ... (Sacred Destinations) The glazed ceramic panels above the windows contain Quranic quotations reminding the congregation of the duties of ...
Of these qualities, chivalry is essential and shown often throughout "Sir Galahad", The Canterbury Tales, and Sir Torre's short quest in John Steinbeck's "The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights.... For many knights, religion was part of their daily lives through regular prayer, battles in defense of their religious beliefs such as the Crusades, and the hunt for the famed Holy Grail. ... These traits are practiced frequently by all three of the knights through a multitude of chivalrous behaviors. ... Sir Torre was a man of distinct religious conviction and practi...
Moreover, learning another religion is essential because it help one to understand others beliefs, communicate effectively, and respect others tradition. ... The greeting practices had to be performed three times each. ... Inside the center, the Monk express that there are several rituals that are essential to a Buddhist. ... At the center, a Buddhist worshipping was shown to release any suffering in life including chanting, prayer and meditating. ... However, each chant or prayer practices may have different worshipping practices. ...
Artistic style is a key component to uncovering the symbolism behind these statuettes that are less than three feet tall. ... These objects were left as offerings to the god(s) in a temple so the deities would always be reminded of their prayers. ... Their hands are clasped over their heart in a gesture of prayer, an action that implies constant worship and prayer. ... If one were to be a god, it is obvious that they would all be facing towards him with their open eyes offering their prayers and respect. ... Realism captivates each object indicating the spiritual iconography that is the essent...
By doing a compare and contrast of these three subjects with these two belief systems, we will see how they are similar and at the same time notice the differences. ... Chanting mantras (prayers) before images of deities is one way that a Hindu may show his/her devotion. ... Prayers of the Buddhist are mantras that the person saying the prayer is reciting a lesson (sutra) or one of the guidelines that reminds them how to act and or behave. An example of one would be a prayer for compassion, "may all beings be well, happy and peaceful". ... Worshiping in a temple is not considered to be essen...
The absorption of energy from the light activates the process of photosynthesis, a chemical reaction that is essential for the growth and health of the tree. ... This ritual involves eating three groupings of ten kinds of fruits and nuts and drinking four cups of wine. Debra's mother explained to me that each of the three groupings represents a level of creation. ... Throughout the ceremony several different prayers were recited. ... One prayer, called the Shema, is about the one-ness of God. ...