Schools of Thought

When I hear someone speak of meditation I automatically think of a Buddhist. Yet, when I hear the word prayer, I think of a Christian. What is the difference between prayer and meditation? Are they the same practice just called by different names? The reason I am splitting hairs over these two terms is because I want to feel comfortable meditating, even though I am a practicing Catholic.

Christian’s say the Lord’s Prayer and Buddhists recite chants. Christian’s have the Ten Commandments and Buddhists have their Precepts. I am not trying to necessarily compare the two religions, it just seems to me that most religions have similar principles. A Divine-like figure, rules to live by, prayers or chants. Also, a community of believers with the general desire to better themselves. In some ways, it seems as there are more similarities than differences in most religions.

Meditation 

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, meditation is “to be aware of what is going on: in your body, in your feelings, in your mind, and in the world.” [1] He believes that concentration is essential to achieving Samadhi (enlightenment). “If you do not have enough concentration, you cannot be strong enough to break through, to have a breakthrough into a subject of your meditation.” [2] Mark Stephens defines yoga as joining one’s mind with the divine. He further states that meditation “is the principal tool the Vedic seers describe in the Rig Veda for attaining this state of consciousness and oneness.” [3] Clearly, meditation is an important practice in Buddhism and Yoga tradition.

So during our meditation period in yoga teacher training, I find myself reciting the Catholic Rosary because I was never formally trained in meditation. I then begin to wonder if I am offending the Yoga Deities or worse yet, the very God that I believe in. Would I be better off sitting in silence and counting down these painfully long minutes?

Duality

Perhaps Buddhists would differentiate prayer and meditation as dualistic and non-dualistic (prayer is between you and God, meditation is sitting with your own mind). However, Catholics believe that there is only a fine line between prayer, meditation, and contemplation. For instance, repeating the rosary (a Catholic prayer to Mother Mary contemplating Jesus’ life) can easily lead into a state of meditation (a deeper prayer of the mind) and eventually to contemplation (entering a place where there are no words, concepts or images). Through meditation Buddhists ultimately reach a state of Samadhi, whereas through meditation and contemplation Catholics reach a state of deep communion with God. Essentially both are a state of self-hypnosis which causes one to drop away from all worldly distractions, becoming one with God/Divine and ultimately nourishing the human soul.

Whether you decide to meditate with a Buddhist or Catholic, there isn’t much difference in the outcome. Both practices have shown to improve both physical and emotional health. Added benefits include; detachment, trust, peace, compassion and deep relaxation. At the end of the day, I don’t think it matters what Divine being you pray to or not in yoga class. Be open and true to whatever feelings may come up. Put yourself on a mat and you will experience some benefit, whether it be physical or emotional.

God be with you…or as my Master teacher says…Namaste!

Thank you to Lynelle Sigona for sharing these insights with us. This article was written as part of her teacher training contemplation with Doron. For more insights into meditation, check out our four part Zen Meditation podcast series here.

[1] Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace, Parallax Press, California, 1987, p. 109.

[2] Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace, Parallax Press, California, 1987, p. 112.

[3] Mark Stephens, Teaching Yoga, North Atlantic Books, California, p. 2.