The Beauty of Prayer

“Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. The invocation of that force is our contribution to help the world. We think that we are too insignificant, too small to contribute to the well-being of the world, but we are told by Master that constant sincere prayer is a positive contribution towards the upliftment of the world."

-Swami Sivananda

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The Beauty of Prayer

The Surrender

Engaging in prayer transcends the mundane, offering us a profound and heartfelt moment to lay bare our vulnerabilities, faults, guilt, insecurities, and mental limitations before a higher power.

It serves as an opportunity to set aside our daily expectations and relinquish control, fully surrendering ourselves to the Creator.

The beauty of prayer is not merely about reciting words; it's an avenue for realigning our intentions and life goals toward a greater purpose, one that often unfolds in mysterious ways.

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True Prayer

In contemporary society, we may commonly believe that meaningful prayer necessitates a designated time, a specific location, and absolute solitude.

However, the essence of true prayer is an ongoing journey that invites us to connect with the intangible, be it God, the Supreme Reality, Divinity, or simply our innermost selves. What genuinely matters is the sincerity and intention behind our prayers, which must come from the depths of our hearts.

As we immerse ourselves in this sacred practice, we find our hearts opening and becoming more porous, making it increasingly easier to connect with that divine essence through each prayer.

When we pray for peace and understanding in the world, we not only bolster our own spiritual journey but simultaneously strengthen our connections with others, thereby expanding both our minds and collective consciousness.

This universal outreach allows us to empathize with those in need or facing challenges, whether they are physical, mental, or spiritual in nature.

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The Intention

It's important to note that there’s no necessity for complex vocabulary or elaborate formulas in prayer.

Instead, a few simple, sincere phrases imbued with pure intention often suffice. In our prayers, we have the power to call forth prosperity, blessings, strength, harmony, and balance.

We can carve a serene space within our hearts; from this internal sanctuary, we connect with the divine presence that resides within us, allowing our entire being to resonate with that prayer, reminiscent of how chanting a mantra with true devotion evokes profound transformation.

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The Realisation

The more we explore the intricacies of our inner hearts, the closer we come to experiencing that precious silence within, where our connection to the universe thrives. Many of our daily struggles—fear, stress, anxiety—often stem from a deficiency in devotion and a weakened connection to that highest reality.

In moments of genuine devotion, we discover that we are never truly alone; prayer serves as a doorway through which we can experience the divine presence, readily accessible to us at any moment, in any given place.

This realisation can be both comforting and enlightening, as it invites us to explore our spiritual practices with renewed vigour and openness.

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Extracts from Bliss Divine by Swami Sivananda

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is communion with God though single-minded devotion.

Prayer is nearness to God.

Prayer is tuning the mind with God.

Prayer is fixing the mind in God.

Prayer is meditation on God.

Prayer is surrendering oneself to God completely.

Prayer is the mystic state when the individual consciousness is absorbed in God.

Prayer is an uplifting of the soul to God, it is an act of love and adoration to Him.

Prayer is an adoration and worship of God.

Prayer is thanksgiving to God for all His blessings.

Prayer is an invocation, a calling forth of spiritual forces ever-flowing through the human heart, mind and soul.