Several times this week, I have heard the same statement: Prayer is talking to Spirit and meditation is listening to Spirit. First of all, it is noteworthy that I heard the same thing from different sources in the same week. Second of all, that made me really stop and look at the whole concept. Both are important although I have never divided them up before. I have always considered communication with Spirit as a conversation. You know, talking and listening. There is great value in breaking conversation with Spirit down and looking at the inner workings of prayer and meditation.

People seem to pray most when they need something or are in trouble. Therefore, they seem to be begging or offering up deals. Interesting. Is this the only time we are brutally honest with ourselves and with Spirit – when we or someone we love is in trouble? Prayer is about the truth, no holds barred, no hedging; simple, clean and from the heart -- truth. With Spirit is the safest place in the world to speak the truth because Spirit already knows your truth. Prayer, then, is really about you getting honest with yourself. It is also about stating all you know (not what you don’t know) and asking for guidance. It’s actually pretty simple, although telling the truth to ourselves seems to be one of the most difficult things for humanity because, in that truth, we take personal responsibility and own our vulnerability. We acknowledge our fears, our guilt, and all that we carry in our hearts and our souls. When we get to that place, healing truly begins.

The second part of this magical formula is meditation or listening. And it is more than listening. Sometimes we can listen or try to listen so hard that we don’t hear. So this kind of listening is relaxing, breathing, knowing that Spirit loves you and has information for you, and you opening up to receive the information. Receiving is the critical part and receiving only happens in a state of being (not doing). The fun part is that guidance comes through unexpected avenues. Rarely do I hear words coming down from the Universe. Sometimes messages come through the wise words of friends. Sometimes, through a passage in a book or a creative inspiration while walking through the park. I have even gotten the perfect message channel surfing!

A small story: A client of mine was frustrated with her husband because, even though they had been married many years and had relatively good communication about most things, he couldn’t connect at that Spiritual level that was so important to her. He goes to work early and, therefore, gets home earlier than she. One day she came home and he was watching Oprah. In a few weeks, he was also watching Dr. Phil. He began talking about things that she had tried to get him to talk about for years. Spirit works in mysterious ways! We get it where, when, and how we can get it.

The point is whether you see this as a conversation or two separate acts, both the clarity that comes through the action of prayer and the receiving that comes through the being of meditation are equally important. By the way, neither one of these acts needs to be done on your knees or in a particular location. Walking is a great time for P & M. Driving in my car has always been a favorite of mine, probably because being focused on the task at hand leaves me more open to receive. I still like mornings, before I officially start my workday. You may always have a favorite time or location. Allow yourself to dice it up. Getting out of your routine can open you up for that unexpected gift from Spirit.

Blessings to you on this journey called life,

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