Over time I have come to realize that when I am stressed I forget to breathe. As odd as that may sound, that is exactly what happens when we are anxious and over-taxed and there are probably millions of North Americans who forget to breathe deeply when under pressure. It's a reason why some people feel faint when they are about to make presentations about which they are anxious. Meditation and other forms of prayer invite a focus on breathing as a way into relationship with God. Singing does something similar -- it is a form of breathing prayer. It's why choir members comment that they leave a practice feeling rejuvenated.
The other day I saw this, an excerpt from Dr. David Benner's book, Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer. It is a wise book, and it was good to be reminded that it is on my shelf!
The problem with understanding prayer as conversation is that prayer is so much more than communication. Reducing it to conversation makes it simply a mental activity – words and thoughts being a product of the left hemisphere of the brain. Prayer includes the mind but is not limited to it. God invites engagement with more of our brain and more of our being. The glorious truth is that I can be praying to God without speaking to God, or without even consciously thinking of God. The truth is that prayer can be as foundational to our daily life as breathing. It can become a part of living, not just a religious practice or a spiritual discipline. Prayer can become our life and our lives can become our prayers. Prayer is not only more than conversation. It is more than praying!
Does Benner's description help at all with your understanding of prayer? Do you ever practice deeper, full body breathing?
I had never considered prayer in those terms. Interesting stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe breathing deal always helps me calm down ... whether it's before presentations, playing sports, when I'm having trouble sleeping. -
Good advice!
"Our lives can become our prayers". I think we often hear that in the form of being a Christian is more than showing up at church on Sunday. You have to go out and live it the other six days as well.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the breathing goes, yes in any kind of exercise you had better remember to breathe. Yoga is an exceptionally good class to teach us to breathe.
I like the image on the book cover - as one opens up to God, one blossoms! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wise comments folks, and for contending with the weird type problems. Attempts at correcting things just didn't work!
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