Inner Life, Talks and Thoughts How to teach prayer. A conversation with Rupert Sheldrake
Aug 1, 2023
Rupert Sheldrake, a renowned biologist and author known for his theories on morphic resonance, joins the discussion on prayer. They explore the contrasts between prayer and meditation, revealing the challenges in teaching prayer. Personal experiences highlight the roles of angels and saints, raising intriguing questions about spiritual intermediaries. The conversation also touches on the nature of prayer, including its implications in healing and connection to the divine. Sheldrake emphasizes the universal human desire to pray, inviting deeper exploration into this spiritual practice.
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Meditation vs. Prayer
- Meditation is widely taught and practiced, even by atheists like Sam Harris.
- In contrast, prayer, a more traditional spiritual practice, lacks formal instruction or widespread teaching.
Prayer's Implicit Engagement
- Prayer implies engaging with a consciousness beyond oneself, unlike meditation which can be secular.
- This difference may explain the hesitancy to teach prayer outside religious contexts.
Complementary Practices
- View prayer and meditation as complementary practices.
- Meditation is like breathing in, withdrawing from the world; prayer is like breathing out, connecting with a higher power and directing attention outwards.