A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. M.Hin.

www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com or Bally 416-992-2487.

This is the 20th in a series of articles by Balliram Chadee and Hotshots Newspaper to bring a Hindu Perspective to educate our community. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

 

Question: What is the difference between Prayer and Praying as seen by Hindus?

Ans: We have all heard over the years by Hindus and Non Hindus alike, that Prayer and Praying would help relieve man of his miseries and troubles in life, especially in crisis, right? Do you believe this statement? What does it mean to you? Is there a difference? How do we know? In this article we would try to look at the Hindu perspective of this subject, which like many others in Hinduism, have caused opinionated arguments by various individuals, usually trying to justify their choice made. Prayer is usually generally accepted as the scared verses, text, recitations or “mantras” which a person use to help him make a connection with God or the supreme being to which they can relate. Praying is generally accepted as the act or process in which the activity of prayer is executed, meaning “the way” we actually pray or make our recitations to the almighty. If that is the case as is, then why is there so much dialogue about how Hindus pray and Hindu prayers? The Hindu process of praying involves a systematic approach to help an individual make the required connection to divinity and godhead. It has been said many times that a person “ can say prayers or a person can pray ”. The general concept with this view is that a person can just recite or say the mantras as a Hindu, with no focus, devotion or commitment to the cuase in which they should immerse themselves for that prayer to be effective. The other scenario is where a person can fully immerse themselves in pure spiritual bliss with full devotion and focus to God with a strict discipline of establishing and keeping that frequency until the session of praying is over. According to the Hindu concept, prayer is a mindset, it is a condition of the entire body, mind and soul which in total harmony and one focus attention can achieve maximum benefit from an intense or simple prayer, but that which is sincere and honest. A typical Hindu prayer session for example could be in a person's home, in a temple or another place being used for spiritual worship at the time in question. Prayer and praying are integral aspects of every Hindus daily life, as well as in every single Hindu ritual performed. It is a generally accepted fact in Hinduism that prayer and praying is much more forceful and powerful when exercised in a larger group, the concept being the frequency built or the momentum generated is much more energized than that which a single individual can generate (generally accepted, not specific fact).

In summary, what we must realize as Hindus, is that when we make excuses about praying in non religious settings or environment, if we are not physically, mentally and spiritually capable of bringing peace to that environment first, our prayers cannot be effective. It is believed and practiced, that for praying to be effective, prayer must be recited and said with a firm conviction to purpose, built with sincerity and stacked with love for the God to whom we seek refuge, relationship or connection. We could be in the biggest temple or in the largest crowd; where in either setting, the atmosphere or frequency is not correct, that prayer or praying activity would be very ineffective. In fact many of you might relate to a situation where you went to a place of worship and left for your home much more disturbed and upset than when you went there in the first place, why do you think that was? Each of us have a built in ability as a devotee or person, to use the gift God has given us. Pray with sincerity and love, conduct your prayers with devotion, commitment, intensity and purpose. There is a time for everything, take your time for praying and for your prayers, it is very important. Keep it to a level you are comfortable with, there is no minimum or maximum, do as much as you can or able to sincerely. Being in a temple everyday does not mean your prayers are accepted or does not mean you are praying with faith, devotion or love to that wonderful lord above. It is left upon us to do which is correct in prayer and in life. Do your best, a little goes a long way…sincerity goes a longer way and praying with humility and devotion would certainly take us across the ocean of Sansaar .. the ocean of mundane existence which we need to cross to find eternal peace, love and happiness with our Lord and Master.