Prayer/Chant/Mantra/Affirmation

[deux ex machina]

I found this prayer that really clicks well with me, on many levels - spiritually, philosophically, and aesthetically. Finding one that does is difficult.

 

The Prayer To Our Father

 

Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,

who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration.

May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest.

 

Your Heavenly Domain approaches.

Let Your will come true - in the universe (all that vibrates)

just as on earth (that is material and dense).

 

Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need,

detach the fetters of faults that bind us,

like we let go the guilt of others.

 

Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations),

but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose.

 

From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act,

the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age.

 

Amên.

Sealed in trust, faith and truth.

(I confirm with my entire being)

 

I usually say it quietly; just above a whisper. At other times, I silently focus on the words.

 

Do you have a prayer/chant/mantra/affirmation that you connect with particularly well, and use in your spiritual practice?

[Shakz]

I try to pray the Rosary everyday, but maybe in a different way than most. When I wake up in the morning I grasp the beads around my neck and say the prayers internally. I concentrate more on my breathing, the texture of the wooden beads, and visualizing the daily Mysteries, rather than on my words. By the third decade I've sometimes entered into a meditative state, and often can't remember finishing until I've recited the Hail Holy Queen. It's very restorative and sets me out on my day with a positive attitude. Days I don't pray my Rosary I'm often an SOB.

[knaveman]

The ringtone on my phone is a song of Om Mani Padme Hum. Every time my phone rings it sticks in my head for a while and reminds me to be compassionate and peaceful.

 

Also, the tattoo on my arm of the word "balance" always brings me back to center when I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eye.

[deux ex machina]

I try to pray the Rosary everyday, but maybe in a different way than most. When I wake up in the morning I grasp the beads around my neck and say the prayers internally. I concentrate more on my breathing, the texture of the wooden beads, and visualizing the daily Mysteries, rather than on my words. By the third decade I've sometimes entered into a meditative state, and often can't remember finishing until I've recited the Hail Holy Queen. It's very restorative and sets me out on my day with a positive attitude. Days I don't pray my Rosary I'm often an SOB.

 

So you try to do that first thing...I can see how that can start you off on the right foot. It's a way to ground yourself, if I'm reading you correctly.

 

That sounds beautiful. Thanks so much.

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Thank you God for another day on this side of the dirt;:DI pray that I use this time to demonstrate what you have me to, go where you would have me to go, say what you will have me to say and be a blessing to those in need. Please decrease my fleshly desires and increase my faith in you..Oh Lord, my redeemer. Amen.

 

"Another day on this side of the dirt"! You not only shared a great prayer, you made me laugh as well.

 

Thanks, bnb!

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The ringtone on my phone is a song of Om Mani Padme Hum. Every time my phone rings it sticks in my head for a while and reminds me to be compassionate and peaceful.

 

Also, the tattoo on my arm of the word "balance" always brings me back to center when I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eye.

 

The choice of the first part of my username, deux, was derived from a lot of the things I've been reading re: Taoism. I know you're Buddist.

 

I didn't know you have a tattoo! I really like the concept of reminders. Centering yourself. Thank you.

[knaveman]

The choice of the first part of my username, deux, was derived from a lot of the things I've been reading re: Taoism. I know you're Buddist.

 

I didn't know you have a tattoo! I really like the concept of reminders. Centering yourself. Thank you.

 

I've still got one forearm left, but haven't figured out what I need to be reminded of yet.

 

If you ever want to discuss Buddhism let me know, I love talking about it.

[deux ex machina]

I've still got one forearm left, but haven't figured out what I need to be reminded of yet.

 

Perpetual grocery list?

 

If you ever want to discuss Buddhism...

 

...yeah...that... *slides under chair*

 

sillytypyfingers

 

...let me know, I love talking about it.

 

Thanks, I shall.

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Although I am majoring in Religion I do not have a good grip on what I believe in (but I know I am not a Christian). Last Wednesday I burned my foot with burning hot bacon grease and found myself bouncing back and forth between praying to God and being meditative about it.

 

"Please, God, PLEASE take away the pain!! But wait! What exactly is pain??? Pain is impermanent like all of life...ARGH!!"

 

Almost a week later God has yet to answer my prayer and Pain, as it turned out, is the thing searing through my foot.

 

Love your avvie, LL. Now that I read this I keep imagining the T. rex in your avatar, his little (relatively speaking) arms waving in the air, burning hot bacon grease on his foot, crying out in a Mike Tyson-like voice, "ARGH!! PLEASE, take away the pain!! But wait...what exactly is pain??? ARGH!!"

 

Interesting prayer/meditative moment. Have to admire that you had the presence of mind in that situation to think of anything close to that! I might have been having some thoughts...but whether or not it they would've been anything close to contemplative is questionable, at best.

[Shakz]

So you try to do that first thing...I can see how that can start you off on the right foot. It's a way to ground yourself, if I'm reading you correctly.

 

Yes, you read me right. "Grounding" is the precise word.

 

Alot of people pray the Rosary perfunctorily, and I don't think it was intended to be recited in that manner. They do it as a sort of penance, but that breaks my heart. Penance is best accomplished by atoning for your bad choices and making amends by doing right by others. You cannot do penance to God, only to other people. He's already paid your debt to Him. The only thing you owe Him is your love for those whom you would rather despise.

[skydiveaddict]

Yes, you read me right. "Grounding" is the precise word.

 

Alot of people pray the Rosary perfunctorily, and I don't think it was intended to be recited in that manner. They do it as a sort of penance, but that breaks my heart. Penance is best accomplished by atoning for your bad choices and making amends by doing right by others. You cannot do penance to God, only to other people. He's already paid your debt to Him. The only thing you owe Him is your love for those whom you would rather despise.

 

 

What about when a priest in confession tells you to say a Rosary for penance? This has happened to me many times

[Shakz]

What about when a priest in confession tells you to say a Rosary for penance? This has happened to me many times

 

Wow, you must be one heck of a sinner! The most I ever got was three Hail Mary's, one Our Father, and a pull the weeds behind the rectory. I don't believe in prayer as penance. I didn't say the Church doesn't. I'm a good Catholic. I do as I'm told, but the Sacrament is one of Reconciliation, of which penance is but a part. The Actual Grace to avoid sin is recieved through confession and prayer, not penance. Penance, in the Sacramental sense, is only to assuage our own conscience.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Shakz

[threebyfate]

The closest I've ever gotten to chants and mantras was:

 

He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick.

 

It works.

[deux ex machina]

Ahh, thank you, I like my avatar, too. ^_^ The T-Rex is from a webcomic called Dinosaur Comics. It is the same panels everyday but different dialogue. It usually consists of T-Rex having philosophical discussions with Dromiceiomimus and Utah Raptor on everything from religion and science to Star Wars vs Star Trek.

 

http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=1759

 

Also, my boyfriend sometimes runs around these forums, his avatar is Dromiceiomimus.

 

I'll recognize it now. I've been checking out the link - it's right up my alley. Bookmarked. Thanks!

 

Thank you, but it wasn't so much my presence of mind as an act of desperation because the ice pack and Tylenol sure weren't working. Although, when I was a kid I use to do the "What is pain?" trick and I remember it being effective back then.

Sad to say 2nd degree burns are quite intense, and I think it was just too much for my meditation trick.

 

To answer your original post I do not pray or meditate as often as I use to. I do believe in God of some sort, so in the past I would say a prayer of thanks before I go to bed. I have fallen out of that habit, but every so often I will be driving along, or I will hear something displeasing, and I will ask for some sort of protection or give thanks.

 

Thanks much for the reply, and the link. I appreciate it.

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Yes, you read me right. "Grounding" is the precise word.

 

Alot of people pray the Rosary perfunctorily, and I don't think it was intended to be recited in that manner. They do it as a sort of penance, but that breaks my heart. Penance is best accomplished by atoning for your bad choices and making amends by doing right by others. You cannot do penance to God, only to other people. He's already paid your debt to Him. The only thing you owe Him is your love for those whom you would rather despise.

 

Well put. Yes, I have been trying to focus on connecting on a deep level, so I understand. Some days I have a difficult time with it, while other days it's easier.

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The closest I've ever gotten to chants and mantras was:

 

He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick. He's a prick.

 

It works.

 

I don't know who the 'he' in this chant is...but I wonder he felt a cold chill run down his spine as you wrote this.

 

He was probably taking a nap or a shower, just minding his own business when ---> O_O ...wha?

[skydiveaddict]

Wow, you must be one heck of a sinner!

 

 

Well I am just back from the war

[Shakz]

Well I am just back from the war

 

Well that would fall under the compulsion clause as an extenuating circumstance and immediately reduce any sins commited to venial status, save murder and a few others. I'm sure so long as no farm animals were involved you should be good to go! Seriously, we had this one Ghanian priest for awhile who would assign the same pennance no matter the infraction: read the entire book of Sirach. I have that puppy memorized!