SadhanaOriental Meditation and Christian Prayer
To pray with body (taking a breath)
[1] Introduction
What kind of image do you have when you hear the word “prayer?”
The world of prayer is broad and rich in variety.
During our life, we show various aspects in relations with the society as well as with others, thinking, struggling, laughing, getting angry, expecting something from others, eating, and working. For those who live vigorously and humanly, prayer is not only words in their head (accepting). Rather than relying on words, they sometimes try to pray by expressing their piety through body movements (note 1). They sometimes come to realize that they cannot see any development when they just work on words in their head.
In life with wide-ranging activities, it is very helpful to connect prayer with physical momentum other than words such as body feeling and breathing. Sadhana is a way to the rich world of prayer through active utilization of physical senses and breathing.
(Note 1) Praying by expressing reverence with body movements
Our prayer is naturally reflected on our physical motions in such occasions as when we encounter death or illness of a person who is close to us, when we meet a difficulty in life, or when we are moved by the magnificence of nature. We sometimes stretch our arms or prostrate ourselves. At some point in our life, we also pray by expressing indescribable feelings with our body, clenching our fist or going down on our knees before we know it.