Prayer, Breathing & Goethe

Done silently, prayer often slows the breathing rate. This makes one more relaxed and receptive to new ideas or those highly desired. The alpha state is more present and we become more creative, suggestible or open to the ideas within the prayer.

To me, it seems that the more I engage my body and thinking together (mind/body) the better the possibility of the idea making more of an impact in the way I experience the prayer and become more connected to it either as a process of connecting with my higher power and/or a specific piece of information that I need to direct my actions.

Speaking out loud while praying has the effect of strengthening the mind/body connection with the spoken idea(s). There is tremendous power in the energy of the human voice, the power of that sound. Spoken thoughts can become more embodied; they are often more real to the speaker because they have the extra connecting energy of the vocal vibrations. They are hopefully felt through important parts of the body such as heart, throat and belly. Try singing a song out loud and singing it silently, and you may get what I am referring to. Listen to a great Gospel singer like Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin or Tremaine Hawkins, and feel the full force of spirit in action. Silence may be golden, but as Goethe said, "boldness has a genius, magic and power to it."

Prayer wise I prefer the spoken form, but the silent form is certainly serviceable to many others. There is a certain amount of throat and speech activity (sub-vocalization) while thinking.

But for me, praying strong and out loud seems to have more impact on my inner being. Some songs are actually prayers or affirmations via strong sound. It makes me feel that I am heard more, and the outspokenness as well gives me a better sense of my being heard.

I have a Tibetan Prayer flag. Not sure what it does, and I just do not relate to it as much as vocalized prayer. I respect it though I do not pay much attention to it.

I believe that one can become what one believes, and the more embodied our beliefs are, the more we can be the way we want to be. The more you embody desirable beliefs, the more you are likely to take action because your body is more used to feeling the subtle and not-so-subtle vibrations, feelings and emotions associated with the thought.

When you pray or, for that matter, sing, make it loud at least on occasion. Engage more of yourself and let your prayers be heard. If your prayers are not getting answered, then repeat them more often and perhaps louder. The quality of your thinking guides the energy of the breath. Breathe in spirit (inspiration). Think of it as holy, and you have Holy Spirit.

This engaging one's more complete and spiritual self is the basis of deep transformation and our Voice Development, #140 Breathing Self Esteem and #180 Prevention & Intention programs.