Reflections on Prayer : My Approach
Prayer has been an integral part of my life, shaping my perspective and guiding my decisions. Over the years, I have discovered two key types of prayers that resonate deeply with me:
1. Meditational Prayer: This involves praying during meditation, focusing on the well being of all living beings and humanity as a whole. It is a prayer for universal harmony, and for the collective good.
2. Conversational Prayer: This is a more personal form of prayer where I seek solutions to specific challenges. In such moments, I try to reach out to the divine, asking for guidance, and strength to act decisively. Sometimes, I also present my desires and aspirations to the divine and pray for guidance and support.
I've often engaged in conversational prayer, and my experiences have been varied. Sometimes my prayers were answered, and at other times, they were not. These experiences have shaped my understanding of prayer and led me to develop my own approach to prayer.
My Approach to Prayer:
While praying, I introduced an important principle that serves as a foundation of my faith: "Even if I wish for something, if it is not in the interest of myself, my family and others in the long run, I pray that it should not come true ."
This belief has given me peace, even when my prayers have gone unanswered. Upon reflection, l've often felt gratitude that certain prayers didn't come true, realizing that they wouldn't have served me well in the larger scheme of things.
Over time, l've embraced this understanding: Whatever comes my way, I accept it with the belief that it holds a purpose beneficial to me in the long run. I do maintain my ambitions and work diligently toward them, but I also trust the divine to guide the outcome.
When I am in prayer, I convince myself with unwavering belief that my aspirations will materialize. This state of mind removes fear, energizes me, and fuels my creativity, enabling me to act decisively.
When Prayers Aren't Answered Yet, when things don't unfold as I envisioned, I change my perspective. I embrace what has come with gratitude, trusting that it aligns with the greater good or serves a higher purpose. I move forward, confident that it is ultimately for my benefit.
In my training programs, l have often quoted, "With belief, say, ‘Move!’, and the Mountain will move!". But when the mountain didn’t move, I justified it by saying, "It didn't move, this time, because it wasn't in our best interest. And don’t restrain yourself to say ‘Move!’, next time. "
Way of Prayer:
1. Posture and Calmness: Sit in a comfortable position with your spine in a natural, upright position. Try to be calm and composed.
2. Deep Breathing: Practice deep, rhythmic breathing to center yourself.
3. Belief and Connection: Cultivate a strong belief. Visualize yourself connecting with cosmic energy.
4. Clarity and Surrender: While you may express your desires, end the prayer by surrendering to the Divine Will: "Let this come true only if it serves the greater good, including mine!"
This approach enhances my potential, and aligns me with the higher purpose of life.
Reading ‘An Autobiography of a Yogi’ by Paramahansa Yogananda had a profound impact on my worldview. It strengthened my conviction that each person is chosen by the divine for a unique purpose. While I believe in having ambitions and aspirations, I also acknowledge the importance of working hard, developing capabilities, and embracing creativity to pursue those goals. However, I firmly trust that things ultimately come to realisation only if the divine power wills it.
Dr. Mahendra Ingale, Former Principal @ Pune, May 1, 2025
