Contemplative Practice Across Faiths

Many faiths have quiet, repetitive or contemplative forms of prayer. They are distinct traditions with their own beliefs; similar techniques do not mean they are the same.

Examples

• Christianity: Centering Prayer and the Jesus Prayer of Eastern Orthodoxy use a short sacred word or phrase repeated gently.
• Islam: Dhikr (remembrance of God) repeats phrases such as "SubhanAllah", often with prayer beads (misbaha).
• Judaism: Hitbodedut, taught by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, is personal, spontaneous conversation with God, often alone in nature.
• Hinduism and Buddhism: mantra repetition, such as with a mala of 108 beads.
• Secular: mindful attention without any religious content.

Try this

Choose the path that fits your own beliefs, or none, and spend three quiet minutes with it today.