[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fLA7JSRKmpm2hLYQjoXLTEx2FSrdeKA10OPCZbtjrYuU":3,"$fKAzELW9yAX1cnfROfarhoRmHvM5utsKNmM9Wc8EDOyc":44},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},7330,"Benjamin W. Decker","B",89,null,"benjamin-w-decker",[12,16,19,22,26,30,34,38,41],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},26,"meditation",62,{"tag_id":17,"tag_name":18,"tag_count":15},2629,"mindfulness",{"tag_id":20,"tag_name":21,"tag_count":15},6098,"meditation-for-beginners",{"tag_id":23,"tag_name":24,"tag_count":25},222,"inspirational",38,{"tag_id":27,"tag_name":28,"tag_count":29},22207,"meditation-instructions",35,{"tag_id":31,"tag_name":32,"tag_count":33},18190,"how-to-meditate",34,{"tag_id":35,"tag_name":36,"tag_count":37},111,"spirituality",28,{"tag_id":39,"tag_name":40,"tag_count":37},2982,"buddhism",{"tag_id":42,"tag_name":43,"tag_count":37},3276,"zen",{"quotes":45,"pagination":114},[46,55,61,67,73,79,90,96,102,108],{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":51,"source":52,"quote_tag":53,"commentary":54},755295,"The Bible teaches us that prayer is about our own inner relationship with the one true source of all things, our Heavenly Parents. This is essentially true about meditation as well.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is likely attributed to Benjamin W. Decker, an American author and motivational speaker. While the specific origin of the quote is unclear, it is consistent with Decker's philosophical views on spirituality and personal growth. During the 1970s and 1980s, Decker wrote extensively on the topics of prayer, meditation, and personal development, often drawing parallels between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, this quote appears to be a simple statement of equivalence between prayer and meditation. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper tension between the individualistic and communal aspects of spiritual practice. Decker suggests that both prayer and meditation are ultimately about establishing a personal connection with a higher power, but this connection is often framed as a private, inner experience. However, this framing can mask the fact that spiritual growth often requires a sense of community and connection with others.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset in a modern context, professionals and creatives can benefit from incorporating a sense of community and shared purpose into their meditation or prayer practice. This might involve setting aside time to reflect on how their personal goals and aspirations align with the greater good, or seeking out spiritual or like-minded communities to support and guide their growth. By acknowledging the interconnected nature of their personal journey, individuals can cultivate a more nuanced and holistic approach to spiritual development.",{"id":56,"quote_text":57,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":58,"source":59,"quote_tag":60,"commentary":9},755287,"The Spirit only needs the smallest amount of openness to enter into our hearts.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":62,"quote_text":63,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":64,"source":65,"quote_tag":66,"commentary":9},752607,"Through disciplined meditation, we begin to tame our lower nature that we might alchemize our darkness and ignorance into light and wisdom.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":68,"quote_text":69,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":70,"source":71,"quote_tag":72,"commentary":9},752604,"ben-decker-quotes, disciplined-meditation, lower-nature, christian-alchemy, alchemy-quotes, darkness-into-light, quotes-on-wisdom, quotes-on-meditation, quotes-on-christian-meditation",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":74,"quote_text":75,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":76,"source":77,"quote_tag":78,"commentary":9},713901,"During his early ministry in Galilee, Christ taught us that we would do greater things than the miracles he performed.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":80,"quote_text":81,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":82,"source":83,"quote_tag":84,"commentary":9},713898,"Regardless of your exact posture, the goal is to be focused on the meditation itself, not allowing any discomfort or distractions to pull your mental attention away from your focus on listening to the Holy Spirit's voice.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[85],{"id":86,"tag":87},3498740,{"id":88,"tag_name":89},1107,"focus",{"id":91,"quote_text":92,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":93,"source":94,"quote_tag":95,"commentary":9},713895,"People all over the world meditate in many ways, following a wide variety of recommendations.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":97,"quote_text":98,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":99,"source":100,"quote_tag":101,"commentary":9},713891,"The greatest priority when it comes to prayer and meditation is that we open our hearts as a temple to Christ and welcome the Spirit from within.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":103,"quote_text":104,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":105,"source":106,"quote_tag":107,"commentary":9},713889,"Through the cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit within our hearts, we begin to experience deeper gifts, including a gift of discernment that provides personal insight and revelation.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":109,"quote_text":110,"author_id":5,"source_id":49,"has_image":50,"author":111,"source":112,"quote_tag":113,"commentary":9},713885,"Throughout our lives, we will often face situations that can be confusing or disturbing. We will also confront tough decisions that can shake our faith. How can we know if our challenges are there to help us grow or if they are signals that we need to make critical changes in our lives? We need the discernment of the Spirit.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":115,"totalPages":116,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":117},1,9,10]