A person who sincerely seeks inner guidance also remains open to advice and new ideas—to God speaking through friends. Thus, while the average person works from ego and frustration (on a downward spiral of energy), a person of sincere prayer works in a state of fearless creativity and deep peace (on an ascending spiral of grace). Prayer has little power if used as the only form of daily meditation, but tremendous power as a supplement to meditation to re-center your mind and intentions.

Even though you believe that "God" is but an aspect of your mind or Self ("God without form"), using the word "God" can draw upon an archetypal Source of inner strength capable of miracles. When it comes to sincere prayer, your belief system does not matter. Prayer is a universal science: If you contemplate its elements, you can definitely experience its magic and mysteries. Sometimes it is helpful to visualize a deity or aspect of God that has some emotional meaning. Feel as if you are talking to the deity as a dear friend.

When prayer is used to ask a question, I recommend taking an impersonal ("God without form") approach by erasing all mental images and going deeply into the Self. For example, ask "Should I visit . . . ?" while quickly closing your eyes and feeling the answer from within the Silence between your thoughts. Important questions should be asked every day—for several days—to verify the consistency of your answer. I recommend that you ask an important question only once per day at the deepest point of meditation or prayer.

There should be little need to ask ethical questions during the day: the purity of your heart should make all ethical matters obvious. Thus, prayer should be used as a means of supporting your deep energetic connection established during meditation. Kundalini energy raised is the source of willpower; during the day you are continuously interacting with various forces of nature and others’ energy fields, so prayer should generally be used to keep alive this spirit of ascent. On the other hand, as you advance in meditation, you create a seamless connection between meditation and prayer.

Prayer, like every other thing you do in life, should be simple, natural, and fun. If it feels stressful or unnatural, then pray: "God, teach me how to pray." You know you are praying correctly when you completely disappear from the world of strife: You stop dead in your tracks and in the twinkling of an eye soar to the heavens. The kundalini instantly flies to the crown chakra. You enter an intimate, ecstatic state of mystical union with your Beloved. The question and answer dissolve into a state of transcendent, blissful knowing. The question disappears while the answer becomes obvious.

So learn ways to remain in a state of continuous prayer/meditation—without the world knowing. The only people privy to your secret are the few who also live in deep prayer. These souls are your angelic friends.