Past life prayer position?

[cecily]

Does anyone know of a religion, or subset of a religion, which prays with the arms crossed over on the chest and the hands on the shoulders, while bowing the head? It doesn't seem to matter as to sitting, standing or kneeling.

I'm a Christian (Episcopalian), with a knowledge of Judaism, but neither does this that I am aware of.

The only religious association that I have for this is the position of the Virgin Mary in some depictions of the Annunciation.

For about the last six months, when praying at home, I've wanted to assume this position. Because of a knee problem, I can't easily kneel, so I normally pray seated, except during the parts of my church's services for which we stand. I don't have this feeling when at church.

As a firm believer in reincarnation, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a memory of an earlier life.

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Ailish]

Hi Cecily,


I found some reference to what you're speaking of in the Byzantine Forum.

If you cross your arms over the heart - and do it properly - the hands are open and straight, each forearm goes up from the elbow, across the other forearm, so that each forearm rests at the tip of the opposite shoulder, and the two forearms sign the Cross (of Saint Andrew).
This is how we should approach Holy Communion, for example. And yes, we would normally cross the right forearm over the left forearm.

In making the Sign of the Good Shepherd, the arms form a St. Andrew’s Cross, used as the position of prayer in the Scottish Rite. Read more here.

I haven't had time to look for any other references - but I hope this helps! At least it might give you something to research


Aili

 

[cecily]

Past Life Prayer Position


Thank you, Ailish!


The Byzantine, presumably Orthodox, information is probably what I was looking for. Some time earlier this year, while I was praying with Anglican prayer beads, the thought flashed through my mind, "I am a Byzantine nun." The desire to pray with crossed arms may have come on then.


Since I believe in reincarnation, the thought didn't surprise me. It's good to have this possible confirmation. I've known for a long time that I was once some sort of acolyte or attendant who swung a censer at Orthodox services. A past life reader spontaneously told me about that years later, adding that it was not, as I'd assumed, in Russia but in the area that became Yugoslavia. To this day I'm attracted to Orthodoxy.


Thanks again!

 

[Sunniva]

Very interesting, Cecily!


I'd love to hear more about this possible Byzantine life if you know some. I've always been very drawn to this time and Constantinople in particular

 

[Eternal Light]

Cecily, this is fascinating. I hope that you will be able to tell us more of this memory flash that you had whilst praying.


You know, I'm not religious at all. But, as soon as I read your post I knew, somehow, that the St. Andrew's cross was the one that you were speaking of. I don't know how I did, because I have no memories of anything remotely to do with a religious theme.


Instinctively, as I read it, my arms went into the position of the cross of your description; kind of compulsively. I work at home, and am here alone at present, and when I realised what I was doing I immediately looked around, in confusion wondering if I could be seen acting in such an unusual fashion. lol


Its my personal belief that you did indeed have a past life flash of memory.