Prayers at Sea- and on training

Prayers at Sea- 

dt 17th July 2017.
What does Spirituality &Prayers mean to Mariners -and how is it practiced at Sea.
The query was from a younger Mariner -also a correspondent to journals.

LOOKING BACK
Honestly, I feel Faith is an inherent trait and a part of our early home upbringing. Then it is finally a matter of the person's own inclination i.e. Faith as "Vishwas"-

On T.S. Dufferin, a former Troop ship that served in the War and later converted to a rustic Training ship for the navy -both cadres -- the order "Fall out for Prayers" was done thrice daily; at 6 am, at 9 am during morning Assembly and last fall in was at night by abt 9.30 pm. It had no conditions attached -just individual Faith and mind you it was all done in the same attire viz. the uniform or in the morning in working overalls-viz. boiler suit-working overalls. Nothing else mattered and at age 17 plus -less than 19 , the home upbringing and training on any spiritual practice alone held us and impacted us-
If we had a Prayerful attitude, we spent 3-5 mts in reverence to the Almighty--any name-any faith as we wished. Just look at the Sea and Sky; or else with eyes closed, as we leaned at the Ships Railing -- to Pray --We all did .No chatter, talk, dialogue or speech sermon, or hifi dissertations-just our silent , simple Prayer from the Heart....Soul .

The early Captain Superintendents instilled in us boys (then average age 17-18 max) with Discipline- Work and a healthy respect for the Creator and Creation. Fall In was early morning assembly 6.30 after wash up brush and a Mug of Tea in the mess Rooms- fast Fast - Fall on Quarter Deck- the first formal meet of the day Then Fall out for Prayers at 6.35 hrs for 2 mts, when we quietly looked seawards or to the sky; many leaned against the wooden Taff railing-heads bowed down in Prayer. So, we said our own prayers in line with our Faith/ Choice or some just maintained silence.
There were 80 Cadets (annual intake ) from all over India- and a few came from Ceylon., Malaysia and earlier even Burma and Pakistan (pre -partition days).
This developed a Communal Harmony from about living , studying and working with about 8 faiths and 5 Countries of SE Asia; It was so clearly established and a respect for our own 15 States and their customs and traditions and respect for all.
Later after Morning routine was over it was Clean ship, PT /Exercises, Bath - change , Breakfast in regular Uniforms-Fall in again- included a March past with a Captains Address and Patriotic songs and Universal Prayers-read .
So many things done, cheerfully, briskly and not a minute wasted
When I saw the Film "Chak De India" I recalled so many similarities of bonding together as one Unit -to Train and Serve in the Indian Merchant Navy.-
"Jai Hind"
TR
Cadet Roll No 1978 (63-65)

NOTE:

In later years I  learnt that Open space prayer is highly regarded and taught in Meditation systems. It was taught at Bangalore in a Camp 1992, in Open space i.e. "Sit in a garden and quieten the mind by simple breathing exercises and reflect , then pray -saluting each of the 5 Elements (Pancha Mahabhutas viz.the Elements Years later it was explained in later years by SC Math in Ashta murthies 8 aspects of Existence-and Space.
NOTE:

Our much loved and famous Dufferin song has an amazing philosophical depth .
We're on the road,
We're on the road,To anywhere,
and every mile-stone seems to say:
that the road to anywhere, the road to anywhere
will lead to somewhere,--Someday.
It also has a resemblance to Rabindranath Tagore's 'Ekla Cholo' in its spirit and -- .

 'Ekla Cholo Re'.was also featured in a film- Kahaani, where Amitabh Bachchan pays tribute to Song: Ekla Cholo Re Lyrics: Anvita Dutt Guptan, Music Director: Vishal-Shekhar

Just sharing-
Rgds
TR