It is said that Salat is Dua because it encompasses it - Nawawi's explaination of Muslim

One of the things I've been thinking about lately is Namaz. I've been trying to gain a deeper understanding of what it is I am doing. The Great Prophet said it was the "the coolness of my eyes", and "between a man and disbelief was salat". May Allah's peace and blessing be upon my Master.

I began to wonder if my salat was not like a fine building. With every movement I made I entered into a new room. I would sit in this room enjoy its walls its beautiful structure, its own unique feel and temperature and then move onto another room.

When I raise my hands I would open the door and walk in, closing myself from that which was beyond its walls. When I would say salam to my right and salam to my left I would step out of this building and enter into the world once again.

I wonder over the beautiful palaces I have entered and lament over the many shacks I have raced through.

Oh God all Salutations are for you, all Prayer and Goodness.
Peace be upon you Prophet of God and His Mercy and His Bounty.
Peace be upon us and God's righteous servants.

Picture from Mattew J Stinson, Flickr China Collection. Picture of a breezeway near the entrance to the Great Mosque