The human body is finite;
the spirit is boundless.
Before you begin to pray,
cast aside what limits you
and enter into the world of the Infinite.
Turn to God alone
and have no thought of self at all.
Nothing but God will exist for you
when self has ceased to be.
Dov Baer of Mezhiirech (d. 1772) was the chief disciple and successor of Rabbi Israel den Eliezer, the founder of the Hasidic movement of Jewish mysticism. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthology, “Timeless Wisdom.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran’s wife, Christine Easwaran.