Even with your last breath
Repeat the name of the Lord,
Whose abode stands high like a date palm,
Loaded with luscious fruits.
Do not depend on your own
Skill and strength to reach the top.
Let the Holy Name be your ladder and your rope.
Thus supported you can neither
Fall nor fail to reach the top.
Make this house of flesh and blood
A temple of the Lord.
This is Meera’s secret to share with you.
Meera (c. 1498-1547) is one of India’s best-loved mystic poets, famous for her songs to Krishna. This passage is a free rendering by Easwaran for meditation, and is published in his spiritual anthology, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran’s wife, Christine Easwaran.