O Infinite Being! O Supreme Lord!
Teach us how to pray and how to meditate.
Make our thoughts so one-pointed, deep and unwavering that they may penetrate the inner depths of our being and perceive Thee.
Lift our mind to that plane where there is no heaviness, where there is no darkness, but only illumination and bliss.
Lead us from delusion to the Light of Wisdom.
Grant that we may feel Thy Divine Presence within us;
That our soul may awaken from the sense-slumber of unreality
and be ready to hear Thy call;
That our heart may be full of tolerance and compassion;
That peace and tranquility may pervade our whole being.
May Thy peace and blessing abide with us and protect us from all unworthy thoughts and actions.
Peace! Peace! Peace be upon all living beings.
Swami Paramananda (1884-1940) was one of the first Hindu teachers to bring ancient Hindu wisdom to the United States, following in the footsteps of his own teacher, Swami Vivekananda. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthology, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran’s wife, Christine Easwaran.