This prayer is about the vigilance needed to keep the tide of material thoughts away from us.
January 4, 1914
THE tide of material thoughts lies always in wait for the least weakness and if we relax our vigilance even for a moment, if we are negligent, to however small an extent, it rushes forward and invades us from all sides, submerging sometimes under its heavy flood the result of innumerable efforts. Then the being enters into a sort of torpor, its physical needs of food and sleep increase, its intelligence is obscured, its inner vision is veiled, and in spite of its feeling little real interest in these superficial activities, they occupy it almost exclusively. This condition is very troublesome and fatiguing, for nothing is more fatiguing than thoughts about material things, and the wearied mind suffers like a caged bird unable to spread its wings yet aspiring for the power to take its free flight.
But perhaps in this condition there is a utility which I do not see. In any case, I do not struggle at all; and like a child in the arms of its mother, like a fervent disciple at the feet of his master, I confide in Thee and surrender myself to Thy guidance, sure of Thy victory.”
The text above is quoted from the Third Edition, 1954 (translation by Rishabhchand Samsukha)
This book is freely available at https://www.auro-ebooks.com/prayers-and-meditations-1954-edition/
