Text of the meditation
Be resolute. Be of single purpose. Renew your resolution daily. In the hour of temptation, do not depart from the right path. Avoid excitement. When passions are aroused, restrain and subdue them. When the mind would wander, bring it back to rest on higher things.
Do not think, "I can get Truth from the Teacher, or from the books." You can acquire Truth only by practice. The teacher and the books can do no more than give instructions, and you must apply them. Only those who practise faithfully the rules and lessons given, and rely entirely on their own efforts, will become enlightened.
The Truth must be earned. Do not be led away by phenomenal appearances, or seek communications with spirits or the dead; but attain virtue, wisdom and knowledge of the Supreme Law by the practice of Truth. Trust the Teacher; trust the Law; trust the path of Righteousness.
Put away all wavering and doubt, and practise the lessons of wisdom with unlimited faith.
James Allen (1864–1912), Book of Meditations for Every Day in the Year (1913) – public-domain text, gently modernised.
The original 1913 text is in the public domain.
