The Altar of Peace

In the temple of silence I discover Thine altar of peace. On the altar of peace I find Thine ever new joy.

Metaphysical Meditations

I Will Meditate. p. 63

Yogananda Paramahansa

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I think of altars as the biblical sacred place where the first-born, animal or human, sacrifices were executed to atone for sins and garner favor from a blood-thirsty deity. However, when I center my mind purposefully, I come to understand that the only offering on the altar of peace acceptable to the Heart of Compassion, is the ego. It is the first-born; the most precious possession I can set down, burn-up, and discard, before the peace that surpasses all understanding can be experienced. So I sit and breathe; letting go of my thinking, my plans, my hopes and aspirations. The incense of humility rises to the heavens and that is all that is required of me as the most pleasing sacrifice to the God of my understanding. I can start from there no matter how screwed up I am. I can start from there… from the Temple of Silence on the altar of peace.

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