Lord's Prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER : M. M. NINAN
Karma, forgiveness of others, altruism, unselfishness -- these are excellent and just thoughts. To
forgive and forget is the best course of action, for one cannot know other people's circumstances or
what they experience inside, no matter how well we think we know them. Just as people have differing
thresholds of physical pain, so the psychological, intellectual, and other vehicles differ among
individuals, as do our capacities for handling various inner trials. We actually burden ourselves when
we hold onto resentments or ill-feelings toward another. When released from these things, we become
free to move on to other more immediate concerns in our lives.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
Is not manifestation one gigantic temptation? To move or even see beyond the veil of maya (illusion) to
the real basis of the universe is an enormous undertaking. We are asking our higher self to pull us up
above the temptation of matter to dwell in the heart of the universe.
James Long interpreted this passage as: "O Father within, lead us not away from our trials and
difficulties, so that meeting them squarely we may recognize evil for what it is and overcome its power
to control. . . . And let us not fall when tempted." (Expanding Horizons, pp. 32-33.) But sometimes
things have to get worse before they get better; things have to come to a head, growing in a certain
direction until they burst. Then the healing begins. Let us not be caught in illusion's snare, the pull of
the material world. Many versions, many viewpoints; all may contribute to our personal knowledge and
understanding.
With knowledge, however, comes responsibility. One who is more knowledgeable about spiritual
things will see greater consequences in what may seem small to the average person. One then must
"live the life" closer to the line than would be required of another not so knowledgeable. This does not
imply that ignorance is bliss, for we must all eventually advance -- or be left forever behind. We cannot
afford to become complacent or self-righteous. "One's knowledge of the Truth, however little that may
be, is a sacred trust for humanity that must not be violated." (Power Through Constructive Thinking, p.
41.)
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever:
One author holds that the true translation from the original Aramaic should be: "For of Thee are the
realms and the energies and the radiances throughout the life cycles, eternally, and forever." (Gina
Cerminara, Insights for the Age of Aquarius, p. 265.) This has a world more meaning for me. "Thine be
the glory" also points to the one reality within us from which and for which every action should proceed.
The final word of this prayer, and virtually all others in Christendom, is Amen, meaning "the
concealed," that which is hidden or occult. This "is really that sounded 'Word' again, which you often
see
written in Eastern writings and occurs in "The Light of Asia" as Om -- the Sanscrit word, standing for
that God within, the Self of all things and creatures. It is really the mechanical repetition of such
prayers that makes people forget That in themselves which is deeper and holier than any words or
prayers. -- Because . . . For the Children Who Ask Why?, p. 31
The Hebrew spelling is A-M-N -- three letters comparable to the full spelling of Om, which is A-U-M.
The three letters are syllables representing the Trinity in one. Some feel it should be uttered only in the
silence of one's mind and heart, and I agree.
I do not believe it appropriate or necessary to modify the Lord's Prayer. Rather I would like to
paraphrase it and to summarize the ideas thus far presented:
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