In this new volume of The Essence of Mediation series, Rupert Spira explores non-duality through the lens of devotional prayer. In The Essence of Prayer, Rupert Spira elaborates on the understanding that the peace and happiness we seek can be found in the knowing of our own being. Drawing on the wisdom of Being Aware of Being Aware and Being Myself, this new volume explores another essential aspect of meditation-that which is known as union with God and traditionally approached through prayer. The belief shared by most people that we are a separate person, a tiny part of a vast world, leads us to project the idea of God beyond the world, at an infinite distance from ourselves. As this person, we enter into a devotional relationship with God, we surrender to God. When, through an understanding of our self as unlimited, intimate being, God's being, the sole reality of all that is, we see that we are not separate from God. Our longing for God is found to be God's longing for us. The meditations in this volume are followed by dialogues in which analogies and practical examples help to clarify the teaching. Throughout The Essence of Prayer, Spira interlaces his contemplations with his own invocations-as well as teachings, prayers, and poetry gathered from centuries of great works and sacred texts-creating a rich experience of the unity of the perennial non-dual understanding. Following in the footsteps of Being Aware of Being Aware and Being Myself, The Essence of Prayer marks the third addition to renowned spiritual teacher Rupert Spira's The Essence of Meditation Series. In this transformational work, Spira explores non-duality through the lens of devotional prayer, and elaborates on the understanding that the peace and happiness we seek can be found in the knowing of our own being. From an early age Rupert Spira was deeply interested in the nature of reality, beginning to meditate at the age of seventeen and studying the teachings of the classical Advaita Vedanta tradition over the next twenty years. In 1997 he met his teacher, Francis Lucille, who introduced him to the Direct Path teachings of Atmananda Krishna Menon and to Jean Klein and the Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. More importantly, Francis directly indicated to him the true nature of experience. Rupert lives in the UK and holds regular meetings and retreats in Europe and the US. Spira resides in Oxford, UK

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