Shantideva Prayer

When we pray for the strength to care for others we heal our sense of seperateness. The Shantideva Prayer brings ease in times of suffering and unifies us during times of division.

The Shantideva Prayer is a powerful practice for shoring up wisdom and heart strength.
Shantideva was an 8th century yogi and scholar––a prince who gave it all up to become a monk. His teachings are the throughline to an awakened life.

Transcript

Hello everyone,

This is Michelle Kamboulis,

Author,

Meditation teacher,

And therapist.

I'm sharing one of the most powerful practices I know for shoring up wisdom and heart strength.

It's the Shantideva prayer.

Shantideva was an 8th century yogi and scholar,

A prince who gave it all up to become a monk.

His teachings are the through line to an awakened life.

So just getting comfortable where you are,

Turning inward by closing the eyes or resting the gaze lightly in front of you,

And coming into stillness.

You can listen to the words or repeat them inwardly,

Allowing them to move through your being,

Amplifying at the heart center and connecting in with your inner radiance.

May I become at all times,

Both now and forever,

A protector for those without protection,

A guide for those who've lost their way,

A ship for those with oceans to cross,

A sanctuary for those in danger,

A lamp for those in the dark,

And a servant to all those in need,

As long as living beings exist and suffering afflicts them.

May I too abide to dispel the misery of the world.

May I be a guard for those who need protection,

A guide for those on the path,

A boat,

A raft,

A bridge for those who wish to cross the flood.

May I be a lamp in the darkness,

A resting place for the weary,

A healing medicine for all those who are sick,

A vase of plenty,

A tree of miracles,

And for the boundless multitudes of living beings.

May I bring sustenance and awakening,

Enduring like the earth and sky,

Until all beings are freed from sorrow and all are awakened.

Gently putting the hand at the heart center,

Perhaps giving a light bow,

Honoring yourself in this moment with this body and this breath,

And may you lead with an open and steady heart.

Thank you for your presence.

Thank you for your practice.

Love to all and namaste.

Reviews

Beautiful, peaceful and calming. Such true strength. Thank you 🙏🏽

Profound. So needed in these current times. Thank you💚

Thank you for sharing this. I was not familiar with this prayer and now will add it to my regular meditation practice.
Namaste

I have been saying this for over a year and it has been and will be absolute medicine.

Michele, thanks for sharing this prayer.
Blessings!

Thank you! This got me back on track. I will listen often.

Tall order! I really think I can only deal with it one instant at a time.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Donna

Perfect for international women’s day!
Beautiful, thank you 🙏 love and peace 💜✨

A beautiful prayer, centuries old that holds true today!

Peaceful, refreshing, and rejuvenating. Very helpful for me as I start my caregiving day!

Lovely ☺️ Namaste 🙏

Beautiful 💓

This was absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much. I have struggled with many of the things that you just help me. Pray about since my dad passed away. I have struggled to lead as my heart aches and I am in mourning. My energy is low and as I guide others on a journey in health and fitness right now I just feel like I am struggling so much. I will come back to this prayer often as it remind me of who I want to be in this moment. For that, I think you today I will be the guide that I want to be that I have been and that is within me. Namaste.

Beautiful thank you so much for this beautiful prayer ! 🙏 I shall pray it daily and practice it to my best ability! A servant heart thank you! 🙏

I love this prayer. Thanks for sharing the longer version.

Powerful message! Great way to start the day. Namaste! 🙏