Swami Abhishiktananda (Henri Le Saux, 1910-1973) was one of the most fascinating spiritual figures of the 20th century and a bridge-builder between East and West. His encounter with Indian spirituality over a period of twenty-five years deepened and enriched his Christian faith beyond measure. The fruits of this profound spiritual experience are to be found in this treasured book Prayer. The book was, as the author wrote, "written beside the Ganges in very close contact with the spiritual experience of the Upanishads .... In [it] there is nothing technical. It seeks rather to be a travelling companion on the road that leads within." "A simple and practical handbook resplendent with the gems of Christian and Hindu wisdom, Prayer has rightly been acclaimed a classic and can be compared to similar works authored by contemporary Christian mystics who have explored contemplative prayer through Eastern and Western Spirituality, namely: Anthony de Mello, Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, Bede Griffiths, William Johnston, Thomas Keating, John Main, Thomas Merton, Vincent Shigeto Oshida, Ama Samy, David Steindl-Rast, Vandana Mataji and many more pioneers in interreligious spiritual understanding." -from the Editor's Note