艾內斯·艾斯華倫，他是聖雄甘地的摯友，深受其思想影響，並著有Gandhi，the Man一書，第一次從思想角度解讀甘地的一生。在印度，他是知名的作者和演說傢，與著名靈性大師吉達·剋裏希納穆提一樣，同是與20世紀60年代開始的“新時代運動” (New Age Movement，又稱“東西文化閤流運動”)緊密相連的思想大師，在西方具有廣泛影響力。1959年，他作為“東西文化閤流運動”的東方學老代錶前往美國，1960年，他開始在美國係統地教授沉思課，並在大學裏開設有學分的沉思課，將沉思這一東方智慧帶入西方文明。1978年，《沉思課》齣版，初版時即售齣195000冊。艾斯華倫共著有26本心理靈修書籍，是全球公認的沉思修行的創始人和永恒智慧的引導人。

Pioneered by spiritual master Eknath Easwaran, passage meditation consists of memorizing an inspirational spiritual passage and then sending it deep into consciousness through slow, sustained attention. It keeps meditation fresh and varied because readers can select the passages — from one tradition or many — that embody their chosen ideals. Many readers also enjoy the passages for their poetic and intellectual appeal. This form of meditation offers all the richness and depth of traditional wisdom, together with a practical method for bringing that wisdom into daily life. The book situates passage meditation as part of Easwaran’s eight-point program that, based on traditional spiritual practices but adjusted for modern lifestyles, shows readers how to stay calm and focused at work and home. This edition includes a new preface of previously unpublished material by Easwaran and an epilogue that explains the story behind the book and invites new readers to join the author on this adventure in the “world within.”