Blot out, O Lord, all my memories — except one. For memories make me old and feeble. Memories lay waste my present day. They press down my present day with the past and weaken my hope in the future, for in legions they whisper in my ear: there will be only that which has been.
But I do not wish there to be only that which has been. I do not wish, and Thou dost not wish, O Lord, that the future be a repeated past. Let there come to be what has never been, that which has never yet appeared. Too dear is the sun, for it to gaze upon repetitions alone.
Beaten paths lead the traveler astray. Long has earth walked upon earth. Tedious have the wayfarers of earth become, for they repeat themselves from generation to generation through all time. Blot out, O Lord, all my memories except one.
One single memory do not blot out but strengthen in me. Do not blot out but strengthen in my consciousness the memory of that glory which I had when I was wholly with Thee and wholly in Thee, before time and the delusions of time.
When I too was harmoniously triune in holy unity, as Thou art from Eternity to Eternity.
When in me too the soul was in friendship with consciousness and life.
When my soul too was a virginal womb, and my consciousness wisdom in virginity, and my life spiritual power and holiness.
When I too was wholly light, and when there was no darkness in me.
When I too was blessedness and peace, and when there was in me no torment of imbalance.
When I too knew Thee as Thou knowest me, and when I was not mingled with darkness.
When I too had no boundaries, nor neighbors, nor division into I and you.
This memory do not blot out, O my Parent, but strengthen it.
Though it reveals to me the abyss through which I now journey in humiliation and nothingness.
Though it divides me from friends and from pleasantness. And tears down all the partitions between Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
Though it leads me out of myself, and makes me mad in the eyes of my fellow-travelers.
Truly, all company is unwelcome to me save Thine, and every memory save the memory of Thee.
O my merciful Parent, blot out all my memories except one alone.