Condensed versions have been published under the titles Timeless Wisdom (book) and Sacred Literature of the World (audio recording).

All US editions of God Makes the Rivers to Flow and its derivatives contain an introduction, plus numerous 1- to 3- or more page selections of spiritual texts from many traditions.

Prayer of Saint Francis[16] The Shema (Torah)[17] Discourse on Good Will (Sutta Nipata)[18] Let Nothing Upset You (Teresa of Avila)[19] Sermon on the Mount (New Testament)[20][21] Hymn to the Divine Mother (Chandi)[22] The Deepest Part of Thy Soul (William Law)[23] Let Me Walk in Beauty (Chief Yellow Lark)[24] Twin Verses (Dhammapada)[25] I Come to Him Running (Mishkat al-Masabih)[26] The Path (Mahatma Gandhi)[27] Easwaran's Introduction uses a sculptural metaphor[29] to explain how passages can be used beneficially in meditation.

When we use our will to drive the thin edge of the passage deep into consciousness, we get the purchase to pry loose tenacious habits and negative attitudes.

"[15]: 22  This, he says, is consistent with our experience that even in everyday life, we are shaped by what occupies our thoughts – for example, if we spend most of our time "studying the market, checking the money rates, evaluating our portfolios, we are going to become money-people.

"[15]: 22  Thus, in selecting meditation passages, Easwaran has "aimed for the highest the human being is capable of, the most noble and elevating truths that have ever been expressed on this planet.

[12] In The International Journal of Humanities & Peace, Carol Burke wrote that God Makes the Rivers to Flow (2003) contains "rich resources" that offer "much to satisfy even the most restless mind.

"[11]: 114 In Resurgence, Marian van Eyk McCain wrote that "it feels refreshingly ecumenical to see sacred texts from many different wisdom traditions gathering peaceably between two covers.

"[5] In response, a letter from a reader, Margaret Purrett, also published by Resurgence, argued that "meditators need to be tolerant of metaphors for divinity and gender usage from the past.

"[38] The Times of India described the passages in God Makes the Rivers to Flow as "positive and practical, inspiring and life-affirming," "alive with the charge of mystical awareness," and having "the power to change your life.

"[3] Prairie Messenger, a Roman Catholic publication,[39] stated that "these texts should have wide-ranging appeal since they are devoted to catching a glimpse of our inner being.

"[6] Dhammapada Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads Gandhi the Man Nonviolent Soldier of Islam Essence of the Upanishads Essence of the Dhammapada Essence of the Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living Original Goodness Love Never Faileth Seeing with the Eyes of Love Passage Meditation Mantram Handbook Conquest of Mind Strength in the Storm, others God Makes the Rivers to Flow Timeless Wisdom Words to Live By Reviewing the audio edition (1995), Fellowship in Prayer stated that "There is no end to the beauty that pours forth from the Blue Mountain Meditation Center in California, where Sri Eknath Easwaran continues to weave the golden threads of his ministry.

"[9] The reviewer described the audio as "magnificent," stating that "the depths of Easwaran's great soul brings each text to its most full expression of beauty and holiness... one has a sense of huge ocean waves rolling slowly, quietly, softly, timelessly, onto a distant shore.... My heart overflows with gratitude.

Catholic's review of the audio edition (1995), Paul Matthew St. Pierre stated that "All of them [the passages] are spiritually thrilling both in their content and as read aloud by Easwaran.

[47] God Makes the Rivers to Flow has been used as instructional materials in scientific studies of Easwaran's Passage Meditation among health professionals[13][48] and college undergraduates.