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Easwaran Inspirations #1
How to Meditate
Would you like better concentration, more vitality and creativity, more patience and inner strength?
Daily meditation can help you develop these qualities. Easwaran taught meditation for over forty years, and his instructions are practical and clear. He shows you how to choose a spiritual text, or passage, from the world’s great traditions that embodies your highest ideals. With regular practice, meditation becomes your lifeline, taking you to the source of wisdom deep within and guiding you through all the challenges of daily life.
This short ebook is the first chapter "Meditation on a Passage" from the book Passage Meditation – A Complete Spiritual Practice by Eknath Easwaran.
Easwaran is one of the twentieth century's great spiritual teachers and an authentic guide to timeless wisdom. His class at the University of California, Berkeley was the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. He is the author of the best-selling translation in English of the Bhagavad Gita, India’s best-known scripture.
Daily meditation can help you develop these qualities. Easwaran taught meditation for over forty years, and his instructions are practical and clear. He shows you how to choose a spiritual text, or passage, from the world’s great traditions that embodies your highest ideals. With regular practice, meditation becomes your lifeline, taking you to the source of wisdom deep within and guiding you through all the challenges of daily life.
This short ebook is the first chapter "Meditation on a Passage" from the book Passage Meditation – A Complete Spiritual Practice by Eknath Easwaran.
Easwaran is one of the twentieth century's great spiritual teachers and an authentic guide to timeless wisdom. His class at the University of California, Berkeley was the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. He is the author of the best-selling translation in English of the Bhagavad Gita, India’s best-known scripture.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2011
259 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Eknath Easwaran
213 books623 followersEknath Easwaran (1910–1999) is the originator of passage meditation and the author of more than 30 books on spiritual living.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
Easwaran is a recognized authority on the Indian spiritual classics. His translations of The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Dhammapada are the best-selling editions in the USA, and over 1.5 million copies of his books are in print.
Easwaran was a professor of English literature and well known in India as a writer and speaker before coming to the United States in 1959 on the Fulbright exchange program. In 1961, he founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, based in Tomales, California, which continues his work today through publications and retreats.
His 1968 class on the theory and practice of meditation at UC Berkeley is believed to be the first accredited course on meditation at any Western university. For those who seek him as a personal spiritual guide, Easwaran assured us that he lives on through his eight-point program of passage meditation.
"I am with you always”, he said. “It does not require my physical presence; it requires your open heart."
Please visit bmcm.org for a fuller biography.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 8, 2015
Short and sweet
Great introduction to meditation. I would suggest this short book to anyone beginning meditation as a guide. Eknath is very honest about the process.
Great introduction to meditation. I would suggest this short book to anyone beginning meditation as a guide. Eknath is very honest about the process.
March 31, 2021
A must read when you start and make big with meditation. Short and insightful.
My notes:
- Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
- Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
- A mind that is fast is sick.
A mind that is slow is sound.
A mind that is still is divine.
> Meher Baba
- Nothing really worth having comes quickly and easily; if it did, I doubt that we would ever grow.
- Under no circumstances should you try to answer questions or recall things during meditation. That is exactly what the mind wants; it tries to escape and become enmeshed in something — anything — else. The only strategy is to keep your concentration on the passage as much and as long as you can. It will be very difficult at times.
My notes:
- Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
- Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
- A mind that is fast is sick.
A mind that is slow is sound.
A mind that is still is divine.
> Meher Baba
- Nothing really worth having comes quickly and easily; if it did, I doubt that we would ever grow.
- Under no circumstances should you try to answer questions or recall things during meditation. That is exactly what the mind wants; it tries to escape and become enmeshed in something — anything — else. The only strategy is to keep your concentration on the passage as much and as long as you can. It will be very difficult at times.
Read
February 1, 2022Simple instructions, conversational tone, and practical.
It's a good way to start.
It's a good way to start.
April 15, 2022
I have to say that overall, this title is a great introduction: well written, short and easy to digest, and encouraging.
The only portion that made me blink was the section on "Time." While meditation in the morning is great for a lot of people, but folks have their own circadian rhythms that help them function best (not only individuals, but at different lifestages as well...we may not be our bodies but we still need to take care of them). It feels strange to tell someone to literally go against their body's nature...not only will it cause more resistance, but asking that beginners start with 30 minutes will discourage a lot of people. It felt like telling a child in their first swimming lesson to start out by taking laps around the pool--not only will they have a terrible time trying to do it, but few would likely return for the next day's lesson. There's no harm in starting small and building up to the ideal.
The only portion that made me blink was the section on "Time." While meditation in the morning is great for a lot of people, but folks have their own circadian rhythms that help them function best (not only individuals, but at different lifestages as well...we may not be our bodies but we still need to take care of them). It feels strange to tell someone to literally go against their body's nature...not only will it cause more resistance, but asking that beginners start with 30 minutes will discourage a lot of people. It felt like telling a child in their first swimming lesson to start out by taking laps around the pool--not only will they have a terrible time trying to do it, but few would likely return for the next day's lesson. There's no harm in starting small and building up to the ideal.
October 6, 2023
Simple But Not Eassy
This is the best book ever written on meditation because it doesn’t overwhelm you. The benefits, challenges, and purpose are spelled out in clear everyday language here. Most of us see meditation as a skill that only the most devout and mystical people can master over many decades. It’s true that it’s not easy, takes time, and dedication to master. But consistency is what wins the day! Keep at it using these simple techniques and more becomes available over time. My experience over the years is that I gain far more benefit for the time I invest than I spend!
This is the best book ever written on meditation because it doesn’t overwhelm you. The benefits, challenges, and purpose are spelled out in clear everyday language here. Most of us see meditation as a skill that only the most devout and mystical people can master over many decades. It’s true that it’s not easy, takes time, and dedication to master. But consistency is what wins the day! Keep at it using these simple techniques and more becomes available over time. My experience over the years is that I gain far more benefit for the time I invest than I spend!
May 13, 2024
My "first" book on meditation, one that I wanted to learn from.
In high school I wanted to do a research paper on meditation. The Zen book I bought was good at teaching non-thinking concepts but didn't teach much on what to meditate on.
Here Easwaran tells us to focus on passages on what is virtuous, from various prayers, mantras, and sutras.
To meditate is good, to alleviate the ego from suffering. To know Self, the highest aspect of our being which is to be aware and not be hindered by our ego, which is easily insulted, is impatient, temperamental, and a whole lot of vices.
Good easy book to start with.
In high school I wanted to do a research paper on meditation. The Zen book I bought was good at teaching non-thinking concepts but didn't teach much on what to meditate on.
Here Easwaran tells us to focus on passages on what is virtuous, from various prayers, mantras, and sutras.
To meditate is good, to alleviate the ego from suffering. To know Self, the highest aspect of our being which is to be aware and not be hindered by our ego, which is easily insulted, is impatient, temperamental, and a whole lot of vices.
Good easy book to start with.
June 1, 2017
Good short read on meditation
Succinct and well written, I liked the book. However, I don't think I would have started mediating if I had merely read this book. A lot of what is said is unsourced and needs to be taken on faith. Overall this is a good guidebook to meditation but not a primary reference or a book I would ever recommend as a first read
Succinct and well written, I liked the book. However, I don't think I would have started mediating if I had merely read this book. A lot of what is said is unsourced and needs to be taken on faith. Overall this is a good guidebook to meditation but not a primary reference or a book I would ever recommend as a first read
August 6, 2018
Concisely Clear
Meditation is an experiential phenomenon. If I would dare to review this book out of my shallow experiences of meditation, I would be dishonest with myself. Read it to take a faithful step towards deepening your understanding about meditation without compromising its practical approach.
Meditation is an experiential phenomenon. If I would dare to review this book out of my shallow experiences of meditation, I would be dishonest with myself. Read it to take a faithful step towards deepening your understanding about meditation without compromising its practical approach.
September 11, 2025
A Practical Guide that anyone can use
This is a gem. The book provides a very practical guide to mediation without hiding how difficult it is to control your thoughts. I came out with the confidence that with practice and this book as a guide, I can indeed mediate deeply to seek the ultimate truth and purpose of life.
This is a gem. The book provides a very practical guide to mediation without hiding how difficult it is to control your thoughts. I came out with the confidence that with practice and this book as a guide, I can indeed mediate deeply to seek the ultimate truth and purpose of life.
September 16, 2017
A short to the point book on meditation. Truly profound and useful book. States clearly in a few pages what takes others hundreds. A guide to be used and return to again and again. We are not our bodies and we are not our minds. Take control of them through meditation and gain the universe.
December 7, 2020
Simple & Practical Guide
A lovely little book that teaches the art of meditation in a simple and very practical way for the beginner and like me you will probably be shocked at how hard it actually is, try it!
A lovely little book that teaches the art of meditation in a simple and very practical way for the beginner and like me you will probably be shocked at how hard it actually is, try it!
May 16, 2018
Great book for initial understanding
Awesome book!
Was a smooth and motivating read
Gave great detail without an overload of information
I would recommend to anyone
Awesome book!
Was a smooth and motivating read
Gave great detail without an overload of information
I would recommend to anyone
April 13, 2019
To The Point
A great hook that simplifies an often self complexed subject. Easy to understand and to the point. Well worth reading!
A great hook that simplifies an often self complexed subject. Easy to understand and to the point. Well worth reading!
April 30, 2020
Simple yet enticing
Very beautifully and precisely explained process. Simple, easy sorted and enriching. Really liked the way he helps menouvre the path to attaining the goal .
Very beautifully and precisely explained process. Simple, easy sorted and enriching. Really liked the way he helps menouvre the path to attaining the goal .
October 1, 2020
Gave me more insight on meditation. I'm extremely glad that I've taken the time to read this book.
December 27, 2020
Helpful.
August 5, 2018
Great book. First in the series. Next is how to bring what is being taught here to practice.
January 2, 2021
"A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
January 28, 2013
Loved this book. It's the first book I could really relate to about meditation. Definitely a starter book for anyone who is interested in beginning meditation.
August 8, 2013
Short and simple yet informative. Applied information that includes everything you need to begin.
September 17, 2015
Instructions are your friend
This book is way more specific than the other books I've read. Very grateful to have found this. Now my journey begins.
This book is way more specific than the other books I've read. Very grateful to have found this. Now my journey begins.
March 18, 2016
Very easy to read, helpful, and informative.
February 26, 2023
Great introduction to meditation
This is the first book I've read on the subject. As with his Bhagavad Gita, EE provides clear introductions to spiritual subjects.
This is the first book I've read on the subject. As with his Bhagavad Gita, EE provides clear introductions to spiritual subjects.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews