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THE UPANISHADS
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
27 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Eknath Easwaran
214 books634 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 20, 2025
Very beautiful.
“That is the message of the Upanishads. The infinite – free, unbounded, full of joy – is our native state. We have fallen from that state and seek it everywhere: every human activity is an attempt to fill this void. But as long as we try to fill it from outside ourselves, we are making demands on life which life cannot fulfill. Finite things can never appease an infinite hunger. Nothing can satisfy us but reunion with our real Self, which the Upanishads say is sat-chit-ananda: absolute reality, pure awareness, unconditioned joy.”
"He who sees all beings in his Self and his Self in all beings, he never suffers; because when he sees all creatures within his true Self, then jealousy, grief and hatred vanish."
"The supreme Self is beyond name and form, beyond the senses, inexhaustible, without beginning, without end, beyond time, space, and causality. Eternal, immutable, those who realize the Self are forever free from the jaws of death."
“Materialism reinforces a “paradigm of scarcity”: there is not enough to go around, so we are doomed to fight one another for ever-diminishing resources. Spiritual economics begins not from the assumed scarcity of matter but from the verifiable infinitude of consciousness.”
“That is the message of the Upanishads. The infinite – free, unbounded, full of joy – is our native state. We have fallen from that state and seek it everywhere: every human activity is an attempt to fill this void. But as long as we try to fill it from outside ourselves, we are making demands on life which life cannot fulfill. Finite things can never appease an infinite hunger. Nothing can satisfy us but reunion with our real Self, which the Upanishads say is sat-chit-ananda: absolute reality, pure awareness, unconditioned joy.”
"He who sees all beings in his Self and his Self in all beings, he never suffers; because when he sees all creatures within his true Self, then jealousy, grief and hatred vanish."
"The supreme Self is beyond name and form, beyond the senses, inexhaustible, without beginning, without end, beyond time, space, and causality. Eternal, immutable, those who realize the Self are forever free from the jaws of death."
“Materialism reinforces a “paradigm of scarcity”: there is not enough to go around, so we are doomed to fight one another for ever-diminishing resources. Spiritual economics begins not from the assumed scarcity of matter but from the verifiable infinitude of consciousness.”
December 27, 2024
This was such a marvellous and inspiring read! I loved the layout and how each Upanishad had an introduction that helped frame its content; each had such wisdom and a great way of looking at ourselves. I will be sure to revisit this book (and hopefully other translations) in the future.
A must-read for anyone interested in the spiritual path and the inward journey into finding what we truly are.
A must-read for anyone interested in the spiritual path and the inward journey into finding what we truly are.
April 26, 2024
Eknath ji has done a huge service to the common man by making these ancient gems of India accessible in English. Considering the eternal nature of Sanatan, reading Upanishads today and finding it relatable is amazing but expected (proudly) at the same time, would definitely recommend!
February 18, 2025
Wonderful translation, with great sections to prime the reader and provide historical context. The big “A” Answer. Enjoy
March 30, 2025
The book begins on a promising note, attempting to cover the Upanishads' main concepts, such as the Self and the Brahman. These foundational themes are engaging and offer valuable insights into the essence of Upanishadic philosophy.
However, as I progressed through the book, it became evident that the author focused heavily on drawing parallels between the Upanishads and other religions or schools of thought. While relatability can be enriching, this approach feels somewhat reductive in the context of the Upanishads. The vast and timeless wisdom of the Upanishads risks being diminished when tied to external philosophies solely for the sake of comparison.
In the concluding chapters, the author incorporates numerous references to Mahatma Gandhi, attempting to align his actions with Upanishadic principles. This approach, especially when linking historical political events to the Upanishads, raises questions about its appropriateness. The Upanishads are meant to transcend worldly events, and such connections can detract from their spiritual depth.
Despite these shortcomings, the book does offer good content for readers seeking an introduction to the Upanishads. For its attempt to explore key concepts and provide accessible knowledge, I would rate this book 3 stars.
However, as I progressed through the book, it became evident that the author focused heavily on drawing parallels between the Upanishads and other religions or schools of thought. While relatability can be enriching, this approach feels somewhat reductive in the context of the Upanishads. The vast and timeless wisdom of the Upanishads risks being diminished when tied to external philosophies solely for the sake of comparison.
In the concluding chapters, the author incorporates numerous references to Mahatma Gandhi, attempting to align his actions with Upanishadic principles. This approach, especially when linking historical political events to the Upanishads, raises questions about its appropriateness. The Upanishads are meant to transcend worldly events, and such connections can detract from their spiritual depth.
Despite these shortcomings, the book does offer good content for readers seeking an introduction to the Upanishads. For its attempt to explore key concepts and provide accessible knowledge, I would rate this book 3 stars.
January 19, 2026
As for the review itself the upanishads eagerly reiterate the idea of self and the self supremely transcending all with no bounds - as long as we are guided by awareness and consciousness. Each upanishad follows a different story utilized to demonstrate the principles it wishes to promote. The principles revolve around the same idea of self, liberation and renunciation. Basically - The self is rampant in everything around us, all that we could ever seek are naturally the feelings we derive from attaining it …. that have been contently tucked in within us all this time.
it’s beautifully poetic and timeless, it’s definitely a must read for those interested in spirituality and or indian philosophy. One of my favourite extracts; “Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
To add, the introduction and afterwords are definitely essential to read. I found them very informative especially if you’re unfamiliar with key concepts and or sanskrit terms.
it’s beautifully poetic and timeless, it’s definitely a must read for those interested in spirituality and or indian philosophy. One of my favourite extracts; “Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
To add, the introduction and afterwords are definitely essential to read. I found them very informative especially if you’re unfamiliar with key concepts and or sanskrit terms.
October 9, 2023
Better than a formal course.
Decades ago, I plugged through a book called "The Thirteen Principal Upanishads", at the time I found it especially useful. However, I am the type of person who needs someone to tell me when my shoe is untied. Not so much a guru as an explication or guide to what I am about to read so I can slow down and look for those points besides the ones I find on my own.
I perused through the Upanishads books available and found I had already purchased this as a series. I then decided to also re-purchase this in the Kindle edition. I do not know if it is his classical background or just skillful presentation; however, Eknath Easwaran is perfect at showing you what is about to be presented and tying it back to the concrete or classical world. I now realize it was not that I just wanted to reread the Upanishads but to understand and dwell on them. Thank you Eknath Easwaran.
You might want to do what you are not supposed to do with mysteries and go to the back of the book first to view the Glossary first for pronunciations and the descriptions of all the different players.
Be sure to read his other books.
[[ASIN:1586380192 The Bhagavad Gita (Classics of Indian Spirituality)]]
[[ASIN:1586380206 The Dhammapada (Classics of Indian Spirituality)]]
[[ASIN:1586380222 Classics of Indian Spirituality]]
Decades ago, I plugged through a book called "The Thirteen Principal Upanishads", at the time I found it especially useful. However, I am the type of person who needs someone to tell me when my shoe is untied. Not so much a guru as an explication or guide to what I am about to read so I can slow down and look for those points besides the ones I find on my own.
I perused through the Upanishads books available and found I had already purchased this as a series. I then decided to also re-purchase this in the Kindle edition. I do not know if it is his classical background or just skillful presentation; however, Eknath Easwaran is perfect at showing you what is about to be presented and tying it back to the concrete or classical world. I now realize it was not that I just wanted to reread the Upanishads but to understand and dwell on them. Thank you Eknath Easwaran.
You might want to do what you are not supposed to do with mysteries and go to the back of the book first to view the Glossary first for pronunciations and the descriptions of all the different players.
Be sure to read his other books.
[[ASIN:1586380192 The Bhagavad Gita (Classics of Indian Spirituality)]]
[[ASIN:1586380206 The Dhammapada (Classics of Indian Spirituality)]]
[[ASIN:1586380222 Classics of Indian Spirituality]]
May 1, 2025
Pseudo-profundity
I started reading this book as it is proported to give the basis for Hindu Advaita philosophy. Additionally I had read Eknath Easwaran's book on Gandhi and liked it
Alas I am none the wiser after reading this book.
To me the book appeared as pseudo-profundity — writing that sounds deep and intellectual but is actually vague, tautological, or based on banal truths, made to appear complex through language tricks.
The book
1) uses abstract and vague vocabulary and jargon
2) uses complex sentences,
3) uses multiple subordinate clauses to obscure the core message,
4) uses metaphors rather than specific examples that imply depth but ultimately lacks clarity, and
5) is full of contradictions.
I started reading this book as it is proported to give the basis for Hindu Advaita philosophy. Additionally I had read Eknath Easwaran's book on Gandhi and liked it
Alas I am none the wiser after reading this book.
To me the book appeared as pseudo-profundity — writing that sounds deep and intellectual but is actually vague, tautological, or based on banal truths, made to appear complex through language tricks.
The book
1) uses abstract and vague vocabulary and jargon
2) uses complex sentences,
3) uses multiple subordinate clauses to obscure the core message,
4) uses metaphors rather than specific examples that imply depth but ultimately lacks clarity, and
5) is full of contradictions.
January 14, 2026
Maybe this was all humanity was meant to do: spend years in a forest, think about life, and share that knowledge with others. It's really impressive how these Upanishads reflect on complex topics of consciousness and reality with very simple imagery and analogies.
<< A jar seems to enclose something, but the same air exists within and without, and when the jar breaks, the air within it is released into the air to which it belonged. Similarly the Self is the same in all, despite the "clay pot" of the body and the apparent differences between individuals that the body imposes >>
<< A jar seems to enclose something, but the same air exists within and without, and when the jar breaks, the air within it is released into the air to which it belonged. Similarly the Self is the same in all, despite the "clay pot" of the body and the apparent differences between individuals that the body imposes >>
January 29, 2026
In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. It has been the solace of my life, it will be the solace of my death. -Arthur Schopenhauer.
he was damn right :)
he was damn right :)
May 2, 2025
I came to enjoy this text less and less. other than a few stanzas in Shvetashvatara speaking to gender neutrality of God, the patriarchy seeps through in pronouns and the male protagonist.
More than this, I do not hold that the mind is supreme to the body. Both can be used for enlightenment, disillusionment, or abandonment.
addendum: from 2 stars to 3
In the later Upanishads, beginning with Manduka, some space was present to contemplete some phrases. It is unfortunate, that the work "Lord" was used often, which introduces a hierarchy even where the Self, atman, Braham within is being explored.
Kena Upshanishad contemplates the origin of all things. Thus far, it is my favorite.
Upshanishad Taiitriya has good cadence. It seems to be intended to be read aloud.
More than this, I do not hold that the mind is supreme to the body. Both can be used for enlightenment, disillusionment, or abandonment.
addendum: from 2 stars to 3
In the later Upanishads, beginning with Manduka, some space was present to contemplete some phrases. It is unfortunate, that the work "Lord" was used often, which introduces a hierarchy even where the Self, atman, Braham within is being explored.
Kena Upshanishad contemplates the origin of all things. Thus far, it is my favorite.
Upshanishad Taiitriya has good cadence. It seems to be intended to be read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews