Words to Live by: Inspiration for Every Day

by Eknath Easwaran

This daily reader introduces you to all the important concepts and techniques of leading a spiritual life in today's complex world. And it will coax you, every day, to live up to the highest ideals. Gain insight into yourself and your relationships. Be inspired to act on this understanding, and develop the personal skills to do this rewarding work.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Faith, Meditation

383 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Eknath 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.

Reviews

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the top 10 daily reading books that I have read (120 of them) in the past 20 years. The author incorporates all religions, selecting the best wisdom from each tradition, searching for the spiritual kernel of truth and not necessarily a religious one. I don't think I have ever read an author that seemed to have so little bias for a particular "form" of religion.

The daily quotes are really good, and I have probably copied more from this book and pasted into my journal thank any other (finally reached the warning about that on December 29th.)

Here is one beautiful quote that sounds like it would be from the Buddha but turns out to be...

"Imagine if all the tumult of the body were to quiet down, along with our busy thoughts. Imagine if all things that are perishable grew still. And imagine if that moment were to go on and on, leaving behind all other sights and sounds but this one vision which ravishes and absorbs and fixes the beholder in joy, so that the rest of eternal life were like that moment of illumination which leaves us breathless. SAINT AUGUSTINE"

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW.... covered so much material... He draws from many wisdom traditions... I am awed by the ability to present material in the vernacular and idiom of today’s modern lifestyle...Each day is inspiring and the vast knowledge of so many religions provides a generous compendium of varying ideas which inspire and uplift. I will be exploring other books by this author... I must add that the final section is a wealth of information on meditation, Mantras, (though he calls them mantrums) and a wonderful bibliography of other religious mystics.

[Lucy Pendell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2nd year reading this book

I read several inspirational books every morning to start my day filled with gratitude and mindfulness. This book and The Power Within are 2 books I insist are part of my morning reading. Although the latter is based on the early American transcendental movement the message is similar and thought provoking.
In this book, love the comparison and similarity of different sources often referenced within the pages of this book. For me a must read I'm looking forward to January first again to start anew.

[Sumit Dhamija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading 'Words to Live By' by Eknath Easwaran. Inspired words have the power to transform lives. The book is a collection of 365 quotes from the world greatest mystics; and Eknath Easwaran has written a profound yet simple purport to each quote, such that we can implement the hidden message of each quote in our life and change our life for the better.

Change your life - a day at a time :)

[Rebecka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to learn about other cultures and religions and find growth in doing so. We can learn a lot from others! I come back to this book often which I was introduced to back in my college days years ago!

[Juliette Lockwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love books that give you varied spiritual and thoughtful readings. I use them in my own practice and for my students. This is not that. This is a religious book. To my mind religion and spiritual are not the same thing.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was purchased with the intention of helping me start and maintain a daily meditation practice. It did just that! I cherish this book.

[Kathleen Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

The daily readings became a part of my morning meditation and prayers. Reading them helped remind me what is really important in life.

[Jayakrishnan P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book to make your day...!

The book helps the reader think positively in day to day life. This book is a must have under the category...!!

[Cory Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book attempted to help you focus on your inner self through meditation. These daily devotions provided detailed information on connecting with your inner self. Highly recommended.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daily read

I love reading this everyday as a part of sustaining and my spiritual journey. It's the best way for me to begin my day.

[Aubree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the fact that it has an index. The beautiful inspirational entries I often use as yoga themes when I teach.

[Mark Fabiano]

I am not going to rate this as its not a kind of book for that. Daily readings. I didn't like it though I love Easwaran's work on interpreting Hindu and Buddhist texts. I will get and read more of those. Some people will love this. I didn't find his "meditations" on the quotes he chose to be all that illuminating for me. Perhaps also some of his quotes I didn't care for either.

So for me, I guess what I'm saying is that Easwaren is a great religious scholar as opposed to a religious teacher, like Thich Nhat Hanh.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quote and passage every day of the year: really grounding and lovely, especially if read in the morning. The entries got a little repetitive towards the end, though I suppose that's bound to happen when there's 365 of them.

[Sandra Shanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start your day with inspiration from Easwaran. He incorporates different spiritualities; always keeping us with a great reflection for the day.

[AMB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have used for years for spiritual guidance and encouragement.

[Jilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book every year. The daily readings help me to draw my focus inward with God and not outward in the world. The teachings remind me to live in the present, not the past or the future.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eknath is a bad-ass....