Eknath Easwaran--Passage Meditation

Eknath Easwaran developed a method of meditation called "Passage Meditation" — silent repetition in the mind of memorized inspirational passages from the world's great religions.[2] As Easwaran said, "The slow, sustained concentration on these passages drives them deep into our minds; and whatever we drive deep into consciousness, that we become."

Easwaran's program for spiritual growth consists of eight points:

* Passage Meditation
* The repetition of a mantram (a holy word or phrase), sometimes referred to as Japam
* Slowing down
* One-pointedness
* Training the senses
* Putting others first
* Satsang, or a spiritual fellowship
* Reading the writings of the mystics


Passage meditation is a modern meditation technique developed by spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran. Rooted in classic methods found in most spiritual traditions including a long-standing tradition of Hinduism dating back to Vedic times [1] it involves silent, focused repetition of memorized selections (passages) from scriptures of the world and writings of great mystics. According to Easwaran, the principle of meditating on inspired passages is that the words sink deep into our minds, eventually transforming “character, conduct, and consciousness.”

Passage meditation does not require adherence to any particular religion or belief. For example, a minister in the Roman Catholic diocese of Oakland and a registered yoga teacher, describes [2] how passage meditation has served her as a tool for personal transformation. As another example, a group of recovering alcoholics has produced a brochure [3] explaining how passage meditation is a practical method that can be used as part of a 12-step program.

Generally, meditation methods may reduce stress, and research published in 2006 in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology provided evidence that suggests that passage meditation reduces stress and may enhance mental health.[1]

People with low neuroticism (not being easily distressed) have a 50% lower risk of developing dementia, according to research published in 2009 in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology "Personality and lifestyle in relation to dementia incidence"

Practiced for one-half hour daily on first arising, passage meditation is the foundational discipline of Easwaran’s Eight Point Program for drawing spiritual ideals into every aspect of daily life:

Jiddu on Meditation

There are various schools, in India and further East, where they teach methods of meditation - it is really most appalling. It means training the mind mechanically; it therefore ceases to be free and does not understand the problem.So when we use the word 'meditation' we (Jiddu means himself, I think) do not mean something that is practiced. We have no method. Meditation means awareness: to be aware of what you are doing, what you are thinking, what you are feeling, aware without any choice, to observe, to learn. Meditation is to be aware of one's conditioning, how one is conditioned by the society in which one lives, in which one has been brought up, by the religious propaganda - aware without any choice, without distortion, without wishing it were different. Out of this awareness comes attention, the capacity to be completely attentive. Then there is freedom to see things as they actually are, without distortion. The mind becomes unconfused, clear, sensitive. Such meditation brings about a quality of mind that is completely silent - of which quality one can go on talking, but it will have no meaning unless it exists.

Without expectations

Dear all,

jai sri krishna, reg the discussion about Anapeksha- being without any expectation.It means strive wholeheartedly for the goal you want to achieve and accept the result unconditionally.The result could be anything; it may or maynot be to the minds' liking, yet accept it completely and do what has to be done.Expectations have two bad side effects.1)It causes performance anxiety due to which your effort to achieve the goal may be affected 2)It may make u feel low if the result is not what you want it to be. Anapeksha is another way to attain equanimity.

Contradictory meanings

Dear All,

When I read the explanation of 'sarvarambha parityagi' and 'udaseena,' (compiled from an unknown origin) in our blog, followed by the conclusion that-" This picture of a contemplative can hardly be made to correspond to what is required of a warrior on the battlefield," I was perplexed.

When the geeta was taught to Arjuna in a battle field, then surely Krishna would not have said something which was not meant for a warrior. So there is another interpretation which is meant to propel a man to act with contemplation.

Sw Chinmayanandaji's explanation goes like thiis- Sarvarambha parityagi is to give up the arrogant and ignorant feeling that we are the initiators of any action. We are but a part of a thread of a series of connected actions whether we are aware or unaware of it. So to act, giving up the identity of 'I' to the action is sarvarambha parityagi. Swamiji says that 'Udaseena' is being unconcerned about the result of our action.

Love and Peace
Nachi

Commentary

anapekshak suchir daksha
udasino gatavyathah
sarvarambha pariyogi
yo madbhaktah sa me priyah

He who neither rejoices nor hates, nor grieves nor desires,
and who has relinquished (both) the beneficial and the
harmful, such a one endowed with devotion is dear to Me.

The epithets suchi (clear, clean) and daksha (expert) do
not suggest the sloppiness or slovenliness which is often
condoned in the name of other-worldliness or mysticism. A
man of devotion is not steeped in the negative state of inert
ignorance. A contemplative is not a hobo type. The Gita
here discountenances any type of spirituality which does not
include being awake to the details of a given situation,
without which no-one could be described as daksha (expert),
i.e. a man of savoir-faire. I
The epithet sarvarambha parityagi (relinquisher of all
undertakings) just means that he does not initiate any course
of action as a conscious agent. He participates in life only
as a boat would go downstream.
The expression anapekshah (one who expects no favours)
indicates his neutral poise, in the same way as the
other term :udasinah (one who sits unconcerned). This
picture of a contemplative can hardly be made to
correspond to what is required of a warrior on the
battlefield.

Welcome

Welcome to ANAPEKSHAH!

This is a space for creativity. A space to express in words a unrecorded thought. A space to share a stimulating feeling. A space for threading spiritual camaraderie. A space to let someone else experience the wonder of a new understanding that we have experienced!
To make a beginning, can each of you write in what the word anapekshah means to you? Bloggers enjoy the read!!!
Love to all
Nachi