Meditate for Success
ByOne probably doesn’t expect to learn a whole new enlightened way of living from a book entitled Meditation. I didn’t. But was pleasantly surprised by Eknath Easwaran’s book. He explains right from the beginning that meditation is not just clearing your mind, but a whole way of life.
Honestly, I have never had the desire to meditate. Possibly because I didn’t really know what purpose it would serve. I thought I was already accomplishing stress relief, and learning to live in the now through yoga. It had been suggested in my yoga classes and I thought I should try it. Emphasis on the word should because I still didn’t WANT to do it. Easwaran’s book opened my mind and heart to the idea. One paragraph grabbed me. It was about taming your inner demons or quieting the ego mind. I had been on that journey for about 2 years, and felt stuck for the past two. I thought “maybe this is the answer”.
Easwaran does such an amazing job of explaining things in a very down to earth and yet moving manner. I felt comfortable with the whole idea for the first time. His examples, symbolism and way of teaching new concepts in a way that I could understand were incredible. I was actually moved to tears a few times. I related to his stories of his grandmother. And, excepting the one comment about organized religion being a way for us to feed our egos and relate to people who seem like us, the ideas were familiar and rang of truth to me. I think he was making the case for studying ALL great mystics.
I found it interesting that he suggests meditating on a mantra, prayer, or great words of wisdom from great mystic leaders. Chalk this up to my ignorance on the subject, but I thought the point of meditation was to clear your mind. I have never really been able to do that, so I was relieved that he said it is impossible.
I have always been intrigued by the observation that most great enlightened minds in history come to virtually the same conclusions. With, of course variations due to culture, circumstance or time in history. But, truth is always truth, and those who seek it will find it wherever or however they may be.
I have always been a little leery of venturing out of my own religious comfort zone (if you will) as far as meditation and mantras are concerned. I thought it might fall into the put no other Gods before me or worshiping idols category. That being said, I have also always had an open mind as someone who was taught a lot of great truths from a non-religious parent with a lot of short-comings, not the least of which was being alcoholic and abusive. My point in stating all of this is that when the author suggested :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
as one of the most beautiful mantrams he has ever heard, I initially put it out of my mind as one suitable for me because of its connotations in my mind of the Jewish faith. Not that it is bad, just that I thought it would contradict my beliefs. However, after I read the meaning of the words broken down into their syllabic meanings, I, too, thought it one of the most beautiful mantrams I have ever heard. Those three words mean, Oh Lord who has stolen my heart, I cannot rest until I find Him. He ceaselessly, ceaselessly draws me unto Him, and is the only source of true joy. I love finding words in foreign languages that say so much in so few syllables! I find that English just doesnt do feelings justice in so many instances.
I gained a better understanding of so many truths through this book. I would just like to sum them up here: Our bodies are only a type of clothing; we “shed” our bodies at death; when you recognize illusion, it evaporates; lose yourself, and you shall find yourself; slow down in order to speed up; depth, not breadth; the senses can be trained and therefore magnified;discipline is freedom.
If you have ever sought more truth, knowledge, peace or freedom, read this book. It is now out of print, but thank goodness for Amazon. At the very least, meditation will provide moments of peace, clarity, and insight. To my friends who are skeptical of the mystical as I was, I just suggest that meditation is taking the time to actually listen for answers to prayers.
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