Books
The following works are either edited, translated, or written by the Indian spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran.
The Bhagavad Gita: I was completely unprepared for the profound depths of meaning this towering classic of Indian spirituality provided. A multiplicity of revelations appeared with the passing of each chapter. Outwardly cloaked as a thrilling adventure, the Bhagavad Gita becomes a guide to living in the most spiritually responsible manner possible via Easwaran's exquisite translation. Diana Morrison's insightful chapter introductions assure that none of the message is missed. Another highly-recommended translation is by Juan Mascaro. The Dhammapada: Easwaran provides a clear, yet poetically aware translation of this vital text. His thorough introduction provides the reader with the proper reference-frame in which to comprehend this potentially daunting tome. And the individual chapter introductions offer bright illumination as we move along "the path of dharma". The Upanishads: The sparkling clarity of Easwaran's translation draws out the direct relevancy, poignancy, even humor of this ancient text. It can easily be utilized as a mystical, yet practical guide to living fully in today's world. Passage Meditation: A wealth of books have and continue to be published on the subject. Alas, many of these are of inferior value since they confuse what should be a simple practice with useless complications. Easwaran's guidelines are concise and practical. He gives you exactly what you need to begin this lifelong challenge. What I have learned through this and Easwaran's other books has provided me with an assured strength able to withstand many of life's unexpected tribulations. I must also note how pleased I was to find this book to be filled with unexpected humor and warmth—but then again, these aspects are characteristic throughout the work of this important spiritual teacher. Do not hesitate to obtain this book—it has the potential to transform your life. I consider myself truly blessed to have discovered it. Note: I often recommend Easwaran's Eight Point Program of Passage Meditation to my clients as an excellent way to develop their own personal practice. The Constant Companion: With tremendous insight, humor, and depth, Easwaran explores the meanings and implications of many of the Hindu names of the creator. Through them, one may see the unity in multiplicity. The Mantram Handbook: If understanding the concept of the mantram or its proper use are mysteries, this brief, yet profoundly-deep manual will reveal all. And as always, Easwaran's gifts of spiritual depth, sparkling humor, and unabashed compassion transform his teachings into an open gift for all—and one capable of transformation. Whether waiting on the bus-stop on a hectic Monday morning, or sending yourself off to a restful sleep after a stressful day, Easwaran's method of applying the mantram works. God Makes the Rivers to Flow: A sublime bouquet of the world's most profoundly moving spiritual writings. Expertly broken into sections by thematic continuities, the scope of the wisely selected texts is universal. The genuine thrill of this collection is reading passages and poems by more familiar mystics and poets alongside those far less known...to realize how their messages of compassion and love are the same. And thus, Easwaran achieves his purpose in providing us with the evidence of the unitive spirit that crosses all races, creeds, and ideologies. Take Your Time: The experience of reading this comforting text is akin to sitting down with a loving mentor whose purpose is to assist you in overcoming the challenges of everyday living in the most productive and spiritually aware ways possible. With a gentle, yet firm hand, knowing wit, and deep insight, Easwaran provides us with the necessary tools to slow down, focus our attention, achieve our goals, and find our still center. This wonderful volume is rounded out by a concise overview of the master's superlative approach to meditation and his celebrated Eight Point Program of Passage Meditation. Words to Live By: What a genuine joy to begin or end each day by reflecting upon the beautiful texts selected by Easwaran for daily contemplation throughout the year. Continue to use this book year after year as I do—for as you re-read the passages repeatedly over time, their deeper messages will bloom. The following works are written by the American spiritual teacher Ram Dass.
Be Here Now: This beloved and stunningly-designed book is a dazzling opening into a full appreciation of the present moment. Ram Dass' first-hand account of his own awakening becomes the reader's own. The Only Dance There Is: This marvelous anthology of lectures provides a fascinating overview of the author's spiritual evolution. Journey of Awakening: An essential, uncluttered guidebook to developing a worthwhile meditation practice filled with a wealth of usable techniques. Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita: A step-by-step approach on fully realizing the Gita in everyday life through contemplation and heart-provoking exercises. The following works are either written by or are about a variety of enlightened souls. Awakening Osiris: This meditation upon the Egyptian Book of the Dead by Normani Ellis is among the most poetically-beautiful and transformative texts I have ever encountered. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna: Recorded by devoted disciple M (Mahendranath Gupta) and translated into English by Swami Nikhilananda, this is a rare, first-hand account of one of the most complex and important mystics of the last two hundred years. Click Here to read the entire text. Orlando: This fictional "biography" by literary giant Virginia Woolf traces the remarkable life of a character who learns the meaning of eternity over the course of innumerable historical epochs.