“The shining examples of spiritual figures like Saint Francis stand as monuments of hope,” Easwaran writes in the introduction to the new Fall/Winter issue of the Blue Mountain Journal. And indeed, it has been so hopeful to study together Easwaran’s message on transforming ourselves through meditation on Saint Francis’s prayer. Continuing the theme of our role as instruments of peace amidst the current world crises, this week let’s study Easwaran’s article “Growing in Love” on pages 37–47. Here Easwaran explains, “This can happen to every one of us, over a long, long time. We start with our own family, our partner, our child, but then gradually we extend the circle of our compassion and affection to our neighbor. Slowly, it moves on down the street. In time, our new capacity to love is so strong that it won’t let us ignore the needs of homeless people on the other side of town. Then it extends to the county, then to the state. This is how it develops, and this is why it takes some years.”
Is there a particular situation that causes you to get speeded up or agitated? What tips does Easwaran offer in this reading that you could try out in this situation? Even if the tips don’t seem to directly apply, try them anyhow and tell us what you find.
How is your evening routine going? Just having the attitude that you want the evening to be a haven of lighthearted peace and love will start shaping how you speak and act. Then you can wrap up the day by turning off other media, reading from Easwaran for a few minutes, and weaving the mantram into your sleep.
For our spiritual bonus this week, we’ll enjoy a video from Easwaran’s commentary on the Dhammapada in which he explores the practical meaning of leading a selfless life. By default, the last nine minutes of this talk will play. If you’d like more, feel free to adjust the starting point to the beginning of this half-hour talk.