To finish our study of A World in Crisis Part 3: Living in Unity, the new issue of the Blue Mountain Journal, let’s read Easwaran’s brief article “The Joy of All” on page 59 along with the passages on pages 21, 41, and 56. Throughout the issue, Easwaran has reminded us that meditation is essential to unity, so this journal includes his brief instructions for meditation on pages 60–61, providing an opportunity for us each to review with fresh eyes. And here are the final words from Easwaran on the journal’s back cover:

“When we start living for others, we come to life. All our deeper capacities flow into our hands; our security increases and our wisdom grows, as does our creative ability to solve the problems that confront the world. Living and acting selflessly, we will be constantly aware that all life is one, and that throughout creation there is an underlying unity binding us all together.”

Is there a particular situation that causes you to get speeded up or agitated? What tips do you find in this week’s passages and reading from Easwaran 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.
Try taking a “mantram nap” at a time that is practical for you during your day. Simply lie down for 10 to 20 minutes (set an alarm if needed) and silently repeat the mantram. Try to keep the mantram going. If you drowse off, that’s ok, just start the mantram again when possible.
Mantram naps can refresh you so you have more energy for the rest of the day. Many of us find it very helpful to take a short mantram nap before our evening meditation.

For this week’s spiritual treat, in the six-minute video below Easwaran summarizes some insights from the sages of ancient India and discusses how these insights can transform our daily life and our world. He speaks of the great mystics’ journeys to reach the state of stillness of mind, where their vision of the universe became clear and whole.