We have reached the final chapter of Take Your Time. We’ve systematically read a whole volume from Easwaran – which is a great habit to practice together.
This week let’s read from the start of chapter 8 at page 171 to the top of page 177. As this final chapter begins, Easwaran gives lofty descriptions of the goal toward which he is leading us. For example, “To have a still mind means there is a healing silence everywhere. In this supreme state, you are absolutely fulfilled.” And as always, he is utterly practical regarding the path to get there. Here he shares a colorful anecdote from a favorite mystic:
“Sri Ramakrishna, a great nineteenth-century Bengali mystic, used to say similarly, ‘When you go to a mango tree, you don’t go to count the leaves. Get up into the tree, pluck a mango, and eat it; then you will know about mangoes.’ When it comes to the benefits of stilling the mind, there is no substitute for giving it a try and tasting the fruits of it ourselves.”
May we each enjoy some fruits of healing silence this week!
What is Easwaran telling you about the workings of your own mind? This week, use this new understanding to get some cooperation from your mind when it is being uncooperative. Tell us how it goes!
It was wonderful to be together with so many of you for our day of mantrams for peace and healing in the world! Let’s keep our mantram practice growing. This week, dedicate a specific hour per day for mantram focus. It might for example be between 7 and 8 a.m. while doing routine getting-ready-for-the-day activities, or during an afternoon walk and/or exercise time, or while gardening, or some other specific time. See if you can remember to use the mantram as frequently as possible during this whole hour.
For a spiritual bonus, here is a three-minute clip in which Easwaran explains how by slowing down our thoughts in meditation we can come to experience peace, security, and joy.