“If you find yourself getting speeded up, repeat the mantram as a reminder to slow down.” – Eknath Easwaran
Our reading this week from The Mantram Handbook is pages 164–172,* which includes Easwaran’s descriptions of slowing down, one-pointed attention, training the senses, and putting others first. Reading these eight-point program essentials is a valuable boost for us all, and often gives new insights.
For example, we found it very helpful to read this reminder from Easwaran about the damage hurry does to our relationships: “[H]urry makes for superficial relationships, because it deprives our family and friends of our time and attention so that we are not able to be sensitive to their needs.”
Let’s make the most of this opportunity and reflect on how to put these insights into practice in our lives!
Is there a relationship in your life that you wish you could improve? Read this article for tips from Easwaran. Try applying those tips, even if you can’t apply them directly to this particular relationship.
Let’s keep looking for ways to deepen our mantram exercises, for example by practicing more consistently or via a bit of extra effort or preparation.
This week, on your regular mantram walk, try repeating the mantram very softly (in the mind) as if whispering.
In three weeks, on November 25th, the eSatsang will begin studying Easwaran’s Climbing the Blue Mountain. To prepare, make sure you have the book available.
We offer a 20% discount on books sold through our distribution partner Indiepubs.com. Here is a link to Climbing the Blue Mountain on that site.
* For those using electronic versions of The Mantram Handbook with different page numbering: this week’s reading comes from chapter eleven, starting with the subheading “Slowing Down” and ending before the subheading “Spiritual Fellowship.”
For our extra spiritual tidbit, here is Christine Easwaran reading the passage “Night Prayer,” from Rabi’a.