We are working our way through chapter three of The Mantram Handbook, where Easwaran describes mantrams from great spiritual traditions around the world. In this week’s reading, from page 39 to the top of 45, he presents mantrams from the Hindu tradition along with context in which to understand them.
“‘The rule of Rama’ is a phrase that Gandhi took from the Hindu scriptures, and it refers to a kingdom in which the love we have for one another is never diminished, a kingdom ruled by justice, not violence. When we repeat the mantram Rama, Rama, Rama, we are asking that this kingdom of heaven be established here on earth.
“When we use the Rama mantram, we are not calling on the Rama whose story is told in legend but the Rama who lives within us as our truest Self, here and now.”
And Easwaran makes clear that the same is true for each of the mantrams he recommends. Throughout this book study, may we deepen our practice of the mantram together and move closer to the rule of Rama.
Read this article as if you and Easwaran are having a conversation. What advice does he give you, and how can you apply it this week?
Here’s our mantram-deepening experiment for the week:
Is there someone who you see often, who you feel critical towards? If so, smother the criticism with cheerful mantrams; pre-empt the criticism with the mantram as a reminder that the Lord is in this person. This is a version of “mantram forgiveness.”
Here’s a spiritual treat to close: Easwaran shares a favorite verse from the Gita (excerpted from video 40B).