We are invigorated to hear about the many ways you participated in our worldwide community practice day on Vishu last Sunday. It was special to be connected with our friends at Ramagiri Ashram and with all of you as we took part in ways to deepen our practice of passage meditation. This week, consider simply reading, refreshing or memorizing one of the mirror-themed passages below that speaks to you of your true Self, or a passage that Easwaran reminded us of in his article “Bringing Heaven to Earth”. You may already have chosen one as part of the Vishu mirror ceremony on April 14. Here are a few more suggestions…
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Passage Study
Ramagiri Ashram
Thank you all for sharing your re-dedication comments and aspirations. It’s wonderful to see spiritual connection both here, and on the BMCM Living and Learning Facebook page.
This week, we will continue our celebration of Easwaran’s life and teachings by studying the passage “You Are That.” There are a number of ways you can take action to engage with this passage and join your fellow meditators in this reflection exercise.
Read the passage "You Are That” from the Chandogya Upanishad, also on p.225 of God Makes the Rivers to Flow. (The Chandogya is one of the most ancient of the Upanishads. Shvetaketu is pronounced “Shway-tah-kay-too.”)
Listen to Christine Easwaran reciting it, as an inspiring way to absorb the passage.
Watch the five-minute video of Easwaran explaining the passage (see below).
How does Easwaran’s commentary add to your understanding of the passage? Are there ways in which it helps you see “who you really are?”
A growing awareness of who we are also throws light on the identity of all around us. How could this passage help you to improve your relationships with others?
For those who have more time to dedicate to your spiritual practice this week…
Begin memorizing this passage. It’s long, but there are lots of patterns which can make it easier to memorize. What patterns do you see? Can you break the passage into smaller sections, and memorize one small section at a time?
Try using the passage in your meditation. Even before you have the whole passage memorized, you could add a small section in at the beginning of your meditation, and then go on to another passage you’ve already fully memorized.
Thank you for submitting your choice for our Compassionate Universe passage study. There are so many beautiful passages in God Makes the Rivers to Flow that link nature with the spiritual life. This month, most of you requested “Let Me Walk in Beauty” by Chief Yellow Lark.
Which lines or stanzas of this passage speak most to you? Can you think of the qualities you might gain by meditating on this passage?
If possible, review this passage and reflect on the questions outdoors or by a window while looking onto the outdoors. How does this affect your experience with the passage? Please share your reflections with us. We love to hear from you!
We’ve spent the last three weeks studying the passage, “The Saint”. And we’ve enjoyed an opportunity to become familiar with a new passage without expectations. We’ve also been reminded about the benefits and beauty of reviewing passages outside of meditation, similar to spiritual reading, or contemplation.
Are there some phrases or lines already stuck in your mind? Have a look at our memorization worksheet and see if it helps you.
This week, we’ll continue to get to know the passage “The Saint” from yet another angle: from Easwaran’s commentary on the Dhammapada. You’ll notice in the video below that Easwaran refers to a section of the Dhammapada that touches on the themes found in “The Saint”. His commentary addresses the topics we’ve been exploring over the last two weeks.
In the 30-minute video, Easwaran draws on several excerpts to explore the practical meaning of leading a selfless life, and the rich rewards of going beyond sorrow. In what ways does Easwaran’s commentary further open up the verses for you?
This week, we’d like to continue our passage study together by looking at qualities a passage embodies. As Easwaran says, “we become what we meditate on.” For example, from the Prayer of St. Francis, “It is in giving that we receive” might help us cultivate the quality of generosity. Please read the passage below. Can you pull out words, phrases, or lines that speak to qualities you’d like to develop if you meditated on this passage?
This week, we ask you to think of having some fun with this passage, without worrying about committing it to memory. You could also review the passage in a relaxed way, in your favorite chair or outdoor space. You might write it out with colored pens, or doodle some images the passage suggests to you.
Thank you for helping us select a passage for our passage study this month. The votes are in and we’re pleased to announce you’ve chosen....
Last week, Easwaran described inspirational passages as “blueprints” for the mind. Have a read through the passage “Entering Into Joy” below as a blueprint for re-engineering the internal freeways of your mind. Can you pull out some of the phrases you see that might help you with re-engineering? We’re also pleased to offer an audio clip of Easwaran reading “Entering Into Joy”. (Click the title to read more.)