Eknath Easwaran, in The End of Sorrow, laid out a spiritual path that enabled him to “fulfill the supreme goal of life, self-realization. As he counseled, the following disciplines are available to everyone who embraces them willingly and with dedication.
- Meditation.
The secret of meditation is that you become what you meditate on. Easwaran
By memorizing and slowly, consciously repeating a chosen inspirational affirmation (something you wish to hold firm for yourself), you essentially “drive the words deeper and deeper into your consciousness”. Eventually, you become the words. Work with one affirmation until you feel it integrated into your being. This may take weeks, months or even years. Once that integration has ocurred, then chose a new meaningful passage for your meditation.
Some examples include:
May I be filled with loving kindness.
May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease.
May I be happy.
Om mani padme hum.
Rama (Joy).
For today’s purpose, choose one of the above mantras or affirmations, or find one that resonates more truly for who you are right here, right now. Then spend the next 30 minutes, in a seated or supine position, slowly and with full awareness repeating your chosen mantra. If your mind wanders, as it undoubtedly will, just return to the beginning of your mantra. You can also return to repeating this mantra during your day should you find yourself feeling angry, fearful, anxious, or depressed. As well, repeating the mantra at bedtime until you fall asleep provides you with a restful sleep time.
Below are two poses you can take for the purposes of a 15- to 30-minute meditation.
SUKHASANA (Seated Easy Pose)
– sitting on the height of a blanket, bolster or foam block helps to keep the spine extended.
BHISHMASANA (Bed of Arrows Pose)
– rolling a small blanket or towel and placing it across the middle of the shoulder blades in the back body helps to keep the heart space open and the breath flowing to the upper tips of the lungs.
– place support under the head if the neck feels compressed.
Tune in over the next few weeks for more steps along the path to self-realization.
May your body, mind and breath find peace in the stillness of meditation. Namaste.
