Passage Meditation

A form of meditation that I have felt connected to is called Passage Meditation.   It was developed by Eknath Easwaran of Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.  According to the center “passage meditation is the unique method developed by Easwaran for transforming  the thought process and uncovering our deepest capacities – all within the context of an active modern life.”

The meditation is based on the principle that “inspired words can change us from the inside out.”  Easwaran has further explained “the method of meditation presented here can be followed equally well in any religion or in none.  I think that is the real secret of its appeal.  It belongs to no movement, asks for no change of beliefs: it simply allows you to take the ideals you respond to and gradually, gracefully, make them part of your character and life.”  (http://www.easwaran.org/page/96, retrieved 10/4/09)

I can relate to Easwaran’s background in English and focus on words and how powerful they can be.  I discovered the meditation at my Unitarian church (http://www.jeffersonunitarian.org/).  I was going through a difficult time following a divorce.  The coordinator of the meditation group showed me a book of World prayers  that included prayers from my Indian heritage, such as by Kabir (my Son’s middle name).  I found these very connecting and they brought tears to my eyes.

A recommended beginning prayer is The Prayer of Saint Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

The words are memorized and recited slowly, like rain drops.  Gradually, we feel a greater sense of peace as the words seem to become part of us.  Other prayers can be found on Blue Mountain’s website.