“Today, when I use the words ‘Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,’ they resonate at a deep deep level. It is no longer a matter of words; it is now a great desire encased in words – and desire is power. When the Prayer of Saint Francis discharges its power at a deep level, you will slowly start behaving like Francis.”
– Eknath Easwaran, Seeing With The Eyes of Love
This year, our weeklong retreats concentrate on the central concern for all meditators: how to take our practice deeper – how to take the words of the inspirational passage so deep that they open up, as Easwaran says, and release their healing power into our life.
During this week we study together excerpts from Easwaran’s book Seeing with the Eyes of Love, a commentary on the inspirational passage by Thomas à Kempis, “The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love.”
Every day’s workshop combines a close study of these excerpts with a detailed exploration of one or two of the eight points in Easwaran’s program. In small groups, experienced BMCM presenters help you probe into the discoveries that await you in the next stage of your meditation practice. Worksheets, practical exercises, readings, and practice periods give opportunities to use all your faculties to integrate the lessons you’re learning.
Unpublished videotaped talks by Eknath Easwaran explore the deeper challenges of an established meditation practice, such as unifying desires and releasing the energy locked up in unwanted mental habits. To view an excerpt, use the viewer on this page.
