“The secret of meditation is simple: you become what you meditate on. When you use an inspirational passage every day in meditation, you are driving the words deep into your consciousness. Eventually they become an integral part of your personality, which means they will find constant expression in what you do, what you say, and what you think.” – Eknath Easwaran

In passage meditation, you choose a spiritual text, or passage, that embodies your highest ideals, memorize it, and then go through the words slowly, silently, and with as much concentration as possible.

This method brings two important benefits. First, by training our mind to stay on the words of the passage, we gradually build the precious capacity to place our attention wherever we choose – the key, as Easwaran would say, to love and loyalty as well as genius.

Second, we begin to resemble and actually become whatever we give our attention to. As the inspired words from the great spiritual traditions of the world slowly come to life in us, they bring with them quiet joy, the capacity to face challenges squarely, and a deep sense of fulfillment.

• Choose a time for meditation when you can sit for half an hour in uninterrupted quiet. Early morning is best, before the activities of the day begin.
• Select a place that is cool, clean, and quiet.
• Sit with your back and head erect, on the floor or in a straight-backed chair. A back support may be helpful.
• Close your eyes and begin to go slowly, in your mind, through the words of a simple, positive inspirational passage from one of the world’s great spiritual traditions.
• While meditating, do not follow any association of ideas or allow your mind to reflect on the meaning of the words. If you are giving your full attention to each word, the meaning cannot help sinking in.
• When distractions come, do not resist them, but give more attention to the words of the passage.
• When you reach the end of the passage, you may use it again as necessary to complete your period of meditation until you have memorized others.
• Resolve to have your meditation every day – however full your schedule, whatever interruptions threaten, whether you are sick or well.

More detailed instructions

Meditation on a passage is part of Easwaran’s complete program for spiritual growth.

“A meditation passage is not ordinary communication. These are living, winged words full of power, backed by the personal experience of a man or woman who has realized the unity of all life. They speak to us directly, heart to heart, from a place where all of us are one.” – Eknath Easwaran

Passage meditation appeals to modern men and women because there is ample room for choice. Within general guidelines tested by Easwaran in his own experience – that the passages should be positive, practical, inspiring, universal, and authentic – you can select whichever ones most appeal to you.

Below are a few passages that are ideal for meditation. Many other selections can be found on this site or in Easwaran’s anthologies, God Makes the Rivers to Flow and Timeless Wisdom.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
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 Whole World Is Your Own 
I tell you one thing – 
if you want peace of mind, 
do not find fault with others. 
Rather learn to see your own faults. 
Learn to make the whole world your own. 
No one is a stranger, my child; 
this whole world is your own.
   – Sri Sarada Devi

The Best 
The best, like water, 
Benefit all and do not compete. 
They dwell in lowly spots that everyone else scorns. 
Putting others before themselves, 
They find themselves in the foremost place 
And come very near to the Tao. 
In their dwelling, they love the earth; 
In their heart, they love what is deep; 
In personal relationships, they love kindness; 
In their words, they love truth. 
In the world, they love peace. 
In personal affairs, they love what is right. 
In action, they love choosing the right time. 
It is because they do not compete with others 
That they are beyond the reproach of the world.
   – Lao Tzu

Let Nothing Upset You
Let nothing upset you; 
Let nothing frighten you. 
Everything is changing; 
God alone is changeless. 
Patience attains the goal. 
Who has God lacks nothing; 
God alone fills every need. 
   – Teresa of Avila

Radiant Is the World Soul 
Radiant is the world soul, 
Full of splendor and beauty, 
Full of life, 
Of souls hidden, 
Of treasures of the holy spirit, 
Of fountains of strength, 
Of greatness and beauty. 
Proudly I ascend 
Toward the heights of the world soul 
That gives life to the universe. 
How majestic the vision – 
Come, enjoy, 
Come, find peace, 
Embrace delight, 
Taste and see that God is good. 
Why spend your substance on what does not nourish 
And your labor on what cannot satisfy? 
Listen to me, and you will enjoy what is good, 
And find delight in what is truly precious.
   – Abraham Isaac Kook

Meditating on a memorized inspirational passage is the heart of the program called passage meditation. Seven supporting disciplines are used throughout the rest of the day, helping you go deeper for a lifetime of discovery.

1. Meditation on a Passage
Silent repetition in the mind of memorized inspirational passages from the world’s great religions. Practiced for one-half hour each morning. [ More: Basic | Full ]

2. Repetition of a Mantram
Silent repetition in the mind of a holy name or a hallowed phrase from one of the world’s great religions. Practiced whenever possible throughout the day or night. [ More: Basic | Full ]

3. Slowing Down
Setting priorities and reducing the stress and friction caused by hurry. [ More: Basic | Full ]

4. One-Pointed Attention
Giving full concentration to the matter at hand. [ More: Basic | Full ]

5. Training the Senses
Overcoming conditioned habits and learning to enjoy what is beneficial. [ More: Basic | Full ]

6. Putting Others First
Gaining freedom from selfishness and separateness; finding joy in helping others. [ More: Basic | Full ]

7. Spiritual Fellowship
Spending time regularly with others who are practicing passage meditation for mutual inspiration and support. [ More: Basic | Full ]

8. Spiritual Reading
Drawing inspiration from writings by and about the world’s great spiritual figures and from the scriptures of all religions. Studying Easwaran’s works for general inspiration and for specific instruction in passage meditation. [ More: Basic | Full ]

These eight steps are designed for daily practice. Though they may at first seem unrelated, they are closely linked. Quieting your mind in morning meditation, for instance, will help your efforts to slow down at work, and slowing down at work will, in turn, improve your meditation. Hurry at work and your mind will race during meditation; skip meditation and you will find it difficult to be both slow and concentrated.

Some of the steps generate spiritual power while others put it to wise use during the day. Practicing all eight creates a balanced approach to spiritual growth, yielding the greatest benefits.

“As meditation deepens, compulsions, cravings, and fits of emotion begin to lose their power to dictate our behavior. We see clearly that choices are possible: we can say yes, or we can say no. It is profoundly liberating. Perhaps we will not always make the best choices at first, but at least we know there are choices to be made. Then our deftness improves; we begin to live intentionally, to live in freedom. . . . By changing the very mode of our thinking, we can remake ourselves completely.

“Then we become master artists. It is no small thing to compose a sonata or write a perceptive novel; we are indebted to the great composers and writers who have given us beauty and insight into human nature. But I am most moved by the beauty of a perfectly crafted life, where every bit of selfishness has been carved away and what is thought, felt, said, and done are brought into harmony.” – Eknath Easwaran

Through a regular practice of the full eight-point program of passage meditation, you can:

• sharpen concentration
• deal effectively with stress
• shed unwanted habits
• release deep reserves of energy
• harness the power of anger and other negative emotions
• leave behind painful memories and live fully in the present
• develop unsuspected capacities for insight and understanding
• learn to love more fully than you thought possible
• discover your unique contribution to life

Eknath Easwaran developed passage meditation at the peak of a successful career in India. He was a popular professor of English literature, a well-known essayist in national newspapers, and a highly sought-after public speaker. But in early midlife he was haunted by questions no worldly fulfillment could quiet: “Is this all there is? What is life for? Why am I here?”

No doubt many factors in Easwaran’s early years prompted these persistent questions. In his childhood in a traditional Hindu village he received the grace of his remarkable grandmother, whom he later looked upon as his spiritual teacher. In his youth he was profoundly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, who had transformed himself through immersion in the scriptures.

Passage meditation emerged as an answer to Easwaran’s questions. It is now followed around the world. Earnest men and women from all walks of life demonstrate its benefits while leading active lives in the midst of their families and communities.