Reading the Upanishads – Part Two

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:38 pm by Ambaa Choate

Reading the Upanishads – Part Two 2015-03-13T22:38:20-04:00 Ambaa Choate

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I thought it would be nice to read along through some scriptures and discuss the passages. I have a translation of the Upanishads done by Eknath Easwaran, a teacher whom I deeply trust and love. In this book there is an introduction before each translation with some insight from Easwaran.

Here is a link to the Amazon page for the book I have:

The second verse is as follows in the Easwaran translation…

Thus working may you live a hundred years.

Thus alone will you work in real freedom.

This short verse seems to refer to the one before it. If you are able to renounce your claim on things in the world and not covet things, if you are able to be in peace with nothing belonging to you, everything belonging to the Lord, then you will live a long and happy life in freedom.

I’m thinking the “hundred years” means may you have a good long opportunity to practice this renunciation.

***

How did I do with my goal from last week?

I had a successful fast on Monday. The most difficult part was actually the showering in the morning! Shameful confession, I hate to bathe. I struggle a lot with showering. But Monday I was good. I got up, I showered, I put on clean white clothing, and I did a puja to Shiva.

I don’t know if fasting made me more focused. Most of the time when I don’t eat, I obsess over how hungry I am. That didn’t happen too much on Monday because there was no choice. It wasn’t something I had to struggle with. However, having no food in the stomach doesn’t really seem to actually focus me. I feel like I lose focus.

The timing on Monday was not ideal because it was actually my first anniversary with my wonderful boyfriend. He knew I was doing a fast from sun up to sun down and so he waited until the moment the sun went down to come home with a box of chocolates and a rose! He’s so thoughtful.

My goal this coming week is to try a new form of meditation (i.e., one I have not tried before) twice this week.

What is your goal for this week?

Scripture

interpreting scripture

reading scripture

scripture

upanishads

Previous Post

January 25, 2013

Religion in Games

Next Post

January 29, 2013 Meet a Goddess: Lakshmi

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Club Hindu Holiday How Am I Being a Hindu This Week? Inside the Life Meet a God Meet a Guru Movie Club Philosophy Corner Resources Scripture Uncategorized Wild Card

Select a Month February 2020 September 2019 May 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the mother of John the Baptist?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hannah Elizabeth Mary Deborah