Reading the Upanishads – Part Two

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.

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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?