A Season of Celebration
When Easwaran shed his body in October 1999, friends from around the world gathered at Ramagiri Ashram for a Memorial to honor Easwaran’s life, and this gathering became an annual tradition for Ramagiri residents and local meditators. This event has evolved into a month-long season of reflection, rededication, and celebration.
Ramagiri residents, BMCM staff, and volunteers set time aside in October to reflect on their practice, to rededicate themselves to their spiritual goals, and to deepen their relationship with Easwaran. Over the years this annual tradition has spread throughout the world, with local satsangs holding their own October gatherings, and individuals taking time for personal retreats.
In 2017, we published a flexible curriculum as part of an official invitation to all Easwaran’s world-wide audience to participate in this season of celebration. We’re pleased this year to continue this tradition, and next month we’ll be publishing a new set of study resources.
Our goal is to provide a way for anyone who is interested to engage in this event. There is enough material in the new curriculum for you to infuse inspiration into every day of your month. However, there is also plenty of flexibility, so no matter how much or how little time you have, you can mark this season of celebration in a way that works for you.
From Easwaran:
I have said many times that Saint Francis lives in the words of his prayer. Gandhi may be said to live in the second chapter of the Gita, on which he based his life.
Similarly, you can say that I live in my eight-point program, and I can assure you that I live in my audio and video recordings for those who are practicing my method of meditation to the best of their ability and following the instructions faithfully with an open heart.
So if you are following this method of meditation, I would encourage you to read my books over and over and follow the instructions very carefully. That is your safeguard.
You have to remember that when I started to meditate, my own spiritual teacher, my grandmother, had already passed away. At first I felt very much on my own, but at every stage, when I turned to her for guidance, I found answers to my questions.
You see, when a person becomes aware of God, he or she is no longer just a person, but a living force. My grandmother did not die; she merely shed her body. She was— she is— very much alive in me. Once I knew that, I knew that I was in her hands and that there was nothing to fear. She has protected and comforted me ever since.
I am not just talking, you know. Jesus continues to guide us. The Buddha continues to guide us. These are eternal forces; their lives are eternal.
So don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that I am confined to this brown body. I am not confined to this brown body; I am in every one of you.