Amazon.com Formerly a professor of Victorian literature, Eknath Easwaran discovered the treasures of wisdom in his own native India and began to pursue them with a passion. He has since studied them, practiced them, and moved to America to share them with the Western world. In his translation of The Upanishads, the font of Indian spirituality, Easwaran delights us with a readable rendition of one of the most difficult texts of all religious traditions. Each Upanishad is a lyrical statement about the deeper truths of mysticism, from the different levels of awareness to cultivations of love for God. There's one twist, though, for ultimately a devoted meditator realizes that God and the world are not separate from oneself. Then the ultimate goal becomes to reunite with the universal Self, achieving the infinite joy that accompanies such union. Easwaran recruited Michael Nagler to contribute notes to the translation and a lengthy afterword, which together with introductions to each Upanishad, guide us expertly through this strange and fruitful landscape. --Brian Bruya
Product Description
Among the oldest of India’s spiritual texts, the Upanishads are records of intensive question-and-answer sessions given by illumined sages to their students. Widely featured in philosophy courses, the Upanishads have puzzled and inspired wisdom seekers from Yeats to Schopenhauer. Eknath Easwaran makes this challenging text more accessible by selecting the passages most relevant to readers seeking timeless truths today. His accessible, highly readable translation and lively foreword place the teachings in a contemporary context for students and general readers alike.
GoodNovember 22, 2007 Havent finished it yet...so far, so good; I'm not sure if its as detailed as I would like. But overall enjoyable.
Concise, explains things in a lucid mannerSeptember 10, 2007 5 out of 7 found this review helpful
Well Honestly Eknaths Book is for those who are looking to know Upanishads and its essence, while the book attempts to cover most important texts from various upanishads.
My personal opinion has always been that a person who is getting a first hand look at upanishads and philosophy of Brahm ( not its not Brahman, its pronounced as Brahm ), should be allowed to take a look the actual translation ( And not read commentaries or any gists etc AT ALL period.) This is because i think a person's own opinion develops over the time and he might get a much deeper understanding by knowing and realizing the absolute truth himself and not limiting his / her opinion to authors own ideas ( Bias perhaps ? ) . That also includes Shankaras commentaries. For this very reason, i started with actual translations of upanishads and Brahm Sutras to know exact meaning or words of the shruti and not authors ideas. After you have grasped everything, then perhaps ( especially when you are competent enough about the subject that no one can cloud your opinion ( unless your opinions are not true or you are missing something ) should one go and read such texts.
So in short i would have liked this text much more ( i gave it 3 ) if it included actual translations and not just english texts.
Needless to say Eknaths book was a appreciable experience. Upanishads themselves are always a joy to read. ( be in any form )
Regards Vyas, Anirudh
Timeless KnowingMarch 23, 2007 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The perennial philosophy proposes that an infinite, unchanging reality exists behind the illusion of ceaseless change apparent in the material world, and, that this infinite unchanging reality remains at the core of all existence. Discoveries made in the field of quantum physics support this philosophy and serve as encouragement to all who believe the philosophy's third premise: it is the purpose of life to experience this reality. Nowhere is this philosophy more completely celebrated or more beautifully expressed than the Upanishads. While many "holy books" will not stand the test of time and scientific advancement, the Upanishads can be considered a quantum primer. Physicists are only now beginning to understand that the material world of separation is an illusion, that everything in existence is one thing, and that one thing is consciousness. Yet, some 3,500 years ago a group of spiritual seekers left organized ritual and rhetoric behind, journeyed inward, and discovered the truths that lie at the core of all things.
The meaning of the word Upanishad, "sitting down near," paints the picture of the Upanishad's origin as an oral teaching passed from teacher to student. But as Easwaran points out, the knowledge contained in these verses were not meant to be learned by rote, but were to be "realized," through direct personal experience. Easwaran's insightful introduction makes it clear that these particular teachings, teachers and students were far from ordinary as he states, ". . .although the Upanishads are attached to the Vedas, they seem to come from an altogether different world. . .they stand on their own authority." The Upanishads demonstrate gnosis, the inward seeking of spiritual truth, at the highest level. Easwaran's thoughtful translation serves as a worthy instructor for anyone who is unfamiliar with these teachings. The chapter introductions and afterword by Michael N. Nagler ease the Western mind into the verses, answering many questions that new readers are likely to ask. As quantum discoveries force humanity into a massive paradigm shift, the Upanishads will undoubtedly remain a guiding light. Lee & Steven Hager are the authors of Quantum Prodigal Son: Revisiting Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Perspective of Quantum Mechanics
ANOTHER GREAT ONEMarch 8, 2007 2 out of 6 found this review helpful
VERY MUCH A STORY BOOK PACKED WITH SUBTLE LIFE LESSONS, BUT READ THE GITA FIRST!
Excellent readDecember 19, 2006 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Upanishads are beyond time and space. To grasp the inner meaning of its passage requires deep thinking and intellectual debate. Easwaran has done a commendable job of translating and providing notes for all the Upanishads.
The Upanishads reminded me that there are unknown unknowns.
