Mantram Handbook
Encyclopedia
The Mantram Handbook describes methods of using a mantram — sometimes called a Holy Name — in daily living. Benefits are also described. Written by Eknath Easwaran
, the book was originally published in the US
in 1977. Several subsequent editions have been published, sometimes under different titles, in the US
, the UK
, and India
. Foreign (non-English) editions have also been published in several languages.
http://www.easwaran.org/page/150, accessed 1 August 2010. The book has been reviewed in newspapers, magazines, and websites, and discussed in professional journals. It has also been a focus of scientific research. The subtitle of the fifth (2009) US edition is: a practical guide to choosing your mantram & calming your mind.
Easwaran's
Mantram Handbook provides an introduction to the practice of repeating mantrams and/or holy names
, terms the author uses interchangeably. The book offers the author's practical guidance for choosing a mantram and using it for personal centering and spiritual growth. In the opening chapters, the author recommends selecting a single mantram (such as those in the table at right), and suggests that the reader "take your time choosing a mantram..... then, once you have chosen a mantram, do not change it." Most of the remainder of the book discusses how to integrate the mantram into daily living to improve skills and solve various types of problems. Late in the book, Easwaran describes how the mantram can be combined with other spiritual practices, such as meditation. Easwaran's approach is distinctive, in that he recommends a method of sitting meditation
that does not focus on the mantram. Accordingly, the entire concern of the Mantram Handbook is in how to use a mantram throughout the day, at times apart from sitting meditation.
With only slight variation, each edition of the Mantram Handbook has contained the same 12 major parts:
The most recent (5th) US edition contains a foreword by Daniel H. Lowenstein
. Offering perspectives as a neurologist and medical educator, Lowenstein states that
The book also contains an index.
The Hindu
,
The Business Standard (India),
the The Economic Times
(India),
B.C. Catholic,
the Pacific Sun
,
Cosmos (Australia),
Medical Self-Care,
Journal of Ecumenical Studies,
Journal of Psychology and Christianity
,
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
,
and Booklist
.
The Mantram Handbook has also been discussed in books authored by Andrew Weil
, in books edited by Thomas G. Plante
and J. Harold Ellens
, and on websites such as Spirituality and Health.
Andrew Weil
stated that the Mantram Handbook "is the only book I have seen on the use of mantram as a centering technique."
In The Business Standard, Apratim Barua wrote that
In the Journal of Psychology and Christianity
, Doug Oman and Joseph Driskill wrote that
In The Hindu
, Anita Joshua wrote that
Also in The Hindu
, M. P. Pandit
wrote that as an
The Economic Times
(India) wrote that "Easwaran strips the mystery off the mantram and explains how it can help us gain the will and insight to refashion our lives":
In the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, E. James Baesler noted that "several of the eastern Christian and eastern Hindu traditions recommend reciting the Holy Name outside the predetermined prayer periods." Most also
In the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
, Thomas Weide wrote that "for a so-called handbook, the book mentions surprisingly few different mantrams, and omits much material commonly covered by mantram advocates." But Weide recommended the book "highly to the total transpersonal public, not just to mantram lovers," stating that
Similarly, Apratim Barua (quoted above) expressed concern that "The title is a slight misnomer. The book is not merely about mantrams.... If anything, the number of mantrams discussed is woefully inadequate. He takes up some four in all [sic], one from each major religion.... This may be due to the fact that the aim of the book is the cultivation of a more wholesome and positive approach to life."
In Medical Self-Care, Thomas Ferguson
wrote that the Mantram Handbook described "how mantrams work, how to choose one, and how to use it... Spiritual, non-sectarian, quietly delightful." Booklist
wrote that "This guide by a Hindu expert on religions is refreshingly real. He also contradicts popular misconceptions about mantrams and gives practical advice."
in San Diego, California
, by Jill Bormann and her colleagues. Randomized trials
that she led have reported benefits from mantram repetition that include higher quality of life, increased use of positive strategies of coping with stress, gains in faith/assurance and spiritual connectedness, and reductions in psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and anger. Additional research findings offered evidence linking mantram use with reduced stress, anxiety, anger, and PTSD symptoms, as well as increased quality of life and spiritual well-being, and documenting that study participants found mantram repetition useful for managing stress, emotions, sleep/insomnia, and unwanted thoughts. The Mantram Handbook was also cited as a main source in developing a mantram-centered intervention for nurses in Korea
. The intervention was found to reduce burnout
, and to enhance well-being, spiritual integrity, and leadership practice.
(2002). Sayap-Sayap Rajawali ("Eagles Wings"). Jakarta, Indonesia: PT Gramedia ISBN 9796868776 (225 pages)
Dutch,
(2002). Het mantrahandboek (Mantram handbook) (W. J. van Maarschalkerweerd-Bakker, trans.). BRES Publishing. ISBN 9062290825, ISBN 9789062290826 (189 pages)
German,
(1982). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word) Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762602662, ISBN 9783762602668, (256 pages)
(1989). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word) Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762606293, ISBN 9783762606291, (dup.: ) (255 pages)
(2000). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word). Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762607575, ISBN 9783762607571, (256 pages)
(2010). Das Mantra-buch: Zauberworte für alle Lebenslagen (The mantram book: magic words for any situation). Goldmann Wilhelm. ISBN 3442218942, ISBN 9783442218943 (250 pages)
Hungarian,
(1997). Bensö harang (Dankó Zoltan, trans.). Budapest, HU: Édesvíz (Freshwater). ISBN 963528201X (190 pages)
Italian,
(2000). Mantra. Parole, preghiere, sillabe sacre per raggiungere l'equilibrio interiore (Mantram: Words, prayers, sacred syllables to achieve inner balance) (G. Arca, trans.). Red Studio Reazionale. ISBN 8870316661, ISBN 9788870316667 (192 pages)
Lithuanian,
(2003). Mantru knyga (Mantram book) (Danguole Žalytė, trans.). Vilnius: Alma Littera, Ltd.. ISBN 9955-08-401-4 (190 pages)
Spanish,
(2000). El libro de los mantras (Carles Andreu Saburit, trans.). RBA Integral. ISBN 8479015721, ISBN 9788479015725, (174 pages)
(2002). El libro de los mantras (Mantram book). Spain: RBA Libros. ISBN 8447327809, ISBN 9788447327805 (174 pages)
(2002). El libro del mantra (Rosa Corgatelli, trans.). Argentina:
Editorial Atlantida. ISBN 9500826232, ISBN 9789500826235, (224 pages)
and Telugu.
English-language editions have been published in the US
, the UK
and India
. The US editions are:
(200 pages) ISBN 0915132982 (224 pages) ISBN 091513277X (223 pages) ISBN 9780915132300, (260 pages) ISBN 9780915132102, (dup: ) (260 pages)
A British edition: ISBN 0710089740 (260 pages)
An Indian edition: ISBN 0140191135 (232 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
, the book was originally published in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1977. Several subsequent editions have been published, sometimes under different titles, in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Foreign (non-English) editions have also been published in several languages.
http://www.easwaran.org/page/150, accessed 1 August 2010. The book has been reviewed in newspapers, magazines, and websites, and discussed in professional journals. It has also been a focus of scientific research. The subtitle of the fifth (2009) US edition is: a practical guide to choosing your mantram & calming your mind.
Topics covered
| Recommended Mantrams from Diverse Traditions* (discussed: Mantram Handbook, chapter 3) |
|
| Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... |Jesus Jesus Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity... , Ave Maria Ave Maria Ave Maria may refer to:*Ave Maria , the "Hail Mary", a traditional Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox prayer calling for the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus-Music:... , the Jesus Prayer Jesus Prayer The Jesus Prayer or "The Prayer" is a short, formulaic prayer esteemed and advocated within the Eastern Orthodox church:The prayer has been widely taught and discussed throughout the history of the Eastern Churches. It is often repeated continually as a part of personal ascetic practice, its use... (from Eastern Orthodoxy Eastern Christianity Eastern Christianity comprises the Christian traditions and churches that developed in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Asia Minor, the Middle East, Northeastern Africa, India and parts of the Far East over several centuries of religious antiquity. The term is generally used in Western Christianity to... ), and Gospodi pomilui Kyrie Kyrie, a transliteration of Greek κύριε , vocative case of κύριος , meaning "Lord", is the common name of an important prayer of Christian liturgy, which is also called the Kýrie, eléison .... (Russian, "Lord, have mercy") |
|
| Hinduism Hinduism Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions... >Rama Ram Nam Ram Nam means "the name Rama", which can imply either devotion to Rama, the avatar of Vishnu, or as a name to the ultimately formless, all-embracing Absolute Brahman. Rama's name is often chanted or sung within the many traditions of Hinduism... ('joy', used by Mahatma Gandhi), Om Sri Ram jai Ram jai jai Ram (used by Swami Ramdas Swami Ramdas Swami Ramdas was a philosopher, philanthropist, and pilgrim. Giving up worldly possessions at a young age, he became a wandering monk... ), Om namah Shivaya, Hare Rama, Hare Krishna... |
|
| Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... >Namu Amidabutsu, Om mani padme hum Om mani padme hum is the six syllabled mantra particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara , the bodhisattva of compassion... |
|
| Judaism Judaism Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people... >Barukh attah Adonai, Ribono shel olam ("Lord of the universe," Hassidic) |
|
| Islam Islam Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~... >Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim Basmala Basmala or Bismillah is an Arabic noun used as a collective name for the whole of the recurring Islamic phrase b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi, It is sometimes translated as "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"... , Allah Allah Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and... . |
|
| *"mantrams of proven power, bequeathed to us by the great spiritual teachers of many traditions" | |
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
Mantram Handbook provides an introduction to the practice of repeating mantrams and/or holy names
Names of God
Names of God, or Holy Names, describe a form of addressing God present in liturgy or prayer of various world religions. Prayer involving the Holy Name or the Name of God has become established as common spiritual practice in both Western and Eastern spiritual practices...
, terms the author uses interchangeably. The book offers the author's practical guidance for choosing a mantram and using it for personal centering and spiritual growth. In the opening chapters, the author recommends selecting a single mantram (such as those in the table at right), and suggests that the reader "take your time choosing a mantram..... then, once you have chosen a mantram, do not change it." Most of the remainder of the book discusses how to integrate the mantram into daily living to improve skills and solve various types of problems. Late in the book, Easwaran describes how the mantram can be combined with other spiritual practices, such as meditation. Easwaran's approach is distinctive, in that he recommends a method of sitting meditation
Passage meditation
Meditation, also published as Passage Meditation, is a 1978 book by Eknath Easwaran.It describes a meditation program developed by Easwaran from the 1960s, first taught systematically by him at the University of California, Berkeley....
that does not focus on the mantram. Accordingly, the entire concern of the Mantram Handbook is in how to use a mantram throughout the day, at times apart from sitting meditation.
With only slight variation, each edition of the Mantram Handbook has contained the same 12 major parts:
| 1. | Initiation into the Mantram | Describes author's own experience of benefit from a mantram. Explains the mantram's power generally, and the value of using a mantram from tradition: "All the great religions have produced powerful spiritual formulas which are.... the living symbol of the profoundest reality that the human being can conceive of." |
| 2. | Choosing a Mantram >Discusses various tips for choosing a mantram. For example, "it is important to take into account your own background, your response to the meaning, and the practical significance of the words.... Take your time.... once you have chosen a mantram, do not change it." |
|
| 3. | Some Great Mantrams >Gives conceptual and devotional background for mantrams/holy names from various traditions, including Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... , Hinduism Hinduism Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions... , Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... , Judaism Judaism Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people... , and Islam Islam Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~... (see table above). |
|
| 4. | Making the Mantram Part of Your Day. >Explains that "when you begin to look for opportunities to say the mantram, you find them everywhere." Twelve subsections include 'while waiting', 'while walking', 'when sick', 'while doing mechanical tasks', 'chanting the mantram', 'with children', 'boredom', 'while going to sleep', and 'when not to say the mantram'. |
|
| 5. | Keeping the Mind Steady. >Explains the value of a "well-trained mind" that is free from unnecessary vacillation. Six subsections include 'below the surface of consciousness Unconscious mind The unconscious mind is a term coined by the 18th century German romantic philosopher Friedrich Schelling and later introduced into English by the poet and essayist Samuel Taylor Coleridge... ', 'a still mind', 'the mantram is a transformer', and 'the elephant and the bamboo'. |
|
| 6. | Overcoming Likes & Dislikes. >One can become "mature... not conditioned by compulsive likes and dislikes, habits and opinions.... through repetition of the mantram and exercising the will," thereby conserving "a tremendous amount of our vital energy." Nine subsections include 'tackling jobs we dislike', 'learning to drop a job at will', and 'freedom in personal relationships'. |
|
| 7. | Excitement & Depression. >Using the mantram to avoid cycles of excitement followed by depression. Five subsections include 'different faces of excitement', 'the pendulum', and 'guarding against depression'. |
|
| 8. | Harnessing Fear, Anger, & Greed. >Negative emotions are "power going to waste.... the mantram... can harness all this destructive power... and transform it: fear into fearlessness, anger into compassion, and greed into the desire to be of service" Sixteen subsections include 'when anger, fear, or greed is sweeping you away', 'worry', 'anxiety', 'harnessing anger's power'. |
|
| 9. | The Mantram at the Time of Death. >At death, major religious traditions say that our individual consciousness merges into a divine reality "if we have been repeating the mantram... until it has become an integral part of our consciousness" Five subsections include 'the significance of death', 'the mantram at the moment of death', 'the process of death'. |
|
| 10. | The Goal of Life. >All people have "an aching need for a goal worthy of our complete dedication", the "highest goal of life... though different religions call it by different names." Six subsections include 'the world of separateness', 'ego', and 'effort and grace Divine grace In Christian theology, grace is God’s gift of God’s self to humankind. It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved" - that takes the form of divine favour, love and clemency. It is an attribute of God that is most... '. |
|
| 11. | The Mantram and Other Spiritual Disciplines. >Briefly describes Easwaran's eight point program of Passage Meditation Passage meditation Meditation, also published as Passage Meditation, is a 1978 book by Eknath Easwaran.It describes a meditation program developed by Easwaran from the 1960s, first taught systematically by him at the University of California, Berkeley.... (see article Passage meditation Meditation, also published as Passage Meditation, is a 1978 book by Eknath Easwaran.It describes a meditation program developed by Easwaran from the 1960s, first taught systematically by him at the University of California, Berkeley.... ), in which Point 1 is meditating on an inspirational passage, and Point 2 is mantram repetition. |
|
| 12. | Becoming Established in the Mantram. >"Over a period of many years.... the mantram [can] become an integral part of your being, permeating your consciousness... [which corresponds to] what Saint Paul means by 'pray without ceasing'." This "transforms our entire vision of life", and "the joy of this state has to be experienced to be described" |
The most recent (5th) US edition contains a foreword by Daniel H. Lowenstein
Daniel H. Lowenstein (physician)
Daniel H. Lowenstein, M.D., is Professor and Vice Chairman in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco , Director of the UCSF Epilepsy Center, and Director of Physician-Scientist and Education Training Programs for the UCSF School of Medicine...
. Offering perspectives as a neurologist and medical educator, Lowenstein states that
The science of neurobiology gives another way to understand how the mantram could be working. From studies using magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
(MRIMagnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
), we know that concentrating on a short phrase will activate specific areas in the front and side of the brain. These areas, the frontalFrontal lobeThe frontal lobe is an area in the brain of humans and other mammals, located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere and positioned anterior to the parietal lobe and superior and anterior to the temporal lobes...
and parietal lobeParietal lobeThe parietal lobe is a part of the Brain positioned above the occipital lobe and behind the frontal lobe.The parietal lobe integrates sensory information from different modalities, particularly determining spatial sense and navigation. For example, it comprises somatosensory cortex and the...
s, are involved in selective attentionAttentionAttention is the cognitive process of paying attention to one aspect of the environment while ignoring others. Attention is one of the most intensely studied topics within psychology and cognitive neuroscience....
- the capacity to maintain a single focus despite the presence of distracting stimuli.... as though the mantram provides access to a peaceful, grounded center that puts our cravings, drives, and other immediate needs in perspective.
The book also contains an index.
Reviews and influence
Reviews of the Mantram Handbook have appeared inThe Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
,
The Business Standard (India),
the The Economic Times
The Economic Times
The Economic Times is an English-language Indian daily newspaper published by the Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.. The Economic Times was started in 1961. It is the most popular and widely read financial daily in India, read by more than 8 lakh people...
(India),
B.C. Catholic,
the Pacific Sun
Pacific Sun
The Pacific Sun was founded in 1963 in California, and is the second longest running alternative weekly in the nation, behind only The Village Voice...
,
Cosmos (Australia),
Medical Self-Care,
Journal of Ecumenical Studies,
Journal of Psychology and Christianity
Journal of Psychology and Christianity
The Journal of Psychology and Christianity is an American academic journal that is "designed to provide scholarly interchange among Christian professionals in the psychological and pastoral professions." Topics covered include clinical issues, research, theoretical concerns, book reviews, and...
,
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology is a semi-annual, peer-reviewed academic journal which is published by the Association for Transpersonal Psychology...
,
and Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
.
The Mantram Handbook has also been discussed in books authored by Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil
Andrew Thomas Weil is an American author and physician, who established the field of integrative medicine which attempts to integrate alternative and conventional medicine. Weil is the author of several best-selling books and operates a website and monthly newsletter promoting general health and...
, in books edited by Thomas G. Plante
Thomas G. Plante
Thomas G. Plante is professor of psychology on the faculty of Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine...
and J. Harold Ellens
J. Harold Ellens
J. Harold Ellens is a psychologist and theologian. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, and was Executive Director of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies International from 1974 to 1989.- Education:Ellens has received multiple educational...
, and on websites such as Spirituality and Health.
Andrew Weil
Andrew Weil
Andrew Thomas Weil is an American author and physician, who established the field of integrative medicine which attempts to integrate alternative and conventional medicine. Weil is the author of several best-selling books and operates a website and monthly newsletter promoting general health and...
stated that the Mantram Handbook "is the only book I have seen on the use of mantram as a centering technique."
In The Business Standard, Apratim Barua wrote that
Mantram Handbook... is concise, simple and practical.... Where Easwaran scores over other books of a similar type is in his non-sectarian approach and his appeal to common-sense.... Second, Easwaran's account is deeply personal and, therefore, all the more convincing. He has traversed the same path himself and is aware of all the snares and pitfalls. The tone of the book is cheerful, optimistic and positive.... The book is not merely about mantrams. Its aim is the cultivation of a more wholesome and positive approach to life.
In the Journal of Psychology and Christianity
Journal of Psychology and Christianity
The Journal of Psychology and Christianity is an American academic journal that is "designed to provide scholarly interchange among Christian professionals in the psychological and pastoral professions." Topics covered include clinical issues, research, theoretical concerns, book reviews, and...
, Doug Oman and Joseph Driskill wrote that
For people of any religious faith or none, Easwaran offers a highly practical yet consistently spiritual discussion of integrating a holy name into daily modern living. Presenting the most comprehensive practical discussion of how to draw upon a holy name throughout the day in a variety of ordinary and challenging situations, this book is also uniquely universal as a resource for professionals working with diverse populations.
In The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
, Anita Joshua wrote that
Knowing full well the potential of the mantram in releasing new and positive energy that can help chase away seemingly incurable problems, Eknath Easwaran took upon himself the task of explaining it in the most simplest of terms and the way it works on the human system. And, at the outset itself, he explains that mantram is not exclusive to the Hindu religion.... He signs off by explaining how the mantram relates to a large body of spiritual disciplines ... [and] is particularly careful to differentiate such spiritual disciplines from dogmas.
Also in The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
, M. P. Pandit
M. P. Pandit
M. P. Pandit was a prolific writer, and secretary of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and personal secretary to The Mother. He wrote over 100 books and many articles on the yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, social and political thought, science, philosophy, religion, mysticism and the classical texts...
wrote that as an
exponent of Eastern spiritual disciplines in the university circles in the West, Eknath Easwaran has evolved a style that makes abstruse concepts simple and appealing.... The author refutes the charge that the practice of mantra is self-hypnosis. It is not that any word repeated for a length of time will have the same results.... he explains mantra as 'that which enables us to cross the sea of the mind.' Actually the traditional derivation is mananat trayate, helps to cross the ocean of samsaraSamsarathumb|right|200px|Traditional Tibetan painting or [[Thanka]] showing the [[wheel of life]] and realms of saṃsāraSaṅsāra or Saṃsāra , , literally meaning "continuous flow", is the cycle of birth, life, death, rebirth or reincarnation within Hinduism, Buddhism, Bön, Jainism, Sikhism, and other...
.
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
The Economic Times is an English-language Indian daily newspaper published by the Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.. The Economic Times was started in 1961. It is the most popular and widely read financial daily in India, read by more than 8 lakh people...
(India) wrote that "Easwaran strips the mystery off the mantram and explains how it can help us gain the will and insight to refashion our lives":
The method Easwaran suggests is simple: pick a mantram of 'proven power' recommended by the great spiritual teachers of any religion that you follow. Easwaran makes no attempt to avoid references to religion and the aim of his technique is, in fact, to take one closer to God. Claims Easwaran: "Constant repetition and practice is required for the mantram to take root in our consciousness and gradually transform it, just as constant repetition makes the advertiser's jingle stick in our minds."... Even a sceptic could benefit from the solutions Easwaran puts forward.
In the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, E. James Baesler noted that "several of the eastern Christian and eastern Hindu traditions recommend reciting the Holy Name outside the predetermined prayer periods." Most also
recommend reciting the Holy Name during a time set apart exclusively for prayer.... The one exception to this pattern is Easwaran's[ Mantram Handbook] recommendation to recite the Holy Name at virtually all times except the time set apart for meditation/prayer. Easwaran's rationale... is that meditation times are for... the repetition of an inspirational passage, while repeating the[ mantram] does not require as much discipline and thus can be 'prayed' anytime.
In the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
Journal of Transpersonal Psychology
The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology is a semi-annual, peer-reviewed academic journal which is published by the Association for Transpersonal Psychology...
, Thomas Weide wrote that "for a so-called handbook, the book mentions surprisingly few different mantrams, and omits much material commonly covered by mantram advocates." But Weide recommended the book "highly to the total transpersonal public, not just to mantram lovers," stating that
Easwaran writes with lovely simplicity about how to live a more spiritual life in general, and.... gives a splendid explanation of how mantrams work, how to choose one, and above all, how to work on oneself in general, using a mantram merely as one of several important practices.
Similarly, Apratim Barua (quoted above) expressed concern that "The title is a slight misnomer. The book is not merely about mantrams.... If anything, the number of mantrams discussed is woefully inadequate. He takes up some four in all [sic], one from each major religion.... This may be due to the fact that the aim of the book is the cultivation of a more wholesome and positive approach to life."
In Medical Self-Care, Thomas Ferguson
Thomas William Ferguson
Thomas William "Tom" Ferguson, M.D. was an American medical doctor, educator, and author. He was an early advocate for patient empowerment, urging patients to educate themselves, to assume control of their own health care, and to use the Internet as a way of accomplishing those goals.-Personal...
wrote that the Mantram Handbook described "how mantrams work, how to choose one, and how to use it... Spiritual, non-sectarian, quietly delightful." Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
wrote that "This guide by a Hindu expert on religions is refreshingly real. He also contradicts popular misconceptions about mantrams and gives practical advice."
Research
The Mantram Handbook was the primary instructional text in several research studies on mantram repetition conducted through the Veterans AdministrationUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
in San Diego, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, by Jill Bormann and her colleagues. Randomized trials
Randomized controlled trial
A randomized controlled trial is a type of scientific experiment - a form of clinical trial - most commonly used in testing the safety and efficacy or effectiveness of healthcare services or health technologies A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a type of scientific experiment - a form of...
that she led have reported benefits from mantram repetition that include higher quality of life, increased use of positive strategies of coping with stress, gains in faith/assurance and spiritual connectedness, and reductions in psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and anger. Additional research findings offered evidence linking mantram use with reduced stress, anxiety, anger, and PTSD symptoms, as well as increased quality of life and spiritual well-being, and documenting that study participants found mantram repetition useful for managing stress, emotions, sleep/insomnia, and unwanted thoughts. The Mantram Handbook was also cited as a main source in developing a mantram-centered intervention for nurses in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. The intervention was found to reduce burnout
Burnout (psychology)
Burnout is a psychological term for the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest. Research indicates general practitioners have the highest proportion of burnout cases; according to a recent Dutch study in Psychological Reports, no less than 40% of these experienced high levels of...
, and to enhance well-being, spiritual integrity, and leadership practice.
Editions
All US editions have been published by Nilgiri Press, which also published the original 1977 edition. Non-English editions in translation have been published in Bahasa Indonesian,Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2002). Sayap-Sayap Rajawali ("Eagles Wings"). Jakarta, Indonesia: PT Gramedia ISBN 9796868776 (225 pages)
Dutch,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2002). Het mantrahandboek (Mantram handbook) (W. J. van Maarschalkerweerd-Bakker, trans.). BRES Publishing. ISBN 9062290825, ISBN 9789062290826 (189 pages)
German,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(1982). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word) Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762602662, ISBN 9783762602668, (256 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(1989). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word) Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762606293, ISBN 9783762606291, (dup.: ) (255 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2000). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the word). Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3762607575, ISBN 9783762607571, (256 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2010). Das Mantra-buch: Zauberworte für alle Lebenslagen (The mantram book: magic words for any situation). Goldmann Wilhelm. ISBN 3442218942, ISBN 9783442218943 (250 pages)
Hungarian,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(1997). Bensö harang (Dankó Zoltan, trans.). Budapest, HU: Édesvíz (Freshwater). ISBN 963528201X (190 pages)
Italian,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2000). Mantra. Parole, preghiere, sillabe sacre per raggiungere l'equilibrio interiore (Mantram: Words, prayers, sacred syllables to achieve inner balance) (G. Arca, trans.). Red Studio Reazionale. ISBN 8870316661, ISBN 9788870316667 (192 pages)
Lithuanian,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2003). Mantru knyga (Mantram book) (Danguole Žalytė, trans.). Vilnius: Alma Littera, Ltd.. ISBN 9955-08-401-4 (190 pages)
Spanish,
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2000). El libro de los mantras (Carles Andreu Saburit, trans.). RBA Integral. ISBN 8479015721, ISBN 9788479015725, (174 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2002). El libro de los mantras (Mantram book). Spain: RBA Libros. ISBN 8447327809, ISBN 9788447327805 (174 pages)
Eknath Easwaran
Eknath Easwaran was a spiritual teacher, an author of books on meditation and ways to lead a fulfilling life, as well as a translator and interpreter of Indian literature....
(2002). El libro del mantra (Rosa Corgatelli, trans.). Argentina:
Editorial Atlantida. ISBN 9500826232, ISBN 9789500826235, (224 pages)
and Telugu.
English-language editions have been published in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The US editions are:
(200 pages) ISBN 0915132982 (224 pages) ISBN 091513277X (223 pages) ISBN 9780915132300, (260 pages) ISBN 9780915132102, (dup: ) (260 pages)
A British edition: ISBN 0710089740 (260 pages)
An Indian edition: ISBN 0140191135 (232 pages)
External links
- Mantram research studies (list, description, links)