Original Goodness: A Commentary on the Beatitudes

Drawing from the deep spiritual well of the world's Christian mystics, author and spiritual leader Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999), carves out a pathway to inner peace for his readers in his transforming book "Original Goodness". Easwaran uses the Beautitudes of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to provide a framework in which he introduces the themes of purity, humility, simplicity, patience, love, mercy, peacemaking, and desire. Inspiring passages from mystics like Meister Eckhart, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Teresa of Avila, and John Ruysbroeck fill each page with insight and wisdom adding beautifully to Easwaran's rich reflections. "We do not have to figure out how to make ourselves good; all we need do is remove what covers the goodness that is already there...The spark that burns in you, in me, is lit by the fires of heaven." p. 12/229Easwaran's idea of original goodness comes from the truth that within each one of us there lies a core of goodness, buried and hidden, waiting to be discovered. "...before original sin was original innocence...that is our real nature." This core of goodness is the very essence of God and has been experienced the world over by mystics throughout all religions. Once discovered, the fruit of pure love is born, having encountered the Divine. "...all the treasures and pleasures of this world are worth nothing if one has not found the uncreated light at the center of the soul.", Easwaran reflects.This transforming reality can only be accessed and spurred onwards to flourish and grow by developing an awareness of what lies within. An awareness that can be achieved through the training of our minds; namely the repetition of a mantram (or mantra) ,the practice of meditation and acts of love and kindness. As our practices deepen and we begin to unravel the layers of consciousness that cover up and dim the light emanating from the eternal spark buried beneath layers and layers of conditioned ego, our encounters with others then become transformed, now centered in love. Easwaran urges that to change the world, we must first change ourselves. " As our desire to draw closer to the Lord within us deepens, it draws self-centered desires into it like tributaries into a great river. The power of that love swells until it becomes cataclysmic; we begin to inspire other people through the transformation we have wrought in ourselves." p. 166Within "Original Goodness" are reminders of the hurried lifestyle that permeates much of our largely ego-centered modern life today. Called to the reader's attention is the fact that we are being consumed and destroyed by the very tools of technology and industry whose purposes were originally intended to create an increased quality of existence. Easwaran emphasizes our need to realize the interconnectedness that we share with all living things, human and non-human and to consider and be mindful of how our choices as consumers effects the lives and welfare of others. Such an awareness of the unity that we share with all that is around us is realized through our spiritual disciplines. This sense of unity fills us with a deep empathy and compassion, allowing us to be troubled when others are troubled around us, and spurring us to put others before ourselves in acts of love to relieve the pain we sense in them. "For those who love God, when anyone dies, a part of them dies too. In the highest sense, this is the meaning of the Passion, the reason why the Messiah was called "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Living in all, you suffer whatever they suffer. But this awareness of unity is also the source of the greatest joy, because it brings the love, compassion, and creativity to relieve suffering wherever you go." p. 153Easwaran has a very positive view of humanity. The rare kind of hope that is fueled only be experiencing the tangible results of the principles of which he speaks. There is no doubt the profound impact Mahatma Gandhi had in the shaping of his spiritual path. Easwaran first met him while in college and had the privilege of listening to him teach as well as see him in action. Through his interactions with Gandhi, Easwaran shares how he witnessed firsthand how the humble power of one man could transform violence into peace, hatred into reconciliation, all by the power of love. Easwaran's inspiring message is that in discovering our original goodness we too, can have a transforming impact on the world around us.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. and I turn to in again and again for inspiration. Mr. Easwaran's translation work is well known, and it is well known because it is excellent, and it is excellent because he has such a solid grasp of the concepts (grasp of concepts makes it sound too abstract) of the tradition from which the translated books emerged. I am thinking of his translations of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads, and the introductions to them which are worth the price of the books. He brings this grasp of both the Indian and Western traditions of mysticism to works such as this, Original Goodness, which is brilliant. He has an unbelievable ability to be succinct in his expression of complex ideas, and I feel that the reader new to his work will experience what I have in reading him; "so THAT'S what maya means," for example. I am writing this review in part because I saw so few reviews of it and was surprised by this. This is an outstanding, stand alone work that opens with a quote by Eckhart on the seed of goodness inherent in all creation and flows from there to such topics as getting rid of the stuff in our minds that get in the way of the perception of that divine spark. This is a great book. You'll love it.

The author explains so well how the Beatitudes can be applied in daily life. There is so much insight that one reading is not enough. I will read this book again and again.

A positive view of humanity. Much needed.

I listen to this when I can’t sleep at night and it helps me weather o fall asleep or not. Every time I listen, I hear something new, as I do with all of Eswaren’s books.

A good read, though not what I expected from the title. Easwaran offers more of a guidebook for using the Beatitudes as meditation mantram, even more a proof for the value of meditation as life practice. Still helpful, though, for sermon preparation- my intended purpose for reading.

I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend. It is a wonderful guide for spiritual living and a good introduction to a simple but effective method of medication that really works...if you work it. The writing style flows easily and keeps it interesting.

This is one of my favorite all time authors. His books are the best. I can tell you that you will enjoy anything that he has ever written. This one is another well written work by an author with a wonderful writing style that is deeply moving as well as so easily understandable; he is rather like an old friend sitting across the table from you having a heart to heart chat while at the same time really teaching you something that will change your life.