HomeThe main page of Asian Reflection Perennial Joy1st extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Razor's Edge2nd extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Ruler Within3rd extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher The Tree of Eternity4th extract from the Katha Upanishad, which casts death as the perfect teacher Simple UnionSimple Union was penned by the Punjabi mystic Kabir, adored by Muslims and Hindus alike The Path to Your DwellingMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Life of My LifeMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Come, BelovedMeera looked to the Hindu figure Krishna as her husband, and won the respect of India with her verse Finding UnityLao Tzu gets straight to the point in this delightful passage Discourse on Good WillThis Buddhist text speaks of love and unity, reminding us of our highest aspirations The IslandFacing fear of death can be a great motivator for those on the spiritual path, and this simple Buddhist speaks confidently of what can be achieved

The Island

Facing fear of death can be a great motivator for those on the spiritual path, and this simple Buddhist speaks confidently of what can be achieved.

For those struggling in midstream, in great fear of the flood, of growing old and of dying - for all those I say, an island exists where there is no place for impediments, no place for clinging: the island of no going beyond. I call it nirvana, the complete destruction of old age and dying.

From God Makes the Rivers to Flow by Eknath Easwaran, founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, copyright © 1991; republished by permission of Nilgiri Press, Tomales, California.