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Mantram Handbook
The Mantram Handbook describes methods of using a mantram
The Mantram Handbook
sometimes called a Holy Name in daily living. Benefits are also
described. Written by Eknath Easwaran, the book was originally published
in the United States in 1977. Several subsequent editions have been
published, sometimes under different titles, in the United States, the
United Kingdom, and India. Foreign (non-English) editions have also been
published in several languages.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The book
has been reviewed in newspapers,[15][16][17][18][19][20] magazines,[21] and
websites,[22] and discussed in professional journals.[23][24][25] It has also
been a focus of scientific research.[26] The subtitle of the fifth (2009) US
edition is: a practical guide to choosing your mantram & calming your
mind.

Contents
1 Topics covered
2 Reviews and influence
3 Research Author Eknath Easwaran

4 Editions Language English original, plus

5 References translations: Bahasa
Indonesian,[1] Dutch,[2]
6 External links
German,[3][4][5][6]
Hungarian,[7] Italian,[8]

Topics covered Korean,[9] Lithuanian,[10]

Spanish,[11][12][13] Telugu
Easwaran's Mantram Handbook provides an introduction to the practice
Publisher Nilgiri Press; others
of repeating mantrams and/or holy names, terms the author uses
interchangeably.[28] The book offers the author's practical guidance for
Publication 1977 (original); 2009;
date others
choosing a mantram and using it for personal centering and spiritual
growth. In the opening chapters, the author recommends selecting a single Pages 260 (1977)
mantram (such as those in the table at right), and suggests that the reader ISBN 978-1-58638-028-1
"take your time choosing a
mantram..... then, once you have Recommended Mantrams from Diverse Traditions*[27]
chosen a mantram, do not change (discussed: Mantram Handbook, chapter 3)
it."[29]:26 Most of the remainder of the Christianity Jesus, Ave Maria, the Jesus Prayer (from Eastern
book discusses how to integrate the Orthodoxy), and Gospodi pomilui (Russian, "Lord, have
mercy")
mantram into daily living to improve
Hinduism Rama ('joy', used by Mahatma Gandhi), Om Sri Ram jai
skills and solve various types of Ram jai jai Ram (used by Swami Ramdas), Om namah
problems. Late in the book, Easwaran Shivaya, Hare Rama, Hare Krishna...
describes how the mantram can be Buddhism Namu Amidabutsu, Om mani padme hum
combined with other spiritual Judaism Barukh attah Adonai, Ribono shel olam ("Lord of the
practices, such as meditation. universe," Hassidic)
Easwaran's approach is distinctive, in Islam Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim, Allah.

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that he recommends a method of *"mantrams of proven power, bequeathed to us by the great spiritual teachers of
many traditions"[27]:29
sitting meditation that does not focus
on the mantram.[23] 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,[30] each edition of the Mantram Handbook has contained the same 12 major parts:

1. Initiation into theDescribes author's own experience of benefit from a mantram.

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."[29]:1920
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."[29]:26
3. Some Great Gives conceptual and devotional background for mantrams/holy
Mantrams names from various traditions, including Christianity, Hinduism,
Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam (see table above).
4. Making the Mantram Explains that "when you begin to look for opportunities to say the
Part of Your Day. mantram, you find them everywhere."[29]:53 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 Explains the value of a "well-trained mind" that is free from
Steady. unnecessary vacillation. Six subsections include 'below the
surface of consciousness', 'a still mind', 'the mantram is a
transformer', and 'the elephant and the bamboo'.[31]
6. Overcoming Likes & One can become "mature... not conditioned by compulsive likes
Dislikes. and dislikes, habits and opinions.... through repetition of the
mantram and exercising the will,"[29]:7778 thereby conserving "a
tremendous amount of our vital energy."[29]:77 Nine subsections
include 'tackling jobs we dislike', 'learning to drop a job at will',
and 'freedom in personal relationships'.
7. Excitement & Using the mantram to avoid cycles of excitement followed by
Depression. depression. Five subsections include 'different faces of
excitement', 'the pendulum', and 'guarding against depression'.
8. Harnessing Fear, Negative emotions are "power going to waste.... the mantram...
Anger, & Greed. can harness all this destructive power... and transform it: fear into
fearlessness, anger into compassion, and greed into the desire to
be of service"[29]:110 Sixteen subsections include 'when anger,
fear, or greed is sweeping you away', 'worry', 'anxiety',
'harnessing anger's power'.
9. The Mantram at the At death, major religious traditions say that our individual
Time of Death. consciousness merges into a divine reality "if we have been
repeating the mantram... until it has become an integral part of
our consciousness"[29]:134 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
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dedication",[29]:140 the "highest goal of life... though different

religions call it by different names."[29]:139 Six subsections include
'the world of separateness', 'ego', and 'effort and grace'.
11. The Mantram and Briefly describes Easwaran's eight point program of Passage
Other Spiritual Meditation (see article), in which Point 1 is meditating on an
Disciplines. inspirational passage, and Point 2 is mantram repetition.[32]
12. Becoming "Over a period of many years.... the mantram [can] become an
Established in the integral part of your being, permeating your consciousness...
Mantram. [which corresponds to] what Saint Paul means by 'pray without
ceasing'."[29]:181 This "transforms our entire vision of life",[29]:189
and "the joy of this state has to be experienced to be
described"[29]:179
The most recent (5th) US edition contains a foreword by Daniel H. Lowenstein.[33] 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 imaging (MRI), we know that concentrating on a short phrase will
activate specific areas in the front and side of the brain. These areas, the frontal and parietal lobes, are
involved in selective attention - 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.[29]:7

The book also contains an index.

Reviews and influence

Reviews of the Mantram Handbook have appeared in The Hindu,[15][16] Business Standard (India),[17] The Economic
Times (India),[18] The B.C. Catholic,[34] the Pacific Sun,[19] Cosmos (Australia),[20] Medical Self-Care,[35] Journal of
Ecumenical Studies,[23] Journal of Psychology and Christianity,[24] Journal of Transpersonal Psychology,[25] and
Booklist.[21] The Mantram Handbook has also been discussed in books authored by Andrew Weil,[36] in books edited
by Thomas G. Plante[26][37] and J. Harold Ellens,[38] and on websites such as Spirituality and Health.[22]

Andrew Weil stated that the Mantram Handbook "is the only book I have seen on the use of mantram as a centering
technique."[36]:141

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.[17]

In the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 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

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situations, this book is also uniquely universal as a resource for professionals working with diverse
populations.[24]:15

In The Hindu, 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.[15]:34

Also in The Hindu, M. P. Pandit 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 samsara.[16]

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":[18]:8

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.[18]:8

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."[23]:~203 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.[23]:~203

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."[25]:206 But
Weide recommended the book "highly to the total transpersonal public, not just to mantram lovers,"[25]:207 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.[25]:2067

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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."[17]

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."[35]:15 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."[21]:440

Sections of the book have been excerpted.[39]

Research
The Mantram Handbook was the primary instructional text in several research studies on mantram repetition
conducted through the Veterans Administration in San Diego, California, by Jill Bormann and her
colleagues.[26][37]:101[38]:90[40] 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.[37]:1034[38]:923
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.[37]:1034[38]:923
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.[41]

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,[1] Dutch,[2] German,[3] German,[4][5][6] Hungarian,[7]
Italian,[8] Korean,[9] Lithuanian,[10] Spanish,[11][12][13] and Telugu.[42]

English-language editions have been published in the United States, the United Kingdom and India. The US editions
are:

Easwaran, Eknath (2009). The Mantram Handbook: A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Mantram &
Calming Your Mind (5th ed.). Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press. ISBN 978-1-58638-028-1. OCLC 234041052 (http
s://www.worldcat.org/oclc/234041052). (200 pages)
Easwaran, Eknath (1998). The Mantram Handbook (4th, revised ed.). Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press.
ISBN 978-0-915132-98-0. ISBN 0-915132-98-2 (224 pages)
Easwaran, Eknath (1993). The Unstruck Bell: Powerful New Strategies for Using a Mantram (3rd ed.).
Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press. ISBN 0-915132-76-1. ISBN 0-915132-77-X (223 pages)
Easwaran, Eknath (1985). Formulas for Transformation: A Mantram Handbook (2nd ed.). Petaluma, CA:
Nilgiri Press. ISBN 0-915132-30-3. ISBN 978-0-915132-30-0, OCLC 317382577 (https://www.worldcat.org/
oclc/317382577) (260 pages)
Easwaran, Eknath (1977). The Mantram Handbook: Formulas for Transformation (1st ed.). Berkeley, CA:
Nilgiri Press. ISBN 0-915132-10-9. ISBN 978-0-915132-10-2, OCLC 2837587 (https://www.worldcat.org/ocl
c/2837587)(dup: OCLC 213841557 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/213841557)) (260 pages)

A British edition:

Easwaran, Eknath (1978). The Mantram Handbook (1st ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 978-
0-7100-8974-8. ISBN 0-7100-8974-0 (260 pages)

Two Indian editions:

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Easwaran, Eknath (2013). [foreword by Daniel H. Lowenstein]. The Mantram Handbook: A Practical Guide
to Choosing Your Mantram and Calming Your Mind. Mumbai, India: Jaico. ISBN 978-81-8495-450-0.
OCLC 865538440 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/865538440). ISBN 8184954506[43]

Easwaran, Eknath (1997). The Mantram Handbook. New Delhi, India: Penguin, India (Arkana). ISBN 978-
0-14-019113-4. ISBN 0-14-019113-5 (232 pages)[44]

References
1. Eknath Easwaran (2002). Sayap-Sayap Rajawali ("Eagles Wings") (http://www.gramedia.com/buku_detail.asp?id
=EEUJ1242&kat=3). Jakarta, Indonesia: PT Gramedia (http://www.gramedia.com/) ISBN 979-686-877-6 (225
pages)
2. Eknath Easwaran (2002). Het mantrahandboek (Mantram handbook) (https://books.google.com/books?id=vQybA
QAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Easwaran&lr=lang_nl&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_
maxy_is=&num=50&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a&cd=4) (W. J. van Maarschalkerweerd-Bakker, trans.). BRES
Publishing. ISBN 978-90-6229-082-6 (189 pages)
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word) (https://books.google.com/books?id=iXC3AAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Easwaran&lr=lang_de&as_drrb_is=q&a
s_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=50&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a) Freiburg im
Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 3-7626-0266-2, ISBN 978-3-7626-0266-8, OCLC 74527748 (https://www.
worldcat.org/oclc/74527748) (256 pages)
4. Eknath Easwaran (1989). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the
word) (http://www.worldcat.org/title/mantram-hilfe-durch-die-kraft-des-wortes/oclc/74742858?ht=edition&referer=d
i) Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7626-0629-1, OCLC 74742858 (https://www.worldca
t.org/oclc/74742858) (dup.: OCLC 74997702 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/74997702)) (255 pages)
5. Eknath Easwaran (2000). Mantram, Hilfe durch die Kraft des Wortes (Mantram: Help through the power of the
word) (http://www.worldcat.org/title/mantram-hilfe-durch-die-kraft-des-wortes/oclc/76096688?ht=edition&referer=d
i). Freiburg im Breisgau: Bauer Hermann Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7626-0757-1, OCLC 76096688 (https://www.worldca
t.org/oclc/76096688) (256 pages)
6. Eknath Easwaran (2010). Das Mantra-buch: Zauberworte fr alle Lebenslagen (The mantram book: magic words
for any situation) (https://books.google.com/books?id=zs_dPwAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Easwaran&lr=lang_de&as_d
rrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=50&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a).
Goldmann Wilhelm. ISBN 978-3-442-21894-3 (250 pages)
7. Eknath Easwaran (1997). Bens harang (http://www.antikvarium.hu/ant/book.php?konyv-cim=benso-harang&ID=
42982) (Dank Zoltan, trans.). Budapest, HU: desvz (Freshwater). ISBN 963-528-201-X (190 pages)
8. Eknath Easwaran (2000). Mantra. Parole, preghiere, sillabe sacre per raggiungere l'equilibrio interiore (Mantram:
Words, prayers, sacred syllables to achieve inner balance) (https://books.google.com/books?id=ABoDPQAACAA
J&dq=inauthor:Easwaran&lr=lang_it&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=
&num=50&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a&cd=3) (G. Arca, trans.). Red Studio Reazionale. ISBN 978-88-7031-666-7
(192 pages)
9. Eknath Easwaran (2016). : ("Mandir: Training that can be done anytime
and anywhere") (http://www.siminlib.go.kr:8080/searchL2/index.php?act=viewSearchResultDetail&searchRecKey
=120018311&page=208&mod=wdDataSearch&holdDay=6&dataSort=it+desc) (Kim Byung Chae, trans.)
Changwon, South Korea: Shri Krishna Das Ashram. ISBN 978-89-91596-51-1 (236 pages)
10. Eknath Easwaran (2003). Mantru knyga (Mantram book) (http://www.manoknyga.lt/knyga/mantru-knyga.html)
(Danguole alyt, trans.). Vilnius: Alma Littera, Ltd. (http://www.almali.lt). ISBN 9955-08-401-4 (190 pages)
11. Eknath Easwaran(2000). El libro de los mantras (https://books.google.com/books?id=EhNgAAAACAAJ&dq=inaut
hor:Easwaran&lr=lang_es&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=50&
as_brr=0&source=gbs_book_other_versions) (Carles Andreu Saburit, trans.). RBA Integral. ISBN 84-7901-572-1,
ISBN 978-84-7901-572-5, OCLC 47785412 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/47785412) (174 pages)
12. Eknath Easwaran(2002). El libro de los mantras (Mantram book) (https://books.google.com/books?id=Qs-pQwAA
CAAJ&dq=inauthor:Easwaran&lr=lang_es&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_max
y_is=&num=50&as_brr=0&cd=12). Spain: RBA Libros (http://www.rba.es/libros). ISBN 84-473-2780-9, ISBN 978-
84-473-2780-5 (174 pages)

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13. Eknath Easwaran(2002). El libro del mantra (http://www.worldcat.org/title/libro-del-mantra/oclc/49876597?ht=editi

on&referer=di) (Rosa Corgatelli, trans.). Argentina: Editorial Atlantida (http://www.editorialatlantida.com.ar).
ISBN 950-08-2623-2, ISBN 978-950-08-2623-5, OCLC 49876597 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49876597) (224
pages)
14. Foreign editions of Nilgiri Press Books, http://www.easwaran.org/page/150 Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/
20100613041054/http://easwaran.org/page/150) 2010-06-13 at the Wayback Machine., accessed 1 August 2010.
15. Anita Joshua (2 November 1997). " "Mantram" Demystified [review of Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]".
The Hindu. p. 34. ISSN 0971-751X
16. M. P. Pandit (6 April 1993). "Energising word: Higher and lower selves: Timeless Gita [review of Meditation and
Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]" (http://www.hindu.com/br/2004/03/16/stories/2004031600131806.ht
m). The Hindu.
17. Apratim Barua. "A guide to spiritual discipline [review of Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]" (http://www.b
usiness-standard.com/india/news/a-guide-to-spiritual-discipline/57946/). Business Standard (India). Business
Standard Ltd (BSL). ISSN 0019-5812, OCLC 496280002 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/496280002)
18. Anonymous (5 October 1997). "Refashion your life [review of Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]". The
Economic Times (India). The Times Group. p. 8.
19. Bea Knight-Johnson (2127 October 1977). "Untitled [review of Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]".
Pacific Sun. p. 33.
20. Menkit Prince (November 1979). "Untitled [review of Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]". Cosmos
(Australia). p. 16.
21. CF (1977). "Untitled [review of Mantram Mandbook, by Eknath Easwaran]". Booklist. Vol. 74 no. 5. p. 440.
22. Review of Easwaran's Mantram Handbook (http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/books.php?id=18718) at
www.spiritualityandpractice.com (accessed 19 June 2010).
23. E. James Baesler (2001). "The prayer of the holy name in eastern and western spiritual traditions: A theoretical,
cross-cultural, and intercultural prayer dialogue" (http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&A
N=9173093&site=ehost-live). Journal of Ecumenical Studies. 38 (2/3): 196216.
24. Doug Oman & Joseph D. Driskill (2003). "Holy name repetition as a spiritual exercise and therapeutic technique"
(http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=9548050&site=ehost-live). Journal of
Psychology and Christianity. Christian Association for Psychological Studies. 22 (1): 519.
25. Thomas N. Weide (1977). "Untitled [review of the Mantram Handbook, by Eknath Easwaran]". Journal of
Transpersonal Psychology. 9 (2): 206.
26. Jill E. Bormann (2010). Thomas G. Plante, ed. "Mantram repetition: A "portable contemplative practice" for
modern times" (https://books.google.com/books?id=o359RAAACAAJ&dq=isbn:978-0-313-38256-7&hl=en&ei=wD
a2TJr9OYObnAe47MD_AQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAA). Contemplative
practices in action: Spirituality, meditation, and health [foreword by Huston Smith]. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger:
7899. ISBN 978-0-313-38256-7.
27. Easwaran writes that "I wouldn't suggest making up your own mantram.... Choose a mantram of proven power,
one which has enabled many men and women before you to realize for themselves the unity of life. The roots of
such a mantram are far deeper than we can know when we first begin to use it, and this is what enables it to grow
in our consciousness.... All of the mantrams which I recommend are mantrams of proven power, bequeathed to
us by the great spiritual teachers of many traditions." (pp. 28-29, Mantram Handbook, 2009 edition, ISBN 978-1-
58638-028-1).
28. Furthermore, "Mantram and mantra are different forms of the same Sanskrit word. Both are correct." (p. 12,
Mantram Handbook, 2009 edition, ISBN 978-1-58638-028-1).
29. Mantram Handbook, 2009 edition, ISBN 978-1-58638-028-1.
30. The first two editions (1977, 1985) lacked 1 ("Initiation into the mantram"), 2 ("Choosing a mantram"), and 6
("Overcoming likes & dislikes") that were included in third and subsequent editions. The first two editions also
included two sections that were omitted from later editions: an initial section ("What the mantram is"), and a final
section ("Suggestions for further reading").

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31. The Hindu tradition "will often compare the mind to the trunk of an elephant - restless, inquisitive, and always
straying.... But the wise majout, if he knows his elephant well, will just give that trunk a short bamboo stick to hold
on to before the procession starts. Then... The mind is very much like this. Most of the time it has nothing to hold
on to, but we can keep it from straying into all kinds of absurd situations if we just give it the mantram" (pp. 75-76,
Mantram Handbook, 2009 edition, ISBN 9781586380281).
32. The 8 points of the Passage Meditation program are: 1. Meditation (on a memorized passage), 2. The Mantram,
3. Slowing down, 4. One-pointed attention, 5. Training the senses, 6. Putting others first, 7. Spiritual fellowship, 8.
Spiritual reading.
33. The first US edition also contained a foreword by Richard B. Applegate.
34. St. Pierre, Paul Matthew (1993). "Heaven's Bells!". The B.C. Catholic. 63 (43). Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Vancouver. p. 19.
35. Tom Ferguson (February 1979). "The Mantram Handbook [review of book by Eknath Easwaran]" (https://books.go
ogle.com/books?ei=RLoBTJ3xHIT6NcbYgTw&ct=result&id=LFVrAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22medical+self-care%22+fer
guson+easwaran&q=mantram+easwaran#search_anchor). Medical Self-Care. 5: 1516. (edited by Thomas
William Ferguson)
36. Weil, Andrew (2004). Natural health, natural medicine: The complete guide to wellness and self-care for optimum
health (https://books.google.com/books?id=UR0EtcjBz4MC&pg=PA140&dq=easwaran+%22mantram+handboo
k%22&hl=en&ei=tPIcTPWzHIOCNP60qYEN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=23&ved=0CJEBEOgBMB
Y#v=onepage&q=easwaran%20%22mantram%20handbook%22&f=false). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
ISBN 978-0-618-47903-0.
37. Jill E. Bormann & Doug Oman (2007). Thomas G. Plante & Carl E. Thoresen, ed. "Mantram or holy name
repetition: Health benefits from a portable spiritual practice" (https://books.google.com/books?id=xQxUYku5UIMC
&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:0275995062&cd=1#v=snippet&q=mantram%20portable&f=false). Spirit, science
and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness. Westport, CT: Praeger: 94112. ISBN 0-275-99506-2.
38. Jill E. Bormann & Doug Oman (2009). J. Harold Ellens, ed. "Mantram or holy name repetition: Healing power of a
portable spiritual practice". The healing power of spirituality [volume 1]. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger: 83104.
ISBN 978-0-313-36645-1.
39. Eknath Easwaran (1991). "Interrelationship of spiritual disciplines." In Anonymous, ed. (1991). The Razor's Edge
(https://books.google.com/books?id=P4nO4z5vXLoC). Mumbai, India: Chinmaya Mission. pp. 6070.
40. According to Bormann & Oman (2007, 2009), some more recent studies have used an alternative exposition of
the same approach to mantram repetition: Easwaran, Eknath (2005). Strength in the storm: Creating calm in
difficult times (https://books.google.com/books?id=so6iDkv8tBQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=easwaran+isbn:97815
86380175&hl=en&ei=Uw2xTIHGNoTmsQOH9r2AAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6
AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false). (Introductions by Christine Easwaran). Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press. ISBN 978-1-
58638-017-5. ISBN 1-58638-017-6
41. Jinsun Yong; Juhu Kim; Junyang Park; Imsun Seo; John Swinton (2011). "Effects of a spirituality training program
on the spiritual and psychosocial well-being of hospital middle manager nurses in Korea". Journal of Continuing
Education in Nursing. 42 (6): 280288. ISSN 0022-0124 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0022-0124).
PMID 21162467 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21162467). doi:10.3928/00220124-20101201-04 (https://d
oi.org/10.3928%2F00220124-20101201-04).
42. Publisher's website (http://www.easwaran.org/page/150) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100613041054/
http://easwaran.org/page/150) 2010-06-13 at the Wayback Machine. (accessed 1 Aug 2010) lists the existence of
a translation into Telugu, published through the Ashok Book Centre, India.
43. Easwaran, Eknath (2013). [foreword by Daniel H. Lowenstein]. The Mantram Handbook: A Practical Guide to
Choosing Your Mantram and Calming Your Mind. Mumbai, India: Jaico. ISBN 978-81-8495-450-0.
OCLC 865538440 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/865538440). ISBN 8184954506
44. Easwaran, Eknath (1997). The Mantram Handbook (http://www.flipkart.com/book/mantram-handbook-eknath-eas
waran/0140191135). New Delhi, India: Penguin, India (Arkana). ISBN 978-0-14-019113-4. ISBN 0-14-019113-5
(232 pages)

External links
Mantram research studies (http://jillbormann.com/5.html) (list, description, links)

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1/11/2017 Mantram Handbook - Wikipedia

Medical School Commencement Address about Mantram (see 13:20) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmj1RI

LYSSw) on YouTube
(at UCSF, by Daniel Lowenstein, author of Foreword to Mantram Handbook, 5th ed.)

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