Eknath Easwaran was born in 1910 in Kerala, India. Growing up, he was exposed to the teachings of Hinduism and was deeply influenced by his grandmother, who was a devout practitioner. However, it wasn't until he was in college that he became truly interested in spirituality and meditation.

During his college years, Easwaran was a voracious reader and was particularly drawn to the works of Indian philosopher and spiritual leader, Sri Ramakrishna. He was captivated by Ramakrishna's message of universal love and saw it as a way to overcome the divisions and conflicts in society.

After completing his education, Easwaran worked as a professor of English literature. However, he always felt a deep longing for something more meaningful in life. This longing led him to travel to the United States in 1959, where he initially taught at the University of California, Berkeley.

It was during this time that Easwaran's interest in meditation and spirituality was reignited. He began attending lectures by renowned spiritual teacher, Swami Vivekananda, and was introduced to the practice of meditation. Easwaran was immediately drawn to the peace and stillness he experienced through meditation and saw it as a way to quiet his restless mind and find inner peace.

In 1961, Easwaran founded the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation in California, where he taught meditation and shared the teachings of Hinduism and other spiritual traditions. He also began writing books on meditation, spirituality, and the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text.

Easwaran's teachings and writings became increasingly popular, and he soon gained a following of students and readers who were drawn to his simple and practical approach to spirituality. He emphasized the importance of daily meditation and living a life of compassion, love, and service.

Throughout his life, Easwaran remained dedicated to his spiritual practice and continued to teach and write until his passing in 1999. Today, his teachings and writings continue to inspire people from all walks of life to find inner peace, live with purpose, and cultivate a deeper spiritual connection.

In conclusion, Eknath Easwaran's interest in spirituality and meditation was sparked by his upbringing and further nurtured through his studies and travels. His deep longing for a more meaningful life led him to discover the transformative power of meditation, which he dedicated his life to sharing with others.