Book Excerpts:

SpiritSite.com is pleased to offer excerpts from the following books.  You may click on a book's cover to begin, or on the links below:

Selections from Journey of Awakening: A Meditator's Guidebook:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Selections from The Only Dance There Is:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Selections from Still Here:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

Early in his life, Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) embarked upon an academic career.  Ram Dass received a Ph.D. from Stanford, and taught and conducted research in social science and education at Stanford and Harvard.  After pioneering research into psychedelic drugs and their impact on human consciousness, he embarked on a journey to India.  There he met Neem Karoli Baba, and began a rigorous spiritual training.  Returning to the United States, Ram Dass became one of the pioneers in East-West spirituality.  His books include the famous Be Here Now (review or buy).

Journey of Awakening

In Journey of Awakening (review or buy), Ram Dass offers a simple, down-to-earth explanation of the how's and why's of mediation.  In the following excerpt, he explains that meditation is akin to simply being fully "in the moment."

The Only Dance There Is

The Only Dance There Is (review or buy) is a transcript of two illuminating talks that Ram Dass gave to health professionals: one at the Menninger Foundation in 1970, and a second at Spring Grove Hospital in 1972.  The text grew from Ram Dass's spontaneous thoughts and his interaction with his audiences.

Still Here

In Still Here, Ram Dass helps us explore the joy and challenges of our lives.  Writing with his trademark humor and wisdom, he shares storeis from his own life and offers meditation exercises that help us integrate spiritual principles into daily life.  Still Here (review or buy) offers a new perspective on the territory that lies ahead.  It is a perspective on changing and dying that he hopes will make the process clearer for us all.