Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita

I highly recommend this book. It took me ages to read this book, not because it is a very long book, but because what was in it made me often stop reading and pondering philosophical the concepts the author was putting forth. It made me do lots of pondering between paragraphs and the like (and for this reason I easily lost my place). I was in hospital at the time and found it be a great spiritual support in a very negative environment. Certainly, what is presented here is a spiritual classic - the author goes through many topics, in particular I found his explanations of reincarnation and karma to be very insightful and gave me new perspective on these ideas. The book also has some charming and fascinating ancedotes about Ram Dass life with Baba and his adventures in meditation - I found the story about his meditations with the Zen masters Koan very entertaining. A book writetn with great wisdom and humility from a modern spiritual master. If you are just a little bit interested in these topics - I'd highly recommend this book.

I found this to be an honest and clear book on paths to God, primarily from within the bhakti yoga path but very inclusive of others. I was particularly moved by Ram Dass's recognition that he needed to surrender to a guru, that this was the right path for him, a Western academic of some standing. It also gave me the freedom to recognise that this is not my path, and the confidence to explore my own. I also found the chapter on karma very enlightening. I was for the first time able to personally penetrate what this meant in my own life. To be read with the heart open.

Very well put together a great read .

From the legend that is/was Ram Dass, a practical 'Western' approach to this sacred spiritual text.

I have owned this book for a couple of weeks now and am on my third read. Ram Dass makes the Gita so accessible and has some excellent pointers for enabling Westerners to live the Gita in daily life. I was lucky enough to be able to read this whilst travelling to a course on the Gita, and having the two together was just incredible. Thank you so much Ram Dass!!

Only criticism is that this book could well have been edited better. Otherwise a nice addition to one's spiritual library.

I found Ram Dass's writing to be an really enjoyable, enlightening and educational read. I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in understanding the Bhagavad Gita or is studying yoga.

Inspiring!

Can't miss this book if you want to dive deeper into the spiritual and historic side of yoga and its scriptures. Good base for life-long learning and continuous study.

I have always had a great interest in the Gita, and read it a few times when I was younger. Although I gained the gist of it, I definitely felt there was more to explore there. Ram Dass has shared a lot of really deep conundrums and thoughts about walking the path, and they are very much grounded in experience. I love his thoughts on the Yamas and Niyamas. I also love the "workbook" for living that comes along with it. Thank you :)

Your mind initially is a sponge that soaks up water , later in life this water crystallizes and if you are able to Mediate(Properly) , you will become a Mirror .

I have read this gem of a book twice now and it truly has become one of the most influential books of my personal spirituality. Ram Dass interprets the wisdom of the Gita in a way that is remarkably comprehensive, poetic, and resonates deeply with the modern westerner who is following the yogic/bhakti path. The chapters on Karma Yoga and Brahman contain some of the most profound commentary I have ever read on the subject. This book speaks to me in a way that no other text or book has, and has revolutionized both my spirituality and my daily sadhana. Truly Ram Dass’ best work. Texts that may help prepare you for this read would be the Bhagavad Gita itself, but also Be Here Now and Grist for the Mill both also written by Ram Dass. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as well.

I am so happy to have this physical book to return to. I loved Ram Dass's stories about his time with his Guru. Now I need to read the Bhagavad Gita!