Be Love Now: The Path of the Heart

The best book I have read on Hinduism. I gained a deeper understanding of several things that have always puzzled me about the religion. And I unexpectedly gained insights into Sufism, Taoism, and the Christian Gospels. Highly recommended.

I knew Ram Dass back in the 60’s when he was Richard Alpert and he, Ralph Metzner and Tim Leary were experimenting with and recommending LSD at Harvard. That was before he went to India and met his guru. This book is a lovely, articulate description of the transformative benefits of having a personal connection with a highly evolved, possibly enlightened teacher. That part really resonates with me because my own life changed unimaginably for the better after meeting someone enlightened. By remarkable synchronicity on April 29, 2002 I met Dave Oshana. On that day and since the changes continue, very much as Ram Dass describes with his teacher. I stopped being angry and did not need to meditate because meditation would happen spontaneously. Loving those around me is now effortless. Interestingly and in contrast to many spiritual teachers Dave Oshana has not adopted Hindu names, fashion or manners, since he is after all just a London lad and yet all the benefits Ram Dass describes in Be Love Now and much more can be directly and easily experienced around him.

When I first met Ram Dass in 1973, we went out to lunch at The Natural Kitchen in Tampa, Florida, where - it seemed - we spent more time gazing into each other's eyes than eating. At one moment, he said, "You and I are not we, but One." At another moment, "I love you more than you can ever love yourself." He was quoting Meher Baba, with whom we both shared history. But the essence of our connection with each other was profound. And unforgettable. In some sense, the essence of this beautiful book is that we human beings spend most of our time forgetting who we truly are. And who we truly are IS Love. In moments of Grace, like the one Ram Dass and I shared thirty-eight years ago, or the many moments of transcendent, unconditional Love he shared with his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, in India, we are given precious opportunities to remember. When Ram Dass first met Neem Karoli Baba, he was very much identified with his role as a former Harvard professor, intellectual, and psychologist. So he was - quite understandably - astounded by his Guru's ability to know everything in his mind. Only later, did Ram Dass realize that the REAL teaching was about unconditional Love. Because Neem Karoli Baba knew everything in his mind . . . and yet LOVED him unconditionally. The Guru didn't care how lurid Ram Dass' thoughts were . . . or what he had done . . . or how devious his desires might be. He just LOVED Ram Dass unconditionally, because he - himself - was a pure statement of unconditional Love. This wonderful book is a very moving exploration of the path from the mind to the heart . . . from intellect to LOVE. It is a precious revelation of the latest phase of the journey Ram Dass has been sharing with us - so eloquently, and so lovingly - for more than forty years . . . from BE HERE NOW to BE LOVE NOW . . . his own journey from, "I am a Harvard professor" to "I Am Loving Awareness." Having just spent a precious time with Ram Dass on Maui, I can honestly say that he is truly - and sincerely - immersed more and more in Loving Awareness. And his life is a living affirmation that the path he has been traversing - and sharing with us for so many years - is Real. This book is a welcome feast, and delicious nourishment for the Soul. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!

Wow. I was first attracted to this book because in the book description, it mentions a favorable review from Wayne Dyer, a Law of Attraction author/speaker. As someone studying the Law of Attraction, I was intrigued. Though the book is written from the perspective of a man following a Hindu path, the message that threads throughout the book goes beyond religion, culture, and other demographics. The book speaks to the universal language of each person's Inner Self: unconditional love. Not the diluted, clichéd meaning of unconditional love, but a love that resonates through body and soul, a constant blissful eternal love. Throughout the book, as Ram Dass chronicles his lifelong spiritual journey, inspired by his spiritual teacher Maharaj-ji, he invokes the divine by impressing the everlasting nature of true unbound love. He distinguishes between the "emotional love" that many of us are familiar with, that depends on some sort of condition. Once that condition is taken away, the love sours; it's temporary. The love that Ram Dass describes is one that flows from the Divine, the type of love that he calls "truth-consciousness-bliss." What impresses me most about this book is that Ram Dass teaches us, as human beings, to tap into ourselves to create this bliss that he has been experiencing over his lifelong journey. Some of the ways he discusses to accomplish the feeling of this love is through music, chanting, and viewing the people we encounter in our everyday lives as "divine manifestation." If we're to embody what Dass explains in this book, it would be hard not to feel a real sense of love and respect for all beings-humans, animals, plants, etc. Because it is through this love that we can experience true joy, that Dass defines as "being a part of the One." I'm delighted that I happened across this book, as I found it to be a thought provoking read. As I read through this book, I felt that joy, that natural high that one feels when you're inspired. I'd recommend this read to anyone who wants to get a better understanding--and feeling--for the real love that we can all experience and share unconditionally with others.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I feel like I understand how bhakti yoga works and the roles of guru and devotee so much better than I did before. The tales of Maharaji are very entertaining and not likely to be forgotten soon. I enjoy the accounts of other Hindu saints as well. This book came along just when I needed it. It could be a life changing book to one who is at a certain point in their journey.

Excellent book which came to me when I was looking for somethingbspiritual to read. The way the information is presented really got my attention and I felt holding a sacred book in my hands.

Truly insightful

Subtler than body are the senses Subtler than senses is the mind Subtler than mind is the intellect Subtler than intellect is he .. Bhagvat Gita If you want to go beyond rational mind and be in love and flow state .. Read it.. It is profound...

Quality of papers and cover tends to question the originality of the book. That's the only negative thing

I think this is a great book for westerners whether they (we) have read a lot of spiritual work or not. Ram Dass....Richard Alpert.....understands and offers us the wisdom of the east from his heart and true experience. Thank you for speaking from the heart, Baba Ram Dass