By Ram Dass. Sounds True; brumbybooks.com.au
Three years after the legendary author and spiritual guide Ram Dass rocked the Western world in 1971 with his East-meets-West tome, Remember, Be Here Now, he gave a series of captivating lectures at Naropa Institute (now Naropa University) on the essential teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, one of India’s most beloved sacred texts and a must-read for serious yoga students. Love, Service, Devotion and the Ultimate Surrender is a digitally remastered 10-CD audio learning course culled from those talks, which transcend time and embody the Gita as a living expression of the powerful, eternal quality of pure love.
Using his own life stories to illustrate the relevance of the Gita in modern life, a young Ram Dass offers wisdom teachings on topics such as karma, dharma and selfless service; mantra yoga; devotion to the guru; death and dying; trusting your heart and surrender. He interweaves quotes from recognised masters across the ages and traditions while sharing stories from the Gita and from his own journey through science, psychedelics and spiritual discipline. Ultimately, he helps us recognise the individuated nature of spiritual awakening—and reminds us that we are already in a state of grace. This inspiring 12-hour course offers concrete insights into the questions all seekers face on the spiritual path. It can (and perhaps even should) serve as a lifelong companion on your own yoga journey.
Reviewed by Kate Vogt
