Paths to God: Living the Bhagavad Gita

I really didn’t expect this book to impact me the way it did, but here I am, taking the time to let others who are considering buying this book to READ IT. When I came across this book, I was looking for a commentary on the Gita, a life-changing book for me, that I read last year. So I bought this book, expecting it to clarify and further deepen my understanding of the teachings of the Gita. What I got was that and much more. It really isn’t a commentary but the base of a course taught by Ram Dass at Naropa during the 70’s that takes the key aspects of the Gita and teaches them in a way you can use in your everyday life. If the Gita has impacted your life and want to further deepen the way you can work with it everyday, GET THIS BOOK.

Great addition to Ram Dass the collection. I attempted to read the Bhagvad Gita few times but never fully grasped the allegorical references. It was kind of like reading Melville's Moby Dick without Cliff notes.After I read Paths to God, I finally understood the inner battle Arjuna faced. Ram Dass might be on a different plane but he still can bring enlightenment to us on this plane of existence.Thank you, Ram Dass. Thank you to all who collaborated to piece this book together. Love everyone and don't lie

I’ve read mannnyyy spiritual books and this one is the best! He uses the gita as prompts then applies it to real life. He touches on almost every point of his philosophy so its great book to learn more about his teachings.

They say the right teacher or teaching appears,when the student is ready. This book is a must have for all conscious students of life. It is beautifully written & full of key insights to contemplate on the path of awakening.

It was not what I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it would be a more literal interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita. If you like Ram Dass, you'll probably like this.

I have this as a digital copy and an audio book, it helps put my spirit back inline when it gets to bleak. Great book very enlightening

This book is great. Goes in understandable detail about how you can use the Gita to grow on your spiritual journey. If your inquiring about Buddhism and Hinduism and it’s overall universal applications than this is a good book for you. I have enjoyed the pictures of Ram Dass along with photographs of some original work he has done. Less traditional style that helps put some spice in your life.

Short reviews are probably more often read, though I have so much to say about this book...I'll keep it simple: Ram Dass comes from a Western tradition (Harvard, psychiatry) so he knows what our cynical, anxious minds are receptive to--and that's not mumbo jumbo and big promises. He depends on logic to convince his reader that there are practical ways in which to lead a disciplined, happy life using the Gita as a backbone. This book, though, is not really about the Gita, so much as it is about the themes in it, themes that are perennial to all enlightened paths.If you are willing to step just a little outside your comfort zone to learn ideas that may first rub you wrong, such as how and why to practice renunciation--but who would ever want to give up a habit that affords us comfort? (You'll see.) You also, obviously need to practice what he preaches (or shares, really). This is such a thoughtful and helpful book, but as always, you have to do the work yourself. But the plan is so readily apparent that your only excuse for not incorporating at least *parts* of this text in your life is a sheer lack of will power--a stubborn refusal to transcend doubt and insecurity.One of the most influential books on my lifestyle and thought process. Highly recommended. Whereas Be Here Now is easily seen a beautifully written, provocative but esoteric coffee table book, Paths to God is simple, honest, straightforward and friendly.

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.

If you are serious about spiritual life you must read / listen to cd

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

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!!