One-Liners: A Mini-Manual for a Spiritual Life

by Ram Dass

Ram Dass has always been a master of the one-liner. Here is the nitty-gritty by the author of Be Here Now—more than 200 penetrating observations and pithy spiritual instructions on such topics as How It All Is, Love and Devotion, Suffering, Aging, Planes of Consciousness, Death and Dying, Service and Compassion, Psychedelics, Social Awareness, and Liberation.“This book is a kind of spiritual brandy, a distillation of the lectures I’ve given over the course of the past decade or so. These quotes are the little “aha!” moments, the cameos that have been served up out of our collective consciousness from time to time that seem to summarize something about our human journey. I think of this book as something you might have next to the coffeepot to pick up in the morning, or as something you might tuck into your backpack to pull out during your bus ride to work, in order to reframe the way you look at your day.” —Ram Dass

Genres: Spirituality

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2002

About the author

Ram Dass (Richard Alpert), was one of America's most beloved spiritual figures, making his mark on the world giving teachings and promoting loving service, harmonious business practices, and conscious care for the dying. His spirit has been a guiding light for four generations, carrying millions along on the journey, helping free them from their bonds as he has worked his way through his own.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bathroom reader by Ram Dass, full of pithy sayings that would fit into fortune cookies. Here's one of my favorites: "Treat everyone you meet like God in drag."

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Treat everyone you meet,as if they were God in drag"

[Jory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a mixed relationship with a books of this nature; it always seems a little shallow and self-serving to collect a bunch of quotes and sell it under the guise of “wisdom.”

Upon relinquish my reluctance, and accepting the premise of the book’s purpose and journey, I did enjoy a few snippets of the book. I highly recommend the audiobook of his lectures on aging; I believe many of these quotes are cut from that cloth of work.

On a more positive note, a quote is a potential upheaval in your own perspective and many of his quotes a jumping off point for larger discussions about consciousness, virtue, and aging.

[Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 Library book. Not all of these "one liners" spoke to me, but the ones that did were very thought provoking and I will revisit and ponder them in the future. Just open a page anywhere, there is something for everyone in this book....

[Richard W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a perfect way to start your day!

Seamless integration of years of inspiration. Easy to comb through and his chapters group the essence of Ram Dass’s eloquence.

[Steve Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

These are indeed one liners! There are some pithy observations here but I was disappointed given my use of books like this as a meditation to begin the day, there just wasn't enough meat in the readings for me; that is not to detract from the profundity of much Ram Dass has to say.