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Sipping Sunlight

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Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the wild and transformative landscape of the 60s, a time of free love and psychedelic exploration. The memoir begins with a prediction by a spiritual Black woman, which leads Ross to become an acidhead on the Lower East Side of New York. Fueled by profound LSD experiences, he initiates a spiritual quest to find the meaning of life. Woven within Ross's narrative is the inspiring tale of his parents' survival during the Holocaust and their arduous quest for a visa to America.

After living on the Lower East Side, Ross relocates to Timothy Leary's Millbrook mansion. He then moves to Canada and lives in a commune in northern British Columbia, where he builds a cabin and lives primarily off the land. He survives multiple arrests (without convictions) and a few close calls with death (one by a grizzly bear!).

This extraordinary journey continues at an ashram in India, where a deep yearning for self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment emerges. Amid the experiences, he encounters numerous miracles, gains profound spiritual insights, and survives three marriages. Remarkably, even as he attains entrepreneurial success, his quest for higher knowledge remains unquenchable, fueled by the unwavering love, grace, and guidance of God and his gurus.

368 pages, Paperback

Published May 2, 2024

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About the author

Bernard Ross

2 books61 followers
Bernard Ross is not a best-selling New York Times author, although his wife believes he should be. He began writing at 76 after selling his stake in a tech company. His books aren’t about business; they are adventures from the hippie-drenched 1960s—a subject he’s well-versed in. He’s written Sipping Sunlight, a memoir, and Busting Timothy Leary, a historical novel.

He splits his time between his homes in Delray Beach, Florida, and Brewster, New York. Ross attended City College of New York and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, became a CPA, founded three companies, and co-founded another. Ross, a child of Holocaust survivors, was born in Poland and moved to Bolivia as an infant. When he was five years old, he immigrated to the U.S.A. with his family.

Ross has practiced meditation since 1969 and credits his success in life and business to the benefits he has gained from meditation and following the ethical principles of his spiritual path. His hobbies include tennis, pickleball, travel, photography, gardening, nature walks, and writing. Ross is happily married and blessed to have a wonderful, close-knit family, including four children and four grandchildren.

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5 stars
55 (71%)
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19 (24%)
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3 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Margaret.
74 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2025
“A Heartfelt Journey Into God’s Love”

This book was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. From the very first page, I could feel the author’s sincerity pouring through the words. They didn’t try to act like life was perfect or easy, instead, they opened up about pain, hopelessness, and the feeling of being forgotten. I related to that so much. I’ve had moments in my own life where I questioned whether God even saw me, let alone loved me. Reading about how the author found peace in the middle of brokenness gave me hope that I can, too. By the time I finished, I felt lighter, encouraged, and closer to God. This isn’t just a book; it’s a testimony that will inspire anyone who’s struggling.
Profile Image for James.
65 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2025
“Exactly What My Soul Needed”

I was skeptical at first, but I’m so glad I read this. The honesty of the writing is what drew me in, it’s not some polished version of faith where everything looks perfect. The author admits to doubt, anger, and despair, and that’s what made it so real for me. I’ve been in those dark places, too, and reading about how God’s love patiently pursued someone else gave me so much encouragement. I found myself crying in parts, but also smiling with relief in others. It was like the book held up a mirror to my own heart and whispered, “You’re not alone, and God hasn’t forgotten you.” This will be one of those books I return to whenever life feels heavy.
Profile Image for Lampard.
60 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2025
“A Story That Feels Like My Own”

This book hit so close to home. There were moments when I felt like the author was writing my own story, the doubts, the mistakes, the sense of unworthiness. And yet, page by page, I could see God’s love breaking through those barriers in their life. It gave me courage to believe that the same is possible for me. The writing is so honest that it feels more like a testimony than a book, which made it incredibly powerful. I can’t thank the author enough for being willing to share so vulnerably, it gave me hope and reminded me that God’s love is truly unconditional.
Profile Image for Kinnee.
22 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2025
“A Book That Feels Like a Friend”

Some books teach, some inspire, but this one feels like sitting down with a close friend who has walked through the fire and come out holding God’s hand. The tone is warm and inviting, even when describing some very painful experiences. I felt like I wasn’t alone anymore, like someone else understood the things I’ve struggled to put into words. The way the author shared about gradually finding peace and fulfillment in God’s love made me feel like that’s possible for me too. It’s rare to find a book that blends honesty, vulnerability, and hope so beautifully. I’ll treasure this one.
Profile Image for Lauren Michelle.
8 reviews
September 24, 2025
The Wild Sixties Like You’ve Never Seen

This isn’t just another tale of the 60s. Ross brings that era alive with such vivid detail, the grit of the Lower East Side, the unpredictability of LSD trips, the unfiltered energy of a generation that was daring to break free. I could almost smell the incense, hear the guitars strumming in the background, and feel the uncertainty in the air. What makes it stand out is that Ross wasn’t just chasing fun, he was chasing truth. His reflections on those wild years made me see the 60s in a way I never had before: not just as rebellion, but as the beginning of a spiritual revolution.
Profile Image for Daniel Thomas.
6 reviews
September 24, 2025
From Acid Trips to Ashrams

What an unbelievable arc this book takes. One moment you’re in the gritty streets of New York, the next you’re in an ashram in India, and somehow it all makes sense. Ross’s journey proves that the search for God can begin anywhere, even in chaos. His LSD experiences were not just recreational; they opened doors to questions most of us avoid. And then his time in India brought those questions to a deeper, sacred level. Some of the spiritual encounters he described gave me goosebumps. This memoir shows that no matter how unconventional the path, the longing for God is universal.
Profile Image for Paula.
21 reviews
July 30, 2025
A Soulful Search Through Chaos and Calm
There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing someone navigate a lifetime of extremes, love and loss, fear and faith, ego and surrender. Ross lets you into his heart, showing both the ecstasy of spiritual discovery and the agony of losing direction. His reflections on his parents’ survival added weight and context that deepened my emotional engagement. It’s the kind of memoir that doesn’t just tell a story, it leaves a spiritual fingerprint on your soul.
Profile Image for Marielvira.
11 reviews
July 30, 2025
A Time Capsule of a Spiritual Revolution
Ross beautifully captures the restless energy of a generation searching for meaning in the haze of drugs, love, and cosmic questioning. The interweaving of his psychedelic experiments with his parents' harrowing Holocaust survival created a layered and emotionally rich narrative. His eventual surrender to spiritual wisdom felt earned, not imposed. This is the book you give someone who believes transformation isn’t possible, it gently proves them wrong.

Profile Image for Williams Scott.
37 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2025
A journey of the soul that stays with you.”
This memoir gripped me not just with its wild adventures, from psychedelic trips to near-death experiences, but with its emotional depth and spiritual honesty. Ross’s search for meaning is messy, beautiful, and completely human. I found myself highlighting entire passages that spoke directly to my own questions about life and purpose. Honestly, with a story this vivid and cinematic, I’d love to see a trailer video that brings these scenes to life visually. It would be amazing to watch even a glimpse of Ross’s journey unfold on screen.
Profile Image for Royalty Reader.
27 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2025
“An Honest Guide to God’s Peace”

What I appreciated most about this book is that it wasn’t just about the “happy ending.” It was about the process, the wrestling, the doubt, the pain, and the eventual discovery of peace in God’s presence. That made it feel real and relatable. I’ve read a lot of books that tell you what to believe, but this one shows you what it looks like to actually live through the journey. It’s like having a companion on the path who says, “I’ve been where you are, and I found hope, you can too.” It’s raw, moving, and beautifully written.
Profile Image for Michelle.
13 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2025
“Faith Made Real”

What struck me most about this book was how practical the journey felt. The author didn’t jump from hopelessness to joy overnight, they shared the small, steady steps that made God’s love come alive in their life. That encouraged me, because I’ve often felt like my faith isn’t “big enough.” This story reminded me that God meets us where we are, even in the tiniest steps. I closed the book feeling closer to Him, like I’d been given a gentle nudge forward in my own walk of faith.
Profile Image for Melvin Jack.
19 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2025
“Raw Honesty, True Hope”

So many people shy away from admitting the ugly parts of their story, but not this author. They laid it all out, the doubts, the brokenness, the times when life felt pointless, and then they showed how God’s love patiently worked through it all. That honesty made this book incredibly powerful for me. I’ve had my own struggles and often wondered if they disqualified me from God’s love. Reading this was like hearing God say, “You are not disqualified. You are loved.” I’ll be revisiting these pages whenever I need that reminder.
Profile Image for lydia.
29 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2025
“A Book That Heals the Soul”

I’ve read many books about faith, but this one touched my heart in a way few have. The vulnerability of the author’s story, combined with the deep peace they found in God, brought healing to places in my own life that I didn’t even realize needed it. I finished the book feeling lighter, as if a burden had been lifted off me. It’s rare to find a book that is both relatable and deeply spiritual, but this one managed to be both. A true five-star gem that I’ll be recommending to everyone I know.
Profile Image for John Henry.
8 reviews
September 24, 2025
Raw, Honest, and Deeply Human

What struck me most was Ross’s honesty. He doesn’t gloss over the messy parts of his life, the brushes with the law, the near-death experiences, the broken relationships. He shares it all with a voice that is both humble and fearless. I found myself nodding along as he wrestled with questions about love, God, and the meaning of life. It reminded me that no one’s path is perfect, and yet, even in the detours, we find wisdom. This memoir is not about being flawless, it’s about being real. And in that realness, it becomes incredibly inspiring.
Profile Image for Ashley Danielle.
8 reviews
September 24, 2025
History and Spirit Intertwined

I didn’t expect the Holocaust story of his parents to move me so deeply, but it absolutely did. Their survival and their determination to reach America gave me chills. It added such powerful weight to Ross’s own search for freedom and meaning, as though he was carrying their resilience inside him. The way he wove their story with his own made the memoir more than just personal, it became historical, emotional, and generational. Reading this made me reflect on how much of who we are comes from those who came before us.
6 reviews
September 24, 2025
A Survivor’s Spirit

One of the strongest threads running through this memoir is survival. His parents’ story of surviving the Holocaust was heart-wrenching, but then Ross himself survives arrests, near-death experiences, a bear attack, and even the heartbreak of failed marriages. It’s almost as if survival is woven into his DNA. And yet, he doesn’t just survive, he grows, he seeks, he evolves. That’s what makes this book so uplifting. By the time I finished, I didn’t just admire Ross for surviving, I admired him for transforming every challenge into part of his spiritual awakening.
Profile Image for Baravise.
25 reviews
July 30, 2025
Wild, Winding, and Wonderfully Human
This memoir reads like a dream sequence, sometimes lucid, sometimes chaotic, but always deeply human. Ross’s transitions from drug-fueled intensity to deep spiritual devotion were not only gripping but surprisingly relatable. He captures the ache of searching for more in a world that often offers less. While the flow of the story could feel uneven at times, the emotional core was always powerful. A beautifully strange, unforgettable ride.

Profile Image for Jade.
14 reviews
July 30, 2025
Messy, Beautiful, and Utterly Honest
Life doesn’t follow a perfect arc, and neither does Ross’s memoir. That’s what makes it feel so authentic. He gives us not just highlights, but heartbreaks, bad trips, failed relationships, deep loneliness. And yet, through it all, there’s a quiet hope that pulses through every page. His spiritual quest is less about answers and more about presence, and that’s something we could all learn from.
Profile Image for Saint.
27 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2025
A Kaleidoscopic Quest for Meaning

Reading this memoir felt like being swept into the heart of the 60s and beyond. Ross’s journey isn’t romanticized; it’s raw, messy, and utterly human. The LSD trips, the communes, the ashram in India, it’s all tied together by an honest search for truth. What moved me most was how he carried the legacy of his parents’ Holocaust survival alongside his own spiritual adventures. It’s wild, reflective, and unexpectedly tender.
Profile Image for Juliet.
35 reviews4 followers
August 4, 2025
A Life Both Ordinary and Miraculous

What I loved is how Ross’s story isn’t just about rebellion or psychedelics, it’s about finding grace through chaos. There’s humor in his brushes with death and warmth in his tales of love and heartbreak. The mix of counterculture history with deeply personal family memories makes this more than just a memoir; it feels like a testament to resilience and spiritual yearning.
Profile Image for Ameilia.
39 reviews5 followers
August 4, 2025
Psychedelics, Survival, and Spiritual Awakening

It starts as a portrait of a rebellious acidhead, but evolves into something deeper and more touching. The part about his parents’ struggle to come to America brought tears to my eyes. Then there’s the sheer bravery of living in the wilds of British Columbia, or facing a grizzly bear! At its heart, this is a story of faith, sometimes messy, sometimes miraculous, but always real.
Profile Image for Thompson.
164 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2025
A memoir that feels like a psychedelic road trip, a spiritual awakening, and a history lesson all in one. Bernard Ross takes you through the wild, luminous, and sometimes perilous twists of his life, from the Lower East Side to India, from brushes with bears to brushes with enlightenment. It’s deeply human, unexpectedly funny, and beautifully profound. This isn’t just a story you read; it’s an experience you feel.”
Profile Image for kayleen.
29 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2025
“A Gentle Reminder of God’s Nearness”

This book felt like a soft whisper to my heart: “You’re not alone.” The way the author described moving from despair into peace was so tender and relatable. It wasn’t a story of instant transformation, but of slow, patient love from God that never gave up. I found myself reflecting on my own life and realizing that even in my lowest moments, He has always been near. I walked away from this book with a renewed sense of comfort and faith.
Profile Image for Elvin.
31 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2025
“Real, Raw, and Beautiful”

So many Christian books can feel either too preachy or too far removed from real life. This one was neither. It felt like sitting across from a friend who was willing to share their journal with me, the raw pain, the brokenness, and then the slow, beautiful discovery of God’s presence. I loved how the author described small, simple steps toward faith, time alone with God, listening, and just being open to Him. That gave me practical hope that I don’t need to be perfect to start; I just need to begin. By the end of the book, I felt encouraged and reminded that God’s love isn’t for the “good” people, it’s for all of us, even when we’re at our lowest.
Profile Image for Esther.
50 reviews5 followers
September 23, 2025
“From Brokenness to Peace”

What makes this book stand out is the authenticity. The author doesn’t hide their flaws or mistakes; instead, they let the reader see the journey of how God’s love reached them in the middle of it all. I connected deeply with the parts about feeling unworthy and even thinking life was just a cruel joke. I’ve been there. To see how someone could go from that level of despair to finding peace and joy in God’s love was so inspiring. It made me realize that if God could do that for them, He can do it for me, too. I finished the book with tears in my eyes and hope in my heart.
27 reviews
September 23, 2025
“God’s Love in Action”

What touched me the most about this book was the way the author described their encounters with God, not as some dramatic lightning bolt moment, but as steady, undeniable experiences of His presence. That really resonated with me, because I’ve always thought God wouldn’t bother with someone like me. The way the story unfolds showed me that His love is constant, patient, and real. Reading about how pain turned into purpose, and despair turned into peace, was so powerful. I’ll carry the lessons from this book with me for a long time. It’s the kind of book you want to highlight, reread, and share with friends who need encouragement.
Profile Image for Sonia Taitz.
Author 5 books30 followers
September 6, 2024
Bernard Ross, the son of Holocaust survivors, has written a fascinating memoir, reflecting a fascinating life. After dropping acid in the 60s, Ross embarks on quest that is both spiritual and wildly picaresque, taking him to Timothy Leary's mansion, a commune in the wilds of British Columbia, and an Indian ashram. Intrepid and resolute, Ross eventually becomes a successful businessman, husband, father, and grandfather, all while practicing daily meditation and maintaining a heartfelt loyalty to his Jewish roots. Take the trip; Bernard Ross is a wonderful guide.
Profile Image for Brittney.
67 reviews
February 5, 2025
Wow, I could not put this book down. By just looking at the cover of the book I thought it was going to be a romance novel. However, this was a memoir of Mr. Ross. I was taken on a journey of exploring life in the 60's and holocaust family backgrounds. While reading I wanted to learn more about meditation and how to do it. THANKFULLY, at the end of the book that was a guild to how to begin. I have learned to slow down and enjoy the journey in life.

(Goodreads winner) in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Judy.
55 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2025
“Hope Restored”

I can’t remember the last time I felt so moved by a book. The author doesn’t shy away from sharing the raw truth of their past, heartache, loss, and hopelessness. But what amazed me was how all of that pain became the soil where God’s love grew something beautiful. As I read, I felt like my own heavy heart was being lifted. The way the book transitions from despair to hope was so natural and real that I almost felt like I was walking the journey alongside the author. When I closed the last page, I felt hopeful again, and that’s something I desperately needed.
Profile Image for Micheal.
19 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2025
“Like A Warm Light in the Dark”

Reading this book felt like sitting in a dark room and slowly watching the light come on. The first chapters described so much pain and hopelessness, and it reminded me of seasons in my own life where I felt the same way. But then the light of God’s love began to shine through the story, and by the end, I felt like it was shining into my own heart. I cried, I smiled, and most of all, I felt hope again. This book is more than just words on a page, it’s an experience of God’s comfort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews