Grist for the Mill

Rating:
Summary: Entheogens: Professional Listing
Review: "Grist for the Mill" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy." http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy

Rating:
Summary: Just Two Guys Making Raspberry Jam
Review: Grist For the Mill/Be Here Now. These two books I've had for years and every now and then find on my bookshelf and read them for the I don't know how manyith time. There's one part where Ram tells how he's been fasting for seven days. He's visiting his publisher who tells him he's looking a little pale, a little thin. Ram says he's on a ten day fast. As he leaves the publisher's high-rise office building, exits the elevator, he passes a homeless person who says, "Hey man, can you help me? I haven't eaten for seven days." Ram says, " That's great, you just got three more to go." Where we're at doesn't mean that's where our friends' are at, our husbands, our wives. We are so self-concerned the rest of the world barley exists. This book will help you see others' points of view in a way no self-help book ever can. Making Raspberry Jam, one of many stories in the book, is about his father. Ram is living in India, he's dropped out of Harvard Law School to study with his Buddhist Master, and gets a call from his father that his mother has died. He gets off the plane wearing a robe, long hair, beard, not looking at all like the Law Student his father remembers from only a year ago. His father, a snobby Boston Banker, is embarrassed, doesn't want his friends to see them. How they relate to each other over the next few days will make you laugh and cry, and remind you of your parents, maybe your children. It's a story you will remember for the rest of your life, and you'll tell it to your friends. Some will get it, some won't. The whole book is that way, filled with stories and insights into human nature. Buy the book just for the Raspberry Jam story and it will be worth it. If you can find hardcovers buy them both. You'll be reading these books many times. I enyoy these two books so much that if you'd like to chat about them please email me, [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: A very useful book
Review: This book really helped me bring more of my spiritual growth into my daily life. Most of the spiritual books I have read have been written by non-Americans with monastic backgrounds, and the disconnect in lifestyles has been the most difficult thing to bridge. I understand more fully now what the eastern teachers are talking about when they say that America has to create its own traditions from the teachings.