There Is No Other

An essential balm for these tumultuous times, this thoughtful and inspiring guide features newly gathered teachings to abandon the idea there is an “other,” bridging differences and cherishing our lives in the world, from beloved spiritual leader Ram Dass.

With the world seeming to teeter between democracy and authoritarianism, between humanitarianism and individualism, Ram Dass’s teachings on wholeness and unity are more needed than ever.

There Is No Other is a groundbreaking work showcasing the late spiritual leader’s thoughts and insights on broaching the divide and bringing disparate souls together. In these profound, newly gathered writings, Ram Dass shows us how a house divided against itself—whether that “house” is our individual self or the society in which we live—can come together in wholeness. There is no “other,” he explains. It is all one.

Structured in three sections, There Is No Other teaches us to open ourselves, come together in community, and love one another—and ourselves—across all our seeming contradictions and divisions. Anne Lamott contributes a beautiful foreword and each section is followed by a short essay reflecting on the endurance of Ram Dass’s ideas penned by Sharon Salzberg, Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield, and Mirabai Bush, as well as guided meditations to deepen each lesson.

As he leads us toward wholeness within our unique selves and as a human community, Ram Dass gives us the most precious gift: hope. Only in seeing ourselves in our complexity can we come together and honor our incarnations on the sacred planet we inhabit.

Author Biography

Ram Dass, one of America’s most beloved spiritual figures, has made 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. He makes his home in Maui. PARVATI MARKUS is a developmental editor and writer of spiritually-oriented non-fiction books and memoirs. Since her time in India with Maharajji (1971-72), she has worked on books by various members of the satsang, from Ram Dass’s classic Be Here Now to Dada Mukerjee’s By His Grace and The Near and the Dear to Krishna Das’s recent Chants of a Lifetime. She is a former President of the Board of the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram and Temple and a development consultant for the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders, held at the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland.