buddhist books by Rama's students

Interview With The Author

Why did you decide to write a book?

I read several excerpts from my journals, and those writings inspired me. They reminded me of the incredible moments that I experienced with Rama, in fact I felt like I was touching the truth and energy again. Books like The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, My Baba and I, and Grist for the Mill were magical adventures as well as teachers. I felt inspired to write a book that would tell the story of a teacher and a student. I decided to use the novel format because I personally prefer reading that genre.

What did you learn by writing a book?

I learned how to sit at a blank computer screen and get quiet, and let the muse flow. I learned that different levels of self surface through the medium of writing, and over the years I have learned the writing is a reflection of consciousness. As I read what I have written, and continue to write I am appalled at my limited vocabulary.

Do you have any suggestions to help others publish their books?

I encourage everyone to take the time to write. Write for yourself. Write with the understanding that you will open your own doorways to self discovery. When you feel the shift to write for an audience, enjoy that new process. You will notice that you will write, rewrite, and edit again and again as you refine the words that reflect your awareness. That is the fun part. When you think you have a product that is ready to publish, I recommend that you use a self-publishing company. I used Xlibris, but explore the internet for options. I have heard that the traditional publishers are only taking established writers. If you choose to send a manuscript to a traditional publisher through queries plan on a lot of time to pass and be prepared for rejection.

How do you inspire yourself to write?

I am not sure that I "do" anything. It is always more fun to write when a wave of creativity floods my mind. I often force myself to sit and write, even when I don't feel inspired. Sometimes those forced sessions at the computer render a delicious entree. Sometimes not. Books about writing have been very helpful. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is excellent. I met a old Italian painter whose walk is very slow and painful. He is eighty something, and as I talked to him I was amazed at the way he brought words together that rarely meet. He told me that he sits in front of a canvas every day, and has since he was 7 years old. He waits there in front of the blank canvas, without plans or techniques, and then paints.

Do you have any funny stories about things that happened while you were writing the book?

I had written about 80 pages of my book, and edited it a time or two, but it was an infant. My friend Liz of Ramalila, (is that like Robin of Hood), was in the process of transcribing Rama's lectures. With only a day's warning, we learned that Rama was coming to San Diego for his book signing. Twenty-four hours later I was handing my bound manuscript, and 12 bound tape transcriptions to Rama. He assured me that he always read everything that he received. That night at the workshop on the Bay at Paradise Cove Rama talked about the process of writing his book. He said he began writing it about two years ago, put it down, and then it was almost as if the book forced its own birth. It was as if he had no choice in the decision. I laughed because he was describing my experience, and it sounded like we had been writing on the same timetable. It took me another year or so to complete my book, and by then he had completed the sequel.

Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

The combination of meditation and writing is powerful magic!