Today more Americans than ever consider themselves to be "spiritual" people, and yet attendance at religious institutions is down, perhaps because many of us are searching for a way to encounter the divine on our own terms. In this groundbreaking, eloquently written work, renowned religious scholar Andrew Harvey builds on his twenty-five-year study of the world’s various mystical traditions, from Buddhism to the Kabbalah, to create an illuminating spiritual map that anyone can use to develop a direct path to the divine without relying on churches, gurus, or other intermediaries. Perfect for anyone who yearns for fresh teachings and wisdom that will bring them closer to their life’s purpose and meaning, The Direct Path is an intelligent, beautifully crafted masterpiece from one of today's most celebrated and respected spiritual luminaries. "Typical of Andrew, he has written yet another brilliant book. The Direct Path embraces the truth in the world's mystical traditions while offering a very intimate direction to those on a spiritual path." --Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit "Andrew Harvey captures the rigor, creativity, and essence of the mystic path. Join his insight for the spiritual dance of your life. The Direct Path opens the ears, eyes, and heart of the Spirit." --Don Campbell, author, The Mozart Effect? "Chock full of spiritual practices from the world's various mystical traditions, The Direct Path offers something for every spiritual seeker whether she's looking to get her feet wet or take the plunge." -- Seattle Weekly " The Direct Path leads us directly to the heart of the matter, the source and spirit of all life. Andrew Harvey is uniquely qualified to guide us on this journey, and this book of personal insights and spiritual exercises will nourish and nurture us along every step of the perennial way." --Lama Surya Das, author of Awakening the Buddha Within and Awakening to the Sacred mericans than ever consider themselves to be "spiritual" people, and yet attendance at religious institutions is down, perhaps because many of us are searching for a way to encounter the divine on our own terms. In this groundbreaking, eloquently written work, renowned religious scholar Andrew Harvey builds on his twenty-five-year study of the world s various mystical traditions, from Buddhism to the Kabbalah, to create an illuminating spiritual map that anyone can use to develop a direct path to the divine without relying on churches, gurus, or other intermediaries. Perfect for anyone who yearns for fresh teachings and wisdom that will bring them closer to their life s purpose and meaning, The Direct Path is an intelligent, beautifully crafted masterpiece from one of today's most celebrated and respected spiritual luminaries. Today more Americans than ever consider themselves to be "spiritual" people, and yet attendance at religious institutions is down, perhaps because many of us are searching for a way to encounter the divine on our own terms. In this groundbreaking, eloquently written work, renowned religious scholar Andrew Harvey builds on his twenty-five-year study of the world's various mystical traditions, from Buddhism to the Kabbalah, to create an illuminating spiritual map that anyone can use to develop a direct path to the divine without relying on churches, gurus, or other intermediaries. Perfect for anyone who yearns for fresh teachings and wisdom that will bring them closer to their life's purpose and meaning, The Direct Path is an intelligent, beautifully crafted masterpiece from one of today's most celebrated and respected spiritual luminaries. World-renowned religious scholar and teacher Andrew Harvey is the author of over thirty books, including the critically acclaimed Son of Man and Journey to Ladakh , and coauthor of the best-selling Tibetan Book of Living and Dying . Born in South India in 1952, he studied at Oxford University and became the youngest Fellow ever elected to the prestigious All Soul's College. He has devoted the past twenty-five years of his life to studying the world's various mystical traditions, living in London, Paris, New York, and San Francisco, and teaching at Oxford, Cornell, and The California Institute of Integral Studies. He currently resides in Nevada with his husband, writer and photographer Eryk Hanut. The Map The soul grows by its constant participation in that which transcends it. --Gregory of Nyassa You have to climb the stairs and rest your feet firmly on each step in order to reach the summit. --Sri Aurobindo Between me and You, there is only me. Take away the me, so only You remain. --Al-Hallaj Why We Are Here Take courage. The human race is divine. --Pythagoras The first thing we must understand if we are to take the Direct Path in full awareness is why we are here in the first place and who and what we really are. The great mystical traditions are astonishingly united in their answers to these questions; th