SIPPING SUNLIGHT
A MEMOIR
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“It's a great read and very hard not to want to finish reading it as soon as you turn page one!”
Bernard Ross, the son of Holocaust survivors, has written a compelling memoir that reflects a remarkable life. After dropping LSD in the 60s, Ross embarks on a journey that is both spiritual and mischievous. In 1965, he relocated to the East Village in New York City, a major center for the growing hippie movement. There, he experienced many adventures—some humorous, some profound, and a few that were harrowing, including one that nearly cost him his life. After leaving the East Village, Ross moved to Timothy Leary's LSD mansion, where his spiritual quest deepened.
Woven into Ross's narrative is the inspiring story of his parents' survival during the Holocaust and their difficult journey to obtain a visa to America. Ross was born in Poland. His family emigrated to the United States when he was five. Ross shares his early childhood experiences and the challenges his family endured.
His journey took him to Canada, where he spent a year living in a commune located in the wilderness of British Columbia. During that time, he built a cabin and lived off the land with his future wife. Afterward, he moved to Vancouver, where he met his spiritual teacher. Seeking deeper spiritual growth, Ross then traveled to India, spending five months in an ashram.
Ross returned from India, completed his education, and went on to launch several companies. The death of his spiritual teacher led to years of struggle and a painful divorce. However, Ross eventually found his way back to the spiritual path through God’s grace. He went on to achieve great success as an entrepreneur in the tech sector. His thirst for higher knowledge remains strong, fueled by his daily meditation practices and the unwavering love and guidance of his spiritual teachers.
Reviews of Sipping Sunlight
From Amazon and Goodreads
Olivia B· ★★★★★
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.
Sonia · ★★★★★
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.
Daniel T. · ★★★★★
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.
Adam H. · ★★★★★
A Journey That Touched My Soul
This memoir is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Ross takes us from the chaos of the 60s, through psychedelic awakenings, to the quiet search for God in India, and I felt like I was right beside him every step of the way. His honesty about his choices, the risks he took, and the longing he carried in his heart made this story deeply relatable. What I loved most was how the book wasn’t just about drugs or travel, it was about the eternal human need for love, faith, and understanding. I walked away from this book not just entertained, but changed in the way I see my own journey.
Thompson · ★★★★★
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.
Paula. · ★★★★★
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.
