Rasta Heart: A Journey into One Love

Self-described ex-hippie Robert Roskind takes us on a journey to Jamaica, where we meet various practitioners of the Rasta philosophy and way of life. The Rasta worldview can be summed up as a critique of "Babylon" - materialism, colonialism, racism, consumerism, and environmental degradation - in favor of a lifestyle based on cooperation, simplicity, vegetarianism, and spirituality based on the consumption of ganga (marijuana) as a kind of natural sacrament.Roskind's Rastamen are not "activists" or "leaders" in the usual sense, but rather ordinary men (and a few women) trying to live a natural lifestyle in a world dead-set against it. Chief among these is a man known as "Scram," a middle-aged jack-of-all-trades who expounds the Rasta philosophy of "One Love" as he does his best to get by in a world gone mad. With few exceptions, Scram and the other Rastamen we meet are sympathetic figures, engaging and intelligent, kind-hearted and resourceful. We also see, however, that there are hordes of "false" Rastas, outwardly projecting the image but inwardly full of the spirit of Babylon.Roskind is very much an enthusiastic convert to, and apostle for, the Rasta philosophy and way of life, and this perhaps leads him to promote views of African history, vegetarianism, and marijuana usage that are more debatable than he would lead us to believe. For example, he rattles off a series of claims that meat-eating CAUSES malnutrition in the Third World because it consumes resources (water, grain, land, etc.) that would be used more efficiently if vegetarianism were the norm. The reality is much more complex than that; if the entire USA were to become vegetarian, that would not in itself put one spoonful of food into the mouth of anyone in the Third World - much more would be required. The transition from Babylon to Paradise would undoubtedly require a somewhat authoritarian political movement, and the mostly non-political Rastas are justifiably suspicious of that very thing.My other caveat is that - appealing as it may be in some ways - the Rasta way of life is not in and of itself a solution to the world's problems. (At one point, Roskind himself seems to acknowledge this.) Solving problems of poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation will require scientific and technical expertise, and this will not be found by smoking spliffs and playing drums in the hills, villages, and slums of Jamaica. And even the spiritual benefits of Rasta are not inevitable or automatic for its practitioners. At one point, someone admits it's easier to love the whole world than one's wife or ex-wife, and several of the people featured in this book have that very problem.Despite these considerations, this book is an enjoyable read, and the people we encounter are generally lovable and memorable. We can learn something from people who - despite centuries of poverty, discrimination, and even persecution - seem generally happier than people who superficially have so much more.

Even though this book was written twenty years ago, we need its message now, more than ever. Even though despair over the power of hate is rampant, love is more powerful still. If you need a good dose of hope, here you will find it.

This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time (and I read A LOT!) I didn't want it to end."Rasta Heart" is a mixture of history ( 2-3 page entries on slavery in Jamaica, Bob Marley, the Maroons, amongst others), essays on current topics relevant to Rastas today (such as marijuana legalization, food politics, animal welfare, the Ital diet and why it's so important, etc.), and transcribed conversations that the Roskinds had with Jamaican Rastas. The Rasta conversations were my favorite- full of ways to live the concept of ONE LOVE in our daily lives and inspiration to make us want to do so. So "upful!"It was full of wonderful, heart changing insights that truly changed the way that I see the world and my relationships with other people (thus the title of the review-- my copy of the book is now full of underlining, margin notes, and highlighted portions.) This is a great book for anyone with an interest in Rastafari or anyone on a spiritual path of ANY kind (because the basis for all spiritual growth is love.)A big thank you to the authors for putting this inspirational, positive, life changing book together! An amazing read! Highly recommended!

I enjoyed reading the book. Having said that the most intriguing question that comes to mind is that is there a chance for peace on earth today. Is there a solution to the world's problem. There are currently 10 active wars and 8 military conflicts going on as of this writing. Rasta believes the road to peace is within one's heart and soul and not what has been implanted by institutionalized teaching ( Babylon) whose primary objective and pillars are in three fundamental categories ( Violence, War/Crime and Hate) . I believe some readers are automatically assuming that Babylon only refers to US or GB but it is not. Babylon refers to corrupt churches, mosque, synagogue and all forms of oppression imposed by mind control and powers to be all over the globe including in Jamaica itself. Just look around you and you see a huge divide between simple ordinary people around the globe. Rasta word of wisdom as the great Dennis Brown put it is in the simplest mind and as great Mr. Gregory Isaacs put it is "only love will conquer the world". Peace and love. I salute Rasta for its great and kind contribution to human race. Peace and love and respect.

This is one of those books that brings you in right from the beginning. I have read a few books on Rasta and own the Holy Piby and the Kebra Negast and while those are Holy texts this book speaks from the heart. The One Love message in this book is the essence of Rasta. It's not the locks or the ganja or the skin color. It's in your heart, all of our hearts, Rasta is a way of coming back to the One Love we have all seen on newborns faces. The One Love we seem to forget as we grow. Rasta will bring you back to focusing on that bond that all living beings have, the fact that we are all alive at this time and space and we will all be gone at some time. But while we are here it makes more sense to celebrate life in One Love than to fight and argue and want more than our neighbor. We all get caught up in that but One Love brings us back to center. That is Rasta heart and that is One Love. Rastafari!

I purchased this book because I had always been interested in the Rastafarian 'culture' but became more interested when I met a really amazing guy. He was raised Rastafari, and I loved his state of mind and his view on things. Rastafari isn't something you can convert to, it's a way of life... and after searching for so long for a place I can truly belong, I finally found it with the Rastafarian people. <3

great..arrived on time and was signed by the authour..wow!