Sachs, Robert 1952-

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SACHS, Robert 1952-

PERSONAL: Born July 13, 1952, in Cleveland, OH; son of Sherman David (a veterinarian) and Thelma (a teacher; maiden name, Bordo) Sachs; married Melanie Anne Brown (an educator and author), July 28, 1976; children: Kai Ling Josephs, Harriet C., Jabeth D. F. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: University of Lancaster, B.A.; University of Kentucky, M.S.W. Religion: Buddhist. Hobbies and other interests: Tai chi, yoga, swimming.

ADDRESSES: Offıce—Diamond Way Ayurveda, P.O. Box 13753, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Agent— Robert Silverstein, 508 Central Park Ave., Suite 5101, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

CAREER: Diamond Way Ayurveda, San Luis Obispo, CA, co-director, 1995—. Licensed social worker; hospice volunteer; occasional radio host.

MEMBER: American Massage Therapy Association.

WRITINGS:

Rebirth into Pure Land, Zivah Publishers (San Luis Obispo, CA), 1994.

Health for Life: Secrets of Tibetan Ayurveda, illustrated by Dorje Gyaltsen, Clear Light Publishers (Santa Fe, NM), 1995, published as Tibetan Ayurveda: Health Secrets from the Roof of the World, Healing Arts Press (Rochester, VT), 2001.

Perfect Endings: A Conscious Approach to Dying andDeath, Healing Arts Press (Rochester, VT), 1998.

Nine Star Ki: Your Astrological Companion to FengShui, Vega (London, England), 2001.

The Passionate Buddha: Wisdom on Intimacy andEnduring Love, Inner Traditions (Rochester, VT), 2002.

Some of Sachs's writings have been published in Dutch, German, Spanish, Bulgarian, Greek, Slovak, Polish, Italian, and French.

WORK IN PROGRESS: A book on ayurvedic treatments in spas; a book about Buddhism, war, and conflict.

SIDELIGHTS: Robert Sachs told CA: "I have always wanted to write. My first attempt at a book was when I was about eleven years old. It was a way in which I could, at once, dive deeper into myself and, at the same time, reach out and explore ways of expressing ideas and concepts that could move others. To this day, writing is a combination of my own artistic need to create and the equally strong desire to make an impact—a positive impact—on the lives of others.

"In the books that I have written so far, I have made efforts to bring into focus issues pertinent to my own experience and world concerns using the tools of contemplation, study of occidental and oriental philosophy and spirituality, and meditative awareness. The goal has been to make clear what is happening around us so that choices and actions are more informed and beneficial for all.

"What I write about comes as an itch that needs to be scratched. However, I am never too earnest to dive into a project. I usually have an outline of where I am going immediately, but then I let ideas come to me as they will; some through spontaneous arising, others through a process of gestation. When I have enough notes and the impulse to write is clearly there, I then begin. I only write when inspired.

"Reading got me interested in writing. The fact that the written word cleverly phrased could send my mind to new lands and emotions here and there to build an atmosphere of mystique, passion, or whatever gave me the thought that maybe I could do the same.

"Three things influence my works. The first is my grandfather, Max Sachs, who was prophetic in his editorials to the papers regarding events of his day. The second influence was my deep, spiritual hunger and studies into Buddhist philosophy and practice. The third influence is my conscience and what I see in the world around me today.

"My heart is drawn to a matter where thoughts and emotions begin to come together as phrases and themes. These eventually become topics and chapter headings which I then organize, but write in the order of what feels most inspiring to address first.

"The most surprising thing I have learned from being a writer is how passionate I am about writing. It is a calling much more than a career. My favorite book would probably be the one that sold the least—Perfect Endings: A Conscious Approach to Dying and Death. It is an extension of my earlier Rebirth into Pure Land and addresses death and dying in a way that I think can benefit so many people."