Peter, a young American who lived a life of luxury as an upper-class member of a materialistic society.
From a young age, fundamental questions like "Who am I? Why am I here?"—questions no one could answer—lingered in his mind.
He searched for answers in his own country's religion and philosophy, but was ultimately unable to find them. One day, at the suggestion of a friend, he encountered yoga and for the first time realized that he was more than just a body.
Peter then hears on the radio that former Harvard professor Ram Dass met the ultimate spiritual master, or "guru," in India. He sets out for India in search of his own guru who can answer the questions he has long harbored.

It is a far greater thing to transcend anger, jealousy, and greed while living the Buddha's life among people than to transcend them while living in a cave in the Himalayas.

--- p.10

By listening to your inner presence, you can gain guidance from within without relying on external gurus or religious doctrines.

--- p.11

Many people who have experienced enlightenment believe that they have achieved the goal of 'enlightenment'.
But growth is a never-ending process, and to reach a level of self-fulfillment, such a new consciousness must be integrated and established within the ordinary human being.
In fact, true masters appear to be quite ordinary people and are even perceived as such by their spouses, family, friends, and colleagues.
--- p.101

He asked:
“How can I attain enlightenment?” He had expected to hear that he would have to practice strict meditation and asceticism, but Maharajji’s answer shocked him once again.
“Ram Dass, just love people and tell the truth.”
--- p.119

“What you meditate on becomes you.
“If you meditate on God, you will become God.”
--- p.124

I realized that she was always in a state of consciousness where she saw God in everyone.
I had been thinking of myself as merely human, but she pierced this veil of maya by seeing the divinity within me.
I became the divine manifestation she saw.
(...) That's when I realized that the greatest gift I could give to someone else was to see their perfection.
Because whatever you see becomes reality.
--- p.202

It was only later that I heard what had brought about such a change within him.
“He knows everything about me, all the bad things I’ve done, and yet he still loves me.
“I felt forgiven.”
--- p.207

Finally, I learned that silence can convey more than words, that simply being is the best teaching.
I have learned that the greatest teachers do not speak much.

--- p.220

When I finally looked down at the book title, I was startled.
Become your own guru.
The answer to the question that brought me to India was written there.
The guru is within me! This is what Maharajji was trying to teach me by not answering my questions.

--- pp.289-290