Born December 6, 1949 to parents who fled Hitler's Germany to become pioneers in the founding of Israel, Ehud Sperling was one of the first sabras, or native-born Israelis. His father, Julius, was a member of the underground military arm of Israeli independence, and his mother was a nanny.

The family moved to New York when Sperling was four years old, and he grew up in Washington Heights. He came of age in the 1960s and participated fully in the radicalism of the times. A mathematician and scientist by training, his view of the revolution was one of consciousness, not politics. This led to a deep immersion and continuing interest in all the regimens of self-development: eastern philosophies, western esoteric traditions, and psychoactive experimentation.

In 1975, Sperling founded Inner Traditions International (see www.innertraditions.com), which is today one of the largest and oldest companies worldwide publishing books on alternative health, religion and spirituality, the perennial philosophies, and indigenous culture. ITI's books are distributed worldwide, including India. Sperling is also one of the founding members of the Social Venture Network, an organization of socially responsible entrepreneurs who have spearheaded a movement toward meshing personal, social, and spiritual values.

Sperling has traveled widely, speaking in forums as varied as the presigious Hartmann Institute in Jerusalem and a tribe of headhunters deep in the Amazon jungle. His work as a photographer and videographer has been featured on numerous national network television programs and documentaries, as well as in a number of books and publications.

Before his marriage to Dr. Vatsala Sperling, Sperling struggled through two conventional marriages, one in the Jewish tradition, and another in the Christian tradition. He now happily makes his home in Vermont with his wife and son.

Ehud Sperling is also co-author of the book "A Marriage Made in Heaven".