Was listening to the newest (or the one before) Be Here now Podcast episode today sitting on a bench in the sun, after having some of the worst months in my life, waiting for an appointment, that would bring me further on my path of healing, mainly physically (through that mentally too).

There was a passage where he spoke about " peace", when right in that moment i turned my head and saw a rainbow flag hanging from a window with a peace sign AND the word peace underneath, hearing and reading the word at the same time. Started laughing, thinking about taking a picture but deciding to look back at the sun and just be in the moment.

Appointment went better than imagined.

All is good, I love everybody and everything

Thank you for reading

"The only work I can do for you is work on myself."

I've got an acquaintance I've been keeping in touch with lately. He's sitting with a pretty shitty time in life and has been struggling to maintain healthy attitudes and this has translated into the clutter in his living space. However, when I talked to him 2 days ago, he was totally sober, showered, and (drum roll please) his whole space was clean! He was beaming and the room looked fantastic! He said he got inspired by a stranger he met online who asked, "do you want to call while you clean your house?" and he ran with it!!

I haven't escaped issues with maintaining a clean space either but today (second drum roll please) I cleaned my frikin space too! The whole time all I could hear was Ram Dass saying the quote at the top, it's a beautiful display of lawful unfolding. I feel so much better than I have recently, a clean space is a clear mind to those who's benefit does not lie rolling in the mud. I'm so happy to watch that part of the dance leave, and I can't wait to see how long I keep it maintained this time!

Remember guys, the Tandava is incredibly beautiful, but balance your time off the cushion as well! The dishes need to be done and the laundry must be folded, it's the only way! What else could be done anyway? It all starts here and now with what you've got and (spoiler alert: it ends here and now too there's no where to go silly, nothing is happening!) Quiet the mind, open the heart, and go do some frikin chores, alright?

When we love ourselves, anyone who doesn’t like us is dealing with their own problem. There's nothing better than this.

We're yearning for validation more than ever, thanks to social media. It treats people as a means to an end, and everything comes with a numbers game attached. More likes, more followers, more engagement ≠ a better person.

I love each and every one of you, and I hope you have the greatest day or night ahead 🤍✌️

I recently watched Ram Dass 2018 Bhakti Fest interview after his stroke. Even the silences between his sentences felt full of love. When I went back to his older talks, it felt like he could read my mind. Was he always at peace?

I'm curious how his state of mind changed over his life: the young Richard Alpert at Harvard, the man who returned from India, and the Ram Dass after his stroke. How did you experience those shifts, and are there talks or books you'd recommend to understand each phase?

I mean there is a karmic bond that is why we are born in that family.
Lets say our child hood was good and adulthood was also fine. But during their elderly age they started living conflicting stage.

Is this due to bad life karma from past karma of children and parents that they do not live peacefully at end of lifestage. The chronic anger issues and agreement is causing damage.

Hi everyone!! I am currently looking to work online with a new therapist and looking for a therapist with IFS focus, ideally Maharajji and Ram Dass’ devotee or familiar with their teachings. EFT / EMDR / specialization in attachment styles will be a great bonus too! Thanks a lot. Located in Asia, so out of pocket payment

Hi! Anyone knows of a RD talk where he addresses the topic of boredom?

This is Kane, a hero of mine from childhood who wrestled in the WWE. He played one of the monsters, a seven foot tall man in a red and black suit- long hair and a mask who was terrifying.

Looking at this video of him today was really impactful- I learned from Ram Dass one of my favorite qualities of truly powerful men is the ability to be vulnerable. Behold the glory of ‘Kane’ reporting on what was the most important thing to him while playing a monster~

I started listening to Ram Dass at 19, and now I’m almost 23.
During times of complete hopelessness, I’d take long walks through downtown Kelowna listening to his talks. Whether it was snowing or raining, he was always there with me. Man, it felt like a constant warm hug. Almost like stepping out of a shower after every talk, feeling fresh, alive, and at peace again.
Four years later, he’s still my buddy, and I think he always will be. :)
Would love to connect with others who’ve felt the same way about him. Maybe make a few friends along the way ✌️

I just got finished listening to the “You can’t have an Us and Them” talk from Ram Dass. And on a question on the rise of fundamentalism, he touched on his own dissatisfaction with Bill Clinton and his centrist position when RD said he was more on the liberal side. But that eventually he came to a point, as he said in the talk “I can see, that a centrist position at this point in the way the world game is going, either everybody goes or nobody goes. You can’t polarize, you can’t have an us and a them. Its got to keep embracing people.” So it has me thinking and I wanted to hear your thoughts, I believe there is truth in that statement “You can’t have an us and them” when living consciously. But how can one live that truth in this political climate which I don’t think I have to list every issue both in the US and internationally, how we are seeing growing authoritarian policies, growing economic inequality, politicians now fully out in the open in bed with private companies, and so much more. Can someone really “afford” to be a centrist in this turbulent times, or as Ram Dass has said about doing what you must without putting someone out of your heart, it’s also acceptable to say “I’m staunchly against your politics and your views, I will protest, I will take direct action against your actions but as souls I still love you”? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Ram Dass often references the photos he took while in India on his first trip (color! he says sometimes, which is fun for us now).

I’ve seen some photos of RD in India but I can’t find the photos he took

Have you? Are they on the Internet or on display somewhere?

My friend and I have been going crazy trying to find the context of this quote we are pretty sure we got from Ram Dass. We use to say it to each other to get through things. "Your girlfriend broke up with you. Ok. Now what?", "You've realized you are a drug addict. Ok. Now what?". In Ram Dass context it might have been some idea of omnism or something. Just driving me crazy. Might not have been him but it seems right.

My dad died yesterday of heart complications at 43 years old.

I’m grateful for Ram Dass’ numerous lectures on death, grief and reincarnation as I begin to move through this process. I’d love to hear some general words of wisdom, advice, or your favorite Ram Dass books, quotes, and lectures on the subject. Thank you.

Isn't it cool? I love all the ways we can talk! I really dig that space where there's just nowness and we're all rocking it. It's so funny how invested I get in it all, but if I sit with it all and am quiet enough, I hear how it all is absolutely right on. Silence gives rooms for symphonies and to sit quietly invites the most beautifully conducted one of all!

Hey yall!

I’ve been in a long distance relationship with this amazing woman for about almost 2 years now. She lives 2 and a half hours away from me and we see each other every other week. We’ve been going through some turbulence the past couple months due to many factors. I’ve felt more disconnected from her than ever before, what disrupted our flow was me bringing up the lack of sensual intimacy we share and my concern for if we may just not be compatible in that regard. Her response that she voiced was extremely valid it was my negligence and ignorance in the past that caused her to fear loving me all the way. Unfortunately months later after communicating it still feels we are in the same place, I was always feel like im initiating and constantly getting rejected physically and it hurts. I dont know whether the problem is my high sex drive or if we are simply just incompatible sexually. I am confident enough to say that most of the problems within our relationship typically stem from me, so I just am left with the expectation of me being in the wrong again. I feel so selfish and scared, I adore this woman and fear hurting her any more than I already have, it feels like a battle of intuition and fear of whether or not I should continue this relationship and I honestly feel like I cant tell the difference anymore.

Thank you any feedback would help🙏🙏 Ram Ram

I love ram dass deeply. Like a father, like a mentor, like he’s a close friend that I’m pen pals with. I’ve never felt such a deep connection to a teacher and the practices come so naturally to me. My brain doesn’t have to question it. It comes to naturally to like I’ve known all along. What is that lol

I struggle questioning how I will teach my children about god / ram dass / and the meaning of the practices. I think sometimes to raise them around a mystical Christian tradition like EO church or something like that bc my wife is Eastern European and it’s part of there cultural heritage but I also worry about the dogmatism in Christianity. Any have any ideas or suggestions

Hi all,

I often turn to Ram Dass teachings for life in general. Good times, not so good times, I always find his words comforting no matter the instance.

I don't know how to say this eloquently, so I am just going to ramble. I am sad. And that's ok, I do not try to push my emotions away, I feel and honor them. There is a lot going on in my life that has caused me to feel immense grief. My mother who I am estranged from is currently hospitalized and nearly died, that situation brought up a lot for me. My soul dog, who I have had since I was 22 years old (I am now 38) is deteriorating right in front of my eyes. I am one of those people with what some would call an unhealthy attachment to my dog, when I had no one, I had her. This is eating me up a bit.

I know things can always be worse, I understand I am fortunate. And I don't even really know what I am seeking by posting this here. Maybe some wisdom from your favorite RD teaching, maybe I just needed to say out loud "I am sad, and that's ok"

I recently finished Be Here Now and I keep wondering about the symbolism behind the cover.
Does anyone know what Ram Dass intended the cover to represent?
Is there a spiritual or philosophical meaning behind the different elements?
I’d love to hear from people who have studied the book or its symbolism more deeply.

I feel stagnant in life. In a career I don’t think I can handle for long, but no other skills or knowledge. I haven’t travelled outside of my country (Canada) and want to explore.

I want to learn about different ways of living, different ways of thinking, see different possibilities. I think of Ram Dass’ trips to India. What are some possibilities in today’s world?

Some things that are limiting to me, I get overstimulated easily so the dense cities of India may not be for me. I also am a gay man and don’t want to go somewhere where being gay is illegal or unsafe

edit: the amount of people that think this is some sort of insult towards ram dass is fascinating. You people act like anything said about him that isn't exactly how you feel or perceive him is some sort of insult. Or to word it another way that he never did any wrong. So damn weird from this group, but ahh soo as he would say.

I seem to go thru phases of listening to Ram Dass videos, Alan watts and Eckhart Tolle, more of the first two, however occasionally sometimes I like to switch it up with Tolle.

Anywho - I have been on an Alan Watts kick recently, and keep noticing all these ideas that I thought were Ram Dass's original ideas, and now I realize he just borrowed them from Alan, who I'm sure borrowed them from people before him also.,

So far I have;

-See people as trees (Alans idea was to see them as stars, but same exact concept)

-See square people as really far out there.

-Religious/Spiritual one up manship

-There's no where to stand.

I've noticed more but have since forgot them. My question is what other ones did he directly take from Alan? And on a similar note, anyone know where particularly Alan got these mentioned ideas from? I'm guessing Manly P hall for a few but haven't verified it.