April 6, 1931 was an american spiritual teacher, former academic and clinical psychologist, and author of many books, including the seminal 1971 book be here now. Ram dass is a legend in his time and still around writing books and his cds are wonderful. Published in 1971, that book, an early classic of new age thinking, has sold around two million copies, according to his website. Now, in a unique audio publishing event, the great moments. The article first appeared in the fall 2000 impermanence issue as interview with ram dass. He was the author of more than a dozen inspirational books, including be here now. Oddly, the night before his stroke, ram dass was in bed thinking about how to conclude a book he was writing on growing older. His father, george alpert, was a boston attorney who helped found brandeis university, then took control of the new haven railroad in 1956.
Ram dass is an american spiritual teacher wellknown for his bestselling 1971 book be here now, as well as his personal and professional relationships with timothy leary at harvard university in the 1960s, his travels to india and relationship with his guru neem karoli baba, and for founding the charitable organizations seva foundation and hanuman foundation. Then, in 1997, at the age of 66, ram dass suffered a stroke, a massive cerebral hemorrhage he was not expected to live through. His best known book, be here now, has been described as seminal, and helped popularize eastern spirituality and yoga with the baby boomer generation in the west. The stroke, ram dass wrote, was unbearable to the ego, and so it pushed me into the soul level from the souls perspective its been a great learning experience. With gentleness and compassion, spiritual pioneer and stroke survivor ram dass guides readers in an exploration of two much maligned yet inevitable human undertakings, aging and dying. Stroke of inspiration how ram dass sees his nearly fatal attack as a moment of grace in the 1960s he went to india, met his guru and returned to.
Despite this bold move, most people in the meditative communities who knew of ram dass did not realize he was gay. When ram dass, phd, experienced a lifechanging stroke, he focused on the grace his experience brought him. Ram dass also known as baba ram dass, was an american spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author. He found kindness from strangers, and used the difficult adjustment as a springboard to change his outlook on life. In this short video, ram dass shares about his transformative experience. With gentleness and compassion, spiritual pioneer and stroke survivor ram dass. He is known for his personal and professional associations with timothy leary at harvard university in the early 1960s for his travels to india and his relationship with the hindu guru neem karoli baba, and for founding the charitable. When i got this book, i had no idea ram dass had a stroke and was wheelchair dependent. One of the countrys foremost selfhelp masters, ram dass is now 88 years old and in a wheelchair, still imparting wisdom while continuing to manage the dramatic aftereffects of a massive. With his stroke, ram dass has the chance, for the first time, to be here now with some of the rest of us disabled. See all books authored by ram dass, including be here now, and journey of awakening.
Ram dass teachings wisdom, quotes, articles, videos. From this experience he has produced a timely and thoughtful book that touches an important contemporary issue our fears and apprehension about aging. An e book is available at apples ibookstore with many extras. Ram dass born richard alpert is an american spiritual teacher, former academic and clinical psychologist, and the author of the seminal 1971 book be here now. To remember the spiritual teacher ram dass, who died last month at the age of 88, we are reprinting inquiring mind cofounder wes niskers interview with ram dass after he suffered a stroked in 1997. Ram dass is such an engaging writer and this book is a must for anyone. Written after he suffered from a stroke, ram dass latest book offers insights into aging, facing death and consciousness in the face of physical challenge. Ram dass guides us through many dimensions of aging with courage, humor, and profound wisdom. Ram dass is an american spiritual teacher, former academic and clinical psychologist, and the author of the seminal book be here now. Ram dass since became a lead voice in the movement of eastern spirituality to the west. Yes, we are our bodies, but we are also infinitely more. Ram dass, the lsd proponent turned spiritual guru has died.
Sharon salzberg, author of lovingkindness and a heart as wide as the world ram dass has entered the often stormy relationship between our physical and spiritual sides, and he has lived to tell about it. This is the 40th anniversary of the publication of ram dass s gamechanging book, which sold two million copies. Ram dass interests include the support of psychedelic research, international development, environmental awareness and political action. After being introduced for a lecture, ram dass eschewed the stairs and, from his front row seat, leapt up on to the stageor tried to, anyway, but age and gravity. Forty years and one nearfatal stroke later, it is still quite a journey. April 6, 1931 at boston, ma died peacefully at his home on december 22, 2019, on maui.
From psilocybinloving psychologist to modern mystic. Ram dass, who has since written a dozen other books, continues to find new readers via praise from the likes of lena dunham and. Ram dass, 71, suffered a massive stroke seven years ago that resulted in long stays in the hospital and nursing home. The impact that kk had on ram dass, the many westerners who traveled to india or met him in america, and the satsang at large cannot be overstated. Ram dass was born richard alpert into a wealthy family. He still speaks to spirituality how we can find it, what to avoid but he speaks with a new perspective. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Baba ram dass, geboren als richard alpert boston, 6 april 1931 maui. Ram dass sits in the darkening shadow of a long evening, his wheelchair pushed against an old picnic table behind his marin county home. Ram dass, major player in 60s psychedelic movement, has. The love serve remember shop contains all current ram dass titles and many books focusing on meditation, mindfulness, paths of compassion and servitude, inspirational memoirs and biographies and so much more. An evening with ram dass and eckhart tolle these two teachers engage in an open conversation about spiritual awakening and the transformation of consciousness, october 28. Then, in 1997, at the age of 66, ram dass suffered a stroke, a massive cerebral hemorrhage he. The special power of this book, however, comes as a gift from the stroke.
One of the hardest psychological hurdles i had to deal with after the stroke. The love serve remember foundation is dedicated to preserving and continuing the teachings of neem karoli baba and ram dass. In february 1997, ram dass had a stroke that left him with expressive aphasia, which he interpreted as an act of grace. Embracing aging, changing, and dying paperback june 1, 2001. Dass was personally and professionally associated with timothy leary at ha. Last fall, my friend kathy goodman, an art dealer in new york, asked me to come with her to see ram dass at the cathedral of st. Ram dass encourages us to tap into the infinite and unbearable compassion that is available in every moment. The most visceral example, of course, is ram dass stroke, which is detailed in his latest book as well as in the 2001 documentary ram dass.
At age 65, he experienced a massive stroke, which became part of the closing narrative in his book, still here. If i ever reach the age he is now, or older, i pray that i have the same gracefulness and wisdom, in approaching the inevitable departure from this plane of existence to. All proceeds from shop facilitate the continuation of these teachings through online courses, blog content, films, podcasts, vast social network channels and an archival media library. Memorial services in maui and taos, nm, will be announced as soon as details have been finalized. In 1997, ram dass suffered a nearly incapacitating stroke that affected his speech and movement. Love at the root recently, ram dass s beloved guru brother, krishna kumar kk sah, passed away at his home in nainital, india. Stroke of inspiration how ram dass sees his nearly fatal attack as. Now in his mid80s, his wisdom is a testament to an intense fiftyyear devotion to spirituality.
Ram dass responding to challenge with grace nicabm. Recently, a friend said to me, youre more human since the stroke than. Partially paralyzed from a stroke in 1997, dass now lives on maui and continues to teach. He authored or coauthored twelve more books on spirituality over the next four decades, including grist for the mill, how can i help. A dialogue with ram dass and eckhart tolle youtube. Though encouraged by his father to seek a medical career, ram dass collected degrees from tufts, wesleyan and stanford, then became a psychology. Ram dass suffered a nearfatal stroke in 1997 that partially paralyzed him and hampered his speaking ability but left him feeling more compassionate and humble. Ram dass, also known as baba ram dass, was an american spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author. Honolulu ap baba ram dass, the 1960s counterculture spiritual leader who experimented with lsd and traveled to india to find enlightenment, returning to share it. His best known book, be here now 1971, has been described as seminal. After three decades, and despite a lifethreatening stroke, ram dass continues to move us with his example of compassion in action, and the true joy that comes with living in the present. Ram dass was born richard alpert to parents who were jewish, a faith he later said he found hollow. As ram dass says, when you see the beloved all around you, everyone is family and everywhere is love.
For more than 50 years, ram dass has watched as other nontraditional. If i ever reach the age he is now, or older, i pray that i have the same gracefulness and wisdom, in approaching the inevitable departure from this plane of existence to whatever lies beyond. Over the next two years, he worked to regain his damaged capacities. At the moment the stroke hit, the eloquent spiritual. Honolulu baba ram dass, the 1960s counterculture spiritual leader who experimented with lsd and traveled to india to find enlightenment, returning to share it with americans, has died. A week after the stroke, however, ram dass began to recover, and he embarked on a long course of rehabilitation. When ram dass was well enough, his editor at riverhead, amy hertz.
Due to decades of incredible charity, ram was much poorer. Love at the root the devotion and wisdom of kk sah. Embracing aging, changing, and dying kindle edition. I could listen to them over and over again and still get more information. Books enjoy a variety of publications that will feed your heart and soul. He is known for his personal and professional associations with timothy leary at harvard university in the early 1960s, for his travels to india and his relationship with the hindu guru neem karoli baba. Ram dass, horoscope for birth date 6 april 1931, born in. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Embracing aging, changing, and dying is ram dass reflection on the joys, pains, and opportunities that appear as we age. Despite having suffered a severe stroke in 1997, paralysing the right side of his body, ram dass has continued to teach.
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