Ram Dass

Ram Dass

Ram Dass (born Richard Alpert; April 6, 1931 – December 22, 2019) was an American spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author best known for his book Be Here Now. He was a prominent figure in the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, and his teachings have had a significant influence on Western spirituality, yoga, and New Age philosophy.

Early Life and Education

Richard Alpert was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University, a Master of Arts from Wesleyan University, and a Doctorate in Psychology from Stanford University.

Career

Alpert held an academic position at Harvard University. Together with Timothy Leary and Ralph Metzner, Alpert conducted research on the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs. This research was controversial and led to his dismissal from Harvard.

Spiritual Journey

In 1967, Alpert traveled to India where he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and became his disciple. Upon his return to the US, he took the name Ram Dass, meaning "servant of God." He started giving lectures and teaching about spirituality, drawing on Hindu philosophy, yoga practices, and other spiritual traditions.

Be Here Now

In 1971, Ram Dass published Be Here Now, a manual for conscious living, which has since become a seminal work in Western spirituality. The book combines autobiography, spiritual teaching, and practical guidance and has been influential in the New Age movement.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Ram Dass continued to teach and write. He suffered a stroke in 1997, which left him with expressive aphasia, but he continued to give lectures with the help of assistants. Ram Dass passed away in 2019 in Maui, Hawaii.

Legacy

Ram Dass's teachings continue to influence Western spirituality. His work has been a bridge between Eastern and Western spiritual traditions and has contributed to the mainstream acceptance of mindfulness and yoga in the West.

See Also

• Timothy Leary
• Neem Karoli Baba
• Be Here Now (book)