Life and achievements
Early life
Richard Alpert, who later changed his name to Ram Dass, was born on April 6, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born into an affluent family, with his father being a lawyer. High academic achievements and interest-like consciousness characterized Alpert's childhood and teenage years at Tufts University. He continued his studies and obtained a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. His academic achievements were impressive, and he moved to Harvard University to teach. Alpert, together with Timothy Leary, started conducting experiments on the effects of psychedelic drugs on human consciousness while at Harvard.
They conducted some revolutionary but highly provocative work, which resulted in their expulsion from Harvard in 1963. This period of chaos and confusion paved the way for Alpert's spiritual awakening. He yearned for something more than academics, and in 1967, he traveled to India.
In India, Alpert had the grace to meet Neem Karoli Baba, who became his Guru and named him Ram Dass. It is said that this encounter marked a significant shift in his life as he was led to a spiritual path of serving others. The philosophies and techniques he learned in India became the basis of what he would do in the future.
Legacy
Ram Dass has left a very large and diverse mark on the world and touched the lives of many people around the world. His book "Be Here Now," published in 1971, brought many Westerners closer to Eastern spirituality and mindfulness and has become one of the most influential works in spiritual literature.
He established many organizations to enhance people's spirituality and encourage them to be more charitable. Some organizations include the Hanuman and Seva Foundation, which concentrates on spiritual learning and service. These organizations are still in existence and have embraced his service delivery principle.
Ram Dass made the teachings of spirituality easy to understand and practice, making spirituality easily accessible to anyone who wanted to learn. His message of love, service, and being in the moment was quite popular among people of different cultures. He was able to harmonize Eastern and Western cultures to create a new and lasting way of life.
Although Ram Dass was left partially paralyzed and with other health problems after a stroke in 1997, he kept on teaching and encouraging others. He showed his determination and flexibility in his teachings to suit the new environment, as seen in his pursuit of spiritual development. His subsequent books and the teachings he provided online testify to this process.
Ram Dass passed away on December 22, 2019; his teachings and lessons are still relevant today. The Love Serve Remember Foundation, which was set up in his memory, still ensures that his teachings are taught to the public. His message of love, acceptance, compassion, and the need to be present in the world and help others has yet to lose its appeal today.
Milestone moments
Dec 19, 1967
First Trip to India
Ram Dass went to India for the first time in 1967, the turning point in his life.
In India, he was introduced to Neem Karoli Baba, a spiritual master who greatly influenced him. Neem Karoli Baba named him Ram Dass, the name of the servant of God.
This meeting led Ram Dass to explore different spiritual practices, such as yoga and meditation,
His teachings and experiences in India became the basis of his future work and teachings.
Oct 14, 1971
Release of the book "Be Here Now"
Ram Dass released "Be Here Now," a book considered one of New Age spirituality and mindfulness classics.
The book is written to share spiritual lessons with readers, the author's own experiences, and tips on being mindful of the present moment.
It became a hit and has continued to be relevant to this date.
"Be Here Now" introduced many Western audiences to Eastern spirituality and remains a crucial shared
FosharesDass established the Hanuman Fo,undation, a non-profit organization that focuses on spreading awareness of spirituality and providing service.
The foundation launched several programs, one of which is the Prison-Ashram Project, which aims to help prisoners transform spiritually.
Another important project was the Dying Project, which introduced people to the concept of death and its relation to compassion.
The Hanuman Foundation is the culmination of Ram Dass's visioncial causes through spirituality.
Feb 19, 1997
Suffering a Near-Fatal Stroke
Ram Dass had a stroke that almost took his life and left him hemiplegic and with aphasia, an inability to produce speech.
Nevertheless, he did not stop and went on to educate people and share his ideas through writing and social media.
He was a man of strong will and determination to improve his spiritual life.
The stroke was a turning point in his life when he was still able to pass on his knowledge to the public, even with the loss of the use of his arm.
Jul 19, 2004
Move to Maui
Ram Dass went to Maui, where he held retreats and continued the teachings.
He adjusted to the new environment and still touched people's lives through weekly Skype meetings and other online media.
This was a strategic move since it enabled him to build a place where spiritual people could come to learn more from him.
Thus, Ram Dass's presence in Maui attracted many people who wanted to find the meaning of life and have a spiritual experience.