The Ultimate Guide to Be Here Now: Everything You Need to Know About Ram Dass's Masterpiece
Be Here Now Ram Dass Pdf Downloadgolkesl: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
If you are looking for a book that can change your life, you might want to check out Be Here Now by Ram Dass. This book is a classic in the field of spirituality and has influenced millions of people around the world. But what is Be Here Now exactly? Who is Ram Dass and why did he write this book? And how can you benefit from reading it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explore the four sections of the book, the main teachings and practices, and the resources that can help you deepen your understanding of Be Here Now. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what Be Here Now is and how it can help you achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Be Here Now Ram Dass Pdf Downloadgolkesl
Introduction
Be Here Now is not an ordinary book. It is a unique combination of autobiography, art, philosophy, psychology, religion, and mysticism. It is a book that challenges you to question your assumptions, expand your awareness, and transform your consciousness. It is a book that invites you to be here now, in the present moment, where you can experience the truth of who you are and what life is.
What is Be Here Now?
Be Here Now is the title of a book by Ram Dass, originally published in 1971. It is also the name of a mantra, a slogan, and a way of life. Be Here Now means to be fully present in the here and now, without being distracted by the past or the future. It means to be aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions, without being attached to them or identified with them. It means to be open to the reality of what is, without judging it or resisting it. It means to be in touch with your true nature, which is pure awareness, love, and bliss.
Who is Ram Dass?
Ram Dass is the spiritual name of Richard Alpert, who was born in 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a prominent psychologist and professor at Harvard University in the 1960s, where he conducted pioneering research on human consciousness with his colleague Timothy Leary. He was also one of the first Westerners to experiment with psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin. However, he became disillusioned with the limitations of academic psychology and psychedelics, and embarked on a spiritual quest that led him to India in 1967. There he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba (also known as Maharajji), who gave him the name Ram Dass, which means "servant of God". Under Maharajji's guidance, Ram Dass learned the teachings and practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other spiritual traditions. He also discovered the power of love, compassion, and service as the keys to spiritual growth. He returned to the West in 1969 and began sharing his wisdom and experiences through lectures, books, retreats, and humanitarian projects. He became one of the most influential spiritual teachers of his generation, inspiring countless people to seek a deeper meaning and purpose in life. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 88.
Why is Be Here Now important?
Be Here Now is important because it is one of the first and most influential books that introduced Eastern spirituality to the Western world. It is a book that bridged the gap between the ancient and the modern, the East and the West, the scientific and the mystical. It is a book that spoke to the needs and aspirations of a generation that was searching for a new way of living and being. It is a book that sparked a spiritual revolution that continues to this day.
The Four Sections of Be Here Now
Be Here Now is divided into four sections, each with a different format and content. The first section is called Journey, and it tells the story of Ram Dass's transformation from a Harvard professor to a spiritual seeker. The second section is called From Bindu to Ojas, and it is the core book that contains the main teachings and practices of Be Here Now. The third section is called Cookbook for a Sacred Life, and it is a manual for applying the principles of Be Here Now to everyday life. The fourth section is called Painted Cakes Do Not Satisfy Hunger, and it is a collection of books that Ram Dass recommended or wrote on various topics related to spirituality.
Journey: The Transformation of Dr. Richard Alpert, Ph.D. into Baba Ram Dass
The first section of Be Here Now is a comic book-style autobiography that narrates Ram Dass's journey from being a successful but unhappy psychologist to being a humble but joyful servant of God. It covers his early life, his academic career, his psychedelic experiments, his travels to India, his meeting with Maharajji, and his return to America. It also includes some of his insights and reflections on his experiences along the way.
The Harvard Psychedelic Project
One of the most significant events in Ram Dass's life was his involvement in the Harvard Psilocybin Project, which was a series of experiments conducted by him and Timothy Leary in the early 1960s. They wanted to explore the effects of psilocybin, a psychedelic mushroom, on human consciousness. They recruited volunteers from various backgrounds and professions, such as artists, writers, musicians, theologians, and prisoners, and gave them psilocybin under controlled conditions. They observed that psilocybin induced profound changes in perception, cognition, emotion, and behavior in the subjects. Some reported mystical experiences, such as feeling connected to everything, transcending time and space, encountering God or other beings, or realizing their true nature. Ram Dass and Leary were fascinated by these results and believed that psychedelics could be used as tools for personal and social transformation. However, their research was controversial and criticized by many authorities and institutions. They were eventually fired from Harvard for violating ethical and legal standards.
The Quest for Truth in India
After leaving Harvard, Ram Dass continued to experiment with psychedelics, but he also became interested in other methods of expanding consciousness, such as meditation, yoga, astrology, tarot, etc. He also became curious about Eastern spirituality and philosophy, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. He decided to travel to India in 1967 with the hope of finding someone who could guide him to the ultimate truth. He met many teachers and gurus in India, but none of them satisfied him completely. He was looking for someone who could show him how to be free from suffering and attain enlightenment.
The Encounter with Maharajji
From Bindu to Ojas: The Core Book
The second section of Be Here Now is the core book that contains the essence of Ram Dass's teachings and practices. It is a collage of text and images that convey the message of Be Here Now in a creative and unconventional way. It is divided into three parts: The Art and Design of Be Here Now, The Teachings and Practices of Be Here Now, and The Quotes and References of Be Here Now.
The Art and Design of Be Here Now
The art and design of Be Here Now is a masterpiece of visual communication. It was created by Ram Dass and his friends, especially Lama Foundation, a spiritual community in New Mexico. They used various techniques such as calligraphy, drawing, painting, collage, photography, etc. to illustrate the concepts and themes of Be Here Now. They also used different fonts, colors, shapes, sizes, and layouts to create contrast, harmony, rhythm, and balance. The result is a stunning and captivating book that appeals to both the eye and the mind.
The Teachings and Practices of Be Here Now
The teachings and practices of Be Here Now are based on Ram Dass's synthesis of various spiritual traditions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. He draws from the wisdom of ancient scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras, the Dhammapada, etc. He also shares the insights and experiences of modern masters such as Maharajji, Ramana Maharshi, Ananda Mayi Ma, Dalai Lama, etc. He presents the teachings and practices in a simple and accessible way that anyone can understand and apply. The main topics he covers are:
The nature of reality: He explains that reality is not what it appears to be. It is not solid, stable, or permanent. It is not separate, dualistic, or hierarchical. It is not limited by time, space, or causation. It is not defined by concepts, labels, or categories. Reality is one, infinite, eternal, and indivisible. Reality is pure awareness, love, and bliss.
The nature of self: He explains that self is not what we think it is. It is not our body, mind, personality, or ego. It is not our thoughts, feelings, sensations, or perceptions. It is not our roles, identities, or stories. Self is not something we have or own. Self is something we are. Self is the same as reality. Self is pure awareness, love, and bliss.
The nature of suffering: He explains that suffering is not something that happens to us. It is something that we create. We create suffering by being ignorant of our true nature and by being attached to our false self. We create suffering by clinging to things that are impermanent and by rejecting things that are unpleasant. We create suffering by being attached to our desires and by being averse to our fears. We create suffering by being in conflict with ourselves and others.
The nature of liberation: He explains that liberation is not something that we achieve or attain. It is something that we realize or remember. Liberation is the recognition of our true nature and the release of our false self. Liberation is the cessation of suffering and the attainment of peace. Liberation is the realization of oneness and the expression of love. Liberation is the state of being here now.
The methods of liberation: He explains that there are many methods or paths that can lead us to liberation. He does not favor one method over another, but rather encourages us to find the method that suits us best. He suggests some of the most common and effective methods, such as meditation, yoga, mantra, prayer, service, devotion, etc. He also gives some practical tips and instructions on how to practice these methods.
The Quotes and References of Be Here Now
The quotes and references of Be Here Now are a collection of passages and citations from various sources that support and complement the teachings and practices of Be Here Now. They include quotes from scriptures, masters, poets, philosophers, scientists, etc. They also include references to books, articles, websites, etc. that can provide more information and guidance on the topics covered in Be Here Now. The quotes and references are arranged in a thematic order that follows the structure of Be Here Now.
Cookbook for a Sacred Life: A Manual for Conscious Being
The third section of Be Here Now is a manual for applying the principles of Be Here Now to everyday life. It is a cookbook for living a sacred life, which means living with awareness, love, and joy in every moment. It covers various aspects of life such as health, diet, work, relationships, money, etc. It offers some suggestions and advice on how to make these aspects more meaningful and fulfilling. It also provides some exercises and practices that can help us cultivate a sacred life.
The Ingredients of a Sacred Life
The ingredients of a sacred life are the qualities and attitudes that we need to develop in order to live a sacred life. They include:
Presence: Being fully aware of the present moment and what is happening within and around us.
Acceptance: Being open to whatever arises in our experience without judging it or resisting it.
Gratitude: Being thankful for everything that we have and everything that we are.
Compassion: Being kind and caring towards ourselves and others without expecting anything in return.
Service: Being helpful and useful to others without seeking recognition or reward.
Devotion: Being dedicated and loyal to a higher power or purpose that guides our life.
The Recipes for a Sacred Life
The recipes for a sacred life are the ways and means that we can use to incorporate the ingredients of a sacred life into our daily activities. They include:
Meditation: A practice of focusing our attention on a chosen object or process such as breath, sound, mantra, etc. in order to calm our mind and cultivate awareness.
Yoga: A practice of performing physical postures and movements that stretch and strengthen our body and align it with our breath and energy.
Mantra: A practice of repeating a sacred word or phrase that has a spiritual meaning and power.
Prayer: A practice of communicating with a higher power or being that we believe in and trust.
Service: A practice of doing good deeds and acts of kindness for others without expecting anything in return.
Devotion: A practice of expressing our love and gratitude to a higher power or being that we adore and worship.
The Resources for a Sacred Life
The resources for a sacred life are the tools and materials that we can use to support and enhance our sacred life. They include:
Books: Books that contain wisdom and guidance from various spiritual traditions and teachers.
Music: Music that uplifts our mood and inspires our spirit.
Art: Art that expresses our creativity and beauty.
Nature: Nature that provides us with nourishment and healing.
Community: Community that offers us friendship and support.
Painted Cakes Do Not Satisfy Hunger: A Collection of Books
The fourth section of Be Here Now is a collection of books that Ram Dass recommended or wrote on various topics related to spirituality. It is named after a Zen proverb that warns us not to mistake the words and concepts for the reality they point to. The books are divided into three categories: The Books that Inspired Ram Dass, The Books that Ram Dass Recommended, and The Books that Ram Dass Wrote or Co-Wrote.
The Books that Inspired Ram Dass
The books that inspired Ram Dass are the books that he read during his spiritual journey that influenced his understanding and practice of spirituality. They include:
The Bhagavad Gita: A Hindu scripture that contains the dialogue between Krishna, an incarnation of God, and Arjuna, a warrior prince, on the eve of a great battle. It teaches the principles of dharma, karma, yoga, and bhakti.
The Upanishads: A collection of Hindu scriptures that contain the teachings of the ancient sages on the nature of reality, self, and liberation.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: A classical text on yoga that outlines the eight limbs or steps of yoga practice: yama (ethical restraints), niyama (personal observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption).
The Dhammapada: A collection of verses attributed to the Buddha that summarize his teachings on ethics, wisdom, and meditation.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Tibetan Buddhist text that describes the stages of death and rebirth according to the Tibetan tradition. It also provides instructions on how to prepare for death and how to help others who are dying.
The Way of Zen: A book by Alan Watts that introduces the history and philosophy of Zen Buddhism to the Western audience. It also explains the concepts and practices of Zen such as zazen (sitting meditation), koan (paradoxical riddles), satori (enlightenment), etc.
The Books that Ram Dass Recommended
The books that Ram Dass recommended are the books that he suggested to his students and followers who wanted to learn more about spirituality. They include:
Autobiography of a Yogi: A book by Paramahansa Yogananda that tells the story of his life and his spiritual journey from India to America. It also introduces the teachings and practices of Kriya Yoga, a form of yoga that combines meditation, breath control, and energy techniques.
Be Love Now: A book by Ram Dass and Rameshwar Das that explores the path of love and devotion as a way to spiritual awakening. It also shares the stories and teachings of some of the great masters of love such as Maharajji, Hanuman, Rumi, Hafiz, etc.
Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism: A book by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche that exposes the pitfalls and traps that can arise in our spiritual journey. It also offers advice on how to overcome them and cultivate genuine spirituality.
I Am That: A book by Nisargadatta Maharaj that contains the dialogues between him and his visitors on the topic of self-realization. It also reveals his direct and uncompromising approach to non-duality and advaita vedanta.
The Power of Now: A book by Eckhart Tolle that teaches how to live in the present moment and free ourselves from the pain and suffering caused by our egoic mind. It also explains how to access the source of our true being, which is awareness, peace, and joy.
The Books that Ram Dass Wrote or Co-Wrote
The books that Ram Dass wrote or co-wrote are the books that he authored or collaborated with other writers on various topics related to spirituality. They include:
Grist for the Mill: A book by Ram Dass and Stephen Levine that contains some of Ram Dass's early lectures and writings on topics such as karma, reincarnation, death, meditation, etc.
How Can I Help?: A book by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman that explores the meaning and practice of service as a spiritual path. It also provides some examples and stories of people who serve others in different ways.
Polishing the Mirror: A book by Ram Dass that reflects on his life and his spiritual journey. It also offers some guidance and inspiration for those who want to follow his footsteps.
Still Here: A book by Ram Dass that addresses the challenges and opportunities of aging and dying from a spiritual perspective. It also shares some of his personal experiences and insights on these topics.
Walking Each Other Home: A book by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush that discusses the art of conscious living and dying. It also provides some tools and practices that can help us prepare for death and support others who are dying.
Conclusion
Be Here Now is a book that can change your life if you read it with an open mind and heart. It is a book that can inspire you to seek a deeper meaning and purpose in life. It is a book that can teach you how to be here now, in the present moment, where you can experience the truth of who you are and what life is. Be Here Now is more than a book. It is a guide to spiritual enlightenment.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Be Here Now:
Where can I get Be Here Now?
You can get Be Here Now from various online platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. You can also get it from your local bookstore or library.
How should I read Be Here Now?
You should read Be Here Now with an open mind and heart. You should not expect it to be a conventional or logical book. You should not try to understand it with your intellect alone. You should try to feel it with your intuition and emotion. You should not rush through it or skip any part. You should read it slowly and attentively. You should also practice what it teaches you.
What if I don't agree with Be Here Now?
You don't