In this talk from 1976, Ram Dass reflects on the motives for spiritual practice that can liberate us or keep us stuck in our own egos.
Resources from this episode: Support Becoming Nobody, a New Film About Ram Dass
Motives for Spiritual Practice
How does the intention behind our spiritual practice determine where that practice leads? Ram Dass looks at the different motives behind why some people adopt practices like yoga or meditation. How can we separate our ego from these motives?
“The motives that draw you to spiritual practices have a lot to do with what you get out of the practice.” – Ram Dass
The Stages of the Drama (19:55)
Ram Dass looks at the purification necessary to properly approach spiritual practice. He examines how cultural myths affect our motivations and relationship with spiritual practice.
“Most of us primarily have to get our psychological and life games in order before we are ready for the higher spiritual practices. Often we want more than we are ready to have. We take on practices that could bring you to God, or to enlightenment. But because we are so caught in psychological stuff, in ego trips, we merely take them and convert them to things around our ego.
Really, there are very few people who have their psychological scene so cooled out. Who are no longer needing to prove themselves. Who have eaten their own unworthiness. They can begin to hear these higher motives for spiritual work.” – Ram Dass
Notes on Becoming Nobody (29:45)
What does it mean to become nobody? Ram Dass reflects on what lies beyond attachment and identification with ego. He looks at methods that can put us on the path to becoming nobody.
“Once you have become somebody, then you are ready to start the journey to becoming nobody.” – Ram Dass
Explore the geography of the journey of awakening with Ram Dass on Ep. 108 of the Here and Now Podcast
Images via the Love Serve Remember Foundation