In this deep exploration of service, relationships, and roles, Ram Dass discusses how nothing brings more joy than serving the Beloved once we recognize that the Spirit is everywhere.
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This episode of Here and Now is from a talk Ram Dass gave during a retreat at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, on June 20, 1986.
- Ram Dass talks about how every act between human beings has the capacity to help or liberate. He discusses Ramana Maharshi’s concept of “God, Guru, and Self” being the same thing, and how we can start to appreciate that God or the Spirit is everywhere.
- Ram Dass shares an insight into his relationship with his father as an example of the subtle ways we can help each other. He talks about how our attachment to our roles and identity can hinder us from serving others, but we can play our roles without getting lost in them.
- Ram Dass explores how every experience in life is an opportunity to awaken. He tells stories of connecting with people at the level of heart and soul as a way to play in our roles, rather than be trapped by them. When we get beyond our roles and recognize that God is everywhere, nothing brings us more joy than serving the Beloved.
“If you’ve seen the Beloved, there’s nothing that brings you more joy than serving the Beloved. Is the Beloved a mother and a child in Africa? Is it a blind man in Nepal? Is it a homeless person in New York City? Are they ‘them’ or is that the family? Is it family? Is it the lover? Is it the Beloved? Is it Christ in the distressing disguises? Is it Maharajji in drag? Which one is it? You pick it. Is it your higher self coming to ask you, ‘Can you love me here too?’” – Ram Dass
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Listen to more episodes of the Ram Dass Here and Now Podcast:
Go back to the very beginning of the journey as Ram Dass talks about his early years in life and the psychedelic experience that changed everything in Here and Now Ep. 1.
How does our perception shape our experience of suffering? Ram Dass investigates the many roots of suffering in Here and Now Ep. 132.
We all touch states of transcendence. Ram Dass explores how we can come into contact with the path of awakening in Here and Now Ep. 164.
Ram Dass breaks down the history of psychedelics and helps us understand the risks and rewards of these consciousness-altering chemicals in Here and Now Ep. 183.