Take a deep journey with Ram Dass as he explores how we create our own universe, how meditation can lead us to the space between two thoughts, and how his work with dying people helped him get close to the living edge of truth.
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This episode of Here and Now comes from a lecture Ram Dass gave in Los Angeles, California, on June 1st, 1990. Check back soon for the conclusion of this talk.
- On his second night of lecturing in Los Angeles, Ram Dass is ready for showbiz. He begins by talking about a meditation retreat he attended in Burma and the different stages he went through as his practice of following the breath deepened. When we become quiet enough, we can begin to see how we create our own universe.
- As we progress further on the path, we begin to focus on the different parts of each thought that arises. Ram Dass explores how we can enter and hang out in the space between two thoughts. He talks about realizing he could be anything he wanted.
- What are the implications of creating our own reality? Could we turn a lecture hall into a living room? A prison into a monastery? Ram Dass shares his ambition to create places where people can get free. He speaks about his work with prisoners and dying people as a way to get close to the living edge of his truth.
“When you wanna get free, you start to hang out where you’re frightened. Kabir says you go into the fire instead of into the water. Because the water is life-giving and the fire is life-consuming, and you keep consuming life into yourself until you’re free. So I looked at my fear, and the way I can look at my fear is hanging out with people that are dying. So I love it. I mean, it gets me really close to my living edge of truth each time.” – Ram Dass
About Ram Dass:
Ram Dass’s spirit has been a guiding light for generations, carrying millions along on the journey. Ram Dass teaches that through the Bhakti practice of unconditional love, we can all connect with our true nature. Through these teachings, Ram Dass has shared a piece of his guru, Maharaj-ji, with everyone who has listened. Learn more at ramdass.org.
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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.