Ram Dass has assumed multiple identities throughout his life that have significantly impacted Western academic, spiritual, and cultural spheres. Before he was known as the spiritual teacher and writer Ram Dass, he identified as Dr. Richard Alpert, a prominent Harvard psychologist and psychedelic pioneer who, with Dr. Timothy Leary, launched the mind/body/spirit movement in the 1960s. Upon traveling to India in 1967, Dr. Richard Alpert was renamed ‘Ram Dass’ by his guru Neem Karoli Baba, meaning “servant of God.”
LSD Guru to Spiritual Guru
At that moment, everything changed. Ram Dass' experimentation with the consciousness-expanding potential of psychedelics, evolved into a spiritual practice of awakening embedded within his mantra "Be Here Now" that permeates his 1971 seminal work of the same title. While Dr. Timothy Leary would transgressively identify as a proponent of the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of LSD, urging the Counter Culture to "turn on, tune in, and drop out," Ram Dass headed to India and returned with spiritual methods that have since significantly altered Western perspectives of consciousness.
Ram Dass’ spiritual leadership, particularly with his practice of karma yoga and spiritual service, has not only invited millions of souls to access their deep, individuated spiritual practice and path. His teachings also infuse various social causes and efforts with which Ram Dass has been an integral part since the 1960s. Ram Dass has taken up social action endeavors, ranging from incarceration and rehabilitation via spiritual awakening with The Prison-Ashram Project, to conscious dying with the Living/Dying Project.
Read on for personal insight from Ram Dass about fusing spirituality and social action for the last forty years.
Applied Dharma, Collective Freedom
I would say that the thrust of my life has been initially about getting free, and then realizing that my freedom is not independent of everybody else. Then I am arriving at that circle where one works on oneself as a gift to other people so that one doesn't create more suffering. I help people as I work on myself and I work on myself to help people.
I have to listen - we all have to - to hear how we honor all of the different levels of the games we are in. I'm a member of a family, I'm a member of a nation-state, I'm a member of the community, I have a sexual identity, I have an age identity, a religious identity. It's important to feel how your incarnation takes form through these identities, and to ask yourself, what does it mean to live with integrity within each of those systems?
I've been perfecting that circle for thirty years. It's karma yoga. It's the Bodhisattva vow. My life is about applied dharma. On a socio-political level - I'm a survivor. Once that faith and that connection and that emptiness is strong enough, then I experience looking around for the fields I can play in. That's something that I have had to learn because I used to be so busy seeing the spiritual journey as something that you did by yourself.
Ram Dass and Social Action
I work with AIDS, with business, with government, with teenagers, with people dying of cancer, with blindness. It doesn't matter, because your agenda is always the same. Do what you can on this plane to relieve suffering by constantly working on yourself to be an instrument for the cessation of suffering. To me, that's what the emerging game is all about.
I have been part of a group called Social Venture Network - exploring the relationship between spirit and business. We have two conferences a year and it has about 500 people involved, including Ben and Jerry's and The Body Shop. Working with dying people is dealing with my issues about death and working with business people is dealing with my issues about money and power.
I have worked with Seva Foundation for many years. Seva has been involved in relieving blindness in India and Nepal.
I have worked with the Living Dying Project, as well as the Zen Hospice Center where we help hospice workers and anyone who works with dying people- we teach them how to be “loving rocks”.
#Be Here Now is hosted by the Love Serve Remember Foundation, aiming to spread the teachings of Ram Dass by raising $50,000 to build a digital media library to preserve his teachings.
By taking any action on the campaign, you and a friend have the chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Maui for a personal retreat with Ram Dass.
And the winner of the Save the Arctic: Atoms For Peace campaign is...
Congrats to Nicole R. of Upton, Massachusetts, our winner of the VIP tickets for the Thom Yorke & Atoms For Peace concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California!
"This amazing opportunity came at the most unexpected moment! I'm overjoyed and honored to be part of this movement to protect the arctic and the world."
How did you find out about the Save the Arctic: Atoms For Peace campaign and grand prize, and why did you decide to participate?
I’m a huge fan of the artists promoting the grand prize, as well as those involved with the other campaigns of The Urgency Network. I found out about the great prizes and the many ways to obtain them through various online promotions. Of course, I wanted to win but more than that, I sincerely wanted to participate in the fight to save the arctic.
Tell us about your life.
Five months ago, I moved from Hawaii and, two months before that, from the Philippines. Now I live in Massachusetts with my mother and my younger brother. I haven’t been to many places besides the ones previously mentioned, but from what I have seen so far, I could say two things: the world is beautiful and it needs to be protected. For that, I chose to take up Biology. I am currently in my first year at college, and while I have experience with some volunteer work, I plan to take on more as I go.
What are your thoughts on Atoms For Peace and Greenpeace's Save the Arctic campaign?
Being an islander, I experienced the four seasons for the first time. I’ve never seen leaves that turn red or fog that covers everything, but when I think about it, many people have not swam with sea turtles or seen the Chocolate Hills like I have. Despite knowing about the many wonders of the world, most of us have yet to experience them. I don’t think anyone has the right to take this chance from us.
I did not know of the situation up in the Arctic. It’s shameful of me, especially because of my passion for environmental conservation, but definitely, through this campaign, people have gained awareness. It allows individuals like me to be part of the solution. Not only did the campaign inform me of the situation, but also give me concrete ways to help. I was even rewarded with this opportunity to see the Atoms for Peace!
What was your initial response when you found out you won the prize?
My initial reaction was shock, then doubt, and then extreme elation. The news didn’t quite sink in until a couple of minutes after, and as soon as I acknowledged that it was true, I looked for someone to accompany me. My younger brother would have been the one to accompany me if he wasn't so young. Then I realized that this was a chance for me to meet with my best friend whom I have not seen in almost three years. This whole package of saving the arctic, seeing Atoms for Peace, flying to Hollywood and reuniting with my friend couldn’t be more complete.
Stay tuned to find out how Nicole's experience in Hollywood went!
Interview with Nicole R. by Jessica Lipman of The Urgency Network
The Urgency Network recently sent the winner of the Ten Island Renewable Challenge campaign, David C. of Santiago, Chile, to New York City to meet Sir Richard Branson and attend the exclusive Carbon War Room NYC Office Launch event. For details about his once-in-a-lifetime experience, read on!
What was it like meeting Richard Branson and attending the Carbon War Room’s NYC office launch?
DC: As a whole the experience of meeting such an interesting team of people is always mind opening and is able to generate a creative environment. Richard Branson is truly amazing and his views on how to live life are inspiring. He has found the way to do what he loves for a living, enjoy it, play hard and help communities in the process. Every aspect of that is motivating. His team is diverse and full of people who bring different visions, ideas and ways to challenge what is being done. Talking to all of them and listening to their views, especially on Energy Efficiency, gave me a completely new insight as to how much we can achieve.
How has this experience impacted your personal and professional goals, methodology, and mission?
DC: As a backdrop to the event, the words “NO Plan B” were written on the wall. This has resonated in my head as the motto that was in everyone’s head that day. To work and fight for what is important, for what really matters and for what we love. In my case it’s the fight for Energy Efficiency in a place like Latin America, where there is still a lot of doubts when it comes to Green Technologies.
When I first got here, after travelling on a motorcycle for 7 months, I saw the opportunity. Everywhere I went, the most beautiful sceneries were being destroyed by pollution in different ways. The idea of making a difference kept appearing. When I settled in Chile, a lot of people were dubious that my business was going to work. But it was clear to me it had to be done, and who better to do it than me. Richard is a “screw it, just do it” kind of person, and I think I am like that as well. Meeting him has just made me a stronger believer in what I am doing. My vision and our mission at Eco-Eficiencia.com made more sense than ever. Seeing that there is a team of us fighting for the same goal and exploring green technologies makes me realize I am where I want to be and doing what I want to do.
How did you feel throughout the experience?
DC: Things just fell in the right place for this event. Everything from the conversations, the group of people in the room to the general sense of being on the same wave length made me feel excited about what is happening. You have to keep in mind that, I was meeting Richard Branson, so of course I was excited. What an amazing experience! But aside from that excitement, there was a feeling of achievement from all of us. I am part of the change, and everyone in that room was. Something powerful is happening, and this could be felt during the whole event.
What actions did you take to win this experience?
DC: To be honest I found my way to the Urgency Network by following a link Richard Branson posted on Linkedin about his 10 Island Challenge, and it brought me to the Urgency Network’s campaign, so I;
Watched a video
Signed up for the newsletter
Liked on Facebook
Sent out a Tweet
Just a few simple tasks, but more than anything I learned a lot about the Carbon War Room's Ten Island Renewable Challenge, and was inspired by its potential. A few days later I received a call to my Chilean cell phone from Donald, the Co-Founder of the Urgency Network, who called to congratulate me on winning… So cool.
Tell us about your experience.
DC: After a restful flight up from Santiago, Chile we arrived in New York around midday. It always feels good being back in the States since I've lived abroad for the past several years. The city is buzzing and there is little time to do everything we plan to do. We managed to do it all...hardly. We were able to get some well deserved tacos, hang with some old friends, listen to a great jazz band, go for a run in Central Park, have some truly legendary NY pizza, and walk around SoHo and Williamsburg. Great art, great food and the best was still to come. We got ready to meet Richard Branson. An honest and nice guy who talked to me as he was just one more in the room. With the craziness of people in space suits, drinks and incredibly energetic conversations, time passed quickly. Richard had to leave, but the conversations kept on going. Ideas were thrown as what to do in the Carbon War Room. A few handshakes here and there, including some of the world’s leading sustainability experts from various sectors, as well as artists, musicians and businessmen. A diverse group all looking for one thing in common: a different way to do things, a creative way of looking at life, and most important of all, to leave a mark on this world. The whole night, if not the whole trip, just flew by quickly. In no time we were back on the plane on our way to BA. Perfect layover to stop and grab an Argentinean steak and a good glass of Malbec. Too soon we were back home trying to digest everything that had happened, the people we had met and the new challenges that our business has ahead.
Paul McCartney, Richard Branson, and Linkin Park offer ultimate fan experiences to launch new fundraising and awareness platform THE URGENCY NETWORK
The Urgency Network connects nonprofits, musicians, celebrities, fans, and brands in a single online community to create positive impact on a global scale.
Urgency participants can win larger than life experiences by completing social actions like watching awareness videos, donating, or opting-in to mass tweets. With each campaign, the more actions you complete, the more entries you’ll earn towards the Grand Prize drawing.
The Urgency Network is working with several partners to assure that each Grand Prize will be an incredible experience from beginning to end.
“We’re proud to be collaborating with like-minded startups such as Airbnb and Lyft to deliver truly unique experiences for our users and increase the impact we can make for nonprofits,” commented co-founder Donald Eley.
While it’s free to participate, fans who donate can choose from a variety of rewards like concert tickets, merchandise, memorabilia and vouchers as a thank you.
Additionally, The Urgency Network provides top-performing campaigns an opportunity to win a portion of The Jackpot, which is fueled by foundations and corporate sponsors.
The first Jackpot up for grabs will be a $1 million dollar media grant provided by PVBLIC Foundation who harnesses the power of unused media space to help nonprofits amplify their message.
The Urgency Network’s launch campaigns include:
· Meet and greet with Richard Branson in New York City (Carbon War Room)
· Backstage experience with Paul McCartney at Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco (Greenpeace)
· Trip to Japan to hang out with Linkin Park at Summer Sonic Festival (Music For Relief)
Whether you donate five dollars or a fortune, five minutes or a weekend: no good deed goes unrewarded.
