Ram Dass - The Practice of Being Here Now

Ram Dass discusses what it means to practice "being here now," touching on such topics as cultivating full awareness of the present moment, appreciating the ordinary, the conditions of being-ness, as well as coping with the challenges of work and home life. This recording is apart of Ram Dass' 1989 'Listening Heart' series.
0:00 - 6:36 What are some practical ideas for how to be here now?
6:37 - 10:36 Are you a shill?
10:37 - 20:33 How can we come from a heartfelt space, rather than from your head, when trying to be here now?
20:34 - 31:11 On trying to “control the moment”
31:12 - 37:00 What are some ways of taking care of ourselves in the process of being here now?
37:01 - 39:36 What is so attractive about living in the past or the future?
39:37 - 43:04 How can you make a life plan while trying to be here now?
43:05 - 49:44 On balancing home, work, and spiritual life
49:45 - 59:03 How can we integrate a task/goal oriented way of life with an intuitive one?
59:04 - 1:11:15 Are there any methods to deepen one’s appreciation for the ordinary?
1:11:16 - 1:15:53 How do we practice awareness and also enjoy spontaneity?
1:15:54 - What is the language of beingness?
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[@ianoian1]

I am British and I bought Be Here Now back in what would be around 1972 - 1974. It had a dramatic effect on my life. Together with this book, I also read the other book that would change my thinking for a lifetime, Paramahansa Yogandanda's Autobiography of a Yogi. So, together, two enlightened beings that I still idolize after what, about 50 years!! Bless you🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@groves19881]

Namaste Much love from OhiO USA🙏🏻🙏🏿🙏 Ram Ram ♥️♥️♥️

[@prajnachan333]

Ditto for me- with two more- Ramana Maharsi 🕉 Meher Baba 🎉

[@danieljones741]

...around the same time, early 70s in liverpool, my guru came into my path, turning me on. Be here now was such a lovely thing to have to help me along. It's nice to know someone else feels the wow of now 50 years on.

[@christmasanimals7119]

You are too attached with the label they put on the piece of land in which you happen to be experiencing human form. Just kidding. God bless your experience 🙏.

[@DodecahedronIM]

😅

[@prajnachan333]

I read Be Here Now when I was 13. Then in High School as part of a School Within a School, an alternative program, we had Ram Dass come and speak. We sat with eyes closed and suddenly- there was his voice- powerful (!) Then I heard him 'speak' at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland- wonderful (!) Then at a small building in Marin. When it was over I was standing outside, and he got into a Volkswagen Bug and as they pulled away our eyes met and it was so beautiful- here-now- being recognizing being, consciousness recognizing consciousness. 🎉 Gratitude 🙏 Baba 🕉

[@WasabiLavender]

Pure gratitude 🙏 I was able to see him speak in Maui just by random chance and the experience of the entire room being present with him was unbelievable

[@MultiFrishman]

how can you not LOVE this man

[@clare5571]

I adore him! The Guru… wonder who he has reincarnated to?

[@MultiFrishman]

@@clare5571 maybe he didnt :)

[@mldrafts560]

I love his laugh

[@abbaX_]

@@MultiFrishmanI would believe that💛

[@Star_Dusting]

A week ago I did a ram dass meditation on self love and I burst into tears seconds before he started to om. I felt something I forgave myself for not loving me for over 2 decades. Nothing any paid therapist I’ve been to has been able to do.! 😂And strange thing about it was I had no idea he was going to do that meditation in this particular lecture I had put on. Thanks for letting me share.

[@jenmdawg]

Wow. I have had these shifts myself - some become instant and permanent and some fade but that I’ve experienced it has always changed me in a powerful way. Ram gets me in ways no one else has and then that “me” I’ve clung to or believed in gives way to peace. Your comment makes me happy.

[@richardgoodrich4783]

Been here a couple times. He did a loving awareness meditation and it left like I was in that room and could feel his presence, the tears just came and I unloaded alot I had kept in. Ram Dass has had a huge impact on my life through these lectures and meditations.

[@selfair9461]

Wow. Can u pls share that film. Thks 😊

[@user-ee6cb1zg2k]

😅!

[@christmasanimals7119]

Thank you ram dass for choosing to share this with the world. You truly are a saint.

[@luciwaves]

I love how he thinks a lot before answering some of those... shows a lot of wisdom and care. Amazing!

[@AllGoodLongchenRabjam108]

It’s dropping into intuitive consciousness. Silence. Inviting in God to speak. Thinking about what to say is ego

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Yes, it takes a moment to receive the words. There’s no preparation for these talks. Just connecting

[@chadwhedbee5581]

He becomes still and quiet and the proper response can then come to him and he lets it flow through him

[@hectorfromguat]

Yes, I’ve been practicing this lately, even with the decisions I make.

[@BabvBlues]

I can’t even express how much this has helped me

[@marypalmer1062]

Oh how we miss you. Thanks so much

[@wobbletime8397]

He's right here ❤

[@KiAirah87]

"Don't be silly, where could I go?"

[@Bird_Coltrane_Monk_Dizzy1113]

He’s still here 😊where could he go?

[@kellylogan2729]

35:07 Life changing words. Anyone who is having trouble loving themselves should hear this message.💕

[@BabaRamDassChannel]

We at the channel feel the same way!

[@madeleinehallman3550]

THANK YOU. Was given this book: Be Here Now…. when I was 16. I was told by someone very important to me 💖 that “this book will change your life” - it did. Still helps. So glad that this seed was planted 🌱 to sprout at the perfect time ☀️ completely. Almost 29 now 🎉 …. Still here NOW . Still noting my breath. ✨🤙 Still breathing. Thank you Ram Dass.

[@zenjett254]

I love Being Here Now with you Baba Ram Das. You are always in my heart ❤️.

[@gavin4981]

Need your invoring

[@kristihare4424]

Same😊😊

[@freeleonardpeltier4148]

Well said. He is love

[@jacobokubo7726]

I had a synchronicity with this video and Robin Williams right before Ram Dass said Robin Williams I was thinking of Jumanji and how life is just a game we play

[@marypalmer1062]

We are never alone

[@saum8455]

Thank you for this kind message

[@marypalmer1062]

never never alone. I see you.

[@marypalmer1062]

🙏

[@psychiccouple1728]

Never 😃

[@ahutch3835]

Human aliens.

[@josh-rb7he]

love all of the third patriarch talk in this one, a teacher just gave me a copy of "verses on the faith mind" recently and ram dass' explanation here is so good

[@BabaRamDassChannel]

We at the channel also love this text and his fascination with it. So essential.

[@darinrmcclure]

I read Be Here Now when I was 12, spun my compass for life.

[@oscaryeager5030]

It bums me out these kids with the phones, they have access to unlimited knowledge, books, history, etc... And they're using it for TikTok and social media garbage!

[@ThePodBoss69]

@@oscaryeager5030 shows our evolutionary level as a culture

[@ThePodBoss69]

Isn't it amazing to have taken birth in this time though? I mean we get all of Ram Dass, Alan Watts, and the greatest spiritual teachings at our fingertips. This is the new Ashram.

[@pickle4183]

@@oscaryeager5030 a world created by those older than them, don’t underestimate the power of social norms and algorithms to force ignorance on people.

[@oscaryeager5030]

@@pickle4183 I never underestimate the power and NEED of control that the powers that be need... I'm turning 44 and the amount of effort, money, manipulation, calculation, that's gone into changing the world to fit their schemes is insane. The year 2000 is unrecognizable! And that was only 23 yrs ago. Imagine another 23...

[@dandy2405]

Such wisdom and practical use cases. He really understand! ❤

[@rainynightz7573]

I literally need these

[@ahutch3835]

You got it. Run around never run down.

[@lornahuddleston1453]

I got caught in a gigantic fear trap recently. Ram Dass popped me out of it. Thanks Ram Dass. I needed the reminder. I'm listening to everything again now. It's been years. 💖💗💐📿🙏

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

Softness and tenderness is the heart space.

[@user-mb1gl5fn8w]

I love his laughing voice

[@prajnachan333]

In the beginning I felt to be as conscious as I could be. I went deeply into this. A time came when I felt to let consciousness have 'me'. Then.............................. 🕉 Everything Is here now. In awareness I know that I am nothing. In love I know that I am everything. -Nisargadatta Maharaj

[@KatrissaBallet]

Thank you Ram Dass… thank you Maharaji ♥️🧿🏝🦋. Thank You!!!!

[@Ankursharma-fm8ti]

Ram ram 🙏🌹🙏🌹🙏🌹

[@DarkLessReviews]

Thank you for this lecture, I think I forgot to be here for a while, listening to this helped me.

[@psychiccouple1728]

Same haha

[@abbaX_]

💛 we all forget sometimes

[@lornahuddleston1453]

Me three. ❤

[@RuffRydaz82]

This was so juicy! Need to listen to it another 100 times!

[@gme5400]

Happiness is an inside job❤

[@z9avazqu]

THANK YOU RAM DASS FOR ALL THE TEACHINGS! 🕉💚

[@VisibletoanyoneonYoutubes]

He and many others grounds me when I’m coming down from a mushroom ceremony ❤🛐🕉️

[@noodlewhitley]

19:22 Seeing the most profound in the most mundane...

[@valhallayoga]

The reminder I needed as I am on my way to teach a yoga class 🧘🏼‍♂️ thank you my guru. 🧿

[@one23kNow]

love you 💚

[@dorisjackson6229]

We must be about the same vintage Oliver. I was blessed to be at his last retreat in the uk. My heart opens whenever I remember or hear him. He took himself so lightly. A lesson I struggle to remember.

[@UmaerHashmi]

Me too

[@simonrice7137]

This is so beautiful

[@user-ci7eu9mj3i]

I love Ram Dass

[@PringePie]

Hearing this brought many joyous tears to my eyes. Thank you warm soul

[@jrgranados6769]

Thanks!

[@littlewillowlinda]

This is such an important talk, i like a lot of people end up wondering how to function in everyday life which requires planning while still being in the present

[@marypalmer1062]

Breathe. Just breathe.

[@marypalmer1062]

In this present moment...

[@dnbjedi]

It’s lovely to hear him telling new stories. Thank you!!!!!

[@WasabiLavender]

When ram sass passed did anyone else feel no worry or pain but pure peace?

[@christopheryou]

Wow, that story about Rosie the dolphin sounds really fun! Thanks for sharing. The entire selection was quite moving.

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Yes, that was funny. But cetaceans aren’t really supposed to be touched by humans. They’re soft because they’re covered in a layer of mucous. It protects them. They can get sick when part of that layer is removed

[@timmy1874]

Honor this moment

[@ANANDSINDHU10]

Response is time bound.. Clinging of human mind is in time, future.. Back to now Breath

[@jennymedley6475]

THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU 🤗

[@stupidloser279]

Thank you so much for this ❤️

[@fionatudor-tompkins6526]

Wow no words 🙌🙏🏻❤️

[@kellyhaggett3978]

“I’m just washing these pots”😂

[@dranamarie]

I wanted to hear the rest of it!! 👍🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@nickolousangeles3510]

This was a wonderful lecture

[@highheatrichie]

The best ❤

[@xuxiltamang7680]

Jai Ram Dass Baba

[@psychiccouple1728]

Thank you rd

[@samloscoisnotacaveman]

love.

[@coltlineberry2444]

🙏📿🕉

[@crystalfolse3208]

Om peace

[@peacepaint917]

❤

[@krisrobinson5919]

🌻 🌻 🌻

[@heyuitsme]

17:12 if you heard this message the drive home tomorrow will be as rich as the sitting here. There’s no where to go. Every moment of life is equally rich. 20:23 everything is in everything 23:37 we’re all used to having plans and our inertia of mine leaves us strangely out of sync with everything 35:06 you can’t take a vacation from a spiritual journey 50:24 it doesn’t mean you don’t have preferences, it means your not clinging to your preferences. All your actions are based on preferences on some level 35:40 oughts and shoulds - the perfection of the universe that includes you, you’re at the absolute optimum place that you are at this moment 38:50 most of the thoughts you have are thoughts that in some way legitimize a self concept - time binding - creating an image of yourself as an existing entity through rehearsing the past and planning the future as support for who you think you are at any given moment 18:29 aldous huxley 20:26 boredom is just lack of attention 24:19 make plans but hold very lightly to them; the fullness of this moment is the best preparation for when that time is here now 19:42 story about FDA 20:22 boredom is just lack of attention 23:21 if I’m so wedded to the plan, i do violence to what the existential moment is at that time 24:24 make plans but hold very lightly to them. The fullness of this moment os the best preparation for being there then.

[@Dumbpuppet101]

Please continue this ❤

[@heyuitsme]

@@Dumbpuppet101 I'm glad you find this helpful! I started doing this for myself because there's no way to bookmark videos in YT (that I know of), and I want to be able to come back to parts I find important. I'm glad that it's incidentally helping other people!

[@mldrafts560]

Watching this in my throat, I found a m&m. A peanut m&m on the floor board rd and I ate it. And there's currently a little spider sitting on my windshield like he's listening along

[@mldrafts560]

Supposed to say in my truck.. fml

[@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496]

Your comment, both of them, made me laugh and Ive been doing everything I can to no kill myself this weekend. Thanks. I needed that and I believe that spider was in fact listening. How could he not be, it’s Ram Dass 😋❤️

[@mldrafts560]

@@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496 it's a true story. Lol it be like that sometimes.. let's talk about what's going on with you tho. Do you need an unbiased ear..to listen? I can't guarantee more serendipitous magic like that comment..but we'll see.. we have all things that are good here.. lmk if ya need an ear.

[@mldrafts560]

What a journey itbis to spend this moment with you

[@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496]

@@mldrafts560 You’re very kind, which makes sense because people interested in love, kindness, and all the good stuff typically find their way to guys like Ram Dass and or spiritual practices and teachers. I don’t know what I need. I just turned 53 a few days ago and I’ve had suicidal shit since I was 9 years old. It’s plagued my mind, mood and emotions for 44 years. It seems to get worse every year too. Sone days are better than others and I can completely ignore the mind and all its narratives, other times I identify with it, as it, and it’s a fight to stay alive. I’ve been sober 10 years using 12 step method after 35 years of chronic late stage alcoholism and addiction. There have been many profound, incredible and beautiful awakenings and peak experiences but the suicidal mind is well grooved and is always there. I don’t talk about it in 12 step meetings because it scares people I think so I just fight alone using whatever I can. I went to Catholic school as a kid and they threatened us with stories of devils, demins and eternal torment in a lake of fire so I’m constantly afraid of dying too. Absolute child abuse imo. What horrible things to tell innocent children 🥺 I can’t get rid of it either, it’s always there. Anyway, idk. I appreciate your loving concern. ❤️ It’s just my karma I guess.

[@OfficialJoeyC]

Present moment awareness🙏🏻

[@tomato1040]

Yah, WE=mc2😊can take what we're👣given as long As IT Is freshly🔯Kosher for Our🌎Universal🌌Awakening with True⚛️Nourishment🤰🕊️

[@SacredSilence95]

Lmao ma man was ready to go all in with the dolfin

[@kimberliemann7698]

The only part of what he said that I really kinda red flagged as maybe a spiritual joke??, was when he said your last thought is where you go.. can you elaborate on your opinion 🙏

[@KatrissaBallet]

I think if you are clinging in your final thoughts, it results in future clinging in the next life…. Thinking of Maharaji’s death, or Ghandis, and well so so many enlightened beings, all both of them were so totally present in their final moment in their heart mind and body that they truly must have reached a little closer to god than those desperately thirsty :)

[@KatrissaBallet]

in more ways than one thirsty.. hungry… lonely… ect… it leads to more clinging. Human life is so precious and it’s consciousness must be savored like two delicious m&ms ❤

[@bliss5133]

,☀️💓☀️

[@dominiquehort3688]

Does anybody know where to go and listen to the continuation of this tape… it interrupted during the dolphin great story …

[@prajnachan333]

It's Here Now- 🕉 Being is always here now. Are you? 🎉 Conscious rather than compulsive

[@fooBar55]

Which year was this recorded?

[@fracoiisedesrosiers6233]

Bonjour... Comment faire pour écouter en FRANÇAIS Svp..🙏🤝

[@BuBu-uz9qi]

Ok ok. I will write more

[@VisibletoanyoneonYoutubes]

Hahaha hahah 0:00 they were preparing for us

[@staciewilson4766]

😢😮

[@bc2752]

Robert Anton Wilson is my guy.

[@VisibletoanyoneonYoutubes]

Love that guy’s work! 😊good taste- you have

[@LoveLearnGrowInChrist]

I’ve just arrived

[@DAN-nk1xt]

1:06:30

[@Boltzmann_brain]

41:55 was that Sam Harris?

[@ark-L]

Definitely was! Sam has mentioned that his first time taking LSD was with Ram Dass

[@gavin4981]

Elementary

[@jaymeburns]

? Elaborate

[@foreveryactionthereisacons1683]

Sherlock Holmes...?

[@bleikrsound6127]

If you can’t Be Here Now, try to Be Here At 8:30 PM. 😂

[@Anthonyinkz]

🎉 Confusing to me, they had weurd ideas in the 1970s

[@julianpaulson283]

Are these photographs from this actual lecture?

[@marypalmer1062]

Don't know...but does it matter?

[@selflit]

Past past past psssst keep the witness glowing

[@julianpaulson283]

@@marypalmer1062 was just curious. I’ve acquired an autographed photo of Ram Dass from the pictured lecture, so I was just wondering if this is the same lecture we’re listening to or not as well :)

[@julianpaulson283]

@Gena Bernal do you happen to know how I might find what lecture the photographs are from? :)

[@marypalmer1062]

I was into my heart when I replied. No worries please. 👍

[@prajnachan333]

B-H-N Beautiful Hilarious Nonsense Benevolence Heartfelt Nothingness Benediction Honesty No-mind Bobsled Haystack Nutshell 🕉

[@GregoryFord-nc7zl]

I thank Ram Dass for his works. Umm, if I may add a caveat- humbly speaking. Somewhere, some how there is a misnomer. For there is no 'here'. Incremental 'nowness' is non abiding. So may i posit, aprapos of nothing: Ritual Simplicity. For experience is apt to come full circle, like the worm ouroburos swallowing it's own long lost...wel, you needn't teach grandma how to suck an egg. Thanks KZbinrs.

[@woodsey5287]

Very annoying graphic on right of screen More is less

[@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496]

Less is more too

[@bc2752]

I like the way. Think this guy is full of total nonsense.

[@VisibletoanyoneonYoutubes]

Bull crap. He talk bull crap uwu. 😂

[@VisibletoanyoneonYoutubes]

He was answering questions on the spot in this video- I think it’s impressive and very comforting.

[@bc2752]

He says some very unintelligent things.

[@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496]

Or, you’re just not at that level of understanding and or consciousness yet. Just because you don’t understand or can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

[@xuxiltamang7680]

Jai Ram Dass Baba

[@prajnachan333]

B-H-N Beautiful Hilarious Nonsense Benevolence Heartful Nothingness Benediction Honesty No-mind Bobsled Haystack Nutshell 🕉

[@xuxiltamang7680]

Jai Ram Dass Baba