Ram Dass | Vibepedia

Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, was a pivotal figure in popularizing Eastern spirituality and yoga in the Western world. Initially a Harvard psychologist researching psychedelics with [[timothy-leary|Timothy Leary]], Alpert's journey took a profound turn after traveling to India. There, he met his guru, [[neem-karoli-baba|Neem Karoli Baba]], who gave him the name Ram Dass, meaning 'servant of God.' His seminal book, [[be-here-now|Be Here Now]], offered a practical guide to mindfulness and spiritual awakening. Over his decades-long career, Ram Dass authored over a dozen books, hosted lectures, and founded organizations like the [[seva-foundation|Seva Foundation]] to promote compassionate service. His legacy is one of radical self-inquiry, the merging of science and spirituality, and the enduring message of loving awareness.