Ram Dass, a prominent figure in American spirituality, left an enduring legacy. His life journey, from academic psychologist to spiritual guru, continues to inspire many.

Wiki/Biography

Richard Alpert, later known as Ram Dass, was born on Monday, April 6, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts. His zodiac sign was Aries. He completed his schooling at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. His academic pursuits led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, a Master’s in Psychology from Wesleyan University, and finally, a doctorate in Psychology from Stanford University.

His father envisioned a medical career for him, but during his time at Tufts, Richard decided to pursue psychology. A mentor at Wesleyan recommended him to Stanford, where he completed his PhD in the early 1950s, focusing his thesis on “Achievement Anxiety.” After his PhD, he taught at Stanford for a year before delving into psychoanalysis.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 6’3”
• Eye Colour: Vibrant Green
• Hair Colour: White

Family & Religion

Born into a Jewish family, Richard initially identified as an atheist. His father, George Alpert, was a Boston lawyer, and he had an older brother, William Alpert. He remained unmarried throughout his life, only discovering at age 78 that he had a son, Peter Reichard.

Teaching Career

In 1958, his mentor from Wesleyan, David McClelland, facilitated Ram Dass’s appointment as an assistant clinical psychology professor at Harvard University. There, he contributed to several departments, specializing in human motivation and personality development. His first book, “Identification and Child Rearing,” was published during his time at Harvard.

His collaboration with Timothy Leary, a fellow lecturer at Harvard, led to research and experimentation with psilocybin, LSD-25, and other psychedelic chemicals through the Harvard Psilocybin Project. Their involvement in the “Good Friday Experiment,” a study of drugs and mystical experience, further shaped their careers. They co-founded the International Federation for Internal Freedom (IFIF) to study the religious use of psychedelic drugs. However, their research eventually led to their dismissal from Harvard in 1963.

Spiritual Life

A pivotal moment occurred in 1967 when Ram Dass traveled to India and met Neem Karoli Baba, a significant spiritual leader. Becoming Baba’s disciple, he received the name “Ram Dass,” meaning “Servant of God.” His experiences profoundly influenced his later teachings and writings.

Returning to America, he began lecturing and sharing his spiritual insights, culminating in the publication of his best-selling book, “Be Here Now,” which sold over 5 million copies. He established the Hanuman Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to service. Later, he co-created The Living/Dying Project, a pioneering facility focused on conscious dying.

Even after a stroke in 1997 left him with expressive aphasia and paralysis, he continued to teach and share his wisdom online. He relocated to Maui, Hawaii, in 2004, where he passed away on December 22, 2019, at the age of 88.

Facts/Trivia

Ram Dass’s influence extended beyond his books; his retreats and teachings impacted countless lives. His exploration of spirituality spanned various traditions.

Here’s a summary of key aspects of his life: