Ram Dass

Ram Dass (Richard Alpert, 1931–2019) was the Harvard psychologist-turned-spiritual-teacher whose Be Here Now (1971) became the founding scripture of American seeker culture, carrying Neem Karoli Baba’s bhakti to the West.

Background

Richard Alpert, Harvard psychology professor (with Timothy Leary) in the psychedelic research era, was dismissed from Harvard (1963); his 1967 India journey met Neem Karoli Baba (Maharajji), who named him Ram Dass (“servant of God”) — the transformation from psychedelic explorer to bhakta.

Spiritual Contribution

Be Here Now (1971) — part autobiography, part manual, part art object — sold millions and defined a generation’s vocabulary (the “be here now” imperative); his teaching of devotional service (seva), aging (Still Here, 2000), and conscious dying (the Dying Project) followed; the Hanuman Foundation and Seva Foundation (with Larry Brilliant and Wavy Gravy — the blindness-prevention work) embodied his service ethic.

Legacy and Impact

Among the West’s most beloved teachers; his post-stroke (1997) teaching of “fierce grace” modeled conscious aging; the Love Serve Remember Foundation continues his archives; the Maharajji lineage’s Western community is his lasting sangha.

Verification notes

• Dates and the Maharajji meeting are documented.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).