Be Here Now audiobook cover - Find Peace in the Now

Be Here Now

Find Peace in the Now

Ram Dass

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Categories:
SciencePersonal DevelopmentReligion & SpiritualityMindfulness & Happiness

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Key Takeaways from Be Here Now

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Mind Map

Be Here Now
Ram Dass's Journey+
Core Philosophy+
Practical Guidance: Breathing+
Practical Guidance: Mantras+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
Why did Ram Dass ultimately seek spiritual guidance in India despite his profound early experiences with psychedelic drugs?
  • A. He realized the expanded awareness from psychedelics was only temporary.
  • B. He was arrested for distributing LSD at Harvard and had to flee the country.
  • C. He found that psychedelics increased his ego rather than diminishing it.
  • D. He wanted to find a way to manufacture natural psychedelics in the Himalayas.
Question 2 of 6
What pivotal event convinced Ram Dass that there was a level of consciousness at work beyond the individual?
  • A. He experienced a shared psychedelic trip with a young American traveler.
  • B. His guru accurately stated that his mother had died the previous year from a spleen issue.
  • C. He survived a dangerous encounter with a snake in the jungle by remaining perfectly calm.
  • D. He learned to levitate through the advanced practice of Raja Yoga.
Question 3 of 6
What does the metaphorical journey 'From Bindu to Ojas' represent in Ram Dass's teachings?
  • A. The physical journey of traveling from Western academia to Eastern mysticism.
  • B. The transformation of physical breathing techniques into vocalized Sanskrit mantras.
  • C. The transition from an ego-centered life of materialistic desires to a state of enlightenment and unity with the divine.
  • D. The process of overcoming the fear of death through the use of psychedelic substances.
Question 4 of 6
According to the text, how should a person approach their daily work and life on the path to spiritual fulfillment?
  • A. They should abandon their worldly professions to live a monk-like existence.
  • B. They should continue their work, but without personal attachment or identification with it.
  • C. They should only create objects or perform tasks that serve a strictly religious purpose.
  • D. They should use their work primarily as a means to achieve greater material wealth to fund their spiritual journey.
Question 5 of 6
In the context of Ram Dass's breathing exercises, what is the ultimate purpose of practicing 'pranayam'?
  • A. To increase physical strength and stamina for long periods of physical labor.
  • B. To completely stop the heart rate and enter a state of suspended animation.
  • C. To cure physical ailments like stomach and spleen issues.
  • D. To manipulate vital energy to achieve a serene calmness and readiness for deeper spiritual practices.
Question 6 of 6
How does Ram Dass suggest one should approach the practice of using a mantra?
  • A. By actively forcing the mind to block out all other thoughts using the mantra as a weapon.
  • B. By viewing oneself as a passive instrument and allowing the mantra to simply 'happen' to them.
  • C. By only speaking the mantra aloud in the presence of a recognized spiritual guru.
  • D. By changing the mantra every day to prevent the conscious mind from becoming bored.

Be Here Now — Full Chapter Overview

Be Here Now Summary & Overview

Be Here Now (1971) is the story of one man’s spiritual awakening in India. In addition to his learnings and insights, it contains practical guidance for anyone embarking on their own spiritual journey.

Who Should Listen to Be Here Now?

  • Truth-seekers
  • People who want to deepen their happiness and fulfillment
  • Anyone interested in Eastern spirituality

About the Author: Ram Dass

Ram Dass was an American spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author, who helped to increase the West’s interest in Eastern spirituality. His other works include Still Here and Be Love Now.

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