Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

97 Inspiring Quotes By Ram Dass That Urge You To Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Famous As: Spiritual Teacher
Born On: April 6, 1931
Died On: December 22, 2019
Born In: Boston, Massachusetts
Died At Age: 88
Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) is an American author and spiritual guru, best known for his works ‘Doing Your Own Being’ and ‘Be Here Now.' The first book co-authored by Ram Dass with L. Rau and R. Sears, ‘Identification and Child Rearing,’ was published in 1962 by the Stanford University Press. In 1964, Ram Dass co-authored ‘The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead’ with Ralph Metzner and Timothy Leary. He co-wrote ‘LSD’ with Sidney Cohen that was published in 1966. He published his best-selling book ‘Be Here Now’ in 1971, ‘Doing Your Own Being’ in 1973, and ‘The Only Dance There Is’ in 1974. In 1991, his book ‘Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service’ was published. He published ‘Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying’ in 2000 and ‘Paths to God: Living The Bhagavad Gita’ in 2004. He is renowned for his professional and personal associations with Timothy Leary. He is also a philanthropist and is the founder of charitable organizations like ‘Hanuman Foundation’ and ‘Seva Foundation.’ Here is a collection of Ram Dass' quotations which have been excerpted from his writings, lectures, interviews, books and speeches. 
We're all just walking each other home.

We're all just walking each other home.

Ram Dass
The quieter you become, the more you can hear.

The quieter you become, the more you can hear.

Ram Dass
We're fascinated by the words--but where we meet is in the silence behind them.

We're fascinated by the words--but where we meet is in the silence behind them.

Ram Dass
It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.

It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.

Ram Dass
I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.

I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.

Ram Dass
The heart surrenders everything to the moment. The mind judges and holds back.

The heart surrenders everything to the moment. The mind judges and holds back.

Ram Dass
In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight.

In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight.

Ram Dass
Be here now.

Be here now.

Ram Dass
Your problem is you are too busy holding on to your unworthiness.

Your problem is you are too busy holding on to your unworthiness.

Ram Dass
As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is.

As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is.

Ram Dass
Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.

Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.

Ram Dass
Suffering is part of our training program for becoming wise.

Suffering is part of our training program for becoming wise.

Ram Dass
What you meet in another being is the projection of your own level of evolution.

What you meet in another being is the projection of your own level of evolution.

Ram Dass
The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to your own truth.

The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to your own truth.

Ram Dass
Let's trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let's lay down our righteousness and just be together.

Let's trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let's lay down our righteousness and just be together.

Ram Dass
The next message you need is always right where you are.

The next message you need is always right where you are.

Ram Dass
Only that in you which is me can hear what I'm saying.

Only that in you which is me can hear what I'm saying.

Ram Dass
We are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another.

We are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another.

Ram Dass
Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.

Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.

Ram Dass
A feeling of aversion or attachment toward something is your clue that there's work to be done.

A feeling of aversion or attachment toward something is your clue that there's work to be done.

Ram Dass
I'm not interested in being a

I'm not interested in being a "lover." I'm interested in only being love.

Ram Dass
Every religion is the product of the conceptual mind attempting to describe the mystery.

Every religion is the product of the conceptual mind attempting to describe the mystery.

Ram Dass
The game is not about becoming somebody, it's about becoming nobody.

The game is not about becoming somebody, it's about becoming nobody.

Ram Dass
If you think you're free, there's no escape possible.

If you think you're free, there's no escape possible.

Ram Dass
It's all real and it's all illusory:
that's Awareness!

It's all real and it's all illusory: that's Awareness!

Ram Dass
Learn to watch your drama unfold while at the same time knowing you are more than your drama.

Learn to watch your drama unfold while at the same time knowing you are more than your drama.

Ram Dass
We're here to awaken from the illusion of separateness

We're here to awaken from the illusion of separateness

Ram Dass
Information is just bits of data. Knowledge is putting them together. Wisdom is transcending them.

Information is just bits of data. Knowledge is putting them together. Wisdom is transcending them.

Ram Dass
Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to the point where we realize that in our own being, we are enough.

Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to the point where we realize that in our own being, we are enough.

Ram Dass
The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of suffering.

The resistance to the unpleasant situation is the root of suffering.

Ram Dass
It's very different because the Indians live as if they are their souls and Americans live as if they are their egos.

It's very different because the Indians live as if they are their souls and Americans live as if they are their egos.

Ram Dass
When we see the Beloved in each person, it's like walking through a garden, watching flowers bloom all around us.

When we see the Beloved in each person, it's like walking through a garden, watching flowers bloom all around us.

Ram Dass
If you think you are enlightened; go home for Thanksgiving.

If you think you are enlightened; go home for Thanksgiving.

Ram Dass
Healing does not mean going back to the way things were before, but rather allowing what is now to move us closer to God.

Healing does not mean going back to the way things were before, but rather allowing what is now to move us closer to God.

Ram Dass
Everything in your life is there as a vehicle for your transformation.
Use it!

Everything in your life is there as a vehicle for your transformation. Use it!

Ram Dass
Across planes of consciousness, we have to live with the paradox that opposite things can be simultaneously true.

Across planes of consciousness, we have to live with the paradox that opposite things can be simultaneously true.

Ram Dass
In our relationships, how much can we allow them to become new, and how much do we cling to what they used to be yesterday?

In our relationships, how much can we allow them to become new, and how much do we cling to what they used to be yesterday?

Ram Dass
Our interactions with one another reflect a dance between love and fear.

Our interactions with one another reflect a dance between love and fear.

Ram Dass
I can do nothing for you but work on myself...you can do nothing for me but work on yourself!

I can do nothing for you but work on myself...you can do nothing for me but work on yourself!

Ram Dass
There's much more in any given moment than we usually perceive, and that we ourselves are much more than we usually perceive. When you know that, part of you can stand outside the drama of your life.

There's much more in any given moment than we usually perceive, and that we ourselves are much more than we usually perceive. When you know that, part of you can stand outside the drama of your life.

Ram Dass
Suffering is the sandpaper of our incarnation. It does its work of shaping us.

Suffering is the sandpaper of our incarnation. It does its work of shaping us.

Ram Dass
The Ego is an exquisite instrument. Enjoy it, use it--just don't get lost in it.

The Ego is an exquisite instrument. Enjoy it, use it--just don't get lost in it.

Ram Dass
Compassion refers to the arising in the heart of the desire to relieve the suffering of all beings.

Compassion refers to the arising in the heart of the desire to relieve the suffering of all beings.

Ram Dass
All spiritual practices are illusions created by illusionists to escape illusion.

All spiritual practices are illusions created by illusionists to escape illusion.

Ram Dass
By acting compassionately, by helping to restore justice and to encourage peace, we are acknowledging that we are all part of one another.

By acting compassionately, by helping to restore justice and to encourage peace, we are acknowledging that we are all part of one another.

Ram Dass
Spiritual practices help us move from identifying with the ego to identifying with the soul. Old age does that for you too. It spiritualizes people naturally.

Spiritual practices help us move from identifying with the ego to identifying with the soul. Old age does that for you too. It spiritualizes people naturally.

Ram Dass
Prolong not the past
Invite not the future
Do not alter your innate wakefulness
Fear not appearances
There in nothing more than this

Prolong not the past Invite not the future Do not alter your innate wakefulness Fear not appearances There in nothing more than this

Ram Dass
Our rational minds can never understand what has happened, but our hearts.. if we can keep them open to God, will find their own intuitive way.

Our rational minds can never understand what has happened, but our hearts.. if we can keep them open to God, will find their own intuitive way.

Ram Dass
In mystical traditions, it is one's own readiness that makes experiences exoteric or esoteric.
The secret isn't that you're not being told.
The secret is that you're not able to hear.

In mystical traditions, it is one's own readiness that makes experiences exoteric or esoteric. The secret isn't that you're not being told. The secret is that you're not able to hear.

Ram Dass
I see my life as an unfolding set of opportunities to awaken.

I see my life as an unfolding set of opportunities to awaken.

Ram Dass
You and I are the force for transformation in the world. We are the consciousness that will define the nature of the reality we are moving into.

You and I are the force for transformation in the world. We are the consciousness that will define the nature of the reality we are moving into.

Ram Dass
A moment comes when

A moment comes when "other" is no longer other.

Ram Dass
As one individual changes, the system changes.

As one individual changes, the system changes.

Ram Dass
If you want to be surrounded by Souls, become identified with your Soul.
It takes one to know one!

If you want to be surrounded by Souls, become identified with your Soul. It takes one to know one!

Ram Dass
We're being trained through our incarnations--trained to seek love, trained to seek light, trained to see the grace in suffering.

We're being trained through our incarnations--trained to seek love, trained to seek light, trained to see the grace in suffering.

Ram Dass
Just because you are seeing divine light, experiencing waves of bliss, or conversing with Gods and Goddesses is no reason to not know your zip code.

Just because you are seeing divine light, experiencing waves of bliss, or conversing with Gods and Goddesses is no reason to not know your zip code.

Ram Dass
Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a supreme creative act.

Working on our own consciousness is the most important thing that we are doing at any moment, and being love is a supreme creative act.

Ram Dass
When we're identified with Awareness, we're no longer living in a world of polarities. Everything is present at the same time.

When we're identified with Awareness, we're no longer living in a world of polarities. Everything is present at the same time.

Ram Dass
The dance goes from realizing that you're separate (which is the awakening) to then trying to find your way back into the totality of which you are not only a part, but which you are.

The dance goes from realizing that you're separate (which is the awakening) to then trying to find your way back into the totality of which you are not only a part, but which you are.

Ram Dass
When the heart is open, it's easier for the mind to be turned toward God.

When the heart is open, it's easier for the mind to be turned toward God.

Ram Dass
Religions are founded by what mystics say when they come back;
but what the mystics say is not the same as what happened to them.

Religions are founded by what mystics say when they come back; but what the mystics say is not the same as what happened to them.

Ram Dass
Inspiration is God making contact with itself.

Inspiration is God making contact with itself.

Ram Dass
Do what you can on this plane to relieve suffering by constantly working on yourself to be an instrument for the cessation of suffering. To me, that's what the emerging game is all about.

Do what you can on this plane to relieve suffering by constantly working on yourself to be an instrument for the cessation of suffering. To me, that's what the emerging game is all about.

Ram Dass
What we're seeing

What we're seeing "out there" is the projection of where we're at--the projection of the clingings of our minds.

Ram Dass
You give up not meditating. It's called meditation action. There's no way out of it. Meditation means to be constantly extricating yourself from the clinging of mind.

You give up not meditating. It's called meditation action. There's no way out of it. Meditation means to be constantly extricating yourself from the clinging of mind.

Ram Dass
Early in the journey you wonder how long the journey will take and whether you will make it in this lifetime. Later you will see that where you are going is HERE and you will arrive NOW...so you stop asking.

Early in the journey you wonder how long the journey will take and whether you will make it in this lifetime. Later you will see that where you are going is HERE and you will arrive NOW...so you stop asking.

Ram Dass
You may protest if you can love the person you are protesting against as much as you love yourself.

You may protest if you can love the person you are protesting against as much as you love yourself.

Ram Dass
Cosmic humor, especially about your own predicament, is an important part of your journey.

Cosmic humor, especially about your own predicament, is an important part of your journey.

Ram Dass
When you are already in Detroit, you don't have to take a bus to get there.

When you are already in Detroit, you don't have to take a bus to get there.

Ram Dass
My life is a creative act--like a painting, or a concerto.

My life is a creative act--like a painting, or a concerto.

Ram Dass
What the word God means is the mystery really. It's the mystery that we face as humans the mystery of existence, of suffering and of death.

What the word God means is the mystery really. It's the mystery that we face as humans the mystery of existence, of suffering and of death.

Ram Dass
Now is now. Are you going to be here or not?

Now is now. Are you going to be here or not?

Ram Dass
Our journey is about being more deeply involved in Life and yet less attached to it.

Our journey is about being more deeply involved in Life and yet less attached to it.

Ram Dass
I don't really believe anything I say. Because the nature of my work concerns the spaces between the words, rather than the words themselves.

I don't really believe anything I say. Because the nature of my work concerns the spaces between the words, rather than the words themselves.

Ram Dass
Emotions are like waves. Watch them disappear in the distance on the vast calm ocean.

Emotions are like waves. Watch them disappear in the distance on the vast calm ocean.

Ram Dass
To him who has had the experience no explanation is necessary, to him who has not, none is possible.

To him who has had the experience no explanation is necessary, to him who has not, none is possible.

Ram Dass
Those who know do not talk And talkers do not know.”—Tao Te Ching

Those who know do not talk And talkers do not know.”—Tao Te Ching

Ram Dass
The world is won by those who let it go.

The world is won by those who let it go.

Ram Dass
I didn’t arrive at my understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe through my rational mind.”—A. Einstein

I didn’t arrive at my understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe through my rational mind.”—A. Einstein

Ram Dass
The freer I get, the higher I go. The higher I go, the more I see. The more I see, the less I know. The less I know, the more I’m free.

The freer I get, the higher I go. The higher I go, the more I see. The more I see, the less I know. The less I know, the more I’m free.

Ram Dass
Once you have drunk from the water of unconditional love, no other well can satisfy your thirst. The pangs of separation may become so intense that seeking the affection of the Beloved becomes an obsession.

Once you have drunk from the water of unconditional love, no other well can satisfy your thirst. The pangs of separation may become so intense that seeking the affection of the Beloved becomes an obsession.

Ram Dass
Love is the most transformative medicine For Love slowly transforms you Into what psychedelics only get you to glimpse.

Love is the most transformative medicine For Love slowly transforms you Into what psychedelics only get you to glimpse.

Ram Dass
Grace is at the nexus of love and awareness. There it’s all open and it’s all love.

Grace is at the nexus of love and awareness. There it’s all open and it’s all love.

Ram Dass
Ephrem the Syrian says, ‘Good speech is silver, but silence is pure gold.’ ”—Way of a Pilgrim

Ephrem the Syrian says, ‘Good speech is silver, but silence is pure gold.’ ”—Way of a Pilgrim

Ram Dass
You two are together in the stars, but not in this world, in this life.

You two are together in the stars, but not in this world, in this life.

Ram Dass
IT’S BETTER TO SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING THAN TO TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT.

IT’S BETTER TO SEE GOD IN EVERYTHING THAN TO TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT.

Ram Dass
And suddenly I realized that he knew everything that was going on in my head, all the time, and that he still loved me. Because who we are is behind all that.

And suddenly I realized that he knew everything that was going on in my head, all the time, and that he still loved me. Because who we are is behind all that.

Ram Dass
The art of listening comes from a quiet mind and an open heart.

The art of listening comes from a quiet mind and an open heart.

Ram Dass
You are ever again the wave     sweeping through all things     RAINER MARIA RILKE, BOOK OF HOURS

You are ever again the wave     sweeping through all things     RAINER MARIA RILKE, BOOK OF HOURS

Ram Dass
The epitome of the human realm is to be stuck in a huge traffic jam of discursive thought. —Chogyam Trungpa

The epitome of the human realm is to be stuck in a huge traffic jam of discursive thought. —Chogyam Trungpa

Ram Dass
When your center is firm, when your faith is strong and unwavering, then it will not matter what company you keep.

When your center is firm, when your faith is strong and unwavering, then it will not matter what company you keep.

Ram Dass
Who in all his works sees God, in truth he goes to God.

Who in all his works sees God, in truth he goes to God.

Ram Dass
SEE GOD IN EVERYONE. IT IS DECEPTION TO TEACH BY INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND KARMA.3

SEE GOD IN EVERYONE. IT IS DECEPTION TO TEACH BY INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND KARMA.3

Ram Dass
If you listen to your own inner voice, it will tell you where you are now, and which method will work best for you in your evolution towards the light.

If you listen to your own inner voice, it will tell you where you are now, and which method will work best for you in your evolution towards the light.

Ram Dass
Knowledge all by itself, without deep wisdom, ends up becoming despair.

Knowledge all by itself, without deep wisdom, ends up becoming despair.

Ram Dass
You base your faith on experience, your faith is

You base your faith on experience, your faith is

Ram Dass
I take the dust from the lotus feet of the guru to cleanse the mirror of my mind.” So begins a sacred ode to Hanuman.

I take the dust from the lotus feet of the guru to cleanse the mirror of my mind.” So begins a sacred ode to Hanuman.

Ram Dass