This is a list of all the books we found written by Ram Dass.
About Ram Dass
Also known as Baba Ram Dass, he was an American spiritual teacher, guru of modern yoga, psychologist, and author.
He was formerly known as Professor Richard Aperth and became a beloved guru who shares his story of spiritual awakening. He taught at Standford and Harvard, published many works, and would vacation in the Caribbean. Although he was considered have created a successful life by most standards, he still felt like something was missing. So in search for something more, he found himself in India. While there, he was given the name Ram Dass by his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who was fondly called Maharajji by his followers. Ram Dass means “servant of God.”
Be Here Now
Ram Dass’s First Book.
This book gives you the tools to master your life with guidance on breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, and how to connect with your true self with unconditional love.
Be Here Now is one of the first books published by Ram Dass. When it was first published in 1971, it filled a deep spiritual emptiness in the world. In addition, it supported the beginnings to the awareness of the concept of mindfulness in the western world. As a result, Ram Dass is one of the most well known spiritual guides bridging eastern philosophies and ways of life in modern times.
“Be Here Now” is a mantra Ram Dass personally practiced whenever he found himself dwelling on the past or planning for the future. So he would remind himself to bring himself back to the present moment.
Throughout the book, you will find that it is written more in the form of graphics and notes in a “comic book” style. It isn’t necessarily a book that you read traditionally left to right with sentences across the page. It is a beautiful piece that offers you transformative wisdom that you can absorb in the moment. Get a paperback version for best experience.
Being Ram Dass
Biography.
For those of you looking for the Ram Dass biography, this is the book. It comes in hard cover, paperback, kindle, and audiobook. In addition, the audiobook is narrated by Ram Dass himself.
This book tells the story from his birth to his years as a spiritual seeker and teacher. This memoir allows us to glimpse life through his vantage point. What was it like to be a professor of psychology at two of the most prestigious schools in the world (Stanford and Harvard), and leave it all behind in search of fulfilling a feeling of “something missing”?
He shares with us how he learned to practice meditation and yoga, tried psychedelics, and experiences supporting and serving others. From crazy rides on his Harley to a life as a seeker in India, we get to see what it took to get him where he evolved himself to by the time he died in 2019.
Readers and listeners will resonate with the ups, downs, and deeply confronting experiences that one goes through when on a journey of Self evolution. Audiobook recommended.
Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying
Sequel to Be Here Now.
Ram Dass takes us with him on the senior years of his journey. While Be Here Now was written in his earlier years, this is the sequel to that at a later stage in his life.
He guides us in looking forward in the healing process, which is a reminder apropos to any time of suffering in one’s life or even the pandemic we are collectively moving forward through. Many of us look at healing as a trying to “get back to the way things used to be.” Whereas Ram Dass expresses in this book, that instead of trying to go backward, to honor the process of allowing in order to move closer to God.
This book guides us through spiritual aging from his perspective. He takes a gentle approach honoring where we are and releasing old ways of being that no longer serve us.
Be Love Now: The Path of The Heart
Teachings of the Heart.
Ram Dass’s Be Love Now is a work sharing his teachings based on his 40 year journey to the heart and the human soul. In this book, he collaborates with a fellow spiritual teacher Rameshwar Das. Be Love Now is similar to Dalai Lama’s Art of Happiness, Deepak Chopra’s Book of Secrets, and Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Coming To Our Senses.
It is a great addition to anyone on an epic journey to enhance their spiritual awareness and improve their capacity to serve—and love—the world around them.
Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying
In this collaboration with Mirabai Bush, Walking Each Other Home, Ram Dass offers insights on the mystery of life and death. Most studies show that public speaking and death are the top two things that people fear the most. This anxiety is based on concern and a void of unknown for our safety. If you think about it, there’s no “danger” to us when we get up in front of people to speak in front of a group. So if you think about it even further, this may stem from things like feeling unprepared or a desire to avoid rejection. Both of these experiences demonstrate an individual either dwelling on a past or future event that may not have even happened.
Now say we take a different approach to looking at death with this in mind. What if dying, like public speaking, was totally safe? When we think about how we prepare for a speech, what do we do? We simply practice. Would we look at death differently if we approach the process of dying with curiosity, love, and in service of other Beings? So if we were to prepare for death, “what if dying were the ultimate spiritual practice?”
From Amazon:
Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush began their friendship more than four decades ago at the foot of their guru, Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. He transmitted to them a simple philosophy: love everyone, tell the truth, and give up attachment to material things. After impacting millions of people through the years with these teachings, they have reunited once more with Walking Each Other Home to enlighten and engage readers on the spiritual opportunities within the dying process. They generously share intimate personal experiences and timeless practices, told with courage, humor, and heart, gently exploring every aspect of this journey. And, at 86 years old, Ram Dass reminds us, “This time we have a real deadline.”
In Walking Each Other Home, readers will learn about: guidelines for being a “loving rock” for the dying, how to grieve fully and authentically, how to transform a fear of death, leaving a spiritual legacy, creating a sacred space for dying, and much more.
“Everybody you have ever loved is a part of the fabric of your being now,” says Ram Dass. The body may die, but the soul remains. Death is an invitation to a new kind of relationship, in the place where we are all One. Join these two lifelong friends and spiritual luminaries as they explore what it means to live and die consciously, remember who we really are, and illuminate the path we walk together.
Grist for The Mill: Awakening to Oneness
In this exploration of the Buddhist concept of Dharma and the basic principles of enlightenment, Ram Dass illuminates the deep spiritual journey of self-discovery and what it means to “be” and to grow as human beings.
Becoming Nobody: The Essential Ram Dass (Audiobook)
Audible Original Recording based on the Ram Dass documentary film Becoming Nobody.
“The game is not about becoming somebody, it’s about becoming nobody.” (Ram Dass)
This audio collection includes five essential sessions featured in the Ram Dass documentary film Becoming Nobody. Each session wonderfully illuminates a core dimension of Ram Dass’s wisdom. Through true first-hand stories, lectures, eye-opening revelations, and his unique sense of humor, he helps show us the way out of the prison of our self-identity. By letting go of the constructs we have been taught to create in defining “who we are,” we can be who we truly are. So by doing so, we can experience the joy of being “nobody” and as the Universal Divine at play.
Compassion in Action
Another collaboration of Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush.
The focus of this classic guide is for those ready to commit time and energy to relieving suffering in the world. No two people are better qualified to help us along this path than Ram Dass, who has spent decades teaching and writing on the subject of living consciously, and Mirabi Bush, who succeeded him as chairperson of the Seva Foundation.
Paths to God: Living The Bhagavad Gita
A Western Guide to the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita is the longest poem in the world. It is a poem written in the Sanskrit language with 700 verses. Essentially, the Bhagavad Gita is a dialog between the Warrior Prince Arjuna and the God Krishna. While the conversation is in the context of war, the narrative applies to all situations in life. It poses questions about who we are and how to live our lives.
So what Ram Dass does is consider the themes and questions we all have about the meaning of life, self-identity, and ways for spiritual growth. Basically, he takes the key aspects of the Gita and teaches them in a way you can use in everyday life. This book is an accessible guide to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Miracle of Love
A book about Neem Karoli Baba (Majaraj-ji).
Indian Saint Neem Karoli Baba was a renowned guru and spiritual teacher. He was adoringly called Majaraj-ji by his disciples and became Ram Dass’s guru. It was he who gave Professor Richard Alperth his new name, Ram Dass, which means “servant of God.” In addition, he inspired many influential people of our time including Steve Jobs, Julia Roberts, Larry Page, and countless others around the world.
He is well known for teaching his followers to, “Love everyone, serve everyone, remember God, and tell the truth.”
So this book is a beautiful compilation of stories from the followers who devoted their time with Neem Karoli Baba. Through sharing these stories, Ram Dass brings a ton of spiritual wisdom to all who read this book.
Journey of Awakening: A Meditator’s Guidebook
Meditation Guide.
“Everyone has experienced a moment of pure awareness. A moment without thinking ‘I am aware’ or ‘that is a tree.’ Such moments bring a sense of rightness, of clarity, of being at one. Such moments are the essence of meditation.”—Ram Dass
Ram Dass was an American psychologist and spiritual teacher who studied and practiced meditation for many years. In this book, he shares his understanding of meditation. In addition, he suggests how you can find methods that work for you. So for example, the book includes mantra, prayer, singing, visualizations, moving meditations, and sitting meditations.
He walks us through the stages and benefits of meditative practice. He also provides wise and entertaining advice on overcoming challenges along the way.
Polishing the Mirror
A Collection of Teachings for Living from Your Heart.
This book offers practices that you can use everyday. In it Ram Dass speaks to us very conversationally about all the tools and practices that he has learned and evolved from. He loves his guru Neem Koroli Baba and believes they are always together. In Polishing the Mirror, Ram Dass talks about meditation practice, guru work, yoga, and the various ways we can observe ourselves. We include this book later in the list as it culminates past works, such as Be Here Now, Still Here, and The Meditator’s Guidebook.
How Can I Help? Stories and Reflections on Service
A Guide for Leading A Life of Service.
Everyday, we are called to serve others in some way—whether we are aware of it or not. The request to help may come from a family member, coworker, or even a random stranger. Sometimes we can help, sometimes we cannot. At the same time, have you ever noticed that it can be confronting to decide whether to help someone or not when asked?
How much should I help? Will will I be giving up or sacrificing? Will whatever I do even make a difference? If you have been called to ask someone, some of those thoughts may have come up.
In this practical helper’s companion, the Ram Dass and Paul Gorman explore a path through these confusions. The book offers support and inspiration for us in our roles as professionals, community activists, or volunteers. In addition, we can resonate with the wisdom in this book as friends and family members supporting one another. We are inspired through many well organized personal accounts of service to another.
Enlightening Story Examples:
- Housewife brings zoo animals to lift the spirits of nursing home residents;
- Nun tends the wounded on the first night of the Nicaraguan revolution;
- Police officer talks a desperate father out of leaping from a roof with his child;
- Nurse allows an infant to spend its last moments of life in her arms rather than on a hospital machine
This book is somewhat like a Chicken Soup for The Soul type of book. Through the stories and authors’ reflections, we can find strength, clarity, and wisdom for those times when we are called on to care for one another. How Can I Help? reminds us that we have a lot to give. In addition, it reminds us how much we gain by serving others.
Experiments in Truth (Audiobook)
A Collection of Classic Lectures from the 80’s and 90’s.
From the beginning of his career in the 1960s, Ram Dass’s retreats and lectures have been meticulously recorded and archived. Experiments in Truth is an historic collection of this legendary teacher’s most important recordings.
We join Ram Dass on eight inspiring lectures, each one an indelible masterpiece of humor and insight about the spiritual journey today. “This spiritual path uses as its vehicle for transformation our actions themselves,” Ram Dass explains. By listening to these lectures, you can explore your own transformation with direct guidance through his his classic talks.
Love, Service, Devotion and the Ultimate Surrender (Audiobook)
Audiobook on the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita is a gem so precious in India’s spiritual treasury that many regard it not as a volume of sacred verse, but as a living manifestation of the Divine. In the summer of 1974, inside a balmy Boulder, Colorado, warehouse that served as a main hall of a fledgling Naropa Institute, some say a minor miracle occurred: The reawakening of the Gita’s living presence, as it unfolded in a series of wisdom teachings led by Ram Dass.
With Love, Service, Devotion, and the Ultimate Surrender, you are invited to experience these legendary gatherings.
Finding and Exploring Your Spiritual Path (Audiobook)
Audiobook on…
With wisdom gained from his personal 40-year search for enlightenment, Ram Dass speaks from the heart about his journey to living a spiritual life. His ride was often bumpy, but profoundly transformational.
Using personal anecdotes and commentary, he gives us insights into a wide variety of ancient and contemporary philosophies. He references sources like the Buddha, Russian philosopher Gurdjieff, Mahatma Ghandi, Zen masters, and others.
In Finding and Exploring Your Spiritual Path, Ram Dass gives us down-to-earth advice from both the East and West.
Ram Dass shows the listener the stages along the spiritual journey and the pleasures and pitfalls you might encounter along the way. In addition, he touches on the value and potential dangers of teachers and gurus. He reminds us of the importance of listening to and following the guidance of your intuitive heart.
The Balance with Mind and Heart (Audiobook)
Ram Dass asks us to consider the ways in which our culture’s pervading myth of unbridled individualism has generated the destabilizing forces confronting us. “Injustice is rooted in a frightened heart.” To remain open to the tremendous suffering we encounter requires an exquisite balance of the rational mind and intuitive heart. Ram Dass’ exploration of practical methods for expanding our awareness without closing our hearts offers a blueprint for how we might navigate an ever-changing universe and return home to that quality of being where there is only one of us. Published in 1992.
Cultivating Compassion, Faith, Surrender, and Balance Collection (Audiobook)
Audio Compilation of Ram Dass’s Works.
This Audible pulls together some of the best Ram Dass titles for a specially priced compilation that comes at an amazing discount. Each of the titles in the list below are some of his best talks.
The compilation includes:
- Stages of the Journey (normally priced at $9.99)
- Cultivating Intuitive Faith and True Surrender (normally priced at $11.99)
- Beyond Success: Finding Balance in Business (normally priced at $11.99)
- Cultivating Loving Awareness with Ram Dass, Krishna Das, Sharon Salzberg and Mirabai Bush (normally priced at $9.95)
- Relationships (normally priced at $11.99)
- Dying Into Life Relationship Sampler with Ram Dass and Stephen Levine (normally priced at $9.95)
- Dying Into Life – Ram Dass Talks (normally priced at $19.95)
Published in 2016.
Be Here Now (Wall Calendar)
Ram Dass Calendar.
The wisdom of Ram Dass and vibrant and colorful illustrations by Sue Zipkin provide a feast for the eyes as well as the soul. An inner journey that unfolds each month, this gorgeous calendar affirms the higher power in each of us and emphasizes that all that you seek is already within you.
- 12″ x 12″ wall calendar (12″ x 24″ open).
- A year of mindful guidance from Ram Dass on your wall.
- The perfect gift for admirers of Ram Dass and those who seek to live mindfully in the present.
- Features shimmering imagery by Sue Zipkin that complements the simple truths of Ram Dass’s teachings.
- Be organized and inspired throughout the year.
Reflections on the Journey: A Ram Dass Inspired Journal (Journal)
Ram Dass Journal.
This is a Ram Dass-themed journal for contemplation and reflection. It features inspiring quotes from Ram Dass that offer writers and seekers a tool for cultivating honesty, compassion and love.
Reflections on the Journey is a Ram Dass-inspired journal containing 12 contemplative quotes by Ram Dass and 190 lined pages for writing and reflection. The quotes are carefully curated to inspire readers and writers to search deeper within themselves to witness the truth of their being.
Ram Dass Books
Home: betterconsciousness.com
Bruce Lipton Books
