Be Here Now

Be Here Now (1971) by Ram Dass (formerly Dr. Richard Alpert) is a seminal work of modern spirituality that bridges Eastern wisdom traditions with Western cultural contexts. Ram Dass, who was once a psychology professor at Harvard University, collaborated with Timothy Leary on early psychedelic research before traveling to India, where encounters with Neem Karoli Baba reshaped his worldview. First published by the Lama Foundation, Be Here Now blends memoir and spiritual teachings to guide readers toward deeper self-awareness. Belonging to the broader genre of spiritual and philosophical literature, the book became iconic in the counterculture era for its presentation of themes such as Centering Mindfulness to Live in the Eternal Present, The Importance of Ego Dissolution and Devotion, and Blending Eastern and Western  Spiritual Traditions to Access Universal Truths.

This guide references the 2010 Libby eBook edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of substance use.

Summary

Ram Dass’s Be Here Now is structured into distinct sections that chronicle his evolution from a Harvard psychology professor to a spiritually-oriented teacher immersed in Indian devotional practices. The first section, “Journey: The Transformation,” outlines his life before and after his introduction to psychedelics.