Ram Dass

These are excerpts of health updates given by his secretary: (copied from other websites - we do NOT have any direct connection to him, other than by Spirit and heart - we offer them to help keep you informed.) ~

Ram Dass suffered a severe stroke, a large bleed in the left hemisphere of his brain, Wednesday, February 19, 1997 --which has caused paralysis of the right side and the ability to speak. The stroke did not affect his memory or his ability to understand what is said to him, so that when we ask questions, he's able to respond with yes or no or with the words he's able to recall so far.

As to his prognosis, we've been told that 90% of the people who have this particular kind of stroke make a Very Good recovery, and Ram Dass' progress to date has been so very strong that we're all quite hopeful. His progress is slow and incremental but he's working with his new mantra, which is: "Patience, Persistence, Acceptance."

Please keep Your Prayers and Love Flowing to Ram Dass and for those of you who have asked how to send more tangible expressions like cards, notes, flowers, and donations, the address is:

Ram Dass
524 San Anselmo Avenue
San Anselmo, CA 94960
U.S.A.

• To get on the Hanuman Foundation mailing list (tape and book library) call: 415-453-5111
  
• Hanuman Foundation website: http://ramdasstapes.org.
  
• Health updates at http://ramdasstapes.org/ramdass/rdbody.htm ~ the OFFICIAL place to receive the latest updates!

Update for October 25th, 1999:
Ram Dass has had some very busy months lately. In August, he and Krishna Das presented the first of their "Heart of Devotion" programs in San Francisco. The programs were a celebration of bhakti yoga; the path of devotional love. The Hanuman Foundation's webmaster, Bob Watson, gave a beautiful and heartfelt description of the San Francisco programs in his "View from the Pew" report.

Then in September, Ram Dass traveled to the East Coast. It was the longest trip he had undertaken since his stroke, and it went pretty well for him, though travel is a real lesson in how far we are from full "accessibility" in transportation, hotels, and even churches. Ram Dass began his two-and-a-half weeks away with a few days of personal retreat time at Omega Institute, which included a brush with Hurricane Floyd (though by the time it reached New York it was only "Tropical Storm" Floyd). Ram Dass was staying in Omega's new "Teacher's Hermitage" built high on a hilltop, so he had a bird's-eye view of the flailing trees and the torrential rains. The storm took down the power lines, and Omega was without electricity for an entire weekend. It happened to be the weekend when Omega was hosting a group of Ecuadorean shamans, who were away from their rainforest-homes for the first time, and it seemed poetically appropriate that their retreat was held by candle-light. Ram Dass was away at bhandara during the weekend, but when he returned he was given a shamanic healing by two of the priests.

The morning after the storm, Ram Dass left for Massachusetts, to celebrate bhandara -- a commemoration of the day on which Maharajji left his body. About seventy-five people gathered to honor Maharajji's presence in our lives. Krishna Das led kirtan, devotees told Maharajji stories, and everyone feasted on Indian food and sweets.

On the way back to Omega after the bhandara, Ram Dass stopped at Millbrook, NY, to revisit the old Mellon family mansion where he and Timothy Leary shared their psychedelic explorations back in the ‘60s. Ram Dass went there in the company of a film crew from Lemle Pictures, which is making a documentary about his spiritual journey. (We'll keep you posted on the progress of the movie, which is scheduled to be completed around the middle of next year.)

The Omega retreat started on a Sunday evening. A brief introductory program was planned; Ram Dass was scheduled only to do a quick "smile-and-wave" appearance. But the love and energy in the gathering were so strong that the "smile-and-wave" turned into a full-blown lecture, which was one of the most comprehensive statements Ram Dass has made to date about this present moment in his spiritual path. It was a very profound evening!

During the rest of the week, Ram Dass dialogued with various teachers who took part in the retreat. It was a rich brew! Ram Dass had conversations with Sharon Salzburg ... with Gelek Rinpoche (who told extraordinary stories about his flight from Tibet) ... with Joan Halifax ... with Paul Gorman (just back from being part of Vice President Gore's presidential campaign advisory group) ... and with Pat Rodegast and Emmanuel. Woven around the afternoon dialogue sessions was music with Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Geoffrey Gordon, and Diana Rogers ... meditations with Joan Halifax and Sharon Salzburg ... yoga and tai chi and aarti with Shruti Ram. And for a grand finale, there was an evening of poetry, music and dance with Coleman Barks, Jai, Geoffrey, and Zuleikha. What a feast!

While he was at Omega, Ram Dass looked over the location which has been selected for the construction of a new "Ram Dass Library at Omega." Ram Dass is participating actively in conceptualizing and designing the library, which will be a repository for his works and those of the many other teachers who have appeared at Omega over the years. In a letter to Ram Dass announcing plans for the library, Stephan Rechtschaffen wrote, "Your spoken and written words have been heard by millions. What could be more fitting than a library -- a place brimming with stories and ideas -- that bears your name."

After Omega, Ram Dass went to New York City for two more "Heart of Devotion" programs with Krishna Das. The evenings were held at the Synod House of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Synod House is a magnificent, century-old sanctuary, and it was the setting for two extraordinarily powerful evenings of devotional heart-opening -- through words and music. There seemed to be a particular magic to the programs --an outpouring of joyful, devotional energy. We're still getting letters and phone calls from people who want to share what a transformative experience it was for them!

Ram Dass spent a few more days in New York after the programs, visiting with family and friends before flying back to California. Then, in mid-October he went to San Jose for a meeting of the Social Venture Network -- an organization of socially-conscious businesses like Ben & Jerry's and The Body Shop; Ram Dass led an opening circle and a panel on "Spirit in Business" with Roshi Bernie Glassman. Still to come on Ram Dass' calendar is Omega's "Body and Soul" conference in San Francisco in November -- but after that, there will be a chance for a bit more quiet time again.

About those health up-dates: Now that Ram Dass' recovery has progressed so well, it no longer seems appropriate to continue giving "health updates" as such -- mainly because there isn't much "hard news" to report.

Ram Dass' walking continues to improve; he gets around with a cane pretty readily now, but it's a very exerting effort for him, so most of the time he still uses his wheelchair. There's still no significant recovery of movement in his right hand. Ram Dass' speech is where the greatest improvement continues to happen: more words, coming more easily and more smoothly. The best way to experience that is to listen to a tape from his talk at Spirit Rock in May of ‘98, and then to a tape from the recent Omega retreat ... wow!!

There are still things which are hard for Ram Dass -- the notion of time, for example. He will intend to talk for twenty minutes, and still be going strong two hours later. But that very quality of immersion in the present has deepened the sense of Presence he conveys, so that more than ever before, being at his programs is an experience of deep opening and heart space.

Ram Dass' increased activity is the best testimony to his ongoing recovery, so from now on, please look here for his progress and current updates; in the "events" page of the website for a calendar of his upcoming talks and you'll find 'reflections' about his programs under "current tidings".

Update for April 4th, 1999:
NAMASTE! Ram Dass is back home after his course of hyperbaric treatments. And yes! -- his walking has definitely improved. On his first visit to his doctor after he returned, he surprised her by walking into her office.

Ram Dass has also made some more progress in his facility in speaking; the day after he came home, he gave two Sunday morning sermons at the First Church of Religious Science in Oakland, CA, and they flowed. More and more, though, silences are becoming the essence of his message, as eloquent as the words. He’s leading us into his silence.

Ram Dass is planning to do some evening programs with Krishna Das later this year; two in San Francisco in August, and two in New York City in September. Check the *Events* page for details.

Tuesday, April 6th, is Ram Dass’ 68th birthday. Send him love!

Update for February 3, 1999:
"NAMASTE! We have some very happy news to share! For almost a month now, Ram Dass has been working with an excellent Chinese acupuncturist, who was recommended to him by several friends. The treatments are showing wonderful results. Since the second treatment, Ram Dass has regained some ability to walk again. He walked into the Tape Library for the first time two weeks ago, to equal measures of cheers and tears. The walking is still a slow process, involving a quad-cane and great attentiveness (a real walking meditation), but it's such a joyful thing to see him getting around without his wheelchair.

During February, Ram Dass is undertaking a month-long course of hyperbaric oxygen treatments. A "trial run" back in November showed great promise, so Ram Dass decided to go ahead with the full-fledged program. We're praying, and watching to see the outcome. It will be interesting to hear what Ram Dass has to say about the treatments at his lecture in La Jolla, California, which will be happening right in the middle of the month of hyperbarics.

Please hold Ram Dass in your heart, and send your prayers and love his way, that every change that happens will be Maharajji's blessing for him. Since Hanuman is the Son of the Wind God, it may be that he will have some special boons to offer in connection with an oxygen chamber!"

Update for December 26, 1998
"NAMASTE! What Ram Dass calls his "new incarnation" continues to unfold, as he experiences deeper and deeper levels of its teachings. He is still spending much time each week in physical and speech therapies, to deal with the aftereffects of the stroke. He continues to make progress, although he is still able to walk only a few steps at a time and still uses a wheelchair. However, there are remarkable improvements in his speaking ability, and although the effects of the aphasia are still evident, his words are flowing more and more easily all the time. And behind the words, there is reflected a deeper compassion and a clearer wisdom.

The continuing improvement in Ram Dass' health has allowed him to do some traveling this fall: to the Bhandara at the Hanuman Temple in Taos, NM ... to Hawaii for some R&R ... and to Kalamazoo, MI, for a conference of "psychedelic elders." As the driver of the local airport bus commented, "He sure doesn't let any grass grow under his wheels, does he?" But after a lifetime filled with travel, Ram Dass is also discovering new pleasures in staying at home; he said, "I'm finding that staying in one place gives me a kind of continuity of consciousness that I appreciate."

With the help of a new editor, Ram Dass has resumed work on his long-awaited book on aging. The revised manuscript is due to be submitted to Putnam next spring, and the book will probably be available sometime late next year. Of course we will let you know as soon as it's published!"

Update for March, 1998:
"February 19th marked the one-year anniversary of Ram Dass' stroke, and we heard from many of you who scheduled meditation groups or prayer circles on that day. Thank you for all the continuing love and good energy you send to Ram Dass. We all feel the sweetness of it.

On March 11th, Ram Dass gave his first public lecture since his stroke. He was invited to speak at Don Holmlund's class on "America in the '60s" at the College of Marin. Ram Dass spoke about the many ways psychedelics had shaped the social and spiritual values of a generation, and he told stories of the Harvard psychedelic experiments and of his adventures with Tim Leary. (We're hoping to have a videotape of the lecture -- check the Hanuman website soon.)"

UPDATE FOR OCTOBER '97 ~
"Ram Dass has been doing Really Well these past weeks. He's been getting out a lot more often and has even started taking a swim therapy class. He's been enjoying the sensation of being free from gravity for a while....

With his speech therapist, he's been practicing writing by copying Maharaj-ji's things out of "Miracle of Love" so ~~ a sweet therapy... Namaste', Marlene"

UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 1997 ~
"This has been kind of a tough month for Ram Dass. Around the middle of August, he developed an intestinal infection that put him back in the hospital for about a week and a half. The doctors were able to bring it under control with antibiotics but the recovery took a lot of energy.

He's been back home for a couple of weeks now and he's doing pretty well again. He's doing therapy and seeing visitors and all...but Please Do Keep Remembering Him In Your Prayers.

Some of you have heard of Ram Dass' Guru, 'Ravi Dada Mookerjee'~~ ~~he's the one who wrote "By His Grace"~~ those beautiful stories about Maharaj-ji. And you'll want to know he left his body a couple days ago. He had a heart attack. He was about 85, I think. Somebody said, 'He heard Maharaj-ji say "Dada Chelo" and he jumped up and followed and never even knew that he died.'

UPDATE for AUGUST 4, 1997 ~
"Ram Dass has had a Good Month. He continues to continue with all of his therapies and just with living out all the little dramas of the day by day changes in his physical abilities.

He did a beautiful video for a retreat that was held in his honor at Omega Institute. He talked about the way he had wanted more quiet and more inner space~~so that the stroke has provided that for him. "Increasingly", he says, "the words just pour back to the silence."

Hope you're All having a Wonderful Summer and some Long, Lazy Days... Namaste'." ...Marlene

Update for May 9, 1997 ~
"Does it ever Feel Good to tell you that, yes indeed, Ram Dass is back home again at long last after just over 11 weeks in one hospital after another. Being back in his own surroundings and with "Maya", the cat he loves so much back on his lap brightened his spirits immediately. Many Thanks to All of You who joined in our Prayer Circle last night. At the time it took place, Ram Dass was sitting in his living room looking out at the trees and at the hills in the distance and seeming very peaceful and open, so I felt that the Love and Healing that all of us were sending to him was being full received.

My Love and Thanks to Each of You for all the Blessings You keep Sending to Ram Dass. The feeling with connection and satsang with All of You was such Grace for me. Namaste'." ....Marlene

The following is taken from the San Francisco Examiner, May 26th, 1997:
Don Lattin, Chronicle Religion Writer

Ram Dass sits in the darkening shadow of a long evening, his wheelchair pushed against an old picnic table behind his Marin County home. Silence. "The mind...," he says.

Leaves rustle in a soft breeze. Water tumbles over rock in a small creek behind his overgrown garden.

"The mind...," he says again.

Silence. His eyes close and his head tilts toward the stars, searching for words.

"Doctors see the brain as the mind," he says in a sudden rush of language. "What I'm observing with is not necessarily in their purview."

At the moment the stroke hit, the eloquent spiritual teacher and counterculture icon was rewriting a book called Conscious Aging.

In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to "Be Here Now."

"Older people see that getting older has nothing to offer them but strokes and the process of death," he said. "Before my stroke, I was looking forward to the things I wanted to do."

"Are you still?"

"No," Ram Dass said.

Silence.

"But," he said with a smile. "I'm still committed to Be Here Now."

~ excerpt of article