Ep. 252 – An Imaginary Playmate

Ep. 252 – An Imaginary Playmate

Author: Ram Dass / Love Serve Remember May 27, 2024 Duration: 39:49
In this Q&A session, Ram Dass talks about dealing with disturbances in meditation, letting go of identifications, seeing the guru as an imaginary playmate, being too formless, and more. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ramdass and get on your way to being your best self. Today’s podcast is also brought to you by Magic Mind, a matcha-based energy shot infused with nootropics and adaptogens designed to crush procrastination, brain fog, & fatigue. Use the code RAMDASS at checkout to get up to 50% off your subscription: Magic Mind Want to listen to this podcast AD-FREE? Not interested in the commentary before each talk from Ram Dass? We hear you! Join our Patreon for all this, plus weekly guided meditations from Ram Dass and friends. Try free for 7 days by signing up at patreon.com/RamDassPodcast This episode of Here and Now is taken from a talk given in Melbourne, Australia in 1981.Ram Dass begins the Q&A by taking questions about dealing with disturbances in meditation, the relationship between concept and perception, and letting go of our identification with different roles and stances.In response to a question about the role of the guru in the unfolding of his spiritual journey, Ram Dass talks about how his relationship with his guru is like that of a child with an imaginary playmate. He cautions us about getting too caught up in the concept of the guru, saying that there are no rules to this game.After answering a question about free will, Ram Dass takes on an inquiry about being too formless and feeling disconnected from the physical. He talks about the importance of being grounded and getting your act together. Ram Dass ends this part of the session with a question about responsibility, especially as it pertains to social action.Would you like to participate in the discussion about this episode of Here and Now? Join us for the SoulPod Meet-Up on June 4th at 8 p.m. EDT. “It’s like having an imaginary playmate as a child, but then as you grow up you realize that the playmate was real and you were imaginary. It’s sort of that way with the guru. I mean, you realize that who you thought you were that was following the guru, that was the hype in the first place. And that it all just is. So Maharaj-ji and I are buddies, lovers; I hate him because every time I try to sneak something by, there he is. And I can’t even describe how much I love him.” – Ram Dass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The voice of Ram Dass carries a unique and enduring warmth, a blend of profound spiritual insight and grounded, often humorous, humanity. Ram Dass Here And Now is a curated archive of this wisdom, drawing from a rich tapestry of lectures recorded over four decades. Each episode is a focused journey into themes of consciousness, love, service, and the intricate paths of awakening, all filtered through Ram Dass's distinctive heart-centered perspective. The podcast is presented by the Love Serve Remember Foundation, with longtime friend and director Raghu Markus providing contextual introductions that connect these timeless talks to our contemporary moment. Listeners will find themselves immersed in conversations that weave together Eastern philosophy, particularly from the Hindu and Bhakti traditions, with practical Western psychology, exploring how spiritual principles manifest in everyday life, relationships, and societal challenges. It’s less a formal lecture and more an intimate, meandering dialogue with a wise elder, offering reflections that feel both ancient and immediately relevant. This isn't about dogma, but about the shared, often messy, human experience of seeking meaning and connection. To spend time with this podcast is to encounter a gentle guide, one who points persistently toward the present moment, toward compassion, and toward the recognition of our shared essence.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 311

Ram Dass Here And Now
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 305 – Using A Relationship to Awaken [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
In the conclusion of this classic talk, Ram Dass explores giving up our rushes, working with death, not judging the trip, using a relationship to awaken, and much more. Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network a…
Ep. 304 – The Wisdom of the Universe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:02
In this 1980 talk, Ram Dass explores how we aren’t who we think we are and leads a meditative experience to help us quiet down enough to become statements of the universe's wisdom. The Ram Dass community gathers regularl…
Ep. 303 – The Wheels of Birth and Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:38
Ram Dass explores how understanding the wheels of birth and death helps us appreciate the preciousness of our incarnation. The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage in meaningful discussions about the podcast. W…
Ep. 302 – The Sweetness of Service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
In this exploration of the practice of karma yoga, Ram Dass talks about the sweetness of service and how the mystery of the universe is in the precise action of the moment. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by Better…
Ep. 301 – The Process of Listening and Tuning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:38
Ram Dass explores the process of listening and tuning that takes place on the spiritual journey as we find the practices that align with our unique karmic predicaments. The Ram Dass community gathers regularly to engage…
Ep. 300 – Subtle is the Path of Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:43
Take flight with Ram Dass as he shares stories about love, power, and the very subtle teachings of his guru, Maharaj-ji. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ra…
Ep. 299 – Listening for Your Unique Manifestation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
Ram Dass answers questions about spirituality and money, being indecisive, ego trips, listening for your unique manifestation in life, and more. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a…
Ep. 298 – The Web of Human Caring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Ram Dass explores living in times of great change, the cost of individuality to our compassionate hearts, and the importance of building and being part of the web of human caring. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by…
Ep. 297 – Cultivating a Spiritual Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
Ram Dass explores how the process of karma yoga is about cultivating a spiritual perspective that allows us to see any situation on multiple planes simultaneously. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHelp. Giv…
Ep. 296 – The Delight of Simplicity feat. Daniel Goleman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:36
In this 1970s interview, Ram Dass sits down with psychologist Daniel Goleman to discuss why people aren’t happier, the power of meditation, and the delight of simplicity. Ram Dass Here & Now is brought to you by BetterHe…