What Does Ram Dass Teach?
| By: Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon; ©1999 |
| Ram Dass claims to further spiritual awakening in society through his teachings and interpretation of Hindu and Buddhist sources. |
What Does Ram Dass Teach?
Info at a Glance
Name: Hanuman Foundation, Ram Dass (Richard Alpert).
Purpose: To further spiritual awakening in society.
Source of authority: Hindu and Buddhist sources, with Ram Dass as the interpreter.
Revealed teachings: Yes.
Examples of occult potential: Eastern meditation; development of psychic powers; spiritism.
Key literature: The books by Ram Dass, such as Be Here Now; The Only Dance There Is; Grist for the Mill; Journey of Awakening.
Attitude toward Christianity: Rejecting.
Quote:
“When I said that God came to the United States in the form of LSD, I was quoting my teacher… one of the purest and highest beings I have met [who said]… ‘LSD is like a Christ coming to America’. I honor LSD” (Ram Dass, The Only Dance There Is, p. 14).
“Krishna, Christ, Durga, Kali—all of them [are] the same. The ocean made manifest in different forms. Different strokes for different folks. Each a form you need, if you need form” (Ram Dass,Grist for the Mill, p. 153).
Note: Ram Dass was in the vanguard of the cultural swing to Eastern metaphysics several decades ago; through his writings his influence has been considerable.
Doctrinal Summary
God: Impersonal being and consciousness.
Jesus: An enlightened man.
The Christ: Higher (divine) consciousness.
Man: Inwardly divine.
Sin: Ignorance.
Salvation: By enlightenment.
The Bible: One of many scriptures; interpreted mystically.
Death: A spiritual advance.
Heaven and Hell: States of mind or temporary places.
