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.

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