When Ram Dass’s Be Here Now was first published in 1971, the author had no idea that his book would become a spiritual classic for the ages. What began as a personal diary of sorts morphed into a movement of sorts, defining an entire generation of seekers hungry for a more mindful and intentional approach to life. Today, the book continues to impact and inspire both the young and the old, as it addresses topics such as presence, surrender, and love with astute insight and profound wisdom.
Be Here Now is divided into three parts: Part I introduces the idea of being present to the present moment, Part II covers the topics of spiritual practices and service to humanity, and Part III focuses on the nature of love. In the introduction, Dass acknowledges the importance of the spiritual journey — a journey that begins with ourselves and expands outwardly towards servitude and compassion.
Throughout the book, Dass weaves in anecdotes, quotes, chants, and his own personal stories, exemplifying the idea of “being here now”. He encourages readers to attend to the present moment, by noting that when we “let go” and become still, “in the silence of the divine we eventually find our true nature.” In other words, as we become more aware and conscious of the present moment, we can discover who we really are and develop our purest potential.
Part II delves further into how this idea of “being here now” can and should be applied. Dass speaks about the importance of spirituality, noting that true spiritual practice is a continuous journey, instead of something to be reached and then left behind. In this section, he also explains how meaningful service to humanity and nature can be, as it not only grounds us but opens us up to a deeper sense of awareness and connection.
The last portion of the book is focused on the idea of love. Dass reminds us that it can take many forms — from family relationships to direct spiritual experiences. He speaks of inviting love into our lives and into our relationships, noting that when we learn to let love in, we will eventually find that we have the power to create and to love.
Be Here Now is an invaluable source of spiritual understanding and insight. It serves as an excellent reminder to continually be grateful, to live with intention, and to always remember our connection to the divine. As Dass wrote in its closing words, “Each moment is completely new; each moment is completely fresh. Therefore, it is wise to practice being here now.” Indeed, by being here now and embracing the present moment, we can truly live with an open heart, an open mind, and an open soul.
