In January of 1972 I was introduced to Ram Dass through the book Be Here Now at the age of 19. When I read about his experience meeting with Maharaj-ji and their discussion about his mother, something inside me awakened to the idea of life being a journey, to be lived in the present moment, in a loving way, that began before birth and continues after death. Carrying the book around in my backpack, I was sharing it with everyone I was meeting in college and as I hitchhiked around Massachusetts. Learning early in 1974, Ram Dass’ address in Berkeley I wrote him. I shared about an experience I had with LSD, fear and love, and he wrote back:
Ram Dass writes:
Jon-
I share your feeling that the way of Christ is not followed exclusively by Christians. And certainly when Maharajji said “Christ lives in the heart of many” and to some he said “Christ is your guru” – he was speaking of the Real Thing.
Each time we meet you are stronger and more beautiful.
Be well, be patient.
I love you. Ram Dass
Ram Dass writes:
(Hand drawn OM symbol – the first thing he wrote on most all his letters)
Jon –
Connectedness to the earth, your body, your heart and the hearts of others around you is such a grace-full rout to God.
The LSD trip just shows you more stuff of personality to let go of. Richard is right. So simple. If paranoid, just love others. It works.
Good to be sharing this journey with you. Blessings to you, your lady and Richard.
Shanti, Ram Dass
I wrote him another about my spiritual struggles to integrate Christ, my personal spirituality and person growth I was doing. He wrote back:
Feeling bold I called directory information in Franklin, NH and asked for his father’s phone number. He answered, invited me to a Satsang he was having when he returned from a retreat in New York City. I traveled there with a couple friends, and we joined the friendly gathering in his father’s living room. Ram Dass came out, sat down in front, and begin speaking. While sharing from his quietness of his retreat and deep wisdom, he mentioned as spiritual seekers we need to open our hearts to the suffering in the world. He quickly moved on to another topic but I was struck by that recommendation.
A while later, he joked that it was time to ask questions of Dr. Dass 😁! Could I speak up, I questioned myself? My heart was pounding but I did raise my hand, and when called on asked, “How do we open our hearts to the suffering in the world?” He shut his eyes and now my heart was really pounding as he meditated. He answered, “Your heart is already open.” Immediately I was emotionally floored. Ram Dass was telling me my heart is already open. I must be ok the way I am. There is nothing I have to prove, nothing I have to do..
These experiences began a spiritual connection with Ram Dass that lasted until seeing him in Maui for the last time a few weeks before he passed in 2019. Soon after that meeting at Ram Dass father’s house I began working in hospitals, first as an orderly, later as a trailblazing nurse specialist in stress and pain management at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. To read more about my journey with Ram Dass check out my website: https://jonvasu.com/ram-dass/ There is a full accounting there of the story of the writing of the book From Bindu to Ojas, the manuscript that later became the brown pages in Be Here Now. Also, on my website is my research with meditation, chanting and mind/body medicine recordings, and my classic page about having fun.
Ram Ram,
Jon Vasu
lovely. thank you.