Ram Dass, a spiritual teacher, discusses the concept of 'I am' and finding balance between our true essence and human experiences. Exploring how resting in 'I am' leads to a different perspective on suffering and perfection. Emphasizing the importance of keeping an open heart amidst the world's challenges.
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insights INSIGHT
Resting in "I Am"
Ram Dass describes the "I am" as a place of stillness within.
From this place, one observes the world without judgment, seeing the perfection in all things, including suffering.
insights INSIGHT
Perfection of Law
From the perspective of "I am," everything is a manifestation of law, both beautiful and chaotic.
Even suffering is part of this perfection, a concept Ram Dass acknowledges may sound unsettling.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cat and Lizard
Ram Dass shares a story of meditating while a cat brought him its live prey.
The experience highlighted the challenge of accepting the natural order without judgment.
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In this classic talk, Ram Dass explores resting in ‘I am,’ a place where we can see the perfection of all things, including suffering, and how we can balance that place with an open heart.
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Continuing to take his cue from Swami Ram Tirth’s words, “I am without form, without limit,” Ram Dass dives into the notion of “I am” and talks about how resting in that place makes the world look different than if we are busy being somebody doing something. From this place, we can see the perfection of it all, even with the suffering inherent in form.
The predicament is that we are not just the “I am,” we are also human beings with bodies and personalities and human hearts that cannot bear the suffering around us. Ram Dass talks about finding a balance between these two places and keeping our hearts open to the unbearable.
Ram Dass explores all the demands to respond to the suffering of the world and how it’s easy to get tired of being “should upon.” Ultimately, we can rely on our intuitive heart-minds to know what is the right action to take for ourselves. The quieter we get and the less attached we are to our roles, the more we will gravitate towards the things that relieve the suffering of all sentient beings.
“If you were resting in your ‘I am,’ you would look and you would see only the perfection of it all. And you would see that what we did in the ’60s is what created Ronald Reagan in the ’80s. You would see the way polarities work; you’d see the way forces polarize… You’d just see it as law unfolding right before you.” – Ram Dass
Ram Dass Here And Now 