Discover the concept of intuitive rightness and how our actions resonate with the universe. Ram Dass shares personal stories from protests, emphasizing that true social action must come from within, not from societal pressures. He discusses the balance between inner peace and social responsibility, urging mindfulness in everyday life. The importance of creating nurturing environments for growth is highlighted, along with the beauty of connection and compassion in collective experiences. Tune in for insights on personal development and the interconnectedness of all actions.
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Quick takeaways
Ram Dass emphasizes the need for social action to stem from our authentic inner truth rather than societal obligations or expectations.
He highlights the importance of nurturing joy and interconnectedness in our actions to foster compassion and meaningful engagement with the world.
Deep dives
Balancing Inner Peace and Social Action
In times of strife, the debate on whether to meditate or take action often arises. It’s essential to find a personal balance between seeking inner peace and engaging in social change, as both aspects are crucial. Ram Dass emphasizes that genuine action should never stem from obligation; instead, it must come from a place of authenticity and inner truth. Ultimately, only individuals can discern their unique path that encompasses both inner calm and outward efforts.
The Importance of Authenticity in Action
Authenticity is vital in our actions, and Ram Dass illustrates this through personal anecdotes that highlight human nature and spontaneity. He shares a moment of serendipity when, despite his inclination to retreat to bed after a tiring week, he chose to participate in an anti-nuclear rally without any obligation, experiencing a profound sense of rightness in that decision. This genuine engagement allowed him to collectively resonate with others working for a common cause, showcasing how acts come alive with authenticity. He underscores the significance of acting from inner joy rather than from guilt or duty.
The Interconnectedness of All Beings
Understanding the interconnectedness of beings is central to developing compassion and responding to suffering. Ram Dass encourages us to expand our awareness, recognizing that every action resonates throughout the universe, reinforcing our shared existence. This perspective invites individuals to remain open to the suffering of others while nurturing their own inner tranquility. By doing so, one can cultivate a compassionate response to the world, leading to a more profound and harmonious interaction with life.
Embracing Joy Amidst Challenges
Even amidst adversity, the ability to find and embrace joy is fundamental. Ram Dass cites the Dalai Lama, who, despite significant loss, maintains an outlook of happiness, asserting that external circumstances cannot diminish one's internal joy. Recognizing joy as a powerful tool not only uplifts the individual but can also inspire and energize collective efforts towards change. This notion reinforces the idea that joy and action can coexist, encouraging a more holistic approach to personal and social transformation.
Ram Dass shares stories of social action and explores how we can plug into our sense of intuitive rightness so that our every act is in the way of things and in tune with the universe.
This episode of Here and Now is from a dharma talk given at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, on March 9, 1983.
Ram Dass begins by talking about some of the anti-nuclear protests going on and how he feels tired of being “should upon.” He shares a story about how he wound up marching for peace across the Golden Gate Bridge.
For Ram Dass, taking part in social action must come from a sense of intuitive rightness within ourselves, not from models of who we think we are and what we think we should be doing. We must listen our way into the harmony of things and resonate intuitively with the deepest parts of our beings.
Ram Dass talks about quieting the screaming trumpets of the judging mind in order to hear what our next act should be. He shares the story of a protest he attended in New York where everyone simply felt privileged to be present in the moment. “You and I are environments for each other,” he says. “We’re the soil in which the flowers around us grow.”
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“It was in the way of things. It had an intuitive sense of rightness. It was the meditative space of listening. Of hearing, not even listening. Of being so in tune with the universe that you can sense how your every act, your walking meditation, is interwoven with every other form. And the quality of the way in which you walk is your participation in the totality.” – Ram Dass