Ep. 287 – The Secret of Compassion

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Sep 23, 2025

Dive into insightful discussions about the nature of suffering and how we respond to it. Ram Dass explores various reactions people have, from denial to cynicism. He shares riveting stories, including Wavy Gravy's touching encounter with a burned child. The talk delves into the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, emphasizing the concept of being 'nobody' to ease clinging. Listen as Ram Dass reflects on compassionate presence—finding a balance between action and allowing others to transform.

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ANECDOTE

Wavy Gravy's Hospital Moment

Wavy Gravy describes meeting a horribly burned child and being overwhelmed by horror.
His gaze locked with the child's and the burnt flesh dissolved as he saw the person beneath the wounds.

INSIGHT

Reactivity Reinforces Suffering

Immediate reactions to suffering tend to push it away through denial, spiritual rationalizing, or pity.
Those reactions close the heart and prevent true, liberating help from arising.

ADVICE

Sit With Suffering First

Slow down and sit with the suffering instead of acting or rationalizing immediately.
This patience opens the heart and lets compassionate action arise from clarity rather than reactivity.

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In this powerful lecture on responding to suffering, Ram Dass draws on the wisdom of the Buddha, Trungpa Rinpoche, and Wavy Gravy, and offers his insight into the secret of compassion.

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This episode of Here and Now comes from a lecture Ram Dass gave at the Omega Institute on June 28th, 1983.

Ram Dass talks about how suffering is everywhere. He examines the different kinds of reactions to it, including denial, pity, cynicism, or trying to “do something about it.”
Ram Dass invokes the wisdom of the Buddha and Wavy Gravy to provide a path for us to open to suffering, and offers some insight into the secret of compassion.
After a brief review of the Four Noble Truths, Ram Dass explores the concept of being nobody. He discusses the predicament of identifying with anything in form and how we aren’t who we think we are. We exist behind form.
In the final part of the talk, Ram Dass introduces the rascally Trungpa Rinpoche, sharing stories of their early meetings. He recalls a dialogue between Trungpa and Wavy about responding to suffering and how they were representing two parts of the same dance.

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About Ram Dass:

Ram Dass’s spirit has been a guiding light for generations, carrying millions along on the journey. Ram Dass teaches that through the Bhakti practice of unconditional love, we can all connect with our true nature. Through these teachings, Ram Dass has shared a little piece of his guru, Maharaj-ji, with all who have listened to him.

“Because part of the secret of compassion is being able to embrace darkness into light. It’s being able to embrace suffering into yourself. It’s being able to acknowledge and allow. And then, the impeccable warrior hears what to do about it.” – Ram Dass

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