Ram Dass explores the nature of time and the importance of living in the present moment. He discusses the different perspectives on time throughout our lives and shares a story about his guru helping him see that being in the present moment is all there is. He also talks about the struggle of letting go of personal history and possessions. The podcast delves into the concept of time, the perception of time, and the impact of time on the human spirit.
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Quick takeaways
Being fully present in the moment is the key to moving from ego to soul.
Shifting perspective on time allows for a deeper sense of freedom and richness in the present moment.
Deep dives
The Phenomenon of Time
Ram Dass explores the phenomenon of time in this episode, discussing how people often feel rushed and overwhelmed, while others may feel like all they have is time. He delves into the concept of linear time and its effect on our perception of the past, present, and future. Ram Dass also examines the different experiences of time as we age, and the cultural influences that can shape our relationship with time. Ultimately, he suggests that finding a balance between being present in the moment and using time as a tool is key to moving from ego to soul.
Shifting Perspectives on Time
Ram Dass highlights the need to shift our perspective on time and change how we relate to the past and future. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, without denying the past or ignoring the future. Ram Dass shares personal experiences and teachings from various traditions to illustrate the transformative power of being fully present. He suggests that by letting go of personal history and releasing attachments to future outcomes, we can access a deeper sense of freedom and find richness in the present.
The Nature of Time in Different Realms
Ram Dass explores the different experiences of time in the realms of ego, soul, and awareness. He discusses how our ego operates within linear time, while the soul works through vast cycles of time. Ram Dass introduces the concept of cosmic time and reincarnation, highlighting the soul's journey to merge back into the universal awareness. He also touches on the idea of timelessness and the power of awareness to transcend the boundaries of time.
Letting Go of Personal History
Ram Dass discusses the practice of letting go of personal history as a means to free ourselves from the entrapment of time. He shares his own journey of releasing attachments to memorabilia and belongings, realizing that the richness of life lies in simplicity and the present moment. Ram Dass encourages embracing the inner universe and finding richness within ourselves, rather than relying on external possessions or memories. By relinquishing the need to hold onto the past, we can fully experience the depth and freedom of the present.
In this recording from 1995, Ram Dass explores the nature of time, especially as it relates to aging, and shares how his guru helped him see that being in the present moment is all there is.
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This episode of Here and Now is from a recording of a study group on aging hosted by Ram Dass in 1995.
Ram Dass begins his exploration of time and aging by looking at the nature of time from both the domain of the ego and the domain of the soul
He examines the perspectives on time we hold throughout our lives in this culture, from being fully in the moment as babies, reaching for the future as kids and young adults, thinking of time as money in middle age, and finally clinging to the past in our older years
Ram Dass reads from a book on aging that he’s in the middle of writing, sharing a tale of why time seems to work differently in India and how his guru helped him see that being in the present moment is all there is
Finally, he talks about working on letting go of his personal history and the struggles he had with boxes of memorabilia he’d collected over the years
“And they talk about gaining awareness is like snatching the pearl of awareness from the dragon time. That’s one of the mystical ways of talking about what awakening and enlightenment are. It’s freeing your awareness from being entrapped within time. Not that you don’t use time, but you’re not used by it.” – Ram Dass