History of Ram Dass in Timeline

"Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, was a prominent figure in introducing Eastern spirituality and yoga to the Western world. His influential book, "Be Here Now" (1971), became a guidepost for spiritual seekers, advocating for mindfulness and present moment awareness. Originally a Harvard psychologist, Ram Dass's exploration of consciousness led him to India and his guru, Neem Karoli Baba. He continued to teach and write about spiritual practices and self-discovery for over four decades, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary spirituality."

April 6, 1931: Birth of Ram Dass

Ram Dass was born Richard Alpert on April 6, 1931, to parents Gertrude and George Alpert in Boston.

1931: Early Life and Atheism

Ram Dass was born in 1931 and identified as an atheist throughout his early years.

1948: Graduation from Williston Northampton School

Richard Alpert completed his studies at Williston Northampton School in 1948, graduating with honors.

1952: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

Alpert obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Tufts University in 1952, choosing this field over his father's wish for him to pursue medicine.

1954: Master's Degree from Wesleyan University

Richard Alpert earned his master's degree in psychology from Wesleyan University in 1954. His mentor at Wesleyan, David McClelland, recommended him to Stanford University.

1957: PhD in Psychology

Alpert was awarded his Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University in 1957, having written his dissertation on "achievement anxiety".

1958: Teaching Position at Harvard University

With the help of his mentor, David McClelland, Alpert secured a tenure-track position as an assistant clinical psychology professor at Harvard University in 1958.

1961: Return to Harvard and Focus on Psychedelic Research

Upon returning from a visiting professorship at the University of California, Berkeley in 1961, Alpert shifted his focus to join Leary in researching the potential therapeutic benefits of hallucinogenic drugs, including LSD and psilocybin, through their Harvard Psilocybin Project.

1962: Co-founding of IFIF

Alpert, along with Timothy Leary, co-founded the International Federation for Internal Freedom (IFIF) in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1962 to facilitate studies on the religious applications of psychedelic drugs.

1962: Collaboration on the "Good Friday Experiment"

In 1962, Alpert lent his expertise to assist Harvard Divinity School graduate student Walter Pahnke in the groundbreaking "Good Friday Experiment." This marked the first controlled, double-blind study examining the connection between drug use and mystical experiences.

1962: Good Friday Experiment

While at Harvard, Richard Alpert collaborated with Walter Pahnke on the "Good Friday Experiment" in 1962, a groundbreaking study exploring the relationship between drugs and mystical experiences.

1963: Dismissal from Harvard

Due to their controversial research on psychedelic drugs, Alpert and Timothy Leary were dismissed from Harvard University in 1963.

1963: Relocation to Millbrook and the Castalia Foundation

Following their dismissal from Harvard, Alpert, Leary, and their colleagues moved to the Hitchcock Estate in Millbrook, New York, in 1963. This estate became a hub for their communal living and research, later transforming into the Castalia Foundation.

1964: Publication of "The Psychedelic Experience"

Alpert, Leary, and Ralph Metzner published "The Psychedelic Experience" in 1964, a guide drawing parallels between psychedelic experiences and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

1966: Co-authoring of "LSD"

In 1966, Alpert collaborated with Sidney Cohen and Lawrence Schiller to co-author the book "LSD."

1967: Talks at the League for Spiritual Discovery

Alpert engaged in public discourse on spirituality by delivering talks at the League for Spiritual Discovery's center in Greenwich Village in 1967.

1967: Spiritual Transformation in India

Alpert traveled to India in 1967 and met Neem Karoli Baba, who became his guru and gave him the name Ram Dass, meaning "Servant of God".

1967: Meeting with Bhagavan Das

During his travels in India in 1967, Alpert crossed paths with Bhagavan Das, a fellow American on a spiritual quest.

1967: Meeting Neem Karoli Baba

Guided by Bhagavan Das, Alpert met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, at Kainchi ashram in 1967. Neem Karoli Baba bestowed upon him the name "Ram Dass," signifying "servant of God."

1967: Co-founding the Lama Foundation

Ram Dass played a key role in co-founding the Lama Foundation, a countercultural spiritual community in Taos, New Mexico, with Steve and Barbara Durkee in 1967.

1971: Publication of "Be Here Now"

"Be Here Now," Ram Dass's transformative manual for conscious living, was published in 1971. The Lama Foundation, which Ram Dass helped establish, played a crucial role in editing and publishing the book.

September 1973: Death of Neem Karoli Baba

Ram Dass's guru, Neem Karoli Baba, died in September 1973.

1973: Reflections on Jewish Identity

During a talk at Berkeley Community Theater in 1973, Ram Dass shared that his connection to Judaism was primarily political, lacking a strong religious upbringing.

1973: Release of "Living in the Material World"

George Harrison released his album "Living in the Material World", which featured the song "Be Here Now," in 1973.

1974: Founding of the Hanuman Foundation

Ram Dass founded the Hanuman Foundation, a nonprofit educational and service organization, in 1974 to focus on the spiritual well-being of society.

1974: Denouncement of Timothy Leary

Ram Dass publicly denounced Timothy Leary in a 1974 news conference, leading to a period of estrangement between them.

1978: Co-founding of the Seva Foundation

Ram Dass co-founded the Seva Foundation with Larry Brilliant and Wavy Gravy in 1978 to provide eye care to people in developing countries.

1983: Reconciliation with Timothy Leary

Ram Dass and Timothy Leary reconciled at Harvard in 1983, marking the end of their period of estrangement.

1986: Establishment of the Dying Center

The Dying Center, the first residential facility in the U.S. dedicated to conscious dying, was established in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1986.

May 1996: Reconciliation and Reunion with Timothy Leary

Ram Dass reconciled with Timothy Leary in 1983, and they reunited before Leary's death in May 1996.

February 1997: Ram Dass's Stroke and Perspective on Grace

In February 1997, Ram Dass experienced a stroke that resulted in expressive aphasia, which he viewed as an opportunity for growth and learning.

1997: Ram Dass Suffers a Stroke

In 1997, Ram Dass experienced a stroke that resulted in paralysis and challenges with speech.

2004: Move to Maui

After a near-fatal stroke during a trip to India in 2004, Ram Dass relocated to Maui.

2013: Release of "Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart"

Ram Dass published his memoir, "Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart," in 2013, summarizing his teachings and reflecting on aging and mortality.