Be Here Now - Ram Dass needs our help

[housewolf]

Ram Dass is sick, broke, wheelchair-bound and about to lose the house he is renting. He needs our help NOW.

If these words touch your heart, as they do mine, please go here and find out how you can help.

http://www.drwaynedyer.com/articles /

This is a letter from Dr. Wayne Dwyer, a long-time friend of Ram Dass, who has put out the call to all who were touched by Ram Dass, his words, his work and his service from the 1960's onward, to help.

It's our time to Be Here Now.

[Must_B_Free]

1. confusing

i am confused by the marketing mixed with spirituality.

Did Ram Dass acheive the level of enlightenment of the guru who asked him about his mother, as if reading his mind?

how did he give so much that he is needy now? If you are going to be a teacher, perhaps you ought to set a good example?

A house on Maui must be expensive, is it not? the property tax alone must be expensive.

And the Dr. Wayne Dyer - is he kicking in a big chunk of change to get Ram a Maui house?

[housewolf]

2. Ram Dass's path with money

has not been one of accumulation, rather one of letting money flow through and around him. He has not lived a lavish lifestyle - he lived a life in pursuit of consciousness and service, not consumerism and accumulation.

He spent most of the late 80's and into the 80's being the primary caretaker of his father during his time with Alzheimer's. Ram Dass himself suffered a stroke in either 1995 or 1997 (can't exactly remember). He has been wheelchair-bound since that time. In December he suffered a bout with a rare bacterial infection and spent several months recovering - during this time he was unable to work and that period of illness contributed to his current financial situation.

I don't know the details of how Wayne Dyer is helping Ram Dass, other than to say that he's scheduled a benefit presentation/lecture/seminar in Maui in May, all proceeds of which are to go to Ram Dass.

Up until his illness in December, Ram Dass continued to travel and teach around the world, even while being wheelchair-bound. Because of his recent illness, he has been unable to travel and teach. He does have events scheduled later this year, hopefully he will be able to keep those commitments.

[freebird1]

3. He was teaching in Rhinebeck, NY

I was hoping that he would return this summer.

[Dogmudgeon]

4. I don't think you're confused

You seem to be looking for the scam. Ram Dass = New Age = Evil in the minds of many people. I'd say that the prospect of there being a scam is low to nil. Ram Dass took a vow of poverty when he became a Buddhist, in spite of writing at least one best-selling book (Be Here Now) and doing extensive touring and lecturing. Just because he took a Sanskrit name doesn't mean he became a greedhead Swami.

I suspect that Ram Dass' situation has just come to the attention of Dr. Dyer, who has probably also opened his wallet. And since Ram Dass is a well-known and much-loved figure, his days of penury are not likely to last long.

Yes, Wayne Dyer does market enlightenment, and puts a price tag on product. The enlightenment is free, but WD's words aren't. I'd also note that a copy of The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church costs $9.95 in paperback, and Skeptical Inquirer has a newstand price of $2.95. Commerce in this world is, sadly, mandatory, under penalty of law. Bringing the plight of Ram Dass to public awareness isn't exactly marketing spirituality.

What that we were more aware of the poor and the "losers" of the world on a day-to-day basis.

--p!

[Nay]

5. I have always liked Ram Dass, but it is puzzling that a "long time

friend" as rich as Dwyer doesn't just simply pay his friend's expenses. I find that fact alone very suspicious, because any of us on this board, if we were multimillionaires as Dwyer is, would immediately pick up the tab and the public would never even know. That this has obviously not happened is. . .disturbing.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Puzzling about Dyer

1. We don't know whether Dyer is rich. He appears to be "doing well", but providing for Ram Dass' long-term care is not something most writers and lecturers can afford to do, even multi-millionaires.

2. Just picking up the tab and keeping silent isn't a very good way to provide for the elderly and infirm.

3. We don't know how much Dyer has already paid for Ram Dass' support.

4. Wayne Dyer may not think "it's all about Wayne Dyer," but about Ram Dass, no matter how much WD has already ponied up.

You could easily write to Dyer and ask what kind of provisions have already been made. Especially compared to how most charitable efforts are conducted, none of this is either puzzling or disturbing.

--p!