All of the world

As we begin to wake up and realize that we are not separate from each other, nor from this wondrous earth, we realize that the ways we live together and relate to the earth need to be reconstructed too. That means not only social engagement as individuals helping other individuals, but finding ways to address the problematic economic and political structures that are deeply implicated in the eco-crisis and the social justice issues that confront us today. This reclaims the goal of enlightenment from an exclusively individualistic model. Engagement in the world is how our personal awakening blossoms, and contemplative practices such as meditation ground our activism, transforming it into a spiritual path

Letter of grief

RAM DASS" LETTER TO A COUPLE WHOSE child died a violent act of death ——

Rachel finished her work on earth,

and left the stage in a manner

that leaves those of us left behind

with a cry of agony in our hearts,

as the fragile thread of our faith is

dealt with so violently. Is anyone

strong enough to stay conscious through

such teaching as you are receiving?

Probably very few. And even they

would only have a whisper of

equanimity and peace amidst the screaming trumpets

of their rage, grief, horror and desolation. 

I can't assuage your pain with

any words, nor should I. For

your pain is Rachel's legacy to you. Not that

she or I would inflict such pain

by choice, but there it is. And it must

burn its purifying way to completion.

For something in you dies when you

bear the unbearable, and it is

only in that dark night of the soul that you

are prepared to see as God sees,

and to love as God loves. 

Now is the time to let your grief

find expression. No false strength.

Now is the time to sit quietly

and speak to Rachel, and thank

her for being with you these few years, and

encourage her to go on with whatever

her work is, knowing that you will grow

in compassion and wisdom from

this experience. In my heart, I know that you

and she will meet again and again,

and recognize the many ways in which

you have known each other. And

when you meet you will know, in a flash,

what now it is not given to you

to know: Why this had to be the way it was. 

Our rational minds can never

understand what has happened,

but our hearts– if we can keep them open to God – will

find their own intuitive way. 

Rachel came through you to do

her work on earth, which includes

her manner of death. Now her soul is free,

and the love that you can share

with her is invulnerable to the winds of

changing time and space. In that

deep love, include me. 

In love, 

Ram Dass"