Conversations with RAM DASS 2017

Conversations with RAM DASS on Spiritual Contemporary Subjects. Hosted by Bhakti Fest founder Sridhar Silberfein.


Ram Dass first went to India in 1967 when he was still Dr. Richard Alpert, an already eminent Harvard psychologist and psychedelic pioneer with Dr. Timothy Leary. In India, he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who gave Ram Dass his name, which means "servant of God." Everything changed then - his intense dharmic life started, and he became a pivotal influence on a culture that has reverberated with the words "Be Here Now" ever since. Ram Dass's spirit has been a guiding light for three generations.

Through the auspices of the Center for Spiritual Studies, Director Sridhar Silberfein brought Ram Dass over to Maui in 2004 to host a retreat. When recognizing a notable difference in Ram Dass’ well-being, it was decided he would stay on the island to maintain good health. After securing a home, assistants, doctors, and therapists, and making sure Ram Dass was well taken care of financially, the Love, Serve Remember Foundation was created to replace the Center for Spiritual Studies in 2009. Simultaneously Bhakti Fest was created and founded by Sridhar—from a vision he had on the stage at the Woodstock Festival standing alongside Swami Satchidananda. Looking out at the field of humanity of 500,000 wild Americans, Sridhar said to Swamiji, "wouldn't it be wonderful to be casting our eyes on the same amount of people chanting the Hari-nam (the names of the Divine)?” Forty years later, the stage was set and this envision came to fruition through the workings of Bhakti Fest.

Today, you can find one-of-a-kind reunions of these two longtime friends at the special screening of Ram Dass interviews in the Workshop hall of all Bhakti Festivals. Listen in as they discuss current events, life experiences, and all things devotional.