Be Here Now

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use.

Examine how Be Here Now reflects the ideals, tensions, and aspirations of the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture. How does Ram Dass’s focus on spirituality, consciousness expansion, and communal living both emerge from and challenge Western materialism during this era?

Discuss the book’s blending of Hindu, Buddhist, and other Eastern philosophies with a Western audience in mind. Analyze whether this synthesis creates a new, universal form of spirituality or if it dilutes each tradition’s depth. Cite specific examples from the text.

Assess the impact of psychedelic experiences on Dass’s realizations. How do these episodes shape the narrative and message of Be Here Now? To what extent does the text promote and caution against the use of mind-altering substances? How does this reflect broader societal perceptions of psychotropic drugs?