Be Here Now

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

Dass describes a path of love and devotion aimed at merging the lover with the Beloved. Initially dualistic—centered on adoration for God or a divine incarnation—bhakti ultimately dissolves the sense of separation. Through practices like devotional singing (kirtan), prayer, and heartfelt worship, one unlocks the heart’s capacity to perceive the divine in everything. Dass cautions against getting attached to the blissful states of dualism, reminding individuals that the highest goal is unity with Love itself. He also outlines practical steps, such as immersing oneself in sacred music or chanting until the singer, song, and audience become one. In doing so, devotion shifts from an external focus on the “other” to an inner realization that the essence of the Beloved is one’s true being.

Dass outlines various techniques to quiet the mind and attain deeper awareness. He distinguishes formal meditation from casual daydreaming or simple reflection, explaining that true meditation aims to calm the mind’s ceaseless chatter, eventually ceasing all mental motion. He provides specific exercises like attending to one’s breath (Vipassana), gazing at a candle flame (Tratak), or focusing on internal sounds (Nad Yoga).