Be Here Now

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

One of the most salient themes in Be Here Now is the invitation to center mindfulness to inhabit the present moment as the sole locus of genuine transformation—a perspective Dass refers to as the “Eternal Present.” Rather than treating mindfulness as a passing trend or rigid technique, the book elevates present-centered awareness to a way of life. As Dass succinctly puts it, “Don’t think about the future. Just be here now. Don’t think about the past. Just be here now” (390). In foregrounding this maxim, he insists that dwelling on memories or ambitions obscures one’s direct connection to reality.

Dass’s journey—from Harvard psychologist Richard Alpert to spiritual teacher—illustrates his belief that academic success and psychedelic exploration both fall short if one cannot remain anchored in the here and now. Underlying his transformation is the discovery that all states of mind—no matter how elevated—prove fleeting unless one regularly returns to the simplicity of present awareness. Whether chanting the name of God or performing household tasks, he frames each activity as an invitation to notice and release mental chatter. This approach, supported by the book’s dynamic format of bold lettering and vivid