Dying into Life (by Ram Dass)
Dying into Life is an incredible audiobook! Technically, it’s recordings from a Ram Dass retreat in 1982. I purchased this from Audible and couldn’t be happier with this selection. As I’ve previously mentioned in my blog posts, I view myself as a student of Ram Dass. I have listened to all of the podcast episodes of Here and Now, offered through the Be Here Now Network, read his books, and attended a retreat last summer. Surprisingly, this audiobook offered many new experiences for me.
The retreat was held in 1982 and included the wisdom of Stephen Levine and Dale Borglum (RamDev). The chapters of the audiobook seem to be in chronological order of the actual retreat. The retreat opens with an introductory lecture by Ram Dass. Next, Stephen Levine and Dale Borglum host lectures. Some of the lectures are co-facilitated by both Ram Dass and Stephen Levine.
In my opinion, the retreat opens with some heavy topics of grief and abortions. There was a lot of audience interaction in the first few lectures. It’s most likely that hearing people in the audience emotionally share their struggles made the listening experience intense for me. Next, there was a lecture on relationships. Filtered in with the lectures were meditations and activities. Below is a YouTube video of a lecture with Ram Dass and Stephen Levine from the audiobook about working with fear.
Both Stephen and Dale have dedicated their lives to suffering, grief, and dying. It’s truly amazing work. They provided outstanding lectures on suffering and how to make room for pain. I began loving the audiobook when Dale Borglum presented a lecture on working with dying people at the Dying Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It’s presently called, The Living Dying Project. Dale also has a podcast, Healing at the Edge, which is offered through the Be Here Now Network. I’ve listened to many of his fantastic podcast episodes where he talks about The Living Dying Project.
My favorite part of the audiobook began in Chapter 10. It’s at this point that Ram Dass is the only lecturer through the book’s conclusion. Some stories that Ram Dass shared I’ve heard before, as well as some of his teachings. However, I heard many stories in this audiobook that I’ve never heard before, despite the numerous podcasts I’ve listened to of his archived lectures. My favorite story was the one of Ram Dass swimming with dolphins. It’s an incredibly cool story about letting go of the mind and connecting with animals. Listening to his amazing wisdom carry me through the end of the audiobook was priceless. When I recognize I need some Ram Dass in my life, and a podcast isn’t doing it for me, I’m returning to Chapter 10 of this book!
As I previously mentioned, my husband and I attended our first Ram Dass retreat in 2022. Ram Dass wasn’t physically present of course, as he left his body in 2019. Other Maharaja-ji students are carrying on Ram Dass’ legacy through the Love Serve Remember Foundation. You can read about our experience here on my adventures blog post. It was a wonderful experience. Listening to this audiobook brought back memories from Boone, North Carolina.
If you’re interested in Ram Dass, you can read my blog post on his book, How Can I Help? Stories on Reflection and Service, here. During the 1982 retreat, Ram Dass mentions that he was writing that book.
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