Conversations with Authors – Rameshwar Das (Virtual Event)

Born Richard Alpert, Ram Dass was a prominent Harvard psychology professor who partnered with Timothy Leary in psychedelic research, and later traveled to India and met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba. Upon returning to the US with his new name, which means “servant of God,” Ram Dass became a pivotal influence on the culture with his groundbreaking book Be Here Now—a backpacker’s bible for a generation of spiritual seekers. In this new definitive memoir, Being Ram Dass, America’s best-known and beloved spiritual teacher, Ram Dass, shares his life story set against the backdrop of eight decades of cultural transformation.

Rameshwar Das, coauthor of Being Ram Dass, will join Marin local Dr. Larry Brilliant, in conversation about the life and new memoir from spiritual teacher and cultural icon, Ram Dass. Both Rameshwar Das and Dr. Brilliant were longtime friends of Ram Dass, having known him for over 50 years. Just as Neem Karoli Baba foretold Ram Dass he would write a book (Be Here Now), he also foretold Brilliant would work for the World Health Organization’s India smallpox program, to help eradicate this ancient plague (which he did).

Rameshwar Das is an writer, photographer, and coauthor of several Ram Dass books including Be Love Now, Polishing the Mirror, and Being Ram Dass. He lives in East Hampton, Long Island.

Dr. Larry Brilliant is a physician and epidemiologist, CEO of Pandefense Advisory, and a CNN Medical Analyst. He also serves on the board of the Skoll Foundation, as well as co-founded the Seva Foundation, an NGO whose programs have given back sight to more than 5 million blind people in two dozen countries. Dr. Brilliant is the author of Sometimes Brilliant, a memoir about working to eradicate smallpox. He lives in Marin County, CA.