Becoming Nobody: The Essential Ram Dass Collection

by Ram Dass

As featured in the Ram Dass documentary film Becoming Nobody, five essential live teaching sessions on audio, presented here in their entirety

The game is not about becoming somebody, it’s about becoming nobody. —Ram Dass

If you’re a spiritual explorer of any age or tradition, chances are you’ve heard of Ram Dass. This singular luminary began his “somebody training” as Richard Alpert—the 1960’s Harvard-psychologist-turned-hippie who tripped with Timothy Leary, befriended beat poets and Tibetan lamas, found his lifelong guru in India, and wrote the perennial classic Be Here Now.

That’s the “somebody” part of his story. But for those who’ve experienced Ram Dass live as he shares his insights and personal journey on the way to becoming nobody—he has been for many the spark that ignited them to the liberating truth of who we really are.

This audio collection brings us five essential sessions, featured in the Ram Dass documentary film Becoming Nobody, presented here in their entirety. Each beautifully illuminates a core dimension of Ram Dass’s wisdom. Through teaching stories, true accounts, eye-opening revelations, and his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, this legendary teacher helps show us the way out of the prison of our self-identity—and into the joy of being at once “nobody” and the universal divine at play in the world.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Buddhism

Audio CD

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Ram Dass (Richard Alpert), was one of America's most beloved spiritual figures, making his mark on the world giving teachings and promoting loving service, harmonious business practices, and conscious care for the dying. His spirit has been a guiding light for four generations, carrying millions along on the journey, helping free them from their bonds as he has worked his way through his own.

Reviews

[Christer Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still can't get enough of Ram Dass.

[Mehrsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know abut Ram Dass until I saw this book on audible. It's a really good series of talks and lectures about letting go of your manufactured identity and the stories we cling to about ourselves.

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually listened to this at single speed, as I was falling asleep each night. I recommend this approach in general, there is something very calming and centering about his voice and all this woo woo ideas, not in a boring way, just in a peaceful way. I don't know that I learned anything new (I read a lot of eastern spiritualism type books I guess), but I do appreciate the delivery.

[Grayson Adelmann]

for those that don’t know, ram dass is a buddhist/hindu american spiritual leader & modern yoga guru- a brilliant soul

I couldn’t possibly rate this. it’s too abstract, and largely way beyond my intellect. agree or disagree, ram dass hits with face melting strength spirituality nonetheless

all i can say for certain is that although I didn’t understand at least half of this book (it’s incredibly dense), I benefited from it enormously

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm compilation of talks and teachings from Ram Dass, reminding us of why he was such a resonant and relevant spiritual voice. Not certain of the precise date of the talks, but I believe most of them were from the 1980's/90's. Considering how far back they date, the sound quality is quite good...and the lessons are eternally on point. He'll be missed, but he would've been the first to say, he hasn't gone anywhere.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to him on audiobook and I enjoyed his laugh. I found him to be a bit all over the place at times, but it's fitting for a book on escaping the boundaries of life. I paused often to think about what he'd said.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five live teaching sessions on audiobook. Ram Dass breaks life down into its simplest form with humor and incredible vulnerability. But I guess that's the whole point, to allow yourself to break open, let those walls come down, and figure out who you are underneath it all.

[Kirsten D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m on a quest to read everything Ram Dass ever wrote and listen to everything he ever recorded, and I’m always amazed at how profound and beautiful his words are. This book has powerful messages about suffering, and I especially cherish his words about anger:
“I then realized that it was too painful to be right. It was costing me more than it was worth. I want to be part of the flow of the universe rather than to be sitting in judgment of it. And that the anger was not going to get me to God. I started to respond… when anger arose, instead of cultivating it and, you know, fertilizing it and watering it and feeding it, I just said, “the hell with it. It’s not going to get me where I really want to go. It’s a way station along the way, but it’s not gonna get me there, and even though I’m right, I’m gonna give it up.” I realize that I am not free, and I want to be free. And so I let it go. And if they’ve done stuff that is inappropriate, that’s their problem. My job is to keep my heart open ‘cause if my heart is open, they can change that much faster. I don’t have to sit in judgment, I don’t have to play God with everybody. And so I have practiced letting my anger go.”

[Macey Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and a little spacey but overall, a nice breath of fresh air.

[Mark Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience of Ram Dass, and hoo boy, it was a trip. Human, fallible, funny, occasionally meta and just a brilliant dive into why there's no self, how to take that on board and, well, be one with the universe and to "be love." Oh, and how to die.

He mines insights from many religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and lots of Buddhism, especially the Tibetan kind, plus messages from a spirit called Emmanuel being channeled from another plane by a woman named Pat. Had I known that last part, I probably wouldn't have tried the audiobook but by the time I got to that part, I was enraptured. And he admits it sounds weird, and that if Emmanuel's words weren't so wise, he would've ignored them. There are just as many spirits who are full of crap as humans, he says.

These are live talks he gave in what sounds like the early '80s based on some cultural and technological references, with a 30-minute meditation at the very end. I wish there were transcripts of these talks because I wanted to highlight and return to passages over and over to savor. From the description, it sounds like his book "Grist for the Mill: The Mellow Drama, Dying: An Opportunity for Awakening, Freeing the Mind, Karmuppance, God & Beyond was created from talks around this time so I've got it on my to-read pile.

Just brilliant. I listened to all five hours with a smile on my face.

[Colin Schindler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Sam Harris and after reading his books and listening to his philosophy on awareness and consciousness I’ve come to realize that there is a lot of wisdom to be gained here. This is my first Ram Dass book and while there are bits here and there that I liked, most of Ram’s stuff comes off as too new-age and feel good for my taste. Plus having to listen to that self-satisfied snicker after he says something ironic or clever, ugh..., it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. In the end I’m glad I know what Ram has to offer but I won’t be reading into him any further.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard about Ram Dass's teachings for quite awhile and finally chose this as my audiobook introduction to him. It's essentially a collection of talks from the Becoming Nobody film, so it plays out like more of a conversation than text. Some of his anecdotes appear more than once, but that's okay. I'm definitely open to his message of grace and will go back to his other works when I feel my "somebody" (ego) is getting too big.

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. I never had listened to Ram Dass. I found this collection quite enjoyable & maybe even a little enlightening. The way it ends is pure perfection. Never had I listened to an audio book that didn't end with promotion of the company. In this one, they let Ram Dass slip away on his last thought (slash brainworm).

[Laurie Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see why Ram Dass and his teachings are so well known. I found the lessons in this book personally relevant as I process a variety of emotional and psychological experiences at this stage, and i suspect I will reread it at later points in my journey.

[Jmay · Rating 4 out of 5]

To consider this a book is generous- it’s about 5 collected, live lectures. So nice to hear a perspective that doesn’t champion individual identity (especially identities centered on pleasure or suffering), self expression, self care, self help, etc.
I happen to listen to it the same day as seeing the Barbie movie and it made an interesting ideological clash.
Just too druggy for my taste, and a little too focused on fear of death (same with Barbie on both counts lol).

[Ehsan Gazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean this book advances you to think of your course once more, what you are doing and what you are endeavouring to do.
Nobodyness, seems like a genuine term to give you a more beneficial perspective in life

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Met me or helped me meet me where I'm at; definitely will relisten to different chapters on an ongoing basis and hold in conversation with other works. Life is forever much more difficult and much more easy than one thinks, assumes or even manages to learn.

[Jiliannonemacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these lectures! I prefer his Experiments in Truth, though that's more of a gateway into his background > career > journey.
But this one has new insights and stories that I was so glad to hear. Will definitely relisten 😄

[Anthony Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the Soul. Thoroughly enjoyable. Recommended to All.

[Alex Hummel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of lectures.

[Miles Wallgrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ram Dass was a very bright human being

[Madison Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing teacher — I’m so glad that I listened to this collection. It enriched my inner life beyond words.

[Miglė · Rating 4 out of 5]

a mixture of recordings, mildly overlapping, imperfectly perfect.

it feels like coming home.

[Addy Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

my teacher forever

[Ryan Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing.

[Lucas Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Religious concepts mixed with Psychology. Some parts are a bit too mystic for my liking but the overall content is excellent.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just something about Ram Dass that appeals; warm, smiling, witty. Yes, there's no shortage of heady, chewy, quasi-spiritual, New Agey, mind trip material here; but his talks also have a centered, relatable, I'm-also-a-normal-guy-with-struggles-and-issues quality and a good dose of self-deprecating humor that helps bring the point home in a very, or as much as possible, digestible way.

[Kinsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A calming quiet read about heavy deep subjects. I find Ram Dass to be soothing, welcoming and steady. It's just a light touch on what he truly teaches and it's a good first pass. I will listen again, I'm sure.

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ram Dass is a delight to listen to, even when I’m not totally following him. His sense of humor and perspective were breaths of fresh air. While I don’t agree with all of his philosophy, I still enjoyed the collection.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important read or listen. 🙏