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    Be Here Now by Ram Dass Summary

    Be Here Now
    Ram Dass
    4.34 (42452 Reviews)
    MindfulnessSelf-growthPhilosophy
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    Overview of Be Here Now

    "Be Here Now" - the counterculture bible that transformed Harvard professor Richard Alpert into spiritual guru Ram Dass. This mind-expanding 1971 masterpiece launched the Western mindfulness revolution, with Ram Dass donating all profits. Even Wayne Dyer credits it for his spiritual awakening. Ready to be present?

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    Best quote from Be Here Now

    “

    He discovered an essence that existed beyond social and physical identity, beyond life and death.

    ”
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    Be Here Now isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Mindfulness. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    108

    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    254
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    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

    @SofiaP
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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    Crucial ConversationsThe Perfect MarriageInto the WildNever Split the DifferenceAttachedGood to GreatSay Nothing
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    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
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    Featured authors
    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    When Everything You Achieved Meant Nothing

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    Richard Alpert had it all. Four appointments at Harvard. A Mercedes in the driveway. A private plane for weekend escapes. Among Stanford's elite, he was the "hip" therapist who understood the counterculture while maintaining establishment credentials. Yet despite spending over $200,000 in today's money on psychoanalysis, a gnawing emptiness persisted. His therapist's final words haunted him: "You are too sick to leave analysis." The psychological theories he taught felt hollow. His colleagues-these "9 to 5 psychologists"-were brilliant during office hours but struggled with failed marriages and addiction in private. At family gatherings, relatives celebrated him as their crown jewel, the Harvard professor. Inside, he knew these accolades masked a fundamental ignorance about life's deeper questions. This is where transformation begins-not in achievement, but in the recognition that external success cannot fill an internal void.

    2

    The Door That Opened During a Snowstorm

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    The Frustration of Coming Down

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    The American Kid Who Knew

    5

    The Guru Who Saw Everything

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    The Revolutionary Truth of Now

    7

    Coming Home to Yourself