Satsang on the tradewinds with much-loved American dharma teacher Ram Dass, with us in Portland via big-screen Skype from his home on Maui. Join us for an evening of kirtan and satsang with Ram Dass, sharing reflections on cultivating the presence of  an open heart in turbulent times.

One of the best-loved Western spiritual teachers, Ram Dass will share his ever-deepening presence and will respond with insight, humor, and warmth to questions asked from the audience.

We’ll welcome raga musician Michael Stirling and friends to open the evening at 7:00 pm with open-hearted kirtan – devotional singing and chanting sacred names –  blending traditional Hindustani musical influence with Western musical flavors.

Ram Dass will join us by Skype on a big screen at 8:00 pm to share his heart and answer questions.

TICKETS AT THE DOOR!  Doors open at 6:45 pm.

On his first journey to India in 1967, former Harvard professor Richard Alpert met a barefooted Indian saint named Neem Karoli Baba, called Maharajji, and his life was transformed. His guru dubbed him Ram Dass (servant of God), and instructed him with rigor, humor, and kindness on the path of devoted service: to love people, feed people, and serve everyone.

The author of more than a dozen books, including “Be Here Now,” “Compassion in Action,” “Paths to God,” and the recent “Be Love Now,” Ram Dass taught, lectured, and offered retreats all over the world for more than 30 years, combining his touring schedule with ground-breaking work in the field of conscious service and compassionate action. His dedication to compassionate presence with the dying and in prisons with Hanuman Foundation and the Prison Ashram Project is legendary.

Ram Dass worked with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in early hospice and presence-in-dying projects, and with the Shanti Foundation and others in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, helping to transform  the medical profession’s approach to people with AIDS.

Dedicated spiritual practice defined his efforts on behalf of indigenous health projects with Seva Foundation in Nepal, India, and North America, and also shaped his support for activists engaging in conscious social action in the West.

Since 2005, Ram Dass has been unable to travel, but he continues to offer retreats and satsang, and to engage with the hospice community and end-of-life caregivers in Hawaii.

Living Earth is grateful for the support of First Unitarian Church in presenting this program. Proceeds benefit Love Serve Remember Foundation and Living Earth.

“The most important aspect of love is not in the giving or the receiving: it’s in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I’m caught in an unstable situation. Being in love, rather than giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability. Being in love means seeing the Beloved in everything.” ~ Ram Dass