Ram Dass Retreat in Maui

I feel incredibly grateful that I recently got to spend 5 days in the presence of Ram Dass just weeks before he passed away. Despite his declining health, his spirit and energy radiate love. As he past us, his hand was over his heart and his smile illuminated his path. So much beauty - so much life - so much grace. Krishna Das’ music, the various satsangs (lectures) with Trudy Goodman and Jack Kornfield elevated, energized, and opened by heart. One of my takeaways this year was something Krishna Das shared -”We don’t have to shine.” I felt a sense of relief when I heard this. I love it! I get to be who I am. I get to be where I’m at. I am free from having to be better than someone, looking younger than I am, and being concerned about what someone thinks about me. These are just to name a few. LOL. I get to invest my energy on helping others, tending to my spirit, and on God. In other words, living simply, living with gratitude, and loving today.

My other take away was Ram Dass’ book “We are all just walking each other home”. I love that we are apart of a community. We have a responsibility to look out for one another and to cherish our elderly as they prepare to transition. Ram Dass who was unable to communicate as he once did communicates a lot by way of the many texts he wrote, the CD’s he recorded, and his new movie called “Becoming Nobody”. These are precious treasures that I highly recommend reading, listening to, and watching. Your spirit will be lifted, and you will never be the same. Ram Ram Ram.