RAM DASS: FIERCE GRACE Film Screening

RAM DASS FIERCE GRACE focuses on how Ram Dass deals with the effects of his own stroke, suffering, and alleviation of suffering.
About this Event

Friday, August 21st – 7:30 PM – SMALL THEATER

RAM DASS, FIERCE GRACE (2001, Lemle Pictures, 93 min.) Dir. Mickey Lemle.

RAM DASS, FIERCE GRACE is a feature-length documentary that shows the wisdom of Ram Dass aka Richard Alpert (1931-2019), the man who’d been at the forefront of studies in consciousness for over 55 years, as he uses his own practices to deal with the effects of a massive stroke he suffered in 1997. While at Harvard, Alpert’s explorations of human consciousness led him, in collaboration with Timothy Leary, Ralph, Metzner, Aldous Huxley, Allen Ginsberg, and others, to pursue intensive research with LSD and other psychedelics. Out of this research he co-authored two well-known books: The Psychedelic Experiences and LSD, but because of the controversial nature of the research, Alpert was dismissed from Harvard in 1963 and forced to continue his research under the auspices of a private foundation. He did this until 1967 when he traveled to India and met his Guru Neem Karoli Baba, affectionately called Maharaj ji, who gave him the name Ram Dass, which means “Servant of God”. From that point on, his exploration of consciousness transformed and grew with a spiritual practice of yoga and meditation.

Ram Dass wrote many transformational books over his career including: Be Here Now, Journey to Awakening, Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service, Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying, Grist for the Mill, How Can I Help, and The Only Dance There Is.

RAM DASS, FIERCE GRACE focuses on how Ram Dass deals with the effects of his own stroke, suffering, and alleviation of suffering. Named by Newsweek as one of the five best non-fiction films of 2002.

“Equals any transcendent moment you’re likely to find in a fiction film, a novel, or a ‘manual for conscious being.’” — Michael Almereyda, The New York Times

“Heartbreaking and inspiring. Counterculture mavens will doubtlessly flip…but even mainstream audiences may find themselves nourished by this generous reflection on a life well lived.” — Stephen Garrett, Time Out New York

Ticket Price: $10 advance / $15 at the door.