Be Here Now

This chapter highlights the necessity of being open and prepared before true spiritual growth can occur. Dass presents various quotes—some from scripture, others from figures like Ouspensky or Hari Dass Baba—to illustrate that unless a seeker’s heart and mind are ready, no teaching will fully resonate. The common thread is that one must first recognize their dissatisfaction with old ways—be it science, religion, or social norms—before new insights can take hold. Many of these quotations emphasize the paradox of “trying,” showing that genuine awakening often requires surrender and childlike trust. The chapter demonstrates that readiness isn’t about passivity; rather, it involves an active willingness to let go of limiting beliefs and allow deeper truths to emerge.

The chapter underscores the idea that one cannot force a spiritual guide into their life; rather, the guru appears precisely when the seeker is ready. Dass emphasizes that purification—of both mind and body—creates the sensitivity needed to recognize and receive the guru’s grace. The text clarifies the difference between a teacher, who points toward methods and concepts, and a guru, who fully embodies the Way. Practical guidance includes cultivating inner stillness and following intuitive prompts—whether they emerge from everyday encounters or formal disciplines. The chapter also offers a step-by-step visualization exercise invoking a being of pure light and love (Padmasambhava), illustrating how purification practices help prepare seekers to sense and unite with the guru’s presence, whether they meet him in physical form.

This chapter discusses how voluntary austerities can serve as a powerful path to inner transformation. Dass frames tapasya (“straightening by fire”) as deliberately relinquishing certain comforts or desires to generate the inner friction necessary for growth. Practical suggestions range from early morning risings to practicing periods of silence. Warnings emphasize not to let pride or self-pity inflate the ego, nor to pursue extreme ascetic practices beyond one’s stage of spiritual readiness. Dass points out that self-imposed challenges—such as fasting, breath control, or sleeping on a simple mat—reveal the extent of one’s attachments. Ultimately, tapasya is meant to purify body and mind, enabling a deeper, more genuine connection to the spiritual path and highlighting the interplay between disciplined effort and self-acceptance.

Dass details how adjusting sleep habits can facilitate deeper spiritual work. Dass suggests going to bed and rising early, using a firm surface to sleep on, and cultivating inner calm—often through a mantra—while transitioning into sleep. The goal is to gain awareness of dream states as distinct planes of consciousness, recognizing that “waking life” is merely another realm to be observed. He explains that by softly holding one’s mantra, one can witness dreams from a detached vantage point, much like watching a film. Over time, and as sadhana progresses, the need for sleep diminishes. Ultimately, consciously entering and exiting sleep enables practitioners to experience the unity of the One in deep rest and then carry that expanded awareness into the waking state.

Dass highlights the importance of conscious food choices and preparation as an integral part of spiritual practice. He suggests eating light, natural foods and refraining from strong seasonings that stir up desire or attachment. Preparation methods also matter: cooking with mantra or love infuses the food with positive vibrations. By viewing the act of eating as an offering—prasad—one unites body nourishment with inner devotion. Dass acknowledges that dietary needs evolve with one’s spiritual growth, from balanced grains and dairy in the early stages to potentially living on “light alone” when consciousness transcends usual bodily constraints. The chapter encourages mindful, compassionate eating habits that align with the yogic ideal of nonviolence and deeper awareness.

Dass encourages readers to immerse themselves in writings by or about enlightened beings. He categorizes spiritual texts into four groups—ranging from the recorded words of realized masters to purely external accounts—and advises narrowing the study to the first two categories for deeper impact. Drawing on examples like the Autobiography of a Yogi, he demonstrates how to contemplate a brief passage repeatedly, allowing its “spiritual vitality” to permeate one’s understanding. The practice of daily reflection, he notes, goes beyond merely collecting knowledge; it recalibrates one’s worldview, unveiling the universal truths behind each verse or teaching. In this way, study becomes an intimate dialogue with higher consciousness rather than a purely intellectual exercise.

Dass presents hatha yoga postures to calm the body and align its energies with one’s higher spiritual aims. He emphasizes that asanas are less about physical fitness and more about creating a prayerful “statue”—a position through which one’s mind can remain still and centered. By sensitizing themselves to subtle bodily signals, practitioners learn to navigate each pose without strain, using gentle breaths to extend or release. Dass cautions against treating asanas purely as an exercise, underscoring that they are a step toward inner realization. Through a guided series of positions—from the Corpse Pose to the Neck Stand—he provides a systematic approach to integrating body and mind, minimizing distractions for deeper meditation.

Dass explores how repeating a single phrase or name of the Divine can tame the restless mind and dissolve one’s identification with thoughts. He presents mantras as vehicles that harmonize inner and outer realities, guiding practitioners from scattered mental chatter to a one-pointed focus on the chosen sacred sound. By stressing that all thoughts—even those about unity—ultimately arise from illusion, Dass underscores that mantras function like a raft one eventually leaves behind. He provides guidelines for selecting, using, and personalizing mantras, explaining how faith, purity, and love are crucial for effectiveness. Through practical tips—such as employing a mala, chanting during everyday tasks, and internalizing the sound until it resonates “in the heart”—he reiterates that mantra practice is a gentle but potent means to open higher states of awareness.