Ram Dass, an influential spiritual teacher and former psychology professor, significantly impacted Naropa University during the summer of 1974 with his course on the Yogas of the Bhagavad Gītā. His course, which enrolled over 1,000 students, inaugurated the study of Hinduism and Yoga at Naropa and played a key role in catalyzing the Institute’s development. Known for his captivating lectures that blended stories with humor, Ram Dass also engaged in evening dialogues with Trungpa Rinpoche, creating a dynamic and playful exchange of ideas that highlighted the contrasts and complementarities between their teachings.
Ram Dass’s teachings were deeply rooted in his own experiences and relationship with his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and were further enriched by his background as a psychologist. His spellbinding storytelling and sense of humor made his lectures particularly resonant, and his presence was described by Naropa’s first executive director, Marty Janowitz, as fundamental to the university’s early success. Ram Dass’s ability to magnetize and inspire through his unique blend of spirituality and psychology was a key element in shaping Naropa’s countercultural roots and community.
