Independent Lens Season 5 Episode 21 Ram Dass: Fierce Grace

Ram Dass: Fierce Grace is an episode of the Emmy-award winning documentary series Independent Lens. The episode follows the life of Richard Alpert, a Harvard professor who embarked on a spiritual journey in the 1960s after experimenting with psychedelic drugs. Alpert traveled to India where he met his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, who gave him the name Ram Dass, meaning "servant of God."

The episode covers Ram Dass' personal and spiritual evolution, including his struggles with drug addiction and his work as a spiritual teacher, author, and lecturer. The documentary also examines his influence on the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s, and his ongoing impact on contemporary spiritual thought.

Through interviews with Ram Dass himself, as well as archival footage and interviews with his friends, family, and colleagues, viewers gain insight into the life of a man who embraced spirituality and has dedicated his life to spreading the message of love, compassion, and mindfulness.

The documentary explores Ram Dass' unique approach to spirituality, which emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating a deep sense of connection to oneself and others. This approach has proven to be influential not only in spiritual circles but in many aspects of contemporary culture, including psychology, medicine, and social activism.

The episode also covers Ram Dass' physical decline, which began in the late 1990s when he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. Despite these challenges, Ram Dass continued to write and lecture, inspiring generations of spiritual seekers and remaining an active contributor to the spiritual and cultural conversation up until his death in December of 2019.

In conclusion, Ram Dass: Fierce Grace is a moving and inspiring documentary that explores the life and legacy of one of the most important spiritual teachers of our time. Viewers are invited to take a journey through Ram Dass' life, from his early days as a Harvard professor to his emergence as a beacon of spiritual enlightenment, and witness the profound impact he has had on contemporary spirituality and culture.