Still Here

1. What is "Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying" by Ram Dass about?

• Exploration of Aging and Dying: The book delves into the psychological, spiritual, and cultural aspects of aging, change, and death, offering a roadmap for conscious aging.
• Personal and Spiritual Journey: Ram Dass shares his own experiences, including his stroke, to illustrate how aging and physical decline can become opportunities for spiritual growth.
• Challenging Cultural Taboos: The book critiques Western society’s denial of aging and death, encouraging readers to face these realities with openness and acceptance.
• Practical and Philosophical Guidance: It combines practical advice, mindfulness techniques, and philosophical insights to help readers find meaning and peace as they age.

2. Why should I read "Still Here" by Ram Dass?

• Universal Relevance: Aging, change, and death are inevitable for everyone; the book offers tools to approach these experiences with wisdom and grace.
• Spiritual Perspective: Ram Dass provides a unique blend of Eastern and Western spiritual teachings, making the book valuable for those seeking deeper meaning in later life.
• Personal Stories and Humor: The author’s candid stories, humor, and vulnerability make complex topics accessible and relatable.
• Practical Tools: Readers gain mindfulness practices, meditations, and reframing techniques to reduce suffering and increase joy in the face of aging.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying"?

• Aging as Opportunity: Aging is not just decline but a chance for spiritual and personal growth, wisdom, and deeper connection.
• Mindfulness and Acceptance: Mindfulness practices help transform suffering, fear, and loss into acceptance and peace.
• Redefining Identity: Our true self is not limited to the body or ego; cultivating Soul and Awareness perspectives brings liberation.
• Facing Death Consciously: Preparing for death and embracing impermanence can lead to a more joyful, present, and meaningful life.

4. How does Ram Dass define conscious aging in "Still Here"?

• Awareness Beyond Ego: Conscious aging involves shifting identification from the ego and body to the soul and pure awareness.
• Embracing Change: It means accepting the physical, social, and psychological changes of aging without resistance or denial.
• Learning from Suffering: Challenges like illness, loss, and dependency are seen as teachers that can deepen wisdom and compassion.
• Living in the Present: Conscious aging emphasizes being present, letting go of past regrets and future anxieties, and finding meaning in each moment.

5. What are the main fears and challenges of aging discussed in "Still Here"?

• Fear of Senility and Loss: Concerns about losing mental faculties, memory, and independence are addressed with compassion and practical advice.
• Loneliness and Isolation: The book explores the pain of social disconnection and offers ways to find connection and meaning.
• Embarrassment and Powerlessness: Ram Dass discusses the shame and loss of status that can come with aging, and how to reframe these experiences.
• Loss of Role and Meaning: The transition from active roles (worker, parent) to new identities can cause depression and existential anxiety, which the book helps to navigate.

6. What practical methods and advice does Ram Dass offer for dealing with aging in "Still Here"?

• Mindfulness Meditation: Step-by-step instructions for mindfulness and walking meditation to cultivate presence and reduce suffering.
• Reframing Suffering: Techniques for shifting perspective from ego to soul, allowing pain and loss to become opportunities for growth.
• Compassion and Service: Encouragement to connect with others through service, community, and compassion to alleviate loneliness and isolation.
• Acceptance and Humor: Embracing the realities of aging with humor, self-compassion, and a willingness to let go of societal expectations.

7. How does "Still Here" address the relationship between body, mind, and soul as we age?

• Body as a Vehicle: The body is seen as a temporary home for the soul, deserving of care but not the sole source of identity.
• Mind’s Role in Suffering: The ego-mind often creates unnecessary suffering through attachment, fear, and resistance to change.
• Soul Perspective: By identifying with the soul and awareness, one can witness the changes of body and mind without being overwhelmed.
• Integration, Not Denial: True spiritual maturity involves honoring the body and ego as part of the journey, not rejecting them.

8. What does Ram Dass say about facing death and dying in "Still Here"?

• Death as Transition: Death is viewed not as annihilation but as a transition for the soul, a natural part of the life cycle.
• Preparation and Mindfulness: Preparing for death through mindfulness, completing unfinished business, and letting go of attachments is emphasized.
• Cultural Critique: The book critiques Western denial of death and advocates for more open, honest conversations about dying.
• Spiritual Opportunity: Facing death consciously can bring peace, reduce fear, and deepen one’s connection to the divine.

9. How does "Still Here" suggest we deal with loss of roles, retirement, and shifting identities?

• Letting Go of Old Roles: The book encourages releasing attachment to former identities (career, parenthood) and embracing new ways of being.
• Being vs. Doing: Ram Dass highlights the importance of shifting from defining oneself by achievements to embodying wisdom and presence.
• Eccentricity and Freedom: Aging is seen as a time to embrace individuality, eccentricity, and the freedom to live authentically.
• Service and Connection: Finding new meaning through service, community involvement, and sharing wisdom with others is recommended.

10. What are the core spiritual concepts in "Still Here," such as Ego, Soul, and Awareness?

• Ego: The ego is the constructed self, focused on roles, achievements, and physical identity; it is limited and impermanent.
• Soul: The soul is the deeper, learning aspect of our being, which transcends death and is on a journey toward union with the divine.
• Awareness: Awareness is the ground of being, the infinite consciousness that contains both ego and soul; it is timeless and unchanging.
• Spiritual Practice: Moving from ego to soul to awareness is the heart of conscious aging and spiritual liberation.

11. What are the best quotes from "Still Here" by Ram Dass and what do they mean?

• “Healing is not the same as curing, after all; healing does not mean going back to the way things were before, but rather allowing what is now to move us closer to God.”
  • This quote emphasizes that true healing is about spiritual growth and acceptance, not just physical recovery.
• “Getting old isn’t easy for a lot of us. Neither is living, neither is dying. We struggle against the inevitable and we all suffer because of it.”
  • Ram Dass points out that suffering comes from resistance, and peace comes from acceptance of life’s natural processes.
• “Don’t be a wise elder, be an incarnation of wisdom.”
  • The goal is not to play a role, but to embody wisdom authentically in daily life.
• “The spirit is more powerful than the vicissitudes of aging.”
  • Our spiritual essence remains strong and unchanging, even as the body and mind undergo change.

12. How did Ram Dass’s personal experience with his stroke influence the teachings in "Still Here"?

• Firsthand Encounter with Disability: Ram Dass’s stroke forced him to confront dependency, loss of independence, and physical suffering, deepening his empathy and insight.
• Transformation of Fear: The experience allowed him to move through his own fears of aging and death, providing a living example of his teachings.
• Embracing “Fierce Grace”: He describes the stroke as “fierce grace,” a difficult but ultimately transformative spiritual gift that brought him closer to his soul and to God.
• Teaching Through Example: By sharing his vulnerabilities and the lessons learned, Ram Dass offers readers a practical, compassionate model for conscious aging and dying.