“Every word he says is the truth for me” is usually a concerning statement, especially when it comes from your mom. But of all things she could express unabashed chauvinism for, Ram Dass is probably the best case scenario. In case you aren’t already familiar, Ram Dass is a well-known spiritual teacher who lives by the mantra “we are living awareness” and dabbles in psychedelic exploration. You can get a glimpse of his octogenarian, post-stroke life in the new short documentary by Derek Peck, Ram Dass: Going Home.
“Even if you aren’t a brainwashed Ram Dass worshiper like my mom, Peck’s film is a wonderful meditative experience for anyone open to hippie jargon.”
Even if you aren’t a brainwashed Ram Dass worshiper like my mom, Peck’s film is a wonderful meditative experience for anyone open to hippie jargon. You might even be compelled to join the cult. With a generous serving of shallow macro slow-mo pans and spiritually-inclined music, Ram Dass: Going Home is the ultimate evolution of ASMR / spirituality YouTube videos – a distillation of world-class wisdom packaged carefully by Peck’s prowess in portraiture. It wouldn’t be unfitting to curl up with a loved one and indulge in a smidge of something psychologically stimulating to prepare yourself (you know I did). After 31 minutes and 24 seconds, you’ll come out slightly more enlightened.
“Ram Dass: Going Home is the ultimate evolution of ASMR / spirituality YouTube videos…”
Besides the pretty imagery and Bohemian indoctrination, Peck offers a glance into the day-to-day of Ram Dass. Although Dass is wheelchair bound, he has a team of acolytes that chauffer him through life on his Maui compound. He’s lowered into the swimming pool and floats around on a pool noodle, undergoes physical therapy, and takes a trip to the beach in an off-road water stroller. Outside of my profound spiritual awakening, the buoyant stroller that he rode into the ocean was the highlight of the film. Perhaps we could consider the stroller as a metaphor for his ideology as a whole: with trained awareness, you can float over even the greatest hardships.
Earnestly speaking, Ram Dass is a gift to humanity and Derek Peck is generous for delivering us his message. Thanks fellas.
Ram Dass: Going Home (2017) Directed by Derek Peck. Starring Ram Dass.
7 out of 10 Oscars
