Be Here Now

Dass details breathing exercises designed to deepen spiritual practice by calming both body and mind. He explains that breath and thought are intimately linked: stilling one naturally quiets the other. Practical techniques—such as Sheetli (tongue-rolled inhalations), Bhastrika (short, rhythmic exhales), and Nari Sodhan (alternating nostril breathing)—aim to regulate energy flow and bring about a state of centered awareness. Dass advises beginners to approach these exercises gently and consistently, working up to more advanced practices only when ready. By stabilizing breath, one gradually becomes more mindful throughout daily life, nurturing the capacity for concentration and opening the doorway to higher states of consciousness.

Dass explores how energy flows through seven chakras, or focal points, ranging from the physical survival level to full enlightenment. He explains that sexual energy, centered in the second chakra, often reinforces ego-driven desires rather than spiritual growth unless consciously transformed. Two paths are outlined: brahmacharya (sexual continence), which channels energy away from lust and into higher awareness, and sexual tantra, which attempts to transmute desire through total openness and devotion between partners. Dass emphasizes that falling back into purely sensual gratification can trap one in illusions of separateness. By repeatedly redirecting energy toward compassion and unity, individuals can gradually raise their vibration from lower to higher chakras, ultimately aligning with a more expansive spiritual identity.

Dass addresses the supernatural powers (siddhis) that can emerge as one advances spiritually. He cautions that each newfound power—be it telepathy, levitation, or control over nature—acts as a tempting crossroads. By indulging such abilities to fulfill worldly desires or inflate one’s ego, one stalls true enlightenment and generates fresh attachments. Dass urges practitioners to surrender personal will, trusting that if a power is genuinely needed for the greater good, it will manifest effortlessly. In the highest state of unity, all powers become available precisely because one no longer seeks to use them. Thus, he highlights the paradox: gaining control of the universe through faith ultimately dissolves the very identity that once wanted to wield such control.

Dass emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive, spiritually inclined companions—especially early on, when faith in the Spirit may still be fragile. This protective environment, termed “satsang” or “sangha,” functions like a fence around a young tree, preventing it from being trampled by doubt or worldly pressures. As spiritual confidence grows, practitioners may feel called to redefine relationships so that each becomes part of the broader goal of awakening. Eventually, once one’s faith is unshakable, the distinction between “helpful” and “unhelpful” company dissolves, and all beings are seen as evolving on the same path to truth.

Dass emphasizes the importance of resolving old attachments and unfinished emotional business before progressing on the spiritual path. He illustrates how shifting one’s perspective to a place of compassion and presence can help release stagnant emotions related to parents, friends, or past conflicts. Rather than trying to change or convert others, he advises readers to focus on their inner clarity, trusting that those who can “hear” will naturally respond. The practice includes reevaluating relationships, memories, and even objects through the lens of the Spirit, thereby freeing both oneself and others from mutual entanglements. Dass explains that letting go of these attachments creates space for deeper spiritual growth.

Dass highlights how honesty fosters spiritual growth, while deception and self-delusion reinforce separation and ego-based thinking. He asks readers to consider the corrosive effects of lying—both on themselves and on the trust they share with others. Drawing on the insight that one’s guru (even if not physically encountered) knows all, Dass encourages full transparency to free oneself from shame or fear of judgment. By aligning with truth, one experiences a sense of relief and unity, recognizing that true vulnerability is impossible in the spiritual realm. Exercises revolve around reflecting on a personal lie or “half-truth” and imagining the release that comes with letting it go.

Dass clarifies that truly dropping out is not about quitting society but rather releasing attachment to ego and separateness. He describes how one can remain actively involved—through political protests, charitable actions, or everyday responsibilities—while not identifying with roles like “doer” or “giver.” The key is to serve the greater good from a place of unity: seeing all beings as part of the same whole. Dass cautions against protests or charity efforts done with attachment to “us vs. them” divisions. Instead, by recognizing deeper oneness, he believes people can engage without fueling conflict or ego. This shift ensures social action becomes a form of karma yoga rather than another entrapment.

Dass views money as a form of “green energy” whose impact depends on how it is obtained and used. He urges readers to consider whether their occupation fosters or lessens the illusion of separateness. If a job exploits or dishonestly gains resources, it increases paranoia in the world. However, conscious awareness can transform nearly any line of work into a pathway for higher connection. By calming the mind, one may hear the deeper guidance that leads to more aligned livelihood choices. Whether one changes careers or simply changes one’s approach within a current role, the key is applying spiritual principles—honesty, compassion, and unity—in day-to-day transactions so that all interactions become vehicles for spreading light.

Dass describes how everyday actions can become pathways to enlightenment when one releases attachment to outcomes and views each task as an offering to the Divine—or one’s higher Self. Instead of clinging to the role of “doer,” practitioners cultivate a mental stance called the witness, allowing them to observe actions without identifying with them. By adding a “third component” (for instance, visualizing the perspective of an enlightened being or repeating a mantra), one shifts from personal striving to selfless service. Dass gives examples like digging a ditch or performing daily tasks, each transformed into sacred practice by keeping a broader, spiritually aware viewpoint. Ultimately, through consistent application of karma yoga, one learns to act from a place of unity and compassion rather than ego-based desire.