Be Here Now

Bhakti refers to the path of devotion or selfless love directed toward the Divine. Be Here Now frequently emphasizes this concept, encouraging readers to cultivate a childlike openness of the heart rather than remain only in intellectual analysis. Through devotional singing, chanting, and reverential service, individuals can transcend egoic barriers and merge with the beloved object of adoration, whether conceptualized as God, consciousness, or universal love.

Ego death is the experience of shedding one’s deeply ingrained sense of “I,” allowing a more universal identity to emerge. Dass frames this dissolution as key to revealing the eternal presence underlying human anxieties and desires. When individuals relinquish their usual self-images—through meditative practice or moments of insight—they uncover a spacious awareness beyond personal history, paving the way for greater compassion and unity.

A guru is a spiritual teacher who provides direct transmission of wisdom and serves as a living model of awakened life. Dass describes his encounters with Neem Karoli Baba (also called Maharaj-ji), highlighting the impact a realized being can have on a devoted seeker. The guru-disciple relationship rests on trust and surrender. Yet, the text reminds readers that the ultimate teacher resides within, and external gurus merely reflect each person’s highest truth back to them.

Karma is the principle that every thought, word, or deed leaves an energetic imprint shaping one’s future experiences. Although derived from Hindu and Buddhist contexts, the notion of karma in Be Here Now addresses how attachments, motivations, and habitual patterns produce repercussions in daily life. Dass insists that understanding karma not as punishment but as a feedback loop inspires seekers to act from a place of love rather than fear, thereby refining their spiritual path.

Karma yoga is the practice of selfless action in which every deed is dedicated to the Divine or higher consciousness. In Be Here Now, Dass advises readers to approach mundane tasks—such as cleaning, cooking, or working—with an attitude of service rather than personal gain. By relinquishing attachment to results, practitioners transform daily labor into an act of devotion and a powerful means of purifying the ego, uniting spiritual aspiration with worldly activity.

Neem Karoli Baba, often called Maharaj-ji, was the Indian guru who guided Dass toward insights that shaped Be Here Now. Depicted as a simple yet divinely attuned figure, Maharaj-ji radiated unconditional love and spontaneous wisdom. His example demonstrates how a guru’s presence can dissolve intellectual barriers, inviting seekers to recognize that true understanding emerges beyond concepts in the boundless realm of the heart.

A mantra is a sacred word or phrase, repeated aloud or inwardly, that serves to focus the mind and connect the practitioner with higher consciousness. Be Here Now illustrates how mantras may ground the restless intellect in the present moment, dissolving distractions and revealing underlying spiritual truths. Whether invoking the names of God or simply offering a syllable like “Om,” mantra practice transforms ordinary speech into a steady rhythm of devotion and clarity.

Sadhana is one’s dedicated spiritual practice, encompassing every aspect of life in pursuit of divine realization. Dass redefines sadhana as “everything you do,” highlighting that all activities—from formal meditation to washing dishes—are opportunities to cultivate awareness and love. Through a sustained commitment to this holistic approach, practitioners gradually release ego-centric habits, ultimately experiencing life as a seamless, sacred flow rather than a fragmented series of tasks.