December 22 marks three years since Ram Dass left his body. The anniversary of a loved one’s death is so poignant. I treasure my memories of Ram Dass and still feel his loving presence. Meeting Ram Dass 13 years ago was a profound blessing in my life in ways i could never have predicted. I was not into Ram Dass at all even though i loved the spiritual opening in his 1971 book BE HERE NOW. After his stroke, I met a new Ram Dass; a softer, more humble man who quietly embodied the spiritual transformation he taught. Getting to know him, observing him first-hand, confirmed my faith in the transformation of the dharma. Even when he was frail and in pain, he radiated love and joy. Once Jack and I visited every day while he was sick in the hospital for a week. I bought him a cute stuffed monkey in the gift shop to represent Hanuman, the Hindu god of devotion and selfless service. He loved that monkey! Seva, selfless service, was the center of Ram Dass’s life. That week, he generously let me feed him applesauce and jello while he held his little monkey snuggled next to him in his hospital bed. He brought it home where you can still see it in the photo, perched up on the corner of his wall. Today, Ram Dass's loving awareness energy continues to suffuse his house and land on Maui. I love and respect him and his companion Dassima so much. Sitting in his room is like being in a deep well of love. You can visit and do a personal retreat there at Hanuman Maui as i just did! Hanuman Maui's mission is to preserve Ram Dass's home as a spiritual sanctuary and to uphold his teachings of love, service and devotion. For information, contact Dassima at [email protected] - and schedule a retreat, if you possibly can❣️🌈🌊💙 @hanuman.maui #ramdass #lovingawareness #beherenow #hanumanmaui #dharma #spirituality #loving #presence