10 Life-Changing Quotes from Late Spiritual Teacher Ram Dass

“In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight.” Many of us bulldoze through our lives heavily invested in the many roles we play. Who we truly are lies beneath, is no one, and one with all.

“Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.” We are all part of the cosmic soup. Even those who we may dislike, or those who annoy us or hurt us are, whether we like it or not, divine manifestations of the universe. Reframe your perspective. View them as branches of the same tree.

“When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it." Treat humans thusly.

“What you meet in another being is the projection of your own level of evolution.” All too easily do we slip into judgement of others, but that tendency to criticize this or that flaw or foible is but a failure to look squarely in the mirror showing where we are caught.

“Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.” It's easy to believe our own stories, leading to our egos becoming the star of the show. By quietly observing and seeing ourselves as part of the whole, life will open up to us.

“The game is not about becoming somebody, it's about becoming nobody.” A tough pill to swallow for even those dedicated to spirituality. Total surrender is the final step, and the path towards it beset with challenges. Remember, enlightenment is the ego's biggest disappointment.

“If you think you are enlightened; go home for Thanksgiving.” Meditating alone in a cave for years may convince you of your ascendance. Though when we visit our families, all the old, deep-rooted behaviour patterns resurface. It's a great acid test for your spirituality!

"We're all walking each other home." Our egos may pit us against one another, yet the reality is that even the most seemingly inconsequential interaction is fuel for our spiritual growth. Whether we know it or not, we're all leading each other back to the arms of God.

“Just because you are seeing divine light, experiencing waves of bliss, or conversing with Gods and Goddesses is no reason to not know your zip code.” We can become consumed by our connection to the divine (after all it can be intoxicating) but we still must stay grounded.

“All spiritual practices are illusions created by illusionists to escape illusion.” Whether it's a form of yoga, zen meditation, or the study of Religious texts, remember that these are but stepping stones to nothingness, and must eventually be let go of too.