Ram Dass makes music to open the heart and stir the soul. As a producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, his constant dedication to render the beauty of human experience, its triumphs, tragedies, and beyond, inspires a unique potency in his musical collaborations and creations.
“To Become Born” is the first of a series of musical reflections on birth, life, death, grief, and joy that was inspired by his experiences trying to move forward after the passing of his newborn son in 2014.
Ram Dass says, “After experiencing such immense pain after his loss, I faced depression and feelings of hopelessness to the point where grocery shopping was unbearable. Through various therapies, community support, and time, I found that I softened to my experience and did not come out cynically, but rather I found profound beauty in both the triumphs and the tragedies of life. This song is a question of “would I do it again; come back to Earth to be born, knowing how much pain and suffering there is?” My answer is a resounding yes and an encouragement to others to hopefully be able to find some peace amidst their struggles.”
What is the inspiration behind your new single ‘To Become Born’?
For me, the music that we’re creating right now is about processing all that I have gone through since the pregnancy that led up to my son Siddhartha’s birth and then passing due to a fatal genetic condition. I had a crash course in feelings, emotion, trauma, and finding happiness during that journey. I came into making the record with an idea that I wanted to tell the story of a soul coming to earth, living a human life, and passing back into the spirit world, and to capture it in a dreamlike way; as if the story was being told by the spirits themselves. “To Become Born” is my reflection on the beauty that life holds despite the vast amounts of suffering that we inevitably experience. It’s about a soul/spirit/whatever word you want to use looking at human existence, noticing all of the pain in the world, and choosing to incarnate because of the rich experience that life is. On a practical level, all of this music is about processing my feelings, putting them through this magical and mysterious process that is music production and turning them into something beautiful, which really exemplifies how I try to live my life— turning hard experiences into something glorious and helpful.“To Become Born” is my reflection on the beauty that life holds despite the vast amounts of suffering that we inevitably experience.
~ Ram Dass
Can you talk about how music has been crucial in your healing journey?
Music is like a river that is always flowing...
~ Ram Dass Share this
How has your relationship with life changed after the experience of loss?
There has been no teacher more powerful or helpful than Death in my life.
~ Ram Dass
This music is very profound and is touching the hearts of many, we are sure your baby angel is smiling watching this music unfold into the world. Is there a message you would like to share with families going through similar experiences?
Ram Dass: It’s just the hardest thing in the world. For me there was nothing that anyone could say that would make the situation better. All I can offer is just to keep breathing, take as much time as you need, honor your grief, and when you can reach for the joys in life, try. And let yourself off the hook whenever you can!
Take as much time as you need, honor your grief...
~ Ram Dass
Do you think this experience of loss has guided you to have a better understanding of who you are and what your purpose in life is?
Are there any particular tools, rituals, books that served you through the path of grief?
Ram Dass: I cannot recommend all of Francis Weller’s material highly enough. He is a psychotherapist, facilitator, and author with a focus on grief, shame, and addiction, and has written several books on the topics including The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief; in which he speaks to the need for western society to better embrace, witness, and embody our grief. George Bertelstein and Medicine Path NAC in the Bay Area have been the biggest influence and support. George’s book A Clear And Simple Prayer sum up a lot of my philosophy and outlook on life and can help anyone in or out of crisis.
Can you recommend any support groups or organizations for parents looking for support?
Ram Dass: There are a couple national organizations in the US that I know of but have not worked with personally— Bereaved Parents of the USA, Compassionate Friends. There are also many local/regional organizations. Regardless of the organization, it is imperative that parents and family members have someone to talk to, whether a therapist, social worker, or friends.
Listen to To Become Born now.