Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary

Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary is a 2014 documentary film that explores the lives and work of two influential figures of the 1960s counterculture: Richard Alpert, who became Ram Dass, and Timothy Leary. The film, directed by Gay Dillingham, presents an intimate portrait of the two friends and collaborators, and their shared journey through highs and lows, awakening and suffering, love and loss.

The film is structured as a series of conversations between Ram Dass and various people, including John Perry Barlow, a Wyoming rancher, poet, and internet pioneer; Dean Chamberlain, a photographer and filmmaker who documented Ram Dass's teachings and travels; and some of Ram Dass's closest friends and associates. Through these conversations, we get a glimpse into the personal and spiritual transformation of Ram Dass and Leary, as well as their impact on the culture of the time.

Ram Dass, born Richard Alpert, was a Harvard psychologist who experimented with LSD and other psychedelic substances in the 1960s, along with his colleague and friend Timothy Leary. After a life-changing journey to India, where he met his guru Neem Karoli Baba, Ram Dass embraced a spiritual path and became a popular lecturer and author, inspiring millions of people with his teachings on mindfulness, compassion, and service. In the film, we see Ram Dass speaking candidly about his experiences with psychedelics, his quest for enlightenment, and his struggles with a stroke that left him partially paralyzed in 1997.

Timothy Leary, on the other hand, was a flamboyant and controversial figure who advocated for the use of psychedelics as a tool for liberation and social change. He coined the famous phrase "turn on, tune in, drop out," and was seen by many as a dangerous subversive by the government and mainstream society. In the film, we hear Leary's voice through archival footage and interviews, as well as through the recollections of his friends and admirers. We learn about his experiences in prison, his relationship with Ram Dass, and his eventual death from cancer in 1996.

The film is visually stunning, with colorful and trippy animations illustrating some of the psychedelic experiences of Ram Dass and Leary, as well as archival footage of their lectures, performances, and trips. There are also beautiful shots of nature and landscapes, reflecting the contemplative and spiritual dimension of their teachings. The soundtrack, featuring artists like Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, and Krishna Das, adds to the immersive and emotional experience of the film.

Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but a timely and timeless reflection on the human quest for meaning, connection, and transformation. It raises important questions about the role of psychedelics in spirituality and culture, the relationship between science and mysticism, and the power of love and compassion to heal and inspire. Whether you are a fan of Ram Dass and Leary, or a curious newcomer to their legacy, this film will leave you moved and enlightened.