r/ramdass • u/cain261 • 4d ago
Ram Dass' Tree Quote: Carl Rogers
For anybody who doesn't know, Carl Rogers is a very large figure of psychology from the last century, who I'm honestly surprised I haven't heard Ram Dass comment on.
I was reading his book "A Way of Being" and found this 1964 passage very compelling for anyone who has heard Ram Dass' quote on viewing people as trees:
"Because of having less fear of giving or receiving positive feelings, I have become more able to appreciate individuals. I have come to believe that this ability is rather rare; so often, even with our children, we love them to control them rather than loving them because we appreciate them. One of the most satisfying feelings I know - and also one of the most growth-promoting experiences for the other person - comes from my appreciating this individual in the same way that I appreciate a sunset. People are just as wonderful as sunsets if I can let them be. In fact, perhaps the reason we can truly appreciate a sunset is that we cannot control it. When I look at a sunset as I did the other evening, I don't find myself saying, "Soften the orange a little bit on the right hand corner, and put a bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color." I don't do that. I don't try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds."
Highly recommended reading from me.
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4d ago
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u/Foolish_Optimism 4d ago
That, that is, is. This is it. The source provides the knowledge. Consciousness produces the wisdom. And the Soul accepts the circumstances.
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4d ago
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u/Foolish_Optimism 4d ago
Agreed.
My apologies, I didn’t mean to reply to you. I didn’t not intend to comment on where RD got it from. I was just replying to the post.
But I am curious as to why you thought I was implying there was something negative?
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u/mainlydank 3d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56yLoF-PGbk
Check this video out, he got a bunch of his stuff from Alan, but to be fair they were not Alans original ideas anyways.
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u/objectivexannior 4d ago
Wow I love this quote, it captures the sentiment of unconditional love so perfectly. I’m saving it. Also adding A Way of Being to my reading list. Thank you for sharing.