Issue 23 - Fall 02

“Ram Dass” (acrylic),
by Jazz Minh Claire Moore

“The 1st time I met Ram Dass was in the hot tubs of Breitenbush—I was six years old and somehow I knew he was a special person. More recently, in Thailand, I watched a movie about his life and was struck by the intellectual & spiritual balance that characterize his life. One of the things that stood out in the video was his fastidiousness about cleanliness & being on time. I interpret that to mean it is still important to have order, even when we’re here in the moment. Being Here Now doesn’t mean letting go of responsibility, order & focus. It’s especially important to me, a young person, trying to develop a creative unique life. I saw RD again at the Oregon Country Faire this July. Remarkable. When he was talking, even if he didn’t finish his sentence, my impression is that 6,000 people were thinking the same thought. It all comes down to love and compassion—even in midst of this polite mess. In that group I felt a oneness.

Jazz Minh Claire Moore is a graduate student pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts degree at the University of Long Beach in California. She is one of an emerging generation born and/or raised at Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon.