A colleague of Dr. Timothy Leary at Harvard University in the late 1960s was Dr. Richard Alpert. Both Leary and Alpert led the experimental use of LSD in tests at the laboratories of Harvard. Both professors were highly regarded by their peers and their students.

It was a natural expression of the scientists to conduct the LSD trials after both had tested the substance on themselves. Such was the power of their personal experiences that they were compelled to experiment. These tests were perfectly legal and supported by Harvard University.

The U.S. government only took notice of the experiments after the tests became associated with Abby Hoffman and the anti-Vietnam War movement. That's when LSD was suddenly listed as a dangerous drug by the government. But, I digress...

Timothy Leary became a household name; even mid-western barbers knew he was the devil incarnate (sic). But Richard Alpert, he was spared from the crucifixtion. Either the government was satisfied to have their scapegoat in Leary or in typical bureaucratic fashion, they missed Alpert. Perhaps both!

Dr. Alpert travelled east and spent several years with the Maharishi (the same one the Beatles visited). It's fascinating how huge social upheaval spits out heroes and saints, but that's another story!

Richard Alpert returned to America in the early 1970s as 'Baba Ram Das' (sp). He began to lecture (these were large gatherings of hippies and assorted dropouts) but during the lectures it quickly became evident that he was speaking of an inner truth most of us suspected but didn't understand how to articulate. His mantra was "Be Here Now". This seemed to me to be a zen-like concept. "Live for the moment" or "The past is gone, the future isn't real, only NOW is important".

I came away from the two lectures I participated in at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) with a tiny concept of what he was saying. He clearly understood the Maharishi's message and I grasped at the straws in his wake.

But, I grew from what I learned, in an ever so miniscule way! Miniscule and earth-shattering in tandem. Today, like almost all the hippies and almost all the leaders of that time, I move along in my life as an average guy, contributing what I can to the world. ...and so, over these years, I have photographed moments in time and space that to me are an expression of what "Be Here Now" means.

Look for my folder "Be Here Now".

Samwise444