In this talk titled “A Conspiracy of Consciousness,” Ram Dass discusses how to live life without being trapped by roles and identities while still fulfilling them. He emphasizes seeing life experiences as opportunities for liberation from suffering.

Regarding business specifically, Ram Dass contrasts Western and Indian approaches. In the West, he notes how business often operates through a “conspiracy” of ego-driven thinking, where success is measured primarily through profit and competition is seen as “us versus them.” He cites the example of CEO compensation being 80 times that of regular employees while claiming “we’re all one family” as an illustration of this contradiction.

In contrast, Ram Dass describes the Indian concept of “Business as Dharma,” where business is conducted as a spiritual practice aimed at reducing suffering. He suggests that this approach considers all stakeholders – employees, suppliers, competitors, investors, and directors – and seeks to optimize compassion and reduce suffering for all involved rather than maximizing profit for a few.