like a miracle, which is merely because of our very narrow concept of how the universe works.” Ram Dass knew of my involvement with conspiracy theory. “I'm just involved in a much greater conspiracy,” he continued. “You can't grasp the size of the conspiracy | understand--but there's no conspirator--it's the wrong word. That's why | say it's just natural law. It is all perfect.” “Would you agree with the concept--what William Blake said, that humans were created ‘for joy and woe'--the implication of which is that there will always be suffering?” “| think that suffering is part of man's condition, and that's what the incarnation is about, and that's what the human plane is.” So | asked Ram Dass, “If you and | were to exchange philosophies-- if | believed in reincarnation and you didn't--how do you think our behavior would change?” He paused fora moment. “Well,” he said, “if you believed in reincarnation, you would never ask a question like that.” And then his low chuckle of amusement and surprise blossomed into an uproarious belly laugh of delight and triumph as he savored the implications of his own Zen answer. | would find myself playing that segment of the tape with his bell-shaped spasm of laughter over and over again, like a favorite piece of music. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015309