US psychedelic pioneer and guru Ram Dass dies aged 88

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Ram Dass, a spritual leader and pioneer of the US psychedelic movement, has died at home in Hawaii, aged 88.

Born Richard Alpert, he worked with Timothy Leary in the 1960s on research into LSD at Harvard before travelling to India and studying spiritualism.

He was well known for his first book, Be Here Now, which sold over two million copies.

Ram Dass died peacefully at home, his foundation said, but he had suffered bouts of illness in recent years.