In 1967, Alpert traveled to India and became a disciple of Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba who gave him the name Ram Dass, meaning 'Servant of Ram,' but usually rendered as simply 'Servant of God' for western audiences. In the coming years, he founded the charitable organizations Seva Foundation and Hanuman Foundation.
He traveled extensively giving talks and retreats and holding fundraisers for charitable causes in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
