From Bindu to Ojas
San Cristobal, NM: Lama Foundation, 1970.
First edition. Bound in publisher's brown paper sheets bound with twine, mandala label mounted on front cover; extremely rare in the original mailing box with all supplements present. Painted Cakes Do Not Satisfy Hunger; Cookbook for a Sacred Life, quotation booklet; Our Story My-Story Your-Story His-tory; Guru poster on folded newsprint and vinly LP with sleeve; yellow and red windhorse prayer flag, plus donation envelope from The Lama Foundation Reservoir. The core book is Near Fine with paper label adhered sideways and light edge wear. Supplementary materials show toning and light general wear. Small tear to rear cover of Cook Book. The LP has not been tested, sleeve toned. Creasing and light edge wear to box, mailing address of Be Here Now illustrator, Susan Ross and her husband at an Ohio address; split to one corner of the box. Incense scent to contents. The prototypical form of the classic spirituality book Be Here Now, with illustrations by members of the Lama Foundation commune including Steve Durkee, also of the USCO art collective. According to Dass, "We produced a thousand boxes paid for with contributions from my lectures. Anyone who sent in a postcard requesting it received one for free in the mail. Anyone who sent in a postcard requesting it received one for free in the mail. They were all sent out, and more people wanted them. When I went back to India, Steve put together a distribution deal with Bruce Harris, who worked for Crown Publishers, and the box became a book (Be Here Now)." Be Here Now has since sold over two million copies. Its unusual marriage of text and image, earthy design, sense of humor, and far-out mantras make it a true high spot of the hippie era. A fantastic association copy between the author and the illustrator.
Price: $7,500