(San Cristobal), (Lama Foundation), (1970). The first edition of Be Here Now, Alpert's enormously popular autobiography and guidebook to enlightenment, and his first publication as Ram Dass. One of 300 copies, softbound quarto printed on brown paper, with a color mandala tipped to the front cover, and bound with rope. A landmark of the counterculture: the scarce first edition of the first successful attempt to bring a version of oriental mystical philosophy to a large western audience. Its success laid the foundation for further, similar efforts by others, and opened the floodgates for wide acceptance of diverse philosophies and views -- helping to instigate the present-day concerns with multiculturalism and cultural diversity as well as fostering what has come to be known as the "New Age" movement. It can be argued that no other single book was as pivotal in helping East meet West, and Alpert -- who was Timothy Leary's partner in the early Harvard experiments with LSD -- probably had a more profound effect on contemporary culture with this book than his more famous colleague had with his "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out" exhortation. Lifted crease and small tear to mandala and light foxing to rear cover; a near fine copy lacking the supplementary materials, long-playing record and mailing box. [#028725] SOLD