[The Beatles] - Omkarananda, Swami

12mo booklet; printed wrappers, stapled.

clean
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Second edition of this 43 page booklet containing writings of scientists and philosophers as well as those of the swami.

George Harrison’s annotated copy, inscribed by him to Ringo Starr inside the upper panel: From G.H. New Years Eve / Day A.D. 1974 Titenhurst [sic] Pk. / 274 Dwapara [symbol for Hinduism]. And heavily annotated throughout.  Ringo Starr bought John Lennon’s home Tittenhurst Park in 1973. The booklet is profusely filled with Harrison’s intimate thoughts on eastern spirituality, giving fascinating insight into his music and his affection for his former band mate. 

The Beatles traveled to India together in 1968 to study transcendental meditation with the Maharishi, an experience which had a profound influence on their music and personal lives. In his annotations to this booklet Harrison expresses his thoughts on spirituality and the guidance it gave him after the break-up of the Beatles in 1969-70. On the title page he circled the title, wrote Ringo and added a six-pointed star. Under the title, he circled the author, and wrote to help us not feel too bad – as we continue dropping apart. A Hare Krishna stamp appears inside the upper panel.  

On the verso of the title page is affixed a 2 x 2 ¼ inch photo of Harrison at the keyboard, beneath his comment: “I was the greatest show on Earth,” surrounded by musical notes and followed by the words “death” (within the outline of a coffin) and “rebirth” (within the outline of the sun). Harrison writes a list of ages beginning with, “and now I’m only 32” and ending with, “only now I’m 37”. “33” – Ringo’s age in 1973 – is crossed-off.