Theos Bernard. Hackett, The White Lama : Tibet, yoga, and American religious life

__Theos Bernard, the White Lama__ recounts the real story behind the purported adventures of Theos Casimir Bernard (1908–1947), the self-proclaimed "White Lama" who in 1937 became the third American in history to reach Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. Bernard met, associated, and corresponded with the major social, political, and cultural leaders of his day, from the Regent and high politicians of Tibet to saints, scholars, and diplomats of British India, and from Charles Lindbergh and Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Gandhi and Nehru. But he also had his flaws. He was an entrepreneur propelled by grandiose schemes, a handsome man who shamelessly used his looks to bounce from rich wife to rich wife to support his activities, and a master manipulator who concocted his own interpretations of Eastern wisdom to suit his own ends. Despite the bright future ahead of him, Bernard disappeared in India during the communal violence of the 1947 Partition, never to be seen again. Through diaries, interviews, and previously unstudied documents, Paul G. Hackett shares Bernard's compelling life story, along with his efforts to awaken America's religious counterculture to the unfolding events in India, Tibet, and the Himalayas. In 1937, Theos Casimir Bernard (1908–1947), the self-proclaimed "White Lama," became the third American in history to reach Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. During his stay, he amassed the largest collection of Tibetan texts, art, and artifacts in the Western hemisphere at that time. He also documented, in both still photography and 16mm film, the age-old civilization of Tibet on the eve of its destruction by Chinese Communists. Based on thousands of primary sources and rare archival materials, __Theos Bernard, the White Lama__ recounts the real story behind the purported adventures of this iconic figure and his role in the growth of America's religious counterculture. Over the course of his brief life, Bernard met, associated, and corresponded with the major social, political, and cultural leaders of his day, from the Regent and high politicians of Tibet to saints, scholars, and diplomats of British India, from Charles Lindbergh and Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Gandhi and Nehru. Although hailed as a brilliant pioneer by the media, Bernard also had his flaws. He was an entrepreneur propelled by grandiose schemes, a handsome man who shamelessly used his looks to bounce from rich wife to rich wife in support of his activities, and a master manipulator who concocted his own interpretation of Eastern wisdom to suit his ends. Bernard had a bright future before him, but disappeared in India during the communal violence of the 1947 Partition, never to be seen again. Through diaries, interviews, and previously unstudied documents, Paul G. Hackett shares Bernard's compelling life story, along with his efforts to awaken America's religious counterculture to the unfolding events in India, the Himalayas, and Tibet. Hackett concludes with a detailed geographical and cultural trace of Bernard's Indian and Tibetan journeys, which shed rare light on the explorer's mysterious disappearance. From The Publisher. In 1937, Theos Casimir Bernard (1908-1947), The Self-proclaimed White Lama, Became The Third American In History To Reach Lhasa, The Capital City Of Tibet. During His Stay, He Amassed The Largest Collection Of Tibetan Texts, Art, And Artifacts In The Western Hemisphere At That Time. He Also Documented, In Both Still Photography And 16mm Film, The Age-old Civilization Of Tibet On The Eve Of Its Destruction By Chinese Communists. Based On Thousands Of Primary Sources And Rare Archival Materials, Theos Bernard, The White Lama Recounts The Real Story Behind The Purported Adventures Of This Iconic Figure And His Role In The Growth Of America's Religious Counterculture. Over The Course Of His Brief Life, Bernard Met, Associated, And Corresponded With The Major Social, Political, And Cultural Leaders Of His Day, From The Regent And High Politicians Of Tibet To Saints, Scholars, And Diplomats Of British India, From Charles Lindbergh And Franklin Delano Roosevelt To Gandhi And Nehru. Although Hailed As A Brilliant Pioneer By The Media, Bernard Also Had His Flaws. He Was An Entrepreneur Propelled By Grandiose Schemes, A Handsome Man Who Shamelessly Used His Looks To Bounce From Rich Wife To Rich Wife In Support Of His Activities, And A Master Manipulator Who Concocted His Own Interpretation Of Eastern Wisdom To Suit His Ends. Bernard Had A Bright Future Before Him, But Disappeared In India During The Communal Violence Of The 1947 Partition, Never To Be Seen Again. Through Diaries, Interviews, And Previously Unstudied Documents, Paul G. Hackett Shares Bernard's Compelling Life Story, Along With His Efforts To Awaken America's Religious Counterculture To The Unfolding Events In India, The Himalayas, And Tibet. Hackett Concludes With A Detailed Geographical And Cultural Trace Of Bernard's Indian And Tibetan Journeys, Which Shed Rare Light On The Explorer's Mysterious Disappearance. Life In The Desert -- New York And New Mexico -- Two Parallel Paths (i) -- Two Parallel Paths (ii) -- On Holy Ground -- Pretense And Pretext: Studies In India -- A Well-trodden Path : Studies In Darjeeling And Sikkim -- Tibet, Tantrikas, And The Hero Of Chaksam Ferry -- The Clipper Ship Of The Imagination -- Yoga On Fifth Avenue -- Tibetland And The Penthouse Of The Gods -- To Climb The Highest Mountains -- The Aftermath -- Postscript: The View From Ki, Sixty Years Later. Paul G. Hackett. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The life and adventures of an American explorer and iconic figure in the 20th century religious counterculture movement. In 1937, Theos Casimir Bernard, the self-proclaimed “White Lama,” became the third American in history to reach Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. During his stay, he amassed the largest collection of Tibetan texts, art, and artifacts in the Western hemisphere at that time. He also documented, in both still photography and 16mm film, the age-old civilization of Tibet on the eve of its destruction by Chinese Communists. Based on thousands of primary sources and rare archival materials, this is the real story behind the purported adventures of Bernard and his role in the growth of America's religious counterculture. Over the course of his brief life, Bernard met, associated, and corresponded with the major social, political, and cultural leaders of his day, from the Regent and high politicians of Tibet to saints, scholars, and diplomats of British India, from Charles Lindbergh and Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Gandhi and Nehru. Although hailed as a brilliant pioneer by the media, Bernard also had his flaws. He was an entrepreneur propelled by grandiose schemes, a handsome man who shamelessly used his looks to bounce from rich wife to rich wife in support of his activities, and a master manipulator who concocted his own interpretation of Eastern wisdom to suit his ends. Bernard had a bright future before him but disappeared in India during the communal violence of the 1947 Partition, never to be seen again. “Well-written...A readable intellectual account of the life of an ambitious Tibetological pioneer.”— Asian Ethnology CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ONE. Life in the Desert TWO. New York and New Mexico THREE. Two Parallel Paths (I) FOUR. Two Parallel Paths (II) FIVE. On Holy Ground SIX. Pretense and Pretext Studies in India SEVEN. A Well-Trodden Path Studies in Darjeeling and Sikkim EIGHT. Tibet, Tantrikas, and the Hero of Chaksam Ferry NINE. “The Clipper Ship of the Imagination” TEN. Yoga on Fifth Avenue ELEVEN. Tibetland and the Penthouse of the Gods TWELVE. To Climb the Highest Mountains THIRTEEN. The Aftermath FOURTEEN. Postscript: The View from Ki, Sixty Years Later NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX