Jack Kerouac's Personally Owned Book on Kundalini Yoga, Estate Certified

A hardcover edition of Vasant G. Rele's "The Mysterious Kundalini" from the personal library of Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), the famous American writer who brought us "On The Road" (1957). Stamped on the front end paper with the Jack Kerouac Estate stamp and the raised blind seal from Executor of the Estate, John Sampas.

Vasant G. Rele, 7th edition, "The Mysterious Kundalini: The Physical Basis of the 'Kundalini (Hatha) Yoga' in Terms of Western Anatomy and Physiology" (Bombay [Mumbai]: D.B. Taraporevala Sons & Co., Ltd., ca. 1950). Featuring the 1927 foreword by Sir John Woodroffe, illustrations interspersed throughout the text, four black and white plates, a bibliography, and an appendix listing a glossary of Sanskrit anatomical terms with their Western equivalents. Stamped "Bhawnani & Sons / New Delhi / Connaught Place" on the back end paper. The original light grey papered boards have black lettering to the spine and front cover, listing an original price in rupees. xxviii + 80pp. Missing dust jacket. Isolated light water stains to the covers. Toned but clean inner pages. 12mo.

The idea of an alternative spirituality incorporating meditation and stretching seems commonplace today, as dozens of yoga studios can attest. Yet it was still very new in the early to mid-twentieth century among Western practitioners like Jack Kerouac. This book testifies to Kerouac's interest in Asian culture, spirituality, and religion. After being introduced to Buddhism in the mid-1950s, Kerouac devoted himself to its study, interpretation, and practice, and this extended to yoga. His works "Some of the Dharma" (1955-56) and "The Dharma Bums" (1958) explore the mid-century American quest for enlightenment.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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