Farewell to the Bodhi Tree Bookstore | Whole Life Times — Los Angeles Holistic Health Magazine

[Update: As of December 31, 2011, the anticipated sale of the Bodhi Tree business has not come to fruition and the Melrose location has officially closed.]

By Abigail Lewis

3f7b67 Imagine spending 40 hours a week contemplating aspects of outer space. Such flirting with the infinite seems like exactly the kind of job that might prompt reflections on inner space, so perhaps it’s no surprise that three engineers would leave the collapsing aerospace industry in 1970 and create a metaphysical refuge. Stan Madson, Phil Thompson and Dan Morris pooled their resources, rented a residential space on Melrose, and named their new bookstore after the sacred fig tree under which Buddha is said to have found enlightenment.

Forty-one years later, having launched innumerable seekers emulating Buddha’s journey, Stan and Phil (Dan left in 1972) are themselves heading down new paths. It’s true the publishing industry has suffered mightily, and revenue has been down by 15 percent a year for several years running, but the duo also seems ready for new adventures.

When they talk about where they’ve been and where they’re going, one thing that is striking in this long partnership—longer by far than many marriages—is the apparent warmth between them. Each has his own spouse—Phil’s wife plays piano and is an accomplished artist, Stan’s is a classical dancer—yet their interaction seems tempered by an easy gentleness, almost like “an old married couple.” Phil is the more loquacious of the two, but it’s clear he often expresses their shared perspective.

Both men have deep peaceful eyes—randomly blue—that reflect many hours spent in meditation. Both, bespectacled and graying, seem genuinely satisfied that this chapter of their work is nearing completion, and they are perhaps a bit weary—Phil frequently rests his head on his hand while we talk.

Nuts and Bolts
The venture started with a scant $18,000 and no mission statement, but seemingly few bumps. Emerging from the turbulent ’60s, a time of not just social change, but great movement in the spiritual community, the Bodhi Tree was the first real metaphysical bookstore in Los Angeles. “I wouldn’t say we were leaders in any of that,” reminisces Phil, “but clearly we were reasonably successful followers.”

When queried about the secret to their success, Phil answers, “Probably staying out of each other’s way. We each managed to do what we wanted to do and the duties of running the place separated without any real effort. There is virtually nothing that we talk about or have to decide; it kind of flows.”

They purchased the original building in 1978 and burgeoned to a staff of 100. Now, they say, with declining revenue and staff, in many respects they’re back to doing what they did 25 years ago.

Asked what books have most influenced them along the way, some are predictable—J. Krishnamurti, Chogyam Trungpa, D. T. Suzuki, Alan Watts—but there are also surprises: Somerset Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge, Jack Kerouac and Gary Snyder, and the science fiction of Ray Bradbury. They also note that, “Even controversial teachers like Rajneesh (Osho) were able to throw out darts of information that people, if they’re open to it, can use to grow themselves.” Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind (Shunryu Suzuki) is cited as “still a fabulous book” and one of their top sellers.

The metaphysical classics have, of course, been assimilated into the popular culture. “People who really responded to the classics usually joined organizations, learned how to meditate, did yoga and changed the way they related to themselves, their bodies, their families, and all that became the New Age,” Phil says. “A lot of those people are now in corporate positions and government (notably Gov. Jerry Brown), so I always think that has an influence.

“All the letters and email we’ve gotten, people say, ‘You changed my life.’ These new concepts took them out of traditional religion, government and rationality, made them question things. It’s been a progressive wave pushing people to look at their lives and the implications.”

What’s Next?
As Bodhi Tree begins a new chapter (see sidebar), Stan and Phil have their own sagas to continue. Both mention travel and creative endeavors. Stan notes, “Still lots to read, and a meditation practice that will continue and expand.” They seem at peace with the end of this era, humble and grateful at having been able to provide a resource and a place where people can feel comfortable and fit in with “whatever vibration” is there. “That’s something you don’t imagine when you’re opening a bookstore,” Phil says, “but that’s what it’s turned out.”

Asked if they have a parting message to the community, Phil offers, “That we will continue on. Books will be around forever, but hopefully a group of people who understand tech can both disseminate it in the least expensive and most accessible manner, and yet provide something for people to get together and connect as people—the social aspect is so important. Something like this will continue, with different vision.”