Farewell to the Bodhi Tree

5/2/12 at 10:15 am | 9 Comments

BLOG by Louise L. Hay

When I came out here to California in the mid ’80s, I had just printed my little blue book and it was very thin. I went to the Bodhi Tree Bookstore because I knew it was the kind of place that would sell my book. They were not interested.

People would go the Bodhi Tree to look for my little book there. They wouldn’t even know the name, but they’d go in and say, “We want to get that little blue book.” Finally, enough people did that, so the Bodhi Tree contacted me. They said, “We’ll take 6.” So I got in my car and I drove to the Bodhi Tree. I was in Santa Monica at the time and they were about 10 miles away in West Hollywood. I hand-delivered my 6 books!

Every time they ordered, the number went up a little… to 10 and then a few more. I was unknown at the time and they were taking a chance on a book that could have sat on their shelves forever. So I hand-delivered every order!

Over the next 40 years, the shelves in the Bodhi Tree would display many of my books and other Hay House authors among its massive collection. I believe it’s more than 35,000 now.

I recently found out that the Bodhi Tree—a bookstore that has been called the metaphysical mecca of LA—has now closed. There were two men who owned it and they are in their late 70s now. People are going to be very sorry about this because it was a fantastic little bookstore where you could get every sort of spiritual book. Whatever you were looking for—from Christianity and Buddhism to energy healing and nutrition—and many other philosophies and spiritual teachings were among the topics of books that were crammed into this little store.

People loved the Bodhi Tree because you could find everything there. They held many small classes, too. It is their time to move on, but we will miss them. Let’s affirm that the little piece of Earth that they occupied will continue to bring spiritual nourishment to those it touches.

Let’s affirm: I look to the future with excitement and anticipation.

FILED UNDER: LOUISE HAY, AFFIRMATIONS, HEART THOUGHTS, MISTAKES, SELF-CARE, SELF-LOVE

Comments (9)

1.

May 2, 2012
9:39 am

My kids are growing up too fast for me. They are now 17 and 15. A part of me wants them to stay little forever. But like the Bodhi Tree, everyone and everything has their time to move on. I affirm that I do look to the future with excitement and anticipation, while cherishing every person and experience along the way.
– Jim Haley
2.

May 2, 2012
9:51 am

Beautiful! As always. Thanks Louise, for your inspiration.
– Nilsa
3.

May 2, 2012
10:17 am

Sad that with the internet and e-books we are losing many small bookstores. They are such great places to hang out, meet people and restore energy.
– Wild4Stars
4.

May 2, 2012
1:23 pm

I am so very sad at the loss of The Bodhi Tree. I spent a great deal of time (and money) there. Even though I've moved across the country, I miss just knowing that it was there; that it existed.Thank you for this lovely tribute to a unique and spiritual place.
– Candy
5.

May 3, 2012
1:50 am

Nature not tolerate empty space! God to bless in every state and city in the world have at least three metaphysical bookstores! I look to the future with excitement and anticipation.! DEAR LOUISE thank
– olga
6.

May 4, 2012
9:48 am

I would love to see Bodhi Trees flourishing eveywhere. I'm grateful to be close to a store like it, and I'm very happy to be seeing you this weekend. This website has been like my "Bodhi Tree" I love Hay House :D
– Penny
7.

May 10, 2012
9:13 pm

thank you, louise.
– ginamarie
8.

May 11, 2012
4:02 pm

If it wasn't for the Bodhi Tree, I never would be on the spiritual path I'm on. I bought many a spiritual books, trinkets, and incense for spiritual purposes. It saddens me that someone didn't continue it after these men. I so hope another wonderful store like that opens up next. The world needs Bodhi Trees!!!
– Denise
9.

May 12, 2012
8:05 am

Looking for the future with excitement and anticipation is living a life of faith.
– Jordan Klimp