Jodi Wille

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THE LONGEVITY OF LAMA FOUNDATION
JODI WILLE IN CONVERSATION WITH HANS VON BRIESEN (SIDDIQ) AND CLIFTON COUGHLIN

11/16/19

Mercado Sagrado
Malibu Canyon, California

The Lama Foundation is a spiritual community, educational facility, and retreat center near Taos, New Mexico, founded in 1967 and still thriving today. But why, when there were so many counterculture communities started in the 1960s, is Lama Foundation one of the few that has survived? This conversation will be a frank discussion about what attributes, both ideological and structural, can help make an alternative community successful, and in the case of Lama Foundation, highly influential (Lama produced and published Be Here Now with Ram Dass in 1971, and has served tens of thousands of people over its lifespan). Lama began with a dedication to awakening of consciousness, and, after originally relying on charismatic leadership, evolved into a consensus decision-making community that continues to flourish. More than 40 people have served as Coordinator (CEO) in Lama’s 51 years. All these aspects of Lama Foundation will be discussed, as we try to convey a sense of how the Lama community now operates, after more than 50 years of community experience.

JODI WILLE is an American filmmaker (The Source Family), book publisher, and curator who has researched, visited, documented, and published books on intentional communities and alternative spiritual groups for 15 years.

Mercado Sagrado has collaborated with Lama Foundation to create a limited screenprinted poster series, inspired by the original Ram Dass drawings for Be Here Now. Proceeds will benefit Lama Foundation’s Dome Rebuilding Project.