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Summary: an uplifting adventure;opens youre heart and mind to light
Review: I loved this book I felt that it was able to teach me what it is that life really is and where the boundries of reality really.. aren't.The story is beautifully written and very educational. The whole time I read it I was smiling. I would suggest that everyone get a chance to read this book.
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Summary: A modern spritual classic about a timeless subject
Review: As a Theology graduate, I am always on the look-out for contemporary works of literature that treat ancient subjects, in this case Buddhism. I can't believe I only just came across this brilliant little book!While its author describes it as a work of fiction, do not be deceived - this book is a condensed modern handbook of the first and much of the second cycle of the Buddha's teachings. What makes it so unique is the clarity and joyous ease with which the subject matter is transmitted to the reader. It is a wonderful story and a great read! I have felt energized and inspired ever since completing 'Surfing the Himalayas' in a way I haven't felt for years - maybe ever. This is a book I will read and reread many times. Having spent years digging through the ancient texts, it is such a joy to find a book that brings Buddhism into the twentieth century, in a context to which we can all immediately relate.
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Summary: Great reading! A spiritual clasic.
Review: One of the most insightful and clearest books on Buddhism I have ever read. It really clarified the Buddhist ideas of karma, reincarnation, and enlightenment together with a very readable and enjoyable story. I can't wait for the sequel!
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Summary: Good information, but poorly written
Review: This book is written so poorly, that it detracts from the interesting material. I got so caught up in the author's uninventive language, that I couldn't enjoy it. It read like an interview by a twelve year old rather than an interesting or amusing story. I knew very little about Buddhism, and was very interstested in learning more about it. Consequently, I borrowed this book hoping it would be a good starting point, and one I could relate to -- being a snowboarder. Some very valuable information was relayed and I learned a great deal about the religion, it's philosophies, and how it can improve our quality of life. But I have a feeling there are many better and more entertaining books about Buddhism than this one.
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Summary: there are far better books on this subject than this one
Review: I love books on this topic, but I hated this book in particular. I put it down about 3/4 of the way through. The author says all sorts of questionable things that made me suspicious. For example, he says that the only way to become enlightened is to study with an enlightened Buddhist master, and that there is only one such enlightened Buddhist master in the world. So it seems to me that the author is saying the the reader will probably never reach enlightenment, which for me is an overly-pessimistic viewpoint. Also, the book is too theoretical and doesn't make much effort to tie the theory into anything that even remotely relates to the real world. For a much better book on this subject, I'd recommend "The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" by Alan Watts Another book that I also highly recommend is Robert Persig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"
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Summary:
NEW TIMES, Seattle, June 1997
Review:
Surfing the Himalayas is a delightful story, both entertaining and profound. Author Frederick Lenz transforms his real-life experiences into a thoughtful work of fiction.
Snowboarding becomes the vehicle for bringing to life Master Fwap's explanations of such deep subjects as karma, opening the third eye, the secret of the Rae Chorze-Fwaz, earth's cycles and auric patterning, astral travel, and more.
Surfing the Himalayas will stay with you long after reading it, and you may want to underline parts to return to again and again. Though its impact is profound, the reading is fun and moves at a steady pace. Read and enjoy!"
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Summary: The book's even better than the tape.
Review: I picked up the Surfing the Himalayas audio tape before heading out on a trip from Boston to D.C. I didn't know anything about it, but it looked interesting. I didn't expect much, but the next thing I knew, a couple hours had passed, the tape was over, and I hardly even noticed the traffic and the non-stop construction crews on the 95.
This guy is coming from a high place. It sent my mind flying. A couple months later I bought the book, and it was a more in-depth perspective on enlightened consciousness. It's cool how he modernized these ancient truths.
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Summary: A fun and practical intro for seekers of all generations:
Review: My grandmother loved this book when I sent her a copy. She's maybe not your average reader (went on a 3-week safari in Africa at age 78!), but it confirms some of the other reviews posted here about the broad audience who's enjoying the text.
The part I liked best about it (am now reading it for the second time) was how the author doesn't
assume you know or believe anything about Buddhism
before-hand. When I first started learning about
Buddhism and meditation it seemed like even the
"intro" books assumed you were ready to just jump into the deep cosmology and philosophy that scholars and monks are used to. I always ended up half-way
through a book wondering, "What's the point? How
can I use this stuff?"
_Surfing The Himalayas_, on the other hand, starts off in a very approachable manner, and procedes to
explain how to use Buddhism can be applied to every-
day life. Right on! I don't know much about the author
or the tradition, but the book is one of the best I could recommend.
(P.S. The sequel is even better!)
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Summary: This book explains life's deepest, most sacred mysteries.
Review: As a Greek Orthodox Christian, I have had perhaps more of mystical slant to my spiritual education than most westerners, however, there have been many topics, questions and experiences that my religion has not been able to answer for me. Dr. Lenz's book has provided me with a profound yet entertaining introduction to Tantric Buddhism, and I can't wait to find out more about it. After reading this book, I felt unbelievably good, and the feeling is still with me. I highly recommend it, especially for intelligent people dissatisfied with the answers that western religions provide to life's deeper mysteries
Rating: 
Summary: A quaint, but very self-serving ripoff of castaneda
Review: If you don't like this book, then watchout, because you'll get bad karma and you'll be a failure the rest of your life! That's what the real Frederick Lenz would like you to think.
Why is it that everyone who rated this book a 10 happens to know the author personally and wants you to go to their web site? Perhaps they're trying to sell you something ?
For a complete list of reviews, check out www.trancenet.org.
It's a good thing Fred called this thing fiction - that it certainly is. Most of the book is spent trying to convince the reader that Fred is the most enlightened being on the planet! Please .... grow up .... get a life ..
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