Rating: 
Summary: an fascinating introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
Review: A terrific book! Thurman's lectures on Tantric Buddhism are fascinating, and they are counterpointed well by Wise's narration of the trek to Kalias, his own failings and fears, and his relationship to his teacher. Thurman is (as always) enlightening and impressive, and Wise's story is wonderful in that he is "only" human, too-- it makes the path toward enlightenment seem possible for the rest of us! Also, it's a great book about an exciting trek to the backcountry of Tibet. A wonderful book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Armchair Travel and Tantra
Review: If Tantra is the union of opposites, this book works pretty well. Tad Wise seems likeable enough, except for the fact that he has 3 kids by 3 Moms, and leaves Mom #3 behind with a newborn to go off on this spiritual adventure. So I'm rooting for him to get it right this time and go home and help with the laundry. And Robert Thurman seems to use Tad as a whipping boy, teasing and taunting him, which doesn't make Thurman exactly shine in my eyes either. The other members of the trek are more or less invisible, though they are mentioned from time to time.
The mountain captures my attention starting from the picture on the cover. It looks extraordinary. I love Tibet, and this is deepest darkest Tibet for sure. The monasteries have all been trashed and recently rebuilt to attract tourists for China's benefit. Young Tibetans are as likely to smoke and play pool as they are to chant mantras. So all the tragedy of Tibet are here to see.
The dharma presented here is very Tibetan. Yamantaka, the fierce deity of death is invoked to stomp on and anhiliate one's self-obsession (the false self). The teaching is called the Blade Wheel of the Mind, and it is meant to work like a buzz-saw, turning all that is self-oriented into dust and all negative experiences into potential gold. To be there, exhausted and suffering from the high elevation, and to listen to these teachings, would probably be an extraordinary retreat experience. I don't know that it is particularly effective in absentia. Thurman does come off as a gas-bag. Maybe it was very unselfish of him, also worn out from trekking all day, to sit down and teach. Or maybe it was just pedantic of him. His close friendship with the Dalai Lama is name-dropped several times. I suppose it's relevant, but it also does not really endear him to me.
Since I will in all likelihood never even get to Tibet, much less to this remote corner, I enjoyed the vicarious trek. But I'm just as glad I wasn't part of this particular group of trekkers.
Rating:
Summary: A total experience of here and now and who "you" are
Review: It is a fantastic journey that all of us people should take - but we can not- We can experience this journey both on the physical level - body- as well as a guidance for the mental- mind- journey the spirit which is really more essential. You learn some methods of transforming yourself and become someone who serves the world and not just your "self" OM MANI PADME HUM
Rating:
Summary: A total experience of here and now and who "you" are
Review: It is a fantastic journey that all of us people should take - but we can not- We can experience this journey both on the physical level - body- as well as a guidance for the mental- mind- journey the spirit which is really more essential. You learn some methods of transforming yourself and become someone who serves the world and not just your "self" OM MANI PADME HUM
Rating:
Summary: This is a spiritual awakening waiting to happen
Review: The book is a wonderful read and highly recommendable to others who want more from their lives.
Rating:
Summary: With Gratitude
Review: This book is a miracle. It joins the opposites of the deepest teachings with human weaknesses, the highest revelations with guides to daily practices, all in a setting of great natural majesty. The bravery of the Tibetan people as they live under Chinese oppression shines through. I am reading the book for a second time now.
Rating:
Summary: With Gratitude
Review: This book is a miracle. It joins the opposites of the deepest teachings with human weaknesses, the highest revelations with guides to daily practices, all in a setting of great natural majesty. The bravery of the Tibetan people as they live under Chinese oppression shines through. I am reading the book for a second time now.
Rating:
Summary: Tibetan Buddhism with a human side
Review: This book was an exhilarating reading experience. With Tad Wise's descriptions of the scenery and Robert Thurman's vivid teachings, I felt as if I was there with them learning and experiencing everything. Their journey was long and storied and well presented. Seeing the experience from two sides, the teacher (Thurman) and the student (Wise) give a wide view of this country and its religion. Wise's antidotes add the human side to the experience. It shows how even you can achieve these great things. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates journeys, religion, or even just a good true story. Thurman and Wise's account make the trek memorable.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring,lightened only by Wises' gentle humanity
Review: This book, I suppose, could be read by one of two groups of people. First: it could be read by the New Age Hippie traveller types looking for an intreguing story about a man travelling. I more approve of this kind of reading..... Tad Wise part of the story is told with humor and warm feeling.... The second, more Buddhafied group, looking to Prof. Thruman as a kind of guru, is not going to get enough here. Bad Dharma. Too little. Perhaps, if one was going to read his sermons with a couple of other books, one could get a good understanding of something. It when accompanied by Wise's prose is fairly... um, enlightening.... I'm afraid that lots of people are going to miss that though.... If the two journeys are disconnected, the book goes to become mediocre..... keep that in mind!!!
Rating:
Summary: A good book.... BUT....
Review: This book, I suppose, could be read by one of two groups of people. First: it could be read by the New Age Hippie traveller types looking for an intreguing story about a man travelling. I more approve of this kind of reading..... Tad Wise part of the story is told with humor and warm feeling.... The second, more Buddhafied group, looking to Prof. Thruman as a kind of guru, is not going to get enough here. Bad Dharma. Too little. Perhaps, if one was going to read his sermons with a couple of other books, one could get a good understanding of something. It when accompanied by Wise's prose is fairly... um, enlightening.... I'm afraid that lots of people are going to miss that though.... If the two journeys are disconnected, the book goes to become mediocre..... keep that in mind!!!
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