Traveller in Space: In Search of Female Identity in Tibetan Buddhism

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for both men and women
Review: I have always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism since my youth and viewed it as a more profound philosophy than that which is offered in the West. In the last several years, however, my projections of "otherness" and superiority onto this system has begun to fade and I now see the cracks and problems inherent in this system. June Campbell explores the problems of this system from a female point of view. She is more than qualified in this respect having practiced Tibetan Buddhism for years and served as a secret ... partner to a high ranking, allegedely celibate lama. Being a male, many of the ingrained phallocentric and mysogenistic attributes of the Tibetan system which I casually overlooked previously exploded before me as Campbell carefully explores the meaning and history of female identity in Tibetan Buddhism. So clear and profound are her observations about female identity in this work that I have not not only rethought my stance on Tantric teachings but my view of women and "femaleness" in general. She explores the cultural and historical context of women in the Tantric system with very sharp and biting commentaries on culture and gender. I cannot recommend this title too much since it makes one (at least me) rethink their entire worldview when it comes to the role of women on the spiritual path.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly Clear Comprehension !
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's a historyof the evolution of thinking. It focuses on the ways thinking has beenmanipulated, for example, by Tibetan Buddhists to be anti female, to be rigid, limited and fearful.It covers a wide range of time, thousands of years before Buddhism arose as a thinking style as well as the Tibetan version of Buddhism...June Campbell is not only scholar whose meticulous research shines through each sentance of the book but her real life experience studying with Tibetan lamas for 20 years gives deep insight into the reality of Tibetan Buddhism. Having been Tibetan Buddhist myself for 25 years, I can honestly say that Traveller In Space is an exceptionally clear book about how Tibetan Buddhism is actually taught,the core attitudes of Tibetan lamas, as well as serious misunderstandings Tibetan lamas have about human relationships and why. Many of the Tibetan teachers have become unethical and the author has the courage to gently reveal the truth. In the end Traveller In Space left me feeling more in touch with the truth that authentic spiritual awakening cannot be conveyed in the traditional Tibetan atmosphere...I believe the point Ms. Campbell is making is that being truly fulfilled as a human means becoming more at one with the "spacious",unconstucted aspects of one's being.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly Clear Comprehension !
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's a historyof the evolution of thinking. It focuses on the ways thinking has beenmanipulated, for example, by Tibetan Buddhists to be anti female, to be rigid, limited and fearful.It covers a wide range of time, thousands of years before Buddhism arose as a thinking style as well as the Tibetan version of Buddhism...June Campbell is not only scholar whose meticulous research shines through each sentance of the book but her real life experience studying with Tibetan lamas for 20 years gives deep insight into the reality of Tibetan Buddhism. Having been Tibetan Buddhist myself for 25 years, I can honestly say that Traveller In Space is an exceptionally clear book about how Tibetan Buddhism is actually taught,the core attitudes of Tibetan lamas, as well as serious misunderstandings Tibetan lamas have about human relationships and why. Many of the Tibetan teachers have become unethical and the author has the courage to gently reveal the truth. In the end Traveller In Space left me feeling more in touch with the truth that authentic spiritual awakening cannot be conveyed in the traditional Tibetan atmosphere...I believe the point Ms. Campbell is making is that being truly fulfilled as a human means becoming more at one with the "spacious",unconstucted aspects of one's being.