This is an account of the Madhyamika (Middle Way) school of Buddhism, a method of mediation and enlightenment that was developed by the great Indian teacher Nagarjuna. In a collaboration between the Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel and her friend, the Tibetan lama Aphur Yongden, these teaching are presented clearly and elegantly, intended for the layman who seeks a way to practice and experience the realization of oneness with all existence.

...this is the most direct, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth explanation of Mahayana Buddhism that has been written. Specifically, it is a wonderfully lucid account of the Middle Way method of enlightenment worked out by the great Indian sage Nagarjuna. -Alan Watts, The Book

Alexandra David-Neel was among the first Westerners to extensively explore Tibet. In these memoirs she tells of her encounters there; the people and their culture, and fervently Buddhist society.

The author's early years, wherein her enthusiasm for travel and curiosity of faraway cultures grew, are excluded from these pages. Rather we begin with David-Neel's first trip to Tibet, and her initial impressions of the country. The friends she makes, and the various officials and Buddhist priests of varying rank and station, are recounted vividly. As a Western woman, David-Neel did not always encounter friendliness or tranquility in those she met: many were less than welcoming, or even hostile, to her presence.

As she was a pioneer in Tibet, it is for these explorations that David-Neel is most remembered. The complex traditions of the Tibetan lamas, and how its people existed upon the high plateau of the Himalayas, fascinated many in Europe. Allowed meetings with religious officials, including the 13^th Dalai Lama, it was only after a decade of exploring the Tibetan culture that David-Neel dared to go yet farther by travelling, incognito, to Lhasa - the capital city, forbidden to all foreigners...

A classic memoir, known for inspiring the writers and poets of the Beat Generation, Magic and Mystery in Tibet is both biography and a great tale of adventure.

Involves us intensely in a world that no longer exists--that of free Tibet. . . . Fervent and admirably unsentimental . . . [David-Neel] had to exercise the utmost ingenuity to survive.-- New York Times Book Review

Originally published in 1927, My Journey to Lhasa is a powerful, entertaining record of danger and achievement that has become one of the most remarkable and inspirational of all travelers' tales. Disguised as a beggar, Alexandra David-Neel tackled some of the roughest terrain and climate, suffered primitive travel conditions, frequent outbreaks of disease, the ever-present danger of border control, and the military to become the first woman to penetrate Tibet and reach Lhasa--and the first Western woman to have been received by any Dalai Lama.

Born in 1868 to a respectable French family, Alexandra David-Neel became the most remarkable female travel writer of the Twentieth century. David-Neel studied at the Sorbonne at a time when women were not allowed to formally matriculate and converted to Buddhism after viewing a statue of the Buddha in the Guimet Museum. In 1911 she set off, alone, to travel around India for the second time and in 1914 she secluded herself in a cave in the Himalayas for two years, intensively studying the mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as the mystic legends that surrounded Buddhist monks. From 1918 she spent three years in a Buddhist monastery translating texts into French and English. By 1924 she had travelled to the forbidden city of Lhasa and returning to France in 1927 began to write, recording her extraordinary experiences. She died in 1969, 101 years old, still travelling, and an inspiration for a generation that included Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Magic and Mystery in Tibet, like Seven Pillars of Wisdom, attempts to bring ancient wisdom into the modern age. David-Neel records the seemingly magic feats performed by Buddhist monks; telepathy, tumo breathing (the art of generating body heat to keep warm in freezing conditions), the ability to run for days at a time, the ability to defy gravity and the ability to become invisible. As a child David-Neel had wanted to search for the unknown and as an adult she went beyond the Western world, and into areas unexplained by Western science. No other Western writer has ever been so immersed in Tibetan culture and Buddhism, and few other books have entranced readers for seventy years.

Seeker, adventurer, pilgrim, and scholar, David-Neel was the first European woman to explore the once-forbidden city of Lhasa. This memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet - including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water.

Nestled amid the high peaks and eternal snows of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges, Tibet is home to a centuries-old Buddhist tradition, rich in mystic rites and rituals aimed at helping adherents achieve spiritual bliss. In this fascinating volume, a noted authority delves into the nature and sources of Tibetan mysticism, providing readers with a wealth of information regarding Lamaic rites of initiation and the teachings given to initiates, both during and after the initiation ceremonies.
The author first defines Tibetan mysticism and examines the role of the spiritual guide and the choice of a master. This is followed by a discussion of the nature of the esoteric doctrines and traditional oral instruction. Madame David-Neel then recounts in detail the various kinds of initiations and their aims, including initiations with and without activity, the Mani initiation, and the different meanings of Aum mani padme hum Also covered are the magic rites known as dubthabs, the gymnastics of respiration, daily spiritual exercises, the contemplation of sun and sky, the dalai lamas, different kinds of morality, and many other topics.
Alexandra David-Neel was a historian of religion and a resident of Tibet for 14 years. As a practicing Buddhist, she participated in many of the spiritual rites and practices described in this book, which gives her account a special immediacy and authenticity. Lucid, objective, and highly readable, Initiations and Initiates in Tibet is a treasury of fact and lore offering valuable insights and information to students of religion and Tibetan Buddhism in particular.

First published in France in 1929, Magic and Mystery in Tibet tells the story of the author's experiences in Tibet, among lamas and magicians. Alexandra David-Neel's memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet--including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water She tells of great sages and sorcerers that she met; of the system of monastic education; the great teachers and their disciples; Tibetan folklore about these spiritual athletes; reincarnation and memory from previous lives; elaborate magical rites to obtain enlightenment; the horrible necromantic magic of the pre-Buddhist Bonpa shamas; mental visualization exercises to create disembodied thought forms (tulpas); visions; phenomena of physical yoga, control of the body heat mechanism; breathing exercises; sending messages on the wind; and much similar material. An unusual aspect of her book is that she herself experienced many of the phenomena she describes, yet she describes them with precision and in a matter-of-fact manner, permitting the reader to draw his own conclusions about validity, interpretation in terms of psychology, and value. Particularly interesting for the modern experiencer are her detailed instructions for tumo (the yoga of heat control) and creation of thought projections. This deluxe edition has all of the original photographs plus additional photos and maps, as well several introductions. Chapters include: Tibet and the Lamas; A Guest of the Lamas; A Famous Tibetan Monastery; Dealing with Ghosts and Demons, Disciples of Yore and their Contemporary Emulators; Psychic Sports; Mystic Theories and Spiritual Training; Psychic Phenomena in Tibet--How Tibetans Explain Them; more.

Madame David-Neel understands, writes and speaks fluently all the dialects of Tibet. She has spent fourteen consecutive years in the country and the neighbouring regions. She is a professed Buddhist, and so has been able to gain the confidence of the most important Lamas. Her adopted son is an ordained lama; and she herself has undergone the psychic exercises of which she speaks. Madame David-Neel has in fact become, as she herself says, a complete Asiatic, and, what is still more important for an explorer of a country hitherto inaccessible to foreign travelers, she is recognized as such by those among whom she has lived.

2017 Reprint of 1960 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software.

...this is the most direct, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth explanation of Mahayana Buddhism that has been written. Specifically, it is a wonderfully lucid account of the Middle Way method of enlightenment worked out by the great Indian sage Nagarjuna. --Alan Watts, The Book

The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden, is always on my night stand. I return to it again and again in different stages of my life. --Marina Ambramovic

David-Neel herself is often relegated to the ranks of women adventurers; this despite the production of some forty-odd books, several of which have wielded an extraordinary influence. --Harry Oldmeadow, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia

Travel with an Intrepid Explorer into the Heart of Tibet

My Journey to Lhasa is a riveting account of one woman's determination to achieve her goal in the face of numerous formidable obstacles. Written in 1927 by Alexandra David-Neel, a French-Belgian explorer and spiritualist, the book chronicles her arduous journey to the sequestered city of Lhasa, Tibet's religious and administrative capital.

By 1923 David-Neel had already traveled extensively throughout Asia, and because of her keen interest in Buddhist philosophy and culture, she was determined to reach Lhasa. Disguising herself as a Tibetan pilgrim and traveling for months on foot, she endured freezing temperatures and blizzards, living in caves, monasteries, and nomad camps, always wary of being discovered by the authorities. Her journey was fraught with danger and obstacles, including harsh weather, treacherous terrain, and hostile encounters with bandits and officials who sought to prevent her from reaching her destination.

David-Neel arrived in Lhasa in 1924, and there she spent several months living among the Tibetan people and studying Buddhism. She met with high-ranking lamas and gained unique insight into Tibetan culture and religion at a time when the country was largely closed off to the outside world. Her account is vivid and evocative, bringing to life the harsh beauty of the Tibetan landscape and the warmth and hospitality of its people.

My Journey to Lhasa is not only a unique and captivating account of an extraordinary woman's willpower and resourcefulness; it serves today as a valuable historical and cultural document.

This book is also available from Echo Point Books as a paperback (ISBN 1648373275).

A short, accessible, and well-written guide to Buddhism by the remarkable Alexandra David-Neel.

The Secret Oral Teachings in Tibetan Buddhist Sects by Alexandra David-Neel and Lama Yongden, is always on my night stand. I return to it again and again in different stages of my life.--Marina Ambramovic, artist

This is an account of the Madhyamika (Middle Way) school of Buddhism, a method of mediation and enlightenment that was developed by the great Indian teacher Nagarjuna.

In a collaboration between the Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel and her friend, the Tibetan lama Aphur Yongden, these teaching are presented clearly and elegantly, intended for the layman who seeks a way to practice and experience the realization of oneness with all existence.

. . . this is the most direct, no-nonsense, and down-to-earth explanation of Mahayana Buddhism that has been written. Specifically, it is a wonderfully lucid account of the Middle Way method of enlightenment worked out by the great Indian sage Nagarjuna.--Alan Watts, The Book

David-Neél herself is often relegated to the ranks of 'women adventurers' this despite the production of some forty-odd books, several of which have wielded an extraordinary influence.--Harry Oldmeadow, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia

Alexandra David-Neel was born in 1868 in Paris. In her youth she wrote an incendiary anarchist treatise and was an acclaimed opera singer; then she decided to devote her life to exploration and the study of world religions, including Buddhist philosophy. She traveled extensively to in Central Asia and the Far East, where she learned a number of Asian languages, including Tibetan. In 1914, she met Lama Yongden, who became her adopted son, teacher and companion. In 1923, at the age of fifty-five, she disguised herself as a pilgrim and journeyed to Tibet, where she was the first European woman to enter Lhasa, which was closed to foreigners at the time. In her late seventies, she settled in the south of France, where she lived until her death at 101 in 1969.

2014 Reprint of 1932 New York Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Alexandra David-Neel was a Belgian-French explorer, spiritualist, Buddhist, anarchist and writer, most known for her visit to Lhasa, Tibet, in 1924, when it was still forbidden to foreigners. David-Neel wrote over 30 books about Eastern religion, philosophy, and her travels. Her teachings influenced beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, philosopher Alan Watts, and esotericist Benjamin Creme. Seeker, adventurer, pilgrim, and scholar, David-Neel (1868-1969) was the first European woman to explore the once-forbidden city of Lhasa. This memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed during the 1920s among the mystics and hermits of Tibet - including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water. Includes all the photographs from the original edition.

What decided me to go to Lhasa was, above all, the absurd prohibition which closes Thibet. One of the great adventure classics, published in 1927, and considered one of the best adventure books of the last 100 years by Outside magazine, My Journey to Lhasa recounts Alexandra David-Neel's 1924 journey through unknown territory to the forbidden city of Lhasa. Disguised as a Tibetan pilgrim traveling with her adopted son, a native Tibetan, David-Neel made a treacherous midwinter trek over the mountains to Lhasa, encountering bands of robbers, corrupt military agents, bouts of starvation, and wild animals. The first Western woman to be received by any Dalai Lama, the author involves us intensely in a world that no longer exists -- that of free Tibet. . . . Fervent and admirably unsentimental. -- The New York Times Book Review

King Gesar, renowned throughout Tibet and Central Asia, represents the ideal warrior--the principle of all-victorious confidence. As the central force of sanity, he conquers all his enemies, the evil forces of the four directions, who turn people's minds away from the true teachings of Buddhism. These enemies graphically represent the different manifestations of cowardly mind.

As Ch gyam Trungpa explains in the Foreword:

When we talk here about conquering our enemy, it is important to understand that we are not talking about aggression. The genuine warrior does not become resentful or arrogant . . . It is absolutely necessary for the warrior to subjugate his own ambition to conquer at the same time that he is subjugating his other more obvious enemies. Thus the idea of warriorship altogether is that by facing all our enemies fearlessly, with gentleness and intelligence, we can develop ourselves thereby attaining self-realization.

The legends of Gesar usually take weeks for a bard to recount. Filled with magic, adventure, and the triumphs of this great warrior-king, the stories will delight all--young and old alike.

Nestled amid the high peaks and eternal snows of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges, Tibet is home to a centuries-old Buddhist tradition, rich in mystic rites and rituals aimed at helping adherents achieve spiritual bliss. In this fascinating volume, a noted authority delves into the nature and sources of Tibetan mysticism, providing readers with a wealth of information regarding Lamaic rites of initiation and the teachings given to initiates, both during and after the initiation ceremonies.

The author first defines Tibetan mysticism and examines the role of the spiritual guide and the choice of a master. This is followed by a discussion of the nature of the esoteric doctrines and traditional oral instruction. Madame David-Neel then recounts in detail the various kinds of initiations and their aims, including initiations with and without activity, the Mani initiation, and the different meanings of Aum mani padme hum! Also covered are the magic rites known as dubthabs, the gymnastics of respiration, daily spiritual exercises, the contemplation of sun and sky, the dalai lamas, different kinds of morality, and many other topics.

Alexandra David-Neel was a historian of religion and a resident of Tibet for 14 years. As a practicing Buddhist, she participated in many of the spiritual rites and practices described in this book, which gives her account a special immediacy and authenticity. Lucid, objective, and highly readable, Initiations and Initiates in Tibet is a treasury of fact and lore offering valuable insights and information to students of religion and Tibetan Buddhism in particular.

Travel with an Intrepid Explorer into the Heart of Tibet

My Journey to Lhasa is a riveting account of one woman's determination to achieve her goal in the face of numerous formidable obstacles. Written in 1927 by Alexandra David-Neel, a French-Belgian explorer and spiritualist, the book chronicles her arduous journey to the sequestered city of Lhasa, Tibet's religious and administrative capital.

By 1923 David-Neel had already traveled extensively throughout Asia, and because of her keen interest in Buddhist philosophy and culture, she was determined to reach Lhasa. Disguising herself as a Tibetan pilgrim and traveling for months on foot, she endured freezing temperatures and blizzards, living in caves, monasteries, and nomad camps, always wary of being discovered by the authorities. Her journey was fraught with danger and obstacles, including harsh weather, treacherous terrain, and hostile encounters with bandits and officials who sought to prevent her from reaching her destination.

David-Neel arrived in Lhasa in 1924, and there she spent several months living among the Tibetan people and studying Buddhism. She met with high-ranking lamas and gained unique insight into Tibetan culture and religion at a time when the country was largely closed off to the outside world. Her account is vivid and evocative, bringing to life the harsh beauty of the Tibetan landscape and the warmth and hospitality of its people.

My Journey to Lhasa is not only a unique and captivating account of an extraordinary woman's willpower and resourcefulness; it serves today as a valuable historical and cultural document.

This book is also available from Echo Point Books in hardcover (ISBN 1648373712 ).

Famed traveler and mystic Alexandra David-Neel, the first Western woman to see the forbidden city of Lhasa, Tibet, examines Eastern concepts of the afterlife in this classic study.

The question of what occurs to the individual personality after death is fundamental to the human experience. In Immortality and Reincarnation Alexandra David-Neel, the first Western woman to see the forbidden city of Lhasa, Tibet, examines Taoist, Tibetan, and Hindu concepts concerning life after death. Contrary to Western belief, which sees the human being as composed of a mortal body and an immortal soul, many Easterners believe in the immortality of both the body and the soul. Alexandra David-Neel gained firsthand knowledge of these beliefs and the practices they engendered in the course of her travels at the beginning of this century. In Immortality and Reincarnation she ties them together for a unique look at reincarnation and eternal life in a region untouched by the modern world.

Alexandra David-Neel was the first female explorer of Tibet.

Alexandra David-Neel was a Belgian-French explorer, spiritualist, Buddhist, anarchist and writer, most known for her visit to Lhasa, Tibet, when it was still forbidden to foreigners. David-Neel wrote over 30 books about Eastern religion, philosophy, and her travels. Her teachings influenced beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, philosopher Alan Watts, and esotericist Benjamin Creme. Seeker, adventurer, pilgrim, and scholar, David-Neel was the first European woman to explore the once-forbidden city of Lhasa. This memoir offers an objective account of the supernatural events she witnessed among the mystics and hermits of Tibet - including levitation, telepathy, and the ability to walk on water. Includes all the photographs from the original edition.

The Superhuman Life of Gesar of Ling is a book written by Alexandra David-Neel, which chronicles the legendary life of Gesar, a Tibetan king who is believed to have possessed supernatural powers. The book is a fascinating account of the life and exploits of this mythical figure, who is revered by many Tibetans as a hero and a divine being.David-Neel's book is based on her extensive research into Tibetan culture and mythology, as well as her own experiences living among the Tibetan people. She draws on a wide range of sources, including ancient texts, oral traditions, and personal interviews with Tibetan elders, to paint a vivid picture of Gesar's life and times.The book is divided into several sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Gesar's life. The first section introduces the reader to the world of Tibetan mythology and sets the stage for the story of Gesar. The subsequent sections delve into Gesar's early life, his rise to power as a warrior-king, and his many battles against evil forces.Throughout the book, David-Neel explores the many supernatural powers that Gesar is said to have possessed, from his ability to fly and control the elements to his mastery of martial arts and his ability to heal the sick. She also examines the role that Gesar plays in Tibetan culture and religion, and the ways in which his legend continues to inspire and influence people to this day.Overall, The Superhuman Life of Gesar of Ling is a fascinating and engaging book that offers a unique glimpse into the world of Tibetan mythology and the life of one of its most revered figures. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Tibetan culture, mythology, or spirituality.1934. The Gesar of Ling Epic is the Iliad of Central Asia. The origin of the work has come under much discussion. Some declare it is Buddhist, others see in it a solar myth that symbolizes winter and spring. The version presented here was the result of the author having the opportunity to hear the story told by the wandering Rhapsodists and was then able to note down their recitations.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

David Neel's Magic and Mystery in Tibet is a captivating account of his travels in Tibet in 1932, where he encountered a world of mysticism, spirituality, and ancient traditions. This book is a fascinating exploration of Tibetan culture and spirituality, as well as an intriguing insight into the life of a Westerner in a foreign land. Neel offers readers a glimpse into the mystical practices of Tibetan Buddhism, including the use of mantras, meditation, and other spiritual practices. He also delves into the world of Tibetan magic, with its spells, charms, and divination rituals. Through his vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, Neel brings the reader into the heart of Tibet, where he encounters lamas, yogis, and other spiritual practitioners. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Tibetan culture, spirituality, and magic, and offers a unique window into a world that is both fascinating and mysterious.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.