Customer Reviews

Cave In The Snow

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am deeply moved by Tenzin Palmo's life story. I practice Insight Meditation, and being a woman, I look for stories by other woman practitioners on the Buddhist path that I can indentify with and perhaps aspire to. Definitely Tenzin Palmo is one such woman. I enjoyed her life story, from her English beginnings to her early days as a Tibetan nun in India to her time in her cave to her teachings that came after. I thoroughly enjoyed getting glimpses of her core teachings in the later chapters of the book. And also, the debate of the role of women in Western Buddhism, as well as, being provided with information on some of the other Buddhist women teachers who have chosen to get married and have children with-in their spiritual path. And I think her current quest to build a Tibetan nunnery is so wonderful and inspiring. I highly recommend this inspiring read.

This is an informational and fascinating book. Tenzin Palmo is certainly an unusual person, but she is a beacon for anyone, man or woman, who wants to achieve what the official dogma denies s/he can achieve!

The writing is a bit on the clunky side, but who cares? That's not the point--the point is the Enlightenment, and the fact that Tenzin Palmo would let nothing stand between her and it.

Also, even though I follow the Theravadin path, I found the descriptions and information of Tibetan Buddhism fascinating, and the Dalai Lama comes off even more wonderful and sympathetic than I've ever seen. He does care about the plight of women, in his tradition and out.

A fantastic read! But it does make you want to go on retreat--NOW!

Although I am usually most interested in books relating to Taoism and the martial arts, this book caught my attention. The story of a British woman spending 12 years in a small cave at 13,000 feet in Tibet meditating was one I had to read. Although some readers have said that the author's style turned them off, I must say I had no problem with it. It took me a day to read this book, and I will probably go back and read it again. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that thinks it may be interesting- a GREAT read.

It would seem difficult to commend sufficiently the merit of this book. Despite lackluster writing by journalist Vicki MacKenzie (whose fascinating book on lama Osel, the surprising tulku recently discovered in Spain, seemed affected arbitrarily by the same lack of dynamism in the writing) the story of Tenzin Palmo shines through, and witnesses to a kind of freedom that is the stuff of legend, and a harbinger of peace. Her presence is clear on every page, distinct and standing and shining on its own power, and perhaps in that way MacKenzie's notably waveless style serves the book well. The book is assembled beautifully, MacKenzie takes her time in just the right places; the final few chapters take up a kind of ecstatic explosion of joy, rumbling to a final free-flying celebration of a remarkable woman's life and freedom. I enjoyed it immensely; and what really calls, and remains a part of us is the woman, this rather great personage of achievement, the lama of freedom- Tenzin Palmo! Her teaching is without any superfluous edges, one finds on nearly every page of this book an immensely grateful and happily intelligent woman, one worth considering for the quality of her genuine spiritual impact. One of the more satisfying books I've read this year, its minimalist decor notwithstanding; not that the writing is so impoverished, but a little bloodless, as I say. But take heart, Tendzin Palmo is a bountiful journey! 4 glad stars!

I felt that I was gaining enlightenment just by reading this book. Tenzin Palmo is truly extraordinary. This is a great book for anyone, whether or not they are interested in Buddhism.

A potentially interesting and inspiring story, masacred by a journalist. While Ms. Mackenzie sees, she has a problem to smell, hear and feel. Even though we get into the Cave, she never pulls her reader into the mind and body of the Protagonist; and, while Tenzin Palmo has undoubtedly plenty to say, she says a precious little.

The definition of Enlightement, why to get it and what to do with it after you get it - is hardly there, and the accomplishment of it by the Protagonist, has been circumvented.

Has Tenzin Palmo been truly Enlightened, or just Entertained/never bored? One has to wonder. And, why should Tenzin Palmo seek "Enlightement" while those who already have it, behave like dirty old men? And why those (dirty old men), who supposedly believe in Reincarnation, treat women like dirt? Have they ever been or will plan to be women themselves and get back what they dished out? Where is their logic or even their respect for Karma (cause and effect) pertaining to their actions? Are they truly practicing what they preaching? Or, as Dalai Lama himself says: "Spy on your guru for ten years or more before you can trust him?" Are things in the spiritual enlightement world even worse than in Corporate America or in the Oval Office?

Is twelve years in the Cave (Tensin Palmo), or twelve years on the Rock like the Birdman (of Alcatraz), Machine-gun Kelly or even Al Capone the passport to Enlightement? And, moreover, why Tenzin Palmo, who left the world of the Mammon, is returning to it now, begging? Absence of Indian visa or the lack of computer skills?

This biography of the first western woman Tibetan Buddhist lama, child of the second half of the 20th Century & seeker of spiritual perfection is delightful, frank, detailed & absorbing. Born into war-torn London's East End this girl always felt out of place, survived some astonishingly dangerous childhood traumas & headed pell-mell into London's Swinging Sixties. All the while she's been searching, finding the rare Budhhist community, knowing yet not knowing what to do with her life. Finally she earns enough money for her passage to India & to the exiled Tibetan Buddhist communities in the fabled foothills of the Himalayas. There, when she isn't taken seriously as wanting to immerse herself in the religious life just as the monks do, her determination becomes unshakable & the ultimate feminist battle is engaged. Does the Soul have gender?

This is a stunning book! Exciting & infuriating; transformational & down-to-earth. For the first time my Western mind has been able to grasp the concept of reincarnation.

A superb gift for anyone who has ever contemplated a life of meditation & devotion; for anyone who thinks religion has no humor. This book will have your heart laughing & your spirit bursting open like a flower in sunshine. For my full review please see [my website]

Tenzin Palmo, this book's subject, is a character you will never forget. Full of faith, insight and strength, her dedication to persuing the Path has determined her life and continues to do so. The writer, Vicki Mackenzie, writes a gripping narrative about Tenzin Palmo's life from her beginnings in England (where her interest in the East bloomed) to her voyage to India, to living in a monastary, finding her guru and eventually going up to her cave, where she meditated for 12 years. The book reaches a peak in the chapters about Tenzin Palmo's cave retreat. The book changes directions upon Tenzin Palmo's emergence from the cave, becoming more reportorial and less biographical. Among the topics covered are Tenzin Palmo's efforts in founding a nunnery for her lineage (Kargyu) and to perpatuate the esoteric yogic practices of the Togdenmas, female yogis in this particular Tibetan line. Also interesting chapters on Buddhism in the West (particularly the U.S.) and the role of retreat. An amazing book for anyone who is deepening their spiritual practice, curious about or considering retreat, and highly valuable to women seekers! A wonderful book! Hurrah!

Despite Vicki Mackenzie's breathless tabloid style (which she comes by honestly, as a British tabloid journalist), this book works brilliantly ... and the reason is its subject, Tenzin Palmo, a British woman who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun. Her dry English wit and sterling character shine from every page. The first Western woman to engage in a 12-year meditation retreat in a cave in the Himalayas, Tenzin Palmo describes her spiritual life in a matter-of-fact way that is all the more inspiring for its simplicity and humour. Along the way she tackles the difficult question of women's role in Tibetan Buddhism - I was not surprised to learn that, rather than resting on her own accomplishments, Tenzin Palmo has devoted herself to helping her sister nuns in Asia. An engaging and wonderful book!

A truly inspiring book. Written without sentimentality, it describes the life of Tenzim Palmo and her quest to receive enlightenment. The last few chapters eloquently describe what it is like for women to be on the spiritual path. A must read for anyone who wants to move forward in their understanding of the mystery of life.