Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas [Hardcover]

Matthieu Ricard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2008

A sublime photographic record of Ricard's yearlong retreat in the foothills of the Himalayas.

A photographer and Buddhist monk, Matthieu Ricard recently spent one year in retreat at the hermitage of Pema Osel near Kathmandu. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, nestled between lush valleys and the towering Himalayas, Ricard meditated daily, waiting for the light that illuminates the path to awakening.

Each day from his sublime viewpoint, he contemplated the different subtleties of light: at dawn, before dusk, and in the evening. At the rhythm of one image per week, he captured the magnificent landscapes that surrounded him. These photographs, taken from the hermitage's terrace and nearby, reflect the elation of bearing witness to nature's harmony. 80 color photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The hermit tradition is part of many spiritual practices, and Ricard, a Buddhist monk and a photographer, had the good fortune and grace to retreat for a year in a hut in the foothills of the Himalayas near Kathmandu. His “motionless journey” was an immersion in light. In silence he watched the sun, moon, stars, wind, and clouds transform the valley and mountains. His saturated, contemplative photographs are at once magnificent and subtle, the burnished stones, trees, birds, and mists reminiscent of classic Asian landscape art, the gradations of color like those of Rothko. Prayer flags and rainbows, golden beams and deep shadows, each radiant, meditative image is accompanied by a quote. From the Dalai Lama, “The question is not to know the meaning of life, but what meaning I can give to my life.” From Gandhi, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” To spend time with Ricard’s exquisite photographs of an exalted place is to dwell in wonder and gratitude. --Donna Seaman

About the Author

Matthieu Ricard has created numerous books, including Tibet: An Inner Journey. He has lived in the Himalayas for almost thirty years, and has been the French interpreter for the Dalai Lama since 1989.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500543526
• ISBN-13: 978-0500543528
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 11.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,010,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk who had a promising career in cellular genetics before leaving France to study Buddhism in the Himalayas 35 years ago. He is a bestselling author, translator and photographer, and an active participant in current scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain. He lives and works on humanitarian projects in Tibet and Nepal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, May 14, 2009

By 

Michele Hinchman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas (Hardcover)

I have always enjoyed Matthieu Ricard's photography. This book gives a visual taste of what he must have experienced while on retreat in the Himalayas. It is a beautiful book to take time with. It was also nice to know that Matthieu Ricard's share of the proceeds are entirely donated to various humanitarian projects in Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan. May his life and practice continue to be of benefit to all.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A bit of a disappointment, September 20, 2009

By 

Richard Smith (SE Michigan) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas (Hardcover)

Anyone familiar with 'Buddhist Himalayas' (Mathieu Ricard's and Olivier and Danielle Follmi's absolutely outstanding book of photography) will be disappointed by 'Motionless Journey.'

The photography, the printing, and the written content of 'Motionless Journey' are all decidedly sub-standard when compared to 'Buddhist Himalayas'.

Compared to 'Motionless Journey' ($45; 70 illustrations, about 160 pages), 'Buddhist Himalayas' ($55; 140 illustrations, 424 pages) is a bargain. Compared to almost any photographic book, 'Buddhist Himalayas' is a bargain. And a delight, page after page after page.

I bought 'Motionless Journey,' sight unseen, because of 'Buddhist Himalayas.'

As you've probably gathered, it was a bit of a disappointment.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meditation on each page, October 12, 2008

By 

M. B. El - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the Himalayas (Hardcover)

After I liked so much "Tibet an inner journey" by Matthieu Ricard, I bought that book. What a wonderful book. While the photos in "Tibet" tell the story of a journey thru Ricard's wonderful and sensitive camera's lens. "Motionless Journey" tells a story of motionless journey. Great mountains, clouds, birds and light/dark and color games. Highly recommended. Just look at the photos and feel it. Enjoy