Surfing the Himalayas: A Spiritual Adventure [Paperback]

Frederick Lenz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2007

Rama - Dr. Frederick Lenz, was an American-born enlightened Buddhist teacher. Since Buddhism had adapted in very different ways in countries such as China, Japan, and Tibet, Rama taught Buddhism in contemporary American terms while strictly adhering to the highest traditional standards. He defined the core process as "Self-Discovery," and the spiritual practice as "The Enlightenment Cycle." The Enlightenment Cycle is a balanced combination of intensive daily meditation with full participation in the world, rather than a separation between monastic and worldly life. It is the quality of your morning meditation that enables you to overcome workplace obstacles, and then through excellence in the workplace positive internal energy is generated that in turn fuels an outstanding evening meditation. This daily cycle is the modern "short path" to enlightenment. Although in 25 years of teaching he held many public meditations for over 100,000 people, Rama worked directly with only a few hundred students during most of that time. He integrated other spiritual paths that he felt were on the same level as Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism, in particular the Vedanta tradition of Shankara and Ramakrishna, and the American Indian mysticism described by Carlos Castaneda. He also tried to find things in modern life that would further one's self-discovery, and in computer science saw a career that had much in common with Buddhist visualization techniques. Charged with energy, humor and insight, this is the engaging story of a young American snowboarder who travels to the Himalayas seeking the ultimate high-- but surfs into an experience more transcendent than he could have ever imagined. In an accident of karmic destiny, the young man plows into Master Fwap, a Buddhist monk who takes him on as a spiritual apprentice. Using snowboarding as a path to enlightenment, the wise Master shows how, by freeing the mind and the soul, one can master any mountain--and master oneself.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism; Second Edition edition (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932206124
• ISBN-13: 978-1932206128
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rama - Dr. Frederick Lenz, was an American-born enlightened Buddhist teacher. Since Buddhism had adapted in very different ways in countries such as China, Japan, and Tibet, Rama taught Buddhism in contemporary American terms while strictly adhering to the highest traditional standards.

He defined the core process as "Self-Discovery," and the spiritual practice as "The Enlightenment Cycle." The Enlightenment Cycle is a balanced combination of intensive daily meditation with full participation in the world, rather than a separation between monastic and worldly life. He believed that is the quality of your morning meditation that enables you to overcome workplace obstacles, and then through excellence in the workplace positive internal energy is generated that in turn fuels an outstanding evening meditation. This daily cycle is the modern "short path" to enlightenment.

Although in 25 years of teaching he held many public meditations for over 100,000 people, Rama worked directly with only a few hundred students during most of that time. He integrated other spiritual paths that he felt were on the same level as Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism, in particular the Vedanta tradition of Shankara and Ramakrishna, and the American Indian mysticism described by Carlos Castaneda. He also tried to find things in modern life that would further one's self-discovery, and in computer science saw a career that had much in common with Buddhist mind-strengthening visualization techniques.

Rama, Frederick Lenz wrote a number of popular books about Buddhist teachings including Lifetimes, True Accounts of Reincarnation; Total Relaxation: The Complete Program for Overcoming Worry, Stress, Tension and Fatigue; Surfing the Himalayas and Snowboarding to Nirvana.

He was a major contributor to National Public Radio in Connecticut and a donor and supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Cancer Institute, the AIDS Fund, Amnesty International, the National Museum of Women and the Arts in Washington, D.C., Shotokan Karate, The Cousteau Society and the Audubon Society. Rama passed away on April 12, 1998, in Long Island, New York, and willed the majority of his estate to the Foundation for the purpose of supporting Buddhism in America.

For more information, please visit the foundation website at: fredericklenzfoundation.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real World Guide to Enlightenment - great surprise!, November 18, 2010

By 

Joy Berri - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surfing the Himalayas: A Spiritual Adventure (Paperback)

I stumbled upon this book in my quest to find others who are seeking truth as an alternative to "life on this planet as we know it". I felt that there had to be something more than this reality - something besides this dark, confused, violent and self absorbed state that we live in, "the human condition". Then I found this book, and I had a smile on my face from beginning to end. Since reading the book, I've learned how to meditate and gain surprising amounts of energy in all aspects of my life. It's shocking to me that this is out there - it exists - the truth that Lenz expounds upon, I've now experienced in my own life, in my own way. Before this book, I suspected that it was possible. After reading this book, I found my own treasures of light and silence - guides to truth beyond the human condition, within myself. This book has inspired me in a way that no other book ever has. I've heard that there are some controversies with Lenz - that he had sex and charged tuition. But, SO WHAT! Hehe! So did Padma Sambhava - the " enlightened father" of Tibetan Buddhism - someone else worth learning about. What's wrong with sex, or money, or technology. It seems super cool to me that a supposedly enlightened person lived in our time, in America. It makes me feel that I can become enlightened too! And besides, he's dead! Why are people afraid of someone whose not even here. But his books are here, and they are very clear, exciting and easy to use as a guide to awareness. I've also started listening to his talks at the frederick lenz foundation dot org., and they are totally awesome. It's the real thing! I'd rather find out for myself than to listen to a bunch of internet garbage. This book is out and out inspiring, if you're seeking truth. I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind opener, May 18, 2008

By 

Marisa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surfing the Himalayas: A Spiritual Adventure (Paperback)

Dr. Frederick Lenz writes down the words of wisdom from Master Fwap. This book takes your understanding of this world beyond what you used to believe. You make your own world. So why not make it a happy one?