What the Lotus Said: A Journey to Tibet and Back [Paperback]

Eric Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2003

Yes, it’s about Tibet, but not the mystical wonderland of Western imagination. There is magic, to be sure -- saints who pass invisibly among prison guards, ceremonies that stop torrential rain, and a ferocious landscape that inspires uneasy reverence. But the country described in these pages is incontestably real, harsh, and shocking.

What the Lotus Said is the story of Eric Swanson’s journey through East Tibet in the company of a Tibetan lama and several other Americans. The ostensible purpose of the trip is humanitarian supporting fledgling schools and bringing medical aid to nomads—but Swanson, a self-confessed “spiritual shopper,” nurses private hopes of enjoying a peak experience in a cave once inhabited by the eithth-century mystic who transcribed the classic Tibetan Book of the Dead. Through episodes alternately comic and harrowing, Swanson gradually discovers the liberating power of disenchantment, and in a startling turn of events, at last deciphers his lama’s cryptic statement that Tibetan Buddhism offers Westerners a way to die.

Written in a fragmentary style evocative of the classic text that inspired Swanson’s journey, What the Lotus Said introduces the reader to the irreducible complexities inherent in the search for spiritual solace.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After studying with his lama for three years in the U.S., Swanson (The Boy in the Lake) accompanies him to Tibet, where he begins his spiritual journey. Swanson writes beautifully of the Buddhist saints who left their civilized countries to bring Buddhism to a people known for their "demons, ogres, dragons... and mountains that gleamed like white fangs." He experiences the usual revelations about bad food, miserable bus rides, lodgings, poorly clothed people and poverty. A doctor traveling with them finds many cases of Tibetans complaining of heart pain, very troubling medically until she discovers that they are describing their depression. Swanson and the doctor realize that he word for "heart" is the same as the word for "mind." The author nicely documents the stories of the saints and Tibetan history in general. The popularity of Tibetan Buddhism, the success of the Dalai Lama's books as well as a growing awareness of the Tibetan plight under the Chinese will deposit this successfully on the growing shelves of Tibetan travel memoirs.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is the narrative of an American novelist and playwright's encounter with Tibetan Buddhism and subsequent journey to eastern Tibet. Traveling with others, including an American doctor on a medical mission and a Tibetan lama, Swanson (The Boy in the Lake) enters from Xining and proceeds to Kham, Yushu, and ultimately to a cave, hoping to find an answer suggested by the title of the book. What he finds is lost luggage, diarrhea, filthy toilets, repulsive food, and grinding poverty. Whether he loses his faith or not is not clear to this reviewer. He does provide catchy dialog and crisp description, but the book will make little contribution to the understanding of either Tibet or Buddhism. More seriously, it is flawed by a lack of a map or any other illustrative matter. With so many excellent travel books on Tibet available, this one can be passed up by most public libraries. Harold M. Otness, formerly of Southern Oregon Univ. Lib., Ashland
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312283733
• ISBN-13: 978-0312283735
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,789,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Self as a "Stream of Being", June 6, 2002

By 

Joseph J. Hanssen "Joe" (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Lotus Said: A Journey to Tibet and Back (Hardcover)

I have always had a interest in Buddhism and was immediately attracted to this book when I heard about it. I was familiar with Eric's writing before having read and truly enjoyed his first book, THE BOY IN THE LAKE. This story is an inspirational, and fascinating account of the journey of Eric Swanson through Eastern Tibet with a Tibetan Lama and several other American followers. The trip was basically made for humanitarian reasons, to bring medical aid, and other supplies to schools and other groups in need in Tibet.

If you have ever had any interest in Buddhism or just dreamed of what it would be like to travel to Tibet, this book is magical, very informative, and an easy read. I read it in one evening. It's much more than a travel log, and written with the general reader in mind. Any age group would benefit and enjoy this book. The hardships and disenchantment that Eric and the others experienced on this journey seemed overwhelming at times. Traveling from a country that has so much, to a country with so little, makes you appreciate what you do have so much more. Eric even begins to ask himself " Why am I a Buddhist"? There is much questioning at times on his part, but very positive results do occur for him in "Seeing the Light". We learn that Tibetan masters often refer to the individual self as a "Stream of Being", meaning that an enormous variety of conditions contribute to our life each and every moment we exist. How true! I think this sums up the true meaning of life itself.

A very thought provoking, intelligent, and interesting book. I certainly learned a great deal from Eric's reliving his spiritual journey for us. It was easy to visualize, interpret, and compare his feelings with my own beliefs. The author has succeeded in accomplishing what he set out to do by entertaining & teaching us a little bit about Eastern Tibet and Buddhism. The search for Spiritual solace can be complicated, and a long process, but certainly worth the effort. Highly Recommended!

Joe Hanssen

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Reality of the Spiritual Quest, April 1, 2002

By 

TruthSeeker (New York City, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What the Lotus Said: A Journey to Tibet and Back (Hardcover)

I had the great pleasure of both meeting and dining with Eric Swanson, for the very first time, yesterday, Easter 2002. He is one of the most pleasant and personable dinner companions that anyone could ever wish for. Somewhere during our conversation he mentioned that he had written this book, and then produced a copy for me as a gift. As the evening progressed I found myself wishing that I could spend many more hours in his charming company. I began reading "What the Lotus Said" as soon as I returned home to prolong the contact. Eric in his conversational tone immediately takes you from your own reality and whisks you into his own spiritual quest without once losing his firm grip upon your hand and heart and mind. You never flounder as you accompany him through this wild adventure of discovery and awareness described with such clarity that it rivals any "reality show" I've ever seen, and he does so with both feet firmly on the ground. Nor is there ever the slightest hint of being "talked down to" which unfortunately is all too common in this genre.
Eric Swanson's mingling of mindfulness and wit truly make him a Buddhist master and this book is a thumping good read!

He has impeccable table manners as well!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What the lotus didn't say, July 4, 2005

By 

Dr. Jan B. Newman (Clinton, Mt. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Lotus Said: A Journey to Tibet and Back (Paperback)

This book is one of the better written of the stream of books that are now arriving from Americans visiting Tibet. The book flows on giving a realistic view of what life in China and Tibet is currently like and presents some beginning concepts of Buddhism to the uninitiated. Swanson is a wordsmith and the book carries greater depth than some of the others.

We all carry who we are into our adventures and writing and Eric does this. Unfortunately he is a product of his NYC urban culture which prevents him and us from fully appreciating his adventure. This adds adds a touch of NY cynicism and self-indulgence. Atleast he put out the effort to learn some Chinese which is more than most Americans would do.

It apppears that he is studying Buddhism for a good death rather than becoming enlightened. I would say that this book is a worthwhile read, but don't expect to have high realizations; this spiritual adventurer has a ways to go.

Once again I am reminded of how soft we Americans have become as a culture. Our pioneering ancesters are long forgotten as well as our understanding that hardship isn't all bad. I wish there was more heart in this book, but then I wish there was more heart in most Americans for if one understands what the lotus really said one would be enlightened.