Snowboarding to Nirvana: A Novel (Paperback)

by Frederick Lenz (Author) "It was late afternoon in the Himalayas..." (more)
Key Phrases: Master Fwap, Tantric Buddhist, Santa Claus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Once again Frederick Lenz (author of the bestselling Surfing the Himalayas) uses snowboarding as the metaphor for maneuvering through the ice and powder of life. Our snowboarding hero must solve the spiritual riddle of "the missing dimension" before he can reach the next level of enlightenment. Paradoxes, Bruce Lee movies, Tibetan tantric texts, and a love affair with a Danish woman offer the puzzling clues and exotic visuals. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Lenz achieved notoriety with his first book, Surfing the Himalayas (Warner, 1995); this second installment to a planned trilogy slogs through much of the same territory. This time, as his alter ego snowboards in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, in addition to (Zen) Master Fwap, Lenz has added a character called the Oracle and selections from "The Handbook for Enlightenment." There's also Nadia, a Danish sex partner and short-term soul mate. (Lenz's puerile fantasies result in some of the funniest sex scenes ever contrived.) Our hero defines himself in a pair of telling paragraphs. "What kind of person am I? I do just what I want to....I am just freaked out about taking on responsibilities. I want to be free, that's all." Lenz tells us, through Master Fwap and the Oracle, that one of the characteristics of enlightenment is an outrageous sense of humor. It would be comforting to think this work is a clever satire; unfortunately, Lenz seems to take himself most seriously. Recommended only for collections where his previous book circulated well.
-?Janet N. Ross, Sparks Branch Lib., Nev.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312181795
• ISBN-13: 978-0312181796
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #772,931 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dont' read this book - it might change your life!!, October 6, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Nice, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snowboarding to Nirvana (Hardcover)

Snowboarding to Nirvana is so exciting that I finished it in only 2 nights - I couldn't put it down. There are really cool spiritual lessons in this book that I will never forget. I've read plenty of books on Eastern philosophy and religion but this one is by far the most fun and inspiring. The meditation techniques explained in the book are great - they are easy to practice and they really work. My intuition is stronger, I feel I'm more energetic throughout the day, I'm happier and more optimistic, and negative feelings and anxieties don't stick around as much! On top of that, the book is full of many adventures and romantic encounters intertwined with some really cool tips on this awesome sport - snowboarding. After reading this book I had to give it a shot! For the women out there - you gotta try it! Read this book and get on the slopes. But beware - you'll get hooked!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is priceless., January 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Snowboarding to Nirvana (Hardcover)

With a mischievous sense of humor and a determined refusal to take himself too seriously, Dr. Lenz takes us on a roller coaster ride from the highs of the Himalayas to the lows of smogged-out LA, and leaves us in breathless wonder. I love this book, not only for the purity and beauty of the Buddhist concepts it discusses, but for making them so approachable to a member of Generation X growing up and living in the west. I read this book whenever I need to be reminded that there is more to life than the stressed out world that meets our senses. This book is a breath of fresh air. I recommend it to all spiritual seekers, snowboarders, and people simply seeking new dimensions of light and happiness.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buddhist Revelations from the Snowboard..., May 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Snowboarding to Nirvana (Hardcover)

Of course I was going to buy ths book! I read the first release, Surfing the Himalayas, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. The first book explained meditation and mindfulness in a more clear and entertaining way than any other Buddhist or Eastern philosphy-type book I've ever read. The second go 'round of Frederick Lenz's intense adventures in the snow covered peaks of the world's largest snowboard park had me crazily wanting to go there myself. I started boarding after reading the first book, and it has effected my whole life - literally. The second volume of Tantric Buddhist knowledge and wisdom is a western Buddhists crown jewel! These days, people who practice self discovery need something different to re-inspire their journey to enlightenment. If you want a new slant on ancient Buddhist teachings, this is what you've been looking for. It's easy to say, but the messages were so clear that I'm literally a changed person because of them. If you read this, Thank you, Frederick Lenz! I love snowboarding, and I love your books! THANK YOU! I am eagerly awaiting your next epic.