Alexandra David Neel Libros

Noted authority discusses mystic rites and doctrines, methods of psychic training, various kinds of initiations and their aims, spiritual exercises, "gymnastics" of respiration, many other topics. Invaluable insights into Tibetan Buddhism. 27 black-and-white illustrations.

This author is the first Westerner to penetrate the sacred city of Lhasa in over 200 years. The text includes a description of the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Guatama, the theory of Interdependent Origins, and other concepts of Buddhism.

This is an account of the Madhyamika (Middle Way) school of Buddhism, a method of mediation and enlightenment that was developed by the great Indian teacher Nagarjuna. In a collaboration between the Frenchwoman Alexandra David-Neel and her friend, the Tibetan lama Aphur Yongden, these teaching are presented clearly and elegantly, intended for the layman who seeks a way to practice and experience the realization of oneness with all existence. Alexandra David-Neel was born in 1868 in Paris. In her youth she wrote an incendiary anarchist treatise and was an acclaimed opera singer; then she decided to devote her life to exploration and the study of world religions, including Buddhist philosophy. She traveled extensively to in Central Asia and the Far East, where she learned a number of Asian languages, including Tibetan. In 1914, she met Lama Yongden, who became her adopted son, teacher, and companion. In 1923, at the age of fifty-five, she disguised herself as a pilgrim and journeyed to Tibet, where she was the first European woman to enter Lhasa, which was closed to foreigners at the time. In her late seventies, she settled in the south of France, where she lived until her death at 101 in 1969.

Famed traveler and mystic Alexandra David-Neel, the first Western woman to see the forbidden city of Lhasa, Tibet, examines Eastern concepts of the afterlife in this classic study. The question of what occurs to the individual personality after death is fundamental to the human experience. In Immortality and Reincarnation Alexandra David-Neel, the first Western woman to see the forbidden city of Lhasa, Tibet, examines Taoist, Tibetan, and Hindu concepts concerning life after death. Contrary to Western belief, which sees the human being as composed of a mortal body and an immortal soul, many Easterners believe in the immortality of both the body and the soul. Alexandra David-Neel gained firsthand knowledge of these beliefs and the practices they engendered in the course of her travels at the beginning of this century. In Immortality and Reincarnation she ties them together for a unique look at reincarnation and eternal life in a region untouched by the modern world.

The narrative centers on King Gesar, an iconic figure celebrated in Tibetan and Central Asian lore, embodying the ultimate warrior spirit and unwavering confidence. He battles malevolent forces from all directions, which symbolize various aspects of fear and distraction that lead people astray from authentic Buddhist teachings. Through his conquests, Gesar serves as a beacon of sanity, promoting the principles of courage and the true path of Buddhism against the backdrop of spiritual warfare.

A practicing Buddhist and Oriental linguist recounts supernatural events she witnessed in Tibet during the 1920s. Intelligent and witty, she describes the fantastic effects of meditation and shamanic magic -- levitation, telepathy, more. 32 photographs.

"In 1923 a stout fifty-five-year-old Frenchwoman named Madame Alexandra David-Neel, a former opera singer and a dedicated student of the East, disguised herself as a male pilgrim and ascended to the ancient Tibetan city of Lhasa. Her classic account of her adventure was first published in 1927"--Jacket

Embark on an adventurous journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Tibet with a daring explorer. The narrative delves into the rich cultural tapestry and spiritual essence of the region, showcasing its ancient traditions and stunning scenery. Readers will encounter the challenges of high-altitude travel, meet local inhabitants, and gain insights into Tibetan Buddhism. This immersive experience offers a unique perspective on the mystical allure of Tibet, blending adventure with profound cultural exploration.