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Keeping The Dalai Lama Waiting & Other Stories: An English Woman's Journey to Becoming a Buddhist Lama Paperback – 8 May 2020

by Lama Shenpen Hookham (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 82 ratings
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How does an English, Christian girl grow up to be an acclaimed Tibetan Buddhist Lama? It was a search for Truth and a deep wish to understand the mind that led a young, determined Susan Rowan (b.1946) from suburban Essex, England, to the foothills of the Himalayas in the early 1970s. On the instruction of famed Tibetan Buddhist master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, she headed East to ‘absorb the vibes’ as he put it. There she met and was taught by some of the most eminent Tibetan Lamas and yogins of our time, including Kalu Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche and The 16th Karmapa, who ordained her as a nun and subsequently sent her back to the west to teach.At the request of her students, Lama Shenpen Hookham tells her fascinating and unconventional life story. Her encounters with her teachers are insightful, moving and often humorous anecdotes of her extraordinary spiritual journey, sharing first-hand experience of how differing cultures and ways of thinking overlap and collide with unexpected consequences. At the heart of this book is a quest for truth – an ongoing discovery of the true nature of mind, yet as we discover, this is more about the heart in its deepest sense. Working as a translator to the first wave of Tibetan Buddhist teachers to Europe, gave Lama Shenpen a unique insight into how to adapt the most profound teachings of the Buddha for a western audience. Since gaining a PHD at Oxford in Buddhist doctrine in the 1980s (doing so on the advice of her main teacher Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche,) she has worked tirelessly to make the profound Truth at the heart of Buddhist teachings on meditation, reflection and insight (Dzogchen and Mahamudra) accessible to others, through a unique training called Living the Awakened Heart.On the advice of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Lama Shenpen made her base in north-west Wales where she lives today in semi-retreat, working on her writing and teaching her students, members of the Awakened Heart Sangha - www.ahs.org.uk"This is a fascinating personal account of a young English woman finding a connection with Tibetan lamas and nuns during and after the 1970s in India and Nepal.” Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo “Lama Shenpen Hookham is an inspiring figure in the world of Tibetan Buddhism with her great knowledge of the precious Buddhadharma and mastery of the Tibetan language. “ Her Eminence Khandro Rinpoche“Shenpen points to the power of seemingly ordinary student teacher encounters, and how much transpires in intimate, tender, humorous moments of connection so central to the spiritual path.” Judy Lief, Buddhist teacher, author & editor
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  1. Print length
    354 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    8 May 2020
  4. Dimensions
    15.24 x 2.03 x 22.86 cm
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8617593411
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B088B8163K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 8 May 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8617593411
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 522 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.03 x 22.86 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 82 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
82 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's stories engaging, with one review highlighting its fascinating insights into historical periods. Moreover, the book is accessible, with one customer noting its straightforward and simple presentation. Additionally, customers describe the book as inspiring, with one mentioning it's a must-read for those interested in Buddhism.

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8 customers mention ‘Story quality’8 positive0 negative

Customers love the stories in the book, describing them as a dear autobiography, with one customer noting it provides fascinating insights into a period of history.

"This books is replete with fascinating insights into a period of history that was brief but spectacular...." Read more

"...Told with honesty ,humour and simplicity ,this is a book that will stay with you and it leaves a lasting impression of the joys, struggles and..." Read more

"This is a truly moving and fascinating story following the author's journey in listening to her heart in her search for meaning and truth...." Read more

"...This provides striking insights into how the Tibetan Buddhist path really works, showing a way that is rooted in truth and experience rather than..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Accessibility’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly accessible, with one mentioning its frank and simple approach.

"...book contains a wealth of teaching — all of which is highly accessible to the average reader." Read more

"...Told with honesty ,humour and simplicity ,this is a book that will stay with you and it leaves a lasting impression of the joys, struggles and..." Read more

"...what she has been told, what she throught and felt, in a frank and simple way...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Uplifting’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book uplifting and inspiring, with one customer noting it leaves a lasting impression of joy, while another mentions it is a must-read for those interested in Buddhism.

"Such an uplifting and informative read...for folk interested in one person's journey in life, whether or not they have any knowledge of Buddhist..." Read more

"...of intimate and humorous accounts of living and learning with extraordinary Buddhist teachers, it feels as if the reader is with her on her journey..." Read more

"Compelling story right from the off. A must read for anyone interested in Buddhism" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Robert Johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Important History
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 July 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This books is replete with fascinating insights into a period of history that was brief but spectacular. Amongst those who travelled to the Himalayas in the 1960s and 1970 in search of Vajrayana are significant heroes and heroines who will be remembered as such by future generations. Tibetan Lamas had only just come out of Tibet and the early days of the exile were remarkable in terms of their accessibility to Western people. Lama Shen’phen was one of those people — and her memoirs are well worth reading. This book contains a wealth of teaching — all of which is highly accessible to the average reader.
    One person found this helpful
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  • angela
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book for everyone
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 June 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Such an uplifting and informative read...for folk interested in one person's journey in life, whether or not they have any knowledge of Buddhist teachings. Told with honesty ,humour and simplicity ,this is a book that will stay with you and it leaves a lasting impression of the joys, struggles and achievements of the author over the years.
    I wish her well...and look forward to any more tales that may be published in the future.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • jon sage
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, intimate, moving and inspiring.....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a truly moving and fascinating story following the author's journey in listening to her heart in her search for meaning and truth. Full of intimate and humorous accounts of living and learning with extraordinary Buddhist teachers, it feels as if the reader is with her on her journey through all it's joys and difficulties. What is most inspiring is her courage and commitment in following what is most meaningful to her.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • JonBoy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An honesty that is richly informative for practitioners
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    What stands out for me about this book is the honesty. Lama Shenpen talks about what she has experienced, what she has been told, what she throught and felt, in a frank and simple way. This provides striking insights into how the Tibetan Buddhist path really works, showing a way that is rooted in truth and experience rather than piety and dogma.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • angelina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very dear autobiography
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 September 2020
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    Straight from the heart autobiography of one of the most impressive women seekers (and finders!) of contemporary Buddhism. And it in many little loving tales of teachers and other people.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Longwinded
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 November 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Learnt more about Buddhism but my learning was negative in many ways because of all the difficulties faced by protagonist. Book was a rambling diary. Would have been better if well organised and edited.
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  • S. Yong
    5.0 out of 5 stars Help me connect to the lineage much more
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 December 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Love the stories. They helped me connect more to my teacher’s teachers. It’s useful to learn about Lama Shenpen’s struggles too.
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  • Bongoboy
    1.0 out of 5 stars The elephant in the room
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2023
    With her many years of experience and knowledge it is incomprehensible how the author says nothing about abuse of students by Tibetan gurus. This has been well documented and yet this book published in 2020 utterly fails to warn those who might become involved in Tibetan Buddhism. Given that several teachers (eventually exposed as abusers) appear in this book I assumed the author would have some wise words to offer on this institutional problem. This book is interesting in various ways especially the early efforts to establish Buddha dharma in the West and problems in translation etc. Yet Tibetan Buddhist centres and organisations are regularly rocked by scandals with those in positions of influence pretending nothing untoward is happening. Deeply disappointed that another opportunity was missed to address the elephant in the room.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Joy Bose
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing read for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism
    Reviewed in India on 19 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book on Kindle. It describes the life of lama Shenpen, an English Buddhist teacher who spent many years studying, meditating and translating for renowed Tibetan yogins and lamas. It is written in a very honest and refreshing way,. It is also quite readable, despite being over 400 pages. I almost couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

    In the book, Lama Shenpen covers so many cross cultural issues she faced being from a traditional English background and suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar cultural context as a nun in India at a relatively young age. The readers may find themselves feeling like they are present with the author in some of those moments. She also describes many invaluable life teachings she received from realized lamas such as Khenpo Tsultrim and Kalu Rinpoche.

    All in all, it describes a long and continuing spiritual journey with all its ups and downs. It is not common for one person to have such a variety of experiences in the course of one life, but Lama Shenpen showed it is possible for someone determined to sacrifice everyone in the search for truth, repeatedly throwing an established life to the winds and jumping into the unknown when the situation demanded it.

    It is almost a must read for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as those interested in or curious about the renunciate path.
    Customer image
    Joy Bose
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    An amazing read for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism

    Reviewed in India on 19 May 2020
    I got this book on Kindle. It describes the life of lama Shenpen, an English Buddhist teacher who spent many years studying, meditating and translating for renowed Tibetan yogins and lamas. It is written in a very honest and refreshing way,. It is also quite readable, despite being over 400 pages. I almost couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

    In the book, Lama Shenpen covers so many cross cultural issues she faced being from a traditional English background and suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar cultural context as a nun in India at a relatively young age. The readers may find themselves feeling like they are present with the author in some of those moments. She also describes many invaluable life teachings she received from realized lamas such as Khenpo Tsultrim and Kalu Rinpoche.

    All in all, it describes a long and continuing spiritual journey with all its ups and downs. It is not common for one person to have such a variety of experiences in the course of one life, but Lama Shenpen showed it is possible for someone determined to sacrifice everyone in the search for truth, repeatedly throwing an established life to the winds and jumping into the unknown when the situation demanded it.

    It is almost a must read for anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as those interested in or curious about the renunciate path.
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    One person found this helpful
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