A Step Away from Paradise
The True Story of a Tibetan Lama's Journey to a Land of Immortality
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Narrated by:
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Philip Battley
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By:
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Thomas K. Shor
About this listen
It was the early 1960s. The place, a far-off corner of the Himalayas long fabled in Tibetan tradition to be hiding a valley of immortality among its peaks and glaciers - a real-life Shangri-La. They waited generations for the prophesied lama to come, the one with the secret knowledge of how to "open" the Hidden Land. Then, one day, he came. His name was Tulshuk Lingpa.
This book tells the true story of this charismatic visionary lama and his remarkable expedition. Against the wishes of the kings of both Sikkim and Nepal, he and over three hundred followers ventured up the snowy slopes of the third highest mountain of the planet. Their aim: to open a crack in the very fabric of reality and go to a land we would all wish to inhabit if it were only there - a land of peace and concord.
Forty years later, the author spends over five years tracking down the surviving members of this extraordinary expedition. He deftly weaves their stories together with humor, wisdom, and scholarly research into Tibetan traditions of Hidden Lands, all the while reflecting on what this means for the rest of us.
“Like no other book I have ever read…a riveting tale of adventure…honest to the real spirit of Tibet…both unique and intriguing…an engrossing read. Highly recommended.” (Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, from the Foreword)
From Tulshuk Lingpa’s Guidebook to the Hidden Land:
“Don’t listen to anybody. Decide by yourself and practice madness. Develop courage for the benefit of all sentient beings. Then you will automatically be free from the knot of attachment. Then you will continually have the confidence of fearlessness and you can then try to open the Great Door of the Hidden Place.”
What would have happened...
If Lewis Carroll had proclaimed the reality of Alice’s Wonderland? What if he had gathered a following and launched an expedition?
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Excellent all around!
- By Lynn on 09-06-12
By: Yangzom Brauen
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Mesoamerican Mythology
- Fascinating Myths and Legends of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monster from the Ancient Maya, Inca and Aztec Mythology
- By: Simon Lopez
- Narrated by: Neil Hamilton
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you know that the Mayans believed that the Earth was flat with four poles supporting the sky? Or that the Inca Emperors were thought to be the direct descendant of the sun god himself? The early Mesoamericans were a mysterious bunch. In this audiobook we will dive deep into their world of Myths and captivating stories of the creation of the world, adventures of heroes and even love stories between goddess and mortal.
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Modern Twist
- By A. Capps on 12-27-19
By: Simon Lopez
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Enlightened Vagabond
- The Life and Teachings of Patrul Rinpoche
- By: Matthieu Ricard - editor and translator, Constance Wilkinson - editor
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Colorful stories about and profound teachings of Patrul Rinpoche, one of the most impactful teachers and thinkers in the Tibetan tradition from the 19th century.
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Understanding the linage
- By H. Isbell on 09-08-17
By: Matthieu Ricard - editor and translator, and others
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At the Eleventh Hour
- The Biography of Swami Rama
- By: Pandit Rajmani Tigunait Ph.D.
- Narrated by: D. C. Rao Ph.D.
- Length: 17 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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On the surface, this is a biography of an accomplished seeker who mastered the practices of yoga and brought a system for understanding the mysteries of body, mind, and spirit to students in the West. But, like the life of Swami Rama, this audiobook offers more than a sequence of astonishing events. As you read the stories of authentic guru-disciple relationships Swami Rama had both with his master and with his own students, you will see how the spiritual wisdom is transmitted through generations. This book also serves as a guide to advanced practices of yoga and tantra not commonly understood in modern times.
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Thought provoking and insightful
- By Hari on 03-24-15
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One Blade of Grass
- Finding the Old Road of the Heart, a Zen Memoir
- By: Henry Shukman
- Narrated by: Henry Shukman
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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This is the story of how a meditation practice gave Henry Shukman a context for integrating a sudden spiritual awakening into his life and how his depression and anxiety were gradually healed through this practice. In sharing how he grew into a Zen teacher, Shukman demystifies Zen training, casting its profound insights in simple, lucid language. Along the way, One Blade of Grass guides listeners on a journey of their own, into the hidden treasures that contemplative practice can reveal to any of us.
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Boring
- By Elvis on 09-10-20
By: Henry Shukman
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Dreamwalker
- The Ballad of Sir Benfro, Book 1
- By: J.D. Oswald
- Narrated by: Wayne Forester
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Ballad of Sir Benfro: Dreamwalker, the first installment in the new fantasy series from JD Oswald, read by Wayne Forester. Miles from the great cities of the Twin Kingdoms, a young boy called Errol tries to find his way in the world. He's an outsider, and no one, not even himself, has any knowledge of his true lineage. Deep in the forest, Benfro, the young male dragon begins his training in the subtle arts.
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Entertaining, albeit predictable
- By Marilyn C on 02-05-15
By: J.D. Oswald
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Sumerian Mythology: Fascinating Myths and Legends of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monster from the Ancient Mesopotamian Sumerian Mythology
- By: Simon Lopez
- Narrated by: Neil Hamilton
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Do you know that the Sumerians believed that: The moon was actually a god child conceived unintentionally by the God Enlil and a maid? Or that humans were first created to do the chores on earth for the Gods and Goddesses? The ancient Sumerians lived a difficult life, and this is reflected in their myths. However, also reflected in their stories is their love for justice and the values which they most supported, among them beauty, honor, and truthfulness.
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Not a True Mythology
- By Glenda Nichols on 05-21-19
By: Simon Lopez
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Anticipation
- A Novel
- By: Melodie Winawer
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy, Samantha Desz, Jonathan Davis, and others
- Length: 14 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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From the author of the “engrossing historical epic” (Booklist) The Scribe of Siena comes a thrilling tale set in the crumbling city of Mystras, Greece, in which a scientist’s vacation with her young son quickly turns into a fight for their lives after they cross paths with a man out of time.
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Historical novel with a twist
- By Jbbee on 07-05-22
By: Melodie Winawer
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A Pilgrimage to Eternity
- From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith
- By: Timothy Egan
- Narrated by: Timothy Egan
- Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Moved by his mother's death and his Irish Catholic family's complicated history with the church, Timothy Egan decided to follow in the footsteps of centuries of seekers to force a reckoning with his own beliefs. He embarked on a thousand-mile pilgrimage through the theological cradle of Christianity, exploring one of the biggest stories of our time: the collapse of religion in the world that it created. The goal: walking to St. Peter's Square, in hopes of meeting the galvanizing pope who is struggling to hold together the church through the worst crisis in half a millennium.
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Adventures while in quarantine! ❤️
- By Mandi Lee on 03-25-20
By: Timothy Egan
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Chinese Mythology
- Myths, Goddesses, and Gods From China
- By: Sally Stephens
- Narrated by: Kenneth Ellison
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Many people think of the Greek or the Romans when they think of mythology, but the Chinese have an extensive history of myths and mysterious beliefs in the supernatural. In this guide, you will become acquainted with the most common stories and gods from the orient. Stories and legends such as the eight immortals, the war between the gods, the famous story of the monkey king, the alchemist, the Yen Ch’ eng god, and so many others will blow you away.
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Perfect
- By Jamie on 12-25-19
By: Sally Stephens
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Chinese Mythology
- Engaging Tales and Intricate Stories from China
- By: Jane Hampton
- Narrated by: Christopher Knight
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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In this book in the series, the most important legends from China will come to light. You will learn about the famous monkey who became a god through his clever trickery and struggles, for instance. This is an amazing story that has inspired millions to depict the protagonist in paintings, sculptures, and other art works.
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Chinese myths
- By Anonymous User on 02-14-20
By: Jane Hampton
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Chinese Mythology: Ancient and Asian Deities, Demons, and Eternal Beings
- By: John Feisel
- Narrated by: Ric Chetter
- Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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You are in luck, because you are about to be entertained by some of the most engaging, supernatural stories from Chinese mythology.
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John Feisel did great
- By Bettie on 11-21-19
By: John Feisel
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The Innocents Abroad
- Or, The New Pilgrim’s Progress
- By: Mark Twain
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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In June 1867, Mark Twain set out for Europe and the Holy Land on the paddle steamer Quaker City. His enduring, no-nonsense guide for the first-time traveler also served as an antidote to the insufferably romantic travel books of the period.
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Twain's Hidden Gem
- By Cynthia Franks on 05-08-12
By: Mark Twain
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Japanese Ghost Stories
- Penguin Classics
- By: Lafcadio Hearn
- Narrated by: Eleanor Matsuura
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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In this collection of classic ghost stories from Japan, beautiful princesses turn out to be frogs, paintings come alive, deadly spectral brides haunt the living and a samurai delivers the baby of a Shinto goddess with mystical help. Here are all the phantoms and ghouls of Japanese folklore: 'rokuro-kubi', whose heads separate from their bodies at night; 'jikininki', or flesh-eating goblins; and terrifying faceless 'mujina' who haunt lonely neighbourhoods.
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Japanese pronunciation a problem
- By CT on 01-20-21
By: Lafcadio Hearn
What listeners say about A Step Away from Paradise
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Matthew
- 02-11-20
Fascinating
I loved this book in so many ways. Brilliantly written . Beautifully told. The narrator was absolutely first class.
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- David Beers
- 10-14-19
Deeply affecting
Inspiring, thrilling and powerful, I suspect I will be thinking about this account for a very long time.
This book works beautifully on multiple levels: as a mind-bending logic-defying story of modern day magic and adventure, as a brilliant revelation of the depth and power of human meaning-making in difficult situations, and—for Western people like myself with an interest in Vajrayana Buddhist practice—a precious example of how Buddhist doctrines of karma, pure view, emptiness and compassion can be *lived* experience.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-04-21
Incredible Story
Masterfully told and narrated. I was transported to lands I may never visit. Thank you!
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- Shay and Keith
- 12-06-20
A Mystical Journey
What a pleasure to listen to this story of adventure and faith. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to listen to it again.
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- Patricia
- 04-29-23
Absolutely Inspiring!
There are so many excellent teachings in this intriguing story.
I loved it and will listen to it again.
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- Brenda
- 07-01-19
Wonderful book, Great Narration, Magic!
I first read the paperback version and loved it. When I heard the audio book had come out, I just had to get it. Sometimes the movie of a book or the audio book can ruin the experience you had while reading. But not in this case! The way it was narrated brought out aspects of this true story I didn’t get in the first reading, layers of meaning beneath the surface. Now I want to read the book again! Such a magical, yet true story from the Tibetan world. A great book for anyone with a sense of wonder. No need to have an interest in Tibet, Buddhism, or any other belief for that matter. A real human story of what we all wish for, somewhere deep down inside: a place of peace, free of strife and troubles. I’d give it six stars if I could!!
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7 people found this helpful
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- Dorena Rode
- 08-06-22
Wow!
An amazing read. The author has done a stunning job telling the story from many points of view on the life of an important terton. The research and completeness make this book a true treasure. And the story is riveting like a good novel.
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- Trisha E Roblee
- 03-28-24
Learning about Tibetan Buddhist traditions
I enjoyed getting a peak into the minds of a famous lingpa and the people who were drawn to follow him.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-13-20
Awesome Story
The painstaking research that went into this made an inherently fascinating account come to life without hyperbole and unencumbered by the politics one must take into account if one were a Tibetan Buddhist.
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- R
- 07-30-20
love it!
So well written and such a captivating story! Narration was well done too, nice voice and pace.
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