A Thousand Journeys [antikvár]

Introduction Over the years, Lama Anagarika Govinda developed a reputation in the field of Tibetology that overshadowed many of his contemporaries, estabHshing himself not only as a scholar, but also as a practitioner. With time, his robed figure became so famihar that Western Buddhists viewed him as a significant representative of Tibetan Buddhism. His important publications {Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism, Creative Meditation and Multi-Dimensional Consciousness, The Psychological Attitude of Early Buddhist Philosophy) discussed the spiritual backgrounds and philosophy of Buddhism in both Eastern and Western contexts. It was his autobiography {The Way of the White Clouds), however, that became his most sought-after book. His experiences as a pilgrim introduced to Western readers the possibilities of an alternative view of reality. Lama Govinda remained mysterious. His self-effacing manner, and his engaging, kindly appearance belied his incisive intellect and his grasp of philosophical and religious essentials. Above all, he was an artist and his observations and relationships with the world often reflected his aesthetic sense of balance and colour. His conversations were stimulating, humorous and thought-provoking, but his presence served more than his words, and in the end his example of simple, direct living rather than his work left a more lasting impression.