Ocean of Insight: A Sailor's Voyage from Despair to Hope

by Heather Lyn Mann

Heather Lyn Mann was a battle–weary environmental advocate in Madison, Wisconsin, struggling over what to do about climate change when she and her husband decided to explore the Atlantic on a small sloop. This memoir of six years living afloat is a chronological unfolding of disasters and discoveries—life–threatening storms, the boredom of isolation, societies on the brink of extinction, sinking ships, colorful Caribbean characters, near collisions, a pirate scare, and more. Throughout, the ocean becomes Mann’s teacher, transforming her with uncompromising lessons on how to harmonize with natural order, the exact moments and ways to let in fearlessness, resilience, happiness, impermanence, balance, compassion, skillful action, and beginner’s mind. 

Her suspenseful, sometimes hilarious, and always heart–warming journey of body and mind, shaped by ancient Buddhist teachings, entertains as it charts reality’s depths and danger zones so arm–chair adventurers, spiritual seekers, and the climate concerned can navigate tumultuous waters and arrive together on the shore of planetary well–being.

Genres: Travel

364 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2016

About the author

Spiritual ecologist Heather Lyn Mann is a practitioner of Buddhism, sailing, and mindful advocacy. She founded and led the not-for-profit Center for Resilient Cities--an organization mobilizing inner-city residents to restore natural beauty and function in damaged neighborhood landscapes. In 2007, together with her husband and cat, Mann set sail on a six-year, 15,000-nautical-mile ocean voyage. Learn more at www.HeatherLynMann.com.

Reviews

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really three books in one - a sailing narrative, an ecological essay, and a mindfulness/ meditation manual.

The live-aboard part is fascinating - the journey from supreme incompetence to extreme competence (despite one final huge mistake) is brilliantly told through an unbelievable collection of disasters and near-disasters.

On the other hand, I can't say the mindfulness journey gripped me. I confess I skipped the long chunks of "breathe in blah blah blah, breathe out blah blah blah" but I did find the final message, the link to what sailing taught her, very clever.

Then, underneath these two themes, there is an ecological sub-text. The tone in these sections was rather dry, but the links to the places were interesting, especially around the sand-mining.

Overall it's a rather curious mish-mash, but the sailing element kept me reading.

I received an ARC of this book.

[Barbara Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is taking me longer to read this than usual because I am allowing myself the luxury of lingering over the vivid descriptions and exciting adventures. I am also learning many facts about the environment and climate change. I also have found myself becoming more "mindful" of my feelings and attitudes. A thought-provoking book that is not a heavy tome...but it sneaks up on your consciousness. I would highly recommend this read.

[Barbara Carder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book on my Kindle.... was kind of an 'armchair traveler' adventure story but also a Buddhist and eco-activist/climate change meditation. Maybe it is a cautionary tale for those who think something as vast as 'climate change' can be deconstructed and dealt with by journalists or other individuals, and that includes scientists. Getting distance on things, learning the ropes and skills to navigate difficult passages, turning to home and family . . . . all of the above and more . . . . Getting into the fray with a task as daunting as weather ~ climate disruption ~ human endeavors ~ million-year cycles ~ has attendant risks: we just can't 'know' in the traditional sense of 'predicting' even though computer simulations are giving it a go. Yes, we will try and work together ... yes, we will entertain the oceans and atmospheres as new kinds of 'wilderness' and yes we will try to remember 'beginner's mind' . . . . and see that it's 'all of us or none of us.' The gentle reminders need to be repeated . . . we're all prone to panic when survival is at stake.

[Jess Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good but slow read. While Heather Lyn Mann has room for growth as an author, her message drives the plot. The book is about the grief and guilt climate and/or environmental scientists face and the journey Mann takes to overcome this.

As a Buddhist I enjoyed the spiritual aspects of this book, though many times my interpretations differed from Mann’s. The way she intertwined climate advocacy with spiritually, however, was thought provoking.
Mann’s main stance is one of compassion which is a lovely breath of fresh air.
If you’re a depressed Environmental Scientist, this is a must read. It might take some time to get through, but the end is worth it and the middle is pertinent to understanding. This book will not change you, but it will show you a path toward change that you may follow on your own journey.

Some of this book may be difficult to understand if you do not have a background in science and/or Buddhism.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Heather speak at our yacht club over this past winter and she was such a good story teller that I was excited to read her book. I am a fair weather sailer and was a little timid to read her book before our sailing season this summer thinking it would make me more afraid of venturing out. But after reading about her sailing experiences I realized that my sails on the Long Island Sound were so manageable. Her approach to sailing and life are so grounded and reassuring. I came away from reading her book feeling great. I also took way from "Ocean of Insight" our need to get in touch with our planet Earth and each do our part in helping preserve what is needed to sustain life.

This book has many levels and Heather did a wonderful job of engaging me on all of them. Thank you for sharing your philosophies and experiences. I enjoyed the ride!

[Anne Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean of Insight is a skillful melding of adventure, a love story, reflections, environmental awareness, self-discovery and healing. Mann’s insight has depth which flows easily from one facet to another. Her personal and spiritual growth is elevated with the teachings of Buddhist philosophy via her teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. The writing is exciting, lyrical, and compelling. This read is a treat, a call to action and an affirmation of humanity.

[WanderNWayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navigating Personal and Global Transformations

I've become complacent with age and depressed by life changes I don't understand. Ocean of Insight is a book that challenges me to venture from shores of safety toward goals beyond horizons of my knowledge, experience, and spirit. Heather Lyn Mann navigates readers through traumatic and dangerous situations to enable personal and global sea-change transformations. [Buddhism, climate change, personal growth]

[Mary Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a wonderful narrator, and weaves her inner and outer journeys with mindful attention and self-awareness. More than that, Heather Lyn Mann takes us along on her journey. Her teacher, Thich Nhat Nanh, often uses the metaphor of the ocean and the waves, and this book is true to his teachings of staying present to everything that life presents itself in life. Highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one grew on me. Clever structure of ocean sailing adventures, climate insight, and Buddhist ideals. The action wasn't always taut, but the thoughtfulness and integrative thinking were excellent. Very worthwhile to read all the way to the end and timely in terms of what humankind is called to do right now.

[Camilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for insight, intelligence and nuance, and I found a sanctimonious, privileged soap box rant. Yes, global warming is real, the ocean is a great teacher and meditation can offer psychological freedom. But this felt like an article stretched into a too-long book hitting one note over and over. Great premise, but the execution lacked originailty or insight. Skip it.

[Wendy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, it sometimes became a bit jumbled and the switching between the 3 themes was strange at times. The sailing stories were great and then I got lost with the merging of Buddhism and Climate change. So really only ready parts and skipped over others. Became a bit to preachy and righteous at times

[Colettemariehayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books that you finish, and would like to immediately read again.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A challenging read that mixes the authors religious meditations with an adventure set in an ocean going dream.

[Katy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! She did a great job of explaining climate change by weaving it into her own personal narrative. Very interesting, captivating, and relatable.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely blend of suspenseful story and mindfulness lessons. I plan to return to this gem.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, providing an interesting and unique perspective of sailing, combining mindfulness and the environment with her clear and thoughtful insights into her own personal discoveries.

[Lorraine Sulick-Morecraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly written

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this book and got it even earlier than I expected which is great because I couldn't wait to read it. I had heard that there were many different messages weaved throughout the book and was excited to see how the author managed to make them all work together. And she did just that. While the author has managed to connect 3 seemingly unrelated themes, I struggle to eloquently describe the book while recommending it to almost everyone I know. The most I can say,though, is that there is something for everyone to enjoy in this story, there is certainly something for everyone to learn in this story, and there is something for everyone to feel and relate to in this story. It is honest and frightening and uplifting and moving and gripping and hopeful.

[Earle Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became personally involved in the book and continually wanted to see what happened next in their ocean voyages: danger, mistakes, challenges, sailing techniques and moments of pure satisfaction and enjoyment. What I didn't expect was the passionate and highly informative commentary on global warming and the projected impact on selected locations including islands and U.S Cities. The author's dedication to personal responsibility and individual action to help in this critical fight to save
our planet was thought provoking and challenging. While I personally cannot embrace mindfulness and meditation, I learned valuable insights from her comments and her Buddhist teachings in living a more meaningful life.

[Jennifer Monument · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean of Insight is not your typical "point A to point B" sailing biography. It weaves in and out of memories, giving pointed commentary on the state of the world's climate, offering Buddhist meditations and breathing exercises for weary travelers, and blending these seamlessly with personal stories of love, loss and hope. This book will make you think long and hard before buying a boat, but it will bring you unforgettable stories of communities that are really only accessible by boat. It's the kind of book where you could start at any chapter, or re-read any section, and find something new and soft to hold in your heart for when you have to face a difficult challenge or interact with hardened people. Read it and enjoy.

[Geri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing in a personal and personable way, and benefiting from direct experience, Heather Mann, brings a degree of clarity to the issue of climate change - an issue often mired in refutable arguments and irrefutable facts. More than a memoir of a mid-life sea voyage, Ocean of Insight offers a personal account of the devastating impact of global warming on aquatic life and island populations. Mann also recognizes the sadness many experience thinking about the impact of all forms of life that a warming climate will have. As a practitioner of mindful meditation, Heather leads us to an understanding of why this practice can help heal us through by a movement through sadness to constructive action.

[Stewart Weinberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of learning, mindfulness, meditation, and courage. A very inspiring narrative of learning from the Great Atlantic Teacher. Lyn shares her experiences with her husband, Dave, in a very moving story of sailing in the Atlantic, while learning more about life, love, relationships, philosophy, and Climate Change. The reader can really relate while examining their own thoughts and feelings. The reader is provoked to look at their own life and possibly reset their great goals for the future. The stories are exciting. Lyn shares the power of meditation and mindfulness and presents meditations that the reader can use.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

I pulled this book off of an Airbnb shelf and decided to read it
This is a very personal but also expansive book about Buddhism, sailing, and environmental action. It really is multiple books rolled into one which is one of the topics that the author explores which is, everything is interconnected. I found the topics to be all very interesting both on their own and even more together. I think it worked well for me because I was already interested in all 3 topics I’m not sure about others.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Jack Sparrow once said: "The problem is not the problem; Your attitude toward the problem, is the problem."

Using the inherent joys and challenges of sailing as a microcosm of life, Heather lets you crew with Her, Dave, & Dinghy. During this incredible voyage , you will be part of the crew's discovery of impermanence, mindfulness, fearlessness, resilience, happiness, balance, compassion, skillful action, and beginner’s mind.

Oceans of Insight is a superbly written, exciting, & informative read. Weaving a braid of sailing, spirituality, and environment, Insight unravels some of life's mysteries.

By the end of the journey I encountered a paradigm shift that adjusted my attitude about life . It is time to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem.