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Set Free: A Life-Changing Journey from Banking to Buddhism in Bhutan
The man with the gun pushed me down onto the carpet. I tried to cower to make my body curl smaller, instinctively covering my head.
‘Oh God, please don’t kill me.’ My words clung to my teeth and now my whole body was so cold. All I had left were these words.
‘Please. Please don’t kill me. Jesus. God. Please.’
I wanted to live and I knew it with absolute certainty. I don’t want to die.
Emma Slade was a high-flying debt analyst for a large investment bank, when she was taken hostage in a hotel room on a business trip to Jakarta. She thought she was lucky to come out of it unscathed, but over the ensuing weeks and months, as the financial markets crashed, Emma became her own distressed asset as the trauma following the event took hold.
Realising her view on life had profoundly changed she embarked upon a journey, discovering the healing power of yoga and, in Bhutan, opening her eyes to a kinder, more peaceful way of living.
From fast-paced City life to the stillness of Bhutan’s Himalayan mountains, Set Free is the inspiring true story of Emma’s astonishing life lived to extremes and all that that entails: work, travel, spirituality, Buddhism, relationships, and the underlying question of what makes a meaningful life.
‘Oh God, please don’t kill me.’ My words clung to my teeth and now my whole body was so cold. All I had left were these words.
‘Please. Please don’t kill me. Jesus. God. Please.’
I wanted to live and I knew it with absolute certainty. I don’t want to die.
Emma Slade was a high-flying debt analyst for a large investment bank, when she was taken hostage in a hotel room on a business trip to Jakarta. She thought she was lucky to come out of it unscathed, but over the ensuing weeks and months, as the financial markets crashed, Emma became her own distressed asset as the trauma following the event took hold.
Realising her view on life had profoundly changed she embarked upon a journey, discovering the healing power of yoga and, in Bhutan, opening her eyes to a kinder, more peaceful way of living.
From fast-paced City life to the stillness of Bhutan’s Himalayan mountains, Set Free is the inspiring true story of Emma’s astonishing life lived to extremes and all that that entails: work, travel, spirituality, Buddhism, relationships, and the underlying question of what makes a meaningful life.
315 pages, Paperback
Published April 10, 2017
64 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 16, 2018
Is this book typical of anything I have every read before? No, not at all; not what my hand would usually hover over as I choose something new to read. Yet having just finished reading “Set Free: A Life Changing Journey from Banking to Buddhism in Bhutan”, I realise suddenly that finding other people’s stories like this is terribly important to me and I am actively looking for more like this. Perhaps it is a sign that I am ready to join up with other people, even if only so far as noticing similar patterns in our experiences and smiling quietly to see those patterns in motion. Crossing paths with others operating from a dramatically reformatted and yet remarkably similar place to your own can be such encouragement (realising you are not so weird or alone in your new lifestyle after all).
There is a powerful point of creative evolution, a sort of concentrated forward momentum, to be found in the meeting place between your two sets of experiences and the many ways that they are found to correspond; like the essence of oneness in action. It offers the possibility that perhaps many of us...in a sort of tidal motion...are now waking up to a new version of life and what is most important to us. Yes, even if their starting point wasn't banking and they didn't end up becoming a nun in Bhutan, I like to think many people might recognise some of the patterns in this story and be encouraged by them, especially if the last decade or so has seen them reinvent their lives to some extent and, no less, wake up to themselves as though shedding scales...as did I (and so I relished every page).
I really hope that increasing numbers of people are prepared to hold their spiritual journeys somewhat less close to the chest in order to put these experiences out there since I suspect the time has come when we really need the encouragement of each other and to hear them spoken "in the first person". We long to sense that we are not alone on these very intense personal journeys and to notice the patterns; for in those patterns, and the making conscious of them, we give even more wind to our collective sails. I have enlarged on the patterns that I found between this account and my own journey in my blog post https://spinningthelight.org/2017/06/...
There is a powerful point of creative evolution, a sort of concentrated forward momentum, to be found in the meeting place between your two sets of experiences and the many ways that they are found to correspond; like the essence of oneness in action. It offers the possibility that perhaps many of us...in a sort of tidal motion...are now waking up to a new version of life and what is most important to us. Yes, even if their starting point wasn't banking and they didn't end up becoming a nun in Bhutan, I like to think many people might recognise some of the patterns in this story and be encouraged by them, especially if the last decade or so has seen them reinvent their lives to some extent and, no less, wake up to themselves as though shedding scales...as did I (and so I relished every page).
I really hope that increasing numbers of people are prepared to hold their spiritual journeys somewhat less close to the chest in order to put these experiences out there since I suspect the time has come when we really need the encouragement of each other and to hear them spoken "in the first person". We long to sense that we are not alone on these very intense personal journeys and to notice the patterns; for in those patterns, and the making conscious of them, we give even more wind to our collective sails. I have enlarged on the patterns that I found between this account and my own journey in my blog post https://spinningthelight.org/2017/06/...
January 12, 2019
Rubbish
Yes what she endured was horrific but prior to that what a self absorbed poor little rich girl
having to endure working in Iceland and pressing buttons .
I'm afraid I couldn't continue with this book but at least the money went to charity
Yes what she endured was horrific but prior to that what a self absorbed poor little rich girl
having to endure working in Iceland and pressing buttons .
I'm afraid I couldn't continue with this book but at least the money went to charity
October 15, 2017
Doesn't charity begin at home?
I felt sorry for the discarded boyfriends and Oscar. A child with ADHD requires a massive commitment . He just didn't seem part of the plan. To me this was all about one person,Emma so consequently I wasn't convinced of the journey. The beginning of the book was great but it someghow lost its way.
I felt sorry for the discarded boyfriends and Oscar. A child with ADHD requires a massive commitment . He just didn't seem part of the plan. To me this was all about one person,Emma so consequently I wasn't convinced of the journey. The beginning of the book was great but it someghow lost its way.
May 3, 2018
I found this book while traveling in Bhutan and throughly enjoyed it. I found it particulary interesting as I am learning more about how to incorporate Buddhism into my life and how one starts to engage peacefullness in an ever growing and faster paced world.
September 15, 2017
I'm happy for Emma that she has found her journey and that she seems happier with her life. She runs a charity that helps Bhutanese children and rural communities, and this book was written to promote her charity, raise awareness and funds.
While I admire the journey and the person, I wish they'd hired a professional author to write the story. The literary quality of this book is so poor that I cringed and winced all throughout reading it. Good reminder that even if you think your life story is worth sharing, you might not be the right person to write books about it... or maybe you shouldn't write about t at all?
For similar life-changing journeys, I'd recommend Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand. As poorly written as it is, it's still better than Set Free.
While I admire the journey and the person, I wish they'd hired a professional author to write the story. The literary quality of this book is so poor that I cringed and winced all throughout reading it. Good reminder that even if you think your life story is worth sharing, you might not be the right person to write books about it... or maybe you shouldn't write about t at all?
For similar life-changing journeys, I'd recommend Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand. As poorly written as it is, it's still better than Set Free.
November 18, 2017
As a banker turned Buddhist myself I was interested to read this. And it is an extraordinary transformation that Ms Slade experiences: finally becoming a go-it-alone nun who founds a Bhutanese NGO.
I’m afraid I agree with one of the other reviewers that the writing is weak. And at one point I completely lost the thread of the story such that I thought some pages were missing.
That said I’m pleased to read a memoir of this kind for the first time. May it inspire many others to seek meaning and value in their lives.
I’m afraid I agree with one of the other reviewers that the writing is weak. And at one point I completely lost the thread of the story such that I thought some pages were missing.
That said I’m pleased to read a memoir of this kind for the first time. May it inspire many others to seek meaning and value in their lives.
June 25, 2018
The book has been sold as that one experience has just changed her life but if you read the book you find out how confused she was in most of her life. And I think book came too early as if whole Buddhism was adopted just to be famous and write the book. Book also lacks depth and hardly helps you in anyway in your day to day life. Art of happiness or cat of Dalai Lama are much better books.
August 2, 2020
Brilliant brilliant brilliant. From banker to Buddhist to Bhutan, Emma's journey is so inspiring yet familiar. Her previous life could have been written by (almost) anyone with a high-end corporate job, middle-class upbringing and the usual trials and tribulations of a young adult. But all that changes when she is held at gun-point in Jakarta and her life no longer seems so straightforward.
I saw myself in her as she found her way in and out of love with yoga, spirituality and healing. Emma narrates the audiobook herself, which gives it extra personality.
Loved it.
I saw myself in her as she found her way in and out of love with yoga, spirituality and healing. Emma narrates the audiobook herself, which gives it extra personality.
Loved it.
August 9, 2020
An inspiring memoir of a British woman, who after being threatened with a weapon in a hotel ransom in Indonesia, quits her job as an international banker and start looking for kindness, happiness and inner peace. She travels the world, finds yoga and meditation, becomes a yoga teacher and develops an interested in Buddhism, which she begins to study under a local lama in Bhutan.
Becoming a single mother and a Buddhist nun isn't the most typical life path for a Western woman, but for Emma it feels exactly like the right choice. Eventually Emma even learns to be grateful for her corporate banking background as the skills she learnt in that world are of extreme use when she becomes the CEO of an international charity organization - the one she herself founded when wanting to help people in Bhutan.
A deeply personal book, I was greatly inspired by Emma's journey. Having focused on doing meditation again for the past few weeks, the book surely has inspired me to continue with my practise. A recommended read for anyone who feels the pull to read such a book.
Becoming a single mother and a Buddhist nun isn't the most typical life path for a Western woman, but for Emma it feels exactly like the right choice. Eventually Emma even learns to be grateful for her corporate banking background as the skills she learnt in that world are of extreme use when she becomes the CEO of an international charity organization - the one she herself founded when wanting to help people in Bhutan.
A deeply personal book, I was greatly inspired by Emma's journey. Having focused on doing meditation again for the past few weeks, the book surely has inspired me to continue with my practise. A recommended read for anyone who feels the pull to read such a book.
November 24, 2019
Wow, what a story - A banker who leaves the profession and finds happiness in Buddhism and builds a charity in Bhutan that supports their community. I love stories like this, and I admire her courage to question and pursue her heart’s desire.
I would love to meet her and spend time learning about her journey that wasn’t told in this memoir. Even though I loved the story, I was a little disappointed in her writing and felt she provided too little reflection on her internal struggles. I realize she’s not a professional writer, and my focus needs to be more on the beauty of this story, but the flow needed some work, and I thought she focused too much on her outward appearances like her shaved head and clothing. She should have shared more on how her practices helped her deal with her internal questions and struggles.
With all that being said, I admire her and would love to meet her someday and want to thank her for introducing me to Bhutan. I now have it on my list of places to visit.
I would love to meet her and spend time learning about her journey that wasn’t told in this memoir. Even though I loved the story, I was a little disappointed in her writing and felt she provided too little reflection on her internal struggles. I realize she’s not a professional writer, and my focus needs to be more on the beauty of this story, but the flow needed some work, and I thought she focused too much on her outward appearances like her shaved head and clothing. She should have shared more on how her practices helped her deal with her internal questions and struggles.
With all that being said, I admire her and would love to meet her someday and want to thank her for introducing me to Bhutan. I now have it on my list of places to visit.
November 29, 2020
What an incredible journey Emma has been on! From being held up in her hotel room in Jakarta to becoming the first western ordained nun (or ani) in Bhutan.
The book is written as if I was sitting down and having a conversation with her; very open, often funny and easy to read as we follow her through trauma, yoga, motherhood and buddhism
A wonderful story of huge personal development and transformation about finding her happiness
"Yogic texts describe life as a bee trapped in a glass vase and why finding a way out is called freedom"
The book is written as if I was sitting down and having a conversation with her; very open, often funny and easy to read as we follow her through trauma, yoga, motherhood and buddhism
A wonderful story of huge personal development and transformation about finding her happiness
"Yogic texts describe life as a bee trapped in a glass vase and why finding a way out is called freedom"
August 18, 2017
While working as a financial analyst for an international bank in Indonesia, Emma Slade was taken hostage at gunpoint in her hotel room. Over the next few months, she finds it increasingly hard to focus on her work and eventually recognises that she is suffering from stress and PTSD. She turns to her passion for yoga, beginning a quest that will lead her to Bhutan and a more spiritual lifestyle.
This is an inspirational and thoughtful account of a quest for happiness and a more peaceful life. I don't always enjoy reading about these spiritual journeys, because they can often sound preachy or even insincere. It's ironic that a search for a less selfish way of life can often itself come across as self-centred and self-indulgent. Emma Slade's story is not like that. She is very open about her feelings, even critical of herself, and acknowledges her previous life gave her the opportunity to fund her travels. Her honesty, her questioning and determined approach, and her focus on her son Oscar, gives her story balance and makes it genuine and meaningful.
I really enjoyed being taken along with Emma through her journey, and found it raised a lot of questions about the negative paths we get trapped into repeating in work, relationships, or just everyday life. The book was written to raise money for a charity Emma has recently founded in Bhutan- I would have liked to read more about this and hope there will be a further book at some point in the future to relate her experiences of running the charity. This book will be of interest to those wanting to read about one individual's experiences of spirituality, yoga and Buddhism.
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
This is an inspirational and thoughtful account of a quest for happiness and a more peaceful life. I don't always enjoy reading about these spiritual journeys, because they can often sound preachy or even insincere. It's ironic that a search for a less selfish way of life can often itself come across as self-centred and self-indulgent. Emma Slade's story is not like that. She is very open about her feelings, even critical of herself, and acknowledges her previous life gave her the opportunity to fund her travels. Her honesty, her questioning and determined approach, and her focus on her son Oscar, gives her story balance and makes it genuine and meaningful.
I really enjoyed being taken along with Emma through her journey, and found it raised a lot of questions about the negative paths we get trapped into repeating in work, relationships, or just everyday life. The book was written to raise money for a charity Emma has recently founded in Bhutan- I would have liked to read more about this and hope there will be a further book at some point in the future to relate her experiences of running the charity. This book will be of interest to those wanting to read about one individual's experiences of spirituality, yoga and Buddhism.
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
October 26, 2022
I was drawn to this book after watching Emma Slade’s TED talk on her journey to finding Buddhism. As a teacher of Religious Studies with a focus on Buddhism, this seemed like it would be a really inspiring book to read.
It was certainly interesting; Slade’s unique background in investment banking and the incident in Jakarta certainly added an unexpected element to this account, making it unlike any of the other accounts I’ve read about people who have found Buddhism. Add to that the fact that she was born and continues to reside in the West, where Buddhism is not as popular or widely practiced, and the fact that female Buddhists are still comparatively rare, and this is definitely an informative and distinctive story.
What I particularly found interesting was her account of navigating motherhood in the UK whilst also having to take on the duties required of a Buddhist nun. It really shows the contrast between heritage and convert Buddhism, and the unique challenges that is faced depending on how well one’s culture lends itself to Buddhist precepts.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, but probably wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a particular interest in Buddhism.
It was certainly interesting; Slade’s unique background in investment banking and the incident in Jakarta certainly added an unexpected element to this account, making it unlike any of the other accounts I’ve read about people who have found Buddhism. Add to that the fact that she was born and continues to reside in the West, where Buddhism is not as popular or widely practiced, and the fact that female Buddhists are still comparatively rare, and this is definitely an informative and distinctive story.
What I particularly found interesting was her account of navigating motherhood in the UK whilst also having to take on the duties required of a Buddhist nun. It really shows the contrast between heritage and convert Buddhism, and the unique challenges that is faced depending on how well one’s culture lends itself to Buddhist precepts.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, but probably wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a particular interest in Buddhism.
July 29, 2017
A Goodreads Giveaway.
I dont usually read biographies but I couldnt put it down once I started, I even took some notes to go back on later. It is an honest account of the developing spiritual quest of Emma Slade from trauma to peace. I felt transported to the places she visited and the life she encountered. Its an ongoing story featured on her web site and FB page because of the charity she set up to help the people of Bhutan. I found the few pages at the end interesting on Teachings For Living Everyday and the colour photographs. A very nice read.
I dont usually read biographies but I couldnt put it down once I started, I even took some notes to go back on later. It is an honest account of the developing spiritual quest of Emma Slade from trauma to peace. I felt transported to the places she visited and the life she encountered. Its an ongoing story featured on her web site and FB page because of the charity she set up to help the people of Bhutan. I found the few pages at the end interesting on Teachings For Living Everyday and the colour photographs. A very nice read.
August 24, 2017
I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
At the outset, I had no particular level of expectation of the book other than a vague interest in life-changing journeys. A little surprisingly, I did find myself getting progressively more interested as the story unfolded and some good writing kept me involved and engaged throughout.
This was one of my more rewarding reads of late and I would recommend it.
At the outset, I had no particular level of expectation of the book other than a vague interest in life-changing journeys. A little surprisingly, I did find myself getting progressively more interested as the story unfolded and some good writing kept me involved and engaged throughout.
This was one of my more rewarding reads of late and I would recommend it.
August 9, 2017
Very interesting read about a woman's journey from a lay-person to a Buddhist nun.
I loved how the narrative moved through time. It examines performative gender in Western Cultures, raising questions about where we place importance.
Emma Slade has packed a huge amount into this book. At points I wished she would slow down because I wanted to understand more about certain experiences.
I loved how the narrative moved through time. It examines performative gender in Western Cultures, raising questions about where we place importance.
Emma Slade has packed a huge amount into this book. At points I wished she would slow down because I wanted to understand more about certain experiences.
January 15, 2018
Reading this book, 'Set Free' by Emma Slade (Pema Deki) helped me transition from 2017 to the new year.
This inwardly described journey of Emma Slade to find her true inner self is raw and very inspiring.
Being a constant learner and seeker at heart, this story and book spoke volumes to me.
Thank you Emma (Pema) for giving this opportunity to learn from your life and your sacred path.
This inwardly described journey of Emma Slade to find her true inner self is raw and very inspiring.
Being a constant learner and seeker at heart, this story and book spoke volumes to me.
Thank you Emma (Pema) for giving this opportunity to learn from your life and your sacred path.
September 4, 2019
From a devastating ordeal to finding purpose in life
They say mindfulness and a purpose in life do wonders for ones emotional well being. In Set Free, Emma shares a whole lot of her personal experiences in a life threatening situation, and how she overcame the trauma.
Makes me want to go back to yoga classes :)
They say mindfulness and a purpose in life do wonders for ones emotional well being. In Set Free, Emma shares a whole lot of her personal experiences in a life threatening situation, and how she overcame the trauma.
Makes me want to go back to yoga classes :)
October 17, 2022
I am going to Bhutan in April and am eager to read all I can and so happened upon this book.
I really enjoyed it and found the writing as though it was a conversation and Emma was sitting there telling me her story, in her words. I will be supporting her charity and look forward to visiting some of the places she describes in Bhutan.
I really enjoyed it and found the writing as though it was a conversation and Emma was sitting there telling me her story, in her words. I will be supporting her charity and look forward to visiting some of the places she describes in Bhutan.
June 23, 2019
This was a really interesting story of Emma's life to date. A great journey from middle class corporate banker to yoga teacher and mum and then to becoming a Buddhist nun.
Not necessarily the type of book I would self select but a really uplifting story.
Not necessarily the type of book I would self select but a really uplifting story.
February 2, 2020
I've read to page 116 and it's fine. Her story is fine. But it's so badly written it's tedious and I keep cringing so I won't be reading the rest of it. Probably made worse by the fact I recently read Eat, Pray, Love which is very well written and a similar subject.
April 21, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable book have wanted to visit Bhutan for a while , so who knows.
I loved this book and would recommend anyone who likes these type of books to read it nice voice aswell😁
I loved this book and would recommend anyone who likes these type of books to read it nice voice aswell😁
July 23, 2025
thoughtful memoir that introduced me to a lot of buddhist practices & concepts. emma's story is a beautiful one and it's inspiring to see how she has transformed her life and reinvented herself many times. i also enjoyed learning about bhutan
June 4, 2017
All that it takes is a compassionate heart! An amazing journey from a busy banker's maze to a heart-warming path of spirituality backed by kindness.
August 4, 2017
Excellent read which makes you think all over again! Must read
February 7, 2018
An interesting insight into one individuals coping mechanism to what transpire to be a life changing experience
October 16, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable inspiring read ! Highly recommended!!!
January 15, 2019
Interesting read about a westerners' journey, conversion & ordination to Buddhism in Bhutan.
April 2, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable
I was meant to find this book at this time.
For me it was educational and inspiring
Thank you so much.
I was meant to find this book at this time.
For me it was educational and inspiring
Thank you so much.
July 16, 2019
Loved this book - brilliant story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews