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Nirvana Express: Journal of a Very Brief Monkhood
★★★★★ "A well-written memoir that uplifts while it teaches through story. And funny too. Worthwhile!" - Reader review___
Memoir meets self-help in this true account about the meaning of buddhism, meditations, and living a spiritually abundant life!
Novelist, composer and conductor Somtow Sucharitkul (who writes books under the name S.P. Somtow) had an extraordinary epiphany while driving downthe California coast.
At almost 50 years of age, having spent very little time in his native Thailand, Somtow was seized by an overwhelming desire to enter a Buddhist monastery.
This is the story of that journey, full of surprises, culture shock, discoveries, humor and spirituality!
Visions, dreams, comedy, philosophy, wisdom and superstition mingle in an unforgettable fusion.
Join the journey and discover your inner spirituality, by ordering your copy of Nirvana Express, today!
Memoir meets self-help in this true account about the meaning of buddhism, meditations, and living a spiritually abundant life!
Novelist, composer and conductor Somtow Sucharitkul (who writes books under the name S.P. Somtow) had an extraordinary epiphany while driving downthe California coast.
At almost 50 years of age, having spent very little time in his native Thailand, Somtow was seized by an overwhelming desire to enter a Buddhist monastery.
This is the story of that journey, full of surprises, culture shock, discoveries, humor and spirituality!
Visions, dreams, comedy, philosophy, wisdom and superstition mingle in an unforgettable fusion.
Join the journey and discover your inner spirituality, by ordering your copy of Nirvana Express, today!
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2018
5 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
S.P. Somtow
180 books156 followersCalled by the Bangkok Post "the Thai person known by name to most people in the world," S.P. Somtow is an author, composer, filmmaker, and international media personality whose dazzling talents and acerbic wit have entertained and enlightened fans the world over.
He was Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul in Bangkok. His grandfather's sister was a Queen of Siam, his father is a well known international lawyer and vice-president of the International Academy of Human Rights. Somtow was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and his first career was in music. In the 1970s (while he was still in college) his works were being performed on four continents and he was named representative of Thailand to the Asian Composer's League and to the International Music Commission of UNESCO. His avant-garde compositions caused controversy and scandal in his native country, and a severe case of musical burnout in the late 1970s precipitated his entry into a second career - that of author.
He began writing science fiction, but soon started to invade other fields of writing, with some 40 books out now, including the clasic horror novel Vampire Junction, which defined the "rock and roll vampire" concept for the 80s, the Riverrun Trilogy ("the finest new series of the 90's" - Locus) and the semi-autobiographical memoir Jasmine Nights. He has won or been nominated for dozens of major awards including the Bram Stoker Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the Hugo Award, and the World Fantasy Award.
Somtow has also made some incursions into filmmaking, directing the cult classic The Laughing Dead and the award winning art film Ill Met by Moonlight.
He was Somtow Papinian Sucharitkul in Bangkok. His grandfather's sister was a Queen of Siam, his father is a well known international lawyer and vice-president of the International Academy of Human Rights. Somtow was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and his first career was in music. In the 1970s (while he was still in college) his works were being performed on four continents and he was named representative of Thailand to the Asian Composer's League and to the International Music Commission of UNESCO. His avant-garde compositions caused controversy and scandal in his native country, and a severe case of musical burnout in the late 1970s precipitated his entry into a second career - that of author.
He began writing science fiction, but soon started to invade other fields of writing, with some 40 books out now, including the clasic horror novel Vampire Junction, which defined the "rock and roll vampire" concept for the 80s, the Riverrun Trilogy ("the finest new series of the 90's" - Locus) and the semi-autobiographical memoir Jasmine Nights. He has won or been nominated for dozens of major awards including the Bram Stoker Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the Hugo Award, and the World Fantasy Award.
Somtow has also made some incursions into filmmaking, directing the cult classic The Laughing Dead and the award winning art film Ill Met by Moonlight.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 30, 2023
In Nirvana Express, author S.P. Somtow embarks on a highly personal journey, recounting his transformational experience of becoming a monk in Thailand. This special edition is poignantly dedicated to his father's memory, who passed away in May 2023 and had himself been a monk at Wat Somanas.
Unlike his father, who was steeped in the traditions of Buddhism and the Pali language, Somtow was relatively unfamiliar with both the spiritual philosophy and the Thai culture when he made the seemingly impulsive decision to follow in his father's footsteps. What emerges from this backdrop is a rich narrative detailing his daily life and duties in the monastery. From the solemnity of an Ordination Ritual to the humble act of carrying a begging bowl, from learning the art of detachment to the discipline of meditation, Nirvana Express provides a vivid glimpse into monastic life.
I approached Nirvana Express with both eagerness and anticipation, driven by my own fascination with spirituality and philosophy that has developed over the past few years. The idea of becoming a monk had long intrigued me, and I found in Somtow's work a kindred spirit. Far from disappointing, this book is a comprehensive and enlightening guide to the physical environment, practices, and contemplative depths of monastic existence.
Somtow's prose is both poetic and evocative, weaving sensational descriptions that stimulate the senses and the mind. Sentences like "Coruscating, scintillant rainbow rivers spiral and twist and whirl" left me enraptured, feeling almost as though I was floating through a dreamlike landscape.
Beyond the aesthetic beauty of his writing, Somtow's intellectual depth shines through. His insightful perspectives on the contrasts between Buddhism and what he identifies as "the world's great religions" mark him as both a deep thinker and a well-read individual. His contemplations on the synergy between Buddhism and modern scientific principles, such as the Third Law of Thermodynamics, added further intrigue.
The author's voice resonates clearly throughout the text, creating an intimate connection with the reader. As Somtow explores one monastic practice after another, he candidly shares his emotions and reflections, allowing us to accompany him on this profound spiritual journey.
Nirvana Express is more than a detailed account of one man's quest to become a monk. It is an engaging discourse on Buddhism, emphasizing the universal values of compassion and acceptance. Whether you're a seeker on the spiritual path or simply curious about the monastic life, this book offers a memorable, engrossing, and thought-provoking read that promises to stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Unlike his father, who was steeped in the traditions of Buddhism and the Pali language, Somtow was relatively unfamiliar with both the spiritual philosophy and the Thai culture when he made the seemingly impulsive decision to follow in his father's footsteps. What emerges from this backdrop is a rich narrative detailing his daily life and duties in the monastery. From the solemnity of an Ordination Ritual to the humble act of carrying a begging bowl, from learning the art of detachment to the discipline of meditation, Nirvana Express provides a vivid glimpse into monastic life.
I approached Nirvana Express with both eagerness and anticipation, driven by my own fascination with spirituality and philosophy that has developed over the past few years. The idea of becoming a monk had long intrigued me, and I found in Somtow's work a kindred spirit. Far from disappointing, this book is a comprehensive and enlightening guide to the physical environment, practices, and contemplative depths of monastic existence.
Somtow's prose is both poetic and evocative, weaving sensational descriptions that stimulate the senses and the mind. Sentences like "Coruscating, scintillant rainbow rivers spiral and twist and whirl" left me enraptured, feeling almost as though I was floating through a dreamlike landscape.
Beyond the aesthetic beauty of his writing, Somtow's intellectual depth shines through. His insightful perspectives on the contrasts between Buddhism and what he identifies as "the world's great religions" mark him as both a deep thinker and a well-read individual. His contemplations on the synergy between Buddhism and modern scientific principles, such as the Third Law of Thermodynamics, added further intrigue.
The author's voice resonates clearly throughout the text, creating an intimate connection with the reader. As Somtow explores one monastic practice after another, he candidly shares his emotions and reflections, allowing us to accompany him on this profound spiritual journey.
Nirvana Express is more than a detailed account of one man's quest to become a monk. It is an engaging discourse on Buddhism, emphasizing the universal values of compassion and acceptance. Whether you're a seeker on the spiritual path or simply curious about the monastic life, this book offers a memorable, engrossing, and thought-provoking read that promises to stay with you long after you turn the last page.
August 5, 2020
What a delicious read!
Who could give such a rich account of a two-week experience of monkhood sparkling with details from as widely and wildly divergent sources as Theravada Buddhism and the Buddha’s teachings, Pali language concepts, Latin rhythms, Greek mythology, Indian octaves, Keats, dreams of cannibalism, The Canterbury Tales, The Spice Girls, The Twilight Zone, outcomposing Wagner, existence, perception, “truth” and illusion, and the Eton Chapel Choir goldfish trick? Who else but Thai/American dual citizen S.P. Somtow?
Award winning author of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and a couple other genres, Somtow is also a prolific composer of symphonies and operas performed by his Thai orchestras in some of the world’s most respected cultural venues. Nirvana Express is yet another medium; his personal tale about donning the saffron robes of a Thai monk. For 17 days Somtow was a warmly welcomed member of a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Bangkok. Metal bowl held somewhere within his robes, he set forth in silence on bare feet to receive early morning food offerings from those waiting to make merit. Within the temple walls he absorbed sermons and explored meditation in manifold forms. His journey of discovery highlights considered and candid glimpses into the multi-layered worlds of Buddhism, the monastery, and his own head and heart, all while offering the reader at least a smile a page and frequent laugh-out-loud moments. Yet the account is by no means irreverent. On the contrary. A deep respect for Thailand, for Buddhism, Christianity, and humanity itself flows like an undercurrent. A book not to be missed by anyone interested in life.
Who could give such a rich account of a two-week experience of monkhood sparkling with details from as widely and wildly divergent sources as Theravada Buddhism and the Buddha’s teachings, Pali language concepts, Latin rhythms, Greek mythology, Indian octaves, Keats, dreams of cannibalism, The Canterbury Tales, The Spice Girls, The Twilight Zone, outcomposing Wagner, existence, perception, “truth” and illusion, and the Eton Chapel Choir goldfish trick? Who else but Thai/American dual citizen S.P. Somtow?
Award winning author of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and a couple other genres, Somtow is also a prolific composer of symphonies and operas performed by his Thai orchestras in some of the world’s most respected cultural venues. Nirvana Express is yet another medium; his personal tale about donning the saffron robes of a Thai monk. For 17 days Somtow was a warmly welcomed member of a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Bangkok. Metal bowl held somewhere within his robes, he set forth in silence on bare feet to receive early morning food offerings from those waiting to make merit. Within the temple walls he absorbed sermons and explored meditation in manifold forms. His journey of discovery highlights considered and candid glimpses into the multi-layered worlds of Buddhism, the monastery, and his own head and heart, all while offering the reader at least a smile a page and frequent laugh-out-loud moments. Yet the account is by no means irreverent. On the contrary. A deep respect for Thailand, for Buddhism, Christianity, and humanity itself flows like an undercurrent. A book not to be missed by anyone interested in life.
February 2, 2023
A memoir worth your time
You can tell the author is a skilled writer, but hard to believe he used to write shocking horror stories. There are shocking events in this story too, like one minute the author is driving on the freeway with a booked calendar of great things happening in his career and less than 24 hours later, he is flying to Thailand to become a Buddhist Monk - now that's shocking! This book allows us to follow the unexpected journey of someone who has cultivated a lifestyle that was very far removed from the life of a Monk, and gives us a front row seat as we discover if this is merely a midlife crisis or something more meaningful.
You can tell the author is a skilled writer, but hard to believe he used to write shocking horror stories. There are shocking events in this story too, like one minute the author is driving on the freeway with a booked calendar of great things happening in his career and less than 24 hours later, he is flying to Thailand to become a Buddhist Monk - now that's shocking! This book allows us to follow the unexpected journey of someone who has cultivated a lifestyle that was very far removed from the life of a Monk, and gives us a front row seat as we discover if this is merely a midlife crisis or something more meaningful.
June 8, 2023
This story touched my center and remined me of my journey
I spent a long time raging at the world, authority, religion and love I fought back against all of them and it cost me! One day I found my center and spent time at a monastery SInce that day I am a happier calmer man. This book reminded me of that journey and I reaffirmed my life path. If you are looking to find your path I highly recommend this book (and it’s entertaining too!)
I spent a long time raging at the world, authority, religion and love I fought back against all of them and it cost me! One day I found my center and spent time at a monastery SInce that day I am a happier calmer man. This book reminded me of that journey and I reaffirmed my life path. If you are looking to find your path I highly recommend this book (and it’s entertaining too!)
September 5, 2021
This account of Somtow's personal journey during his brief few weeks as a Buddhist monk in 2001 is entertaining, moving, and insightful. One of the best things I've read in some time.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews