Surfing the Himalayas: A Spiritual Adventure

by Frederick Lenz

An inspirational and spiritual adventure uses a central metaphor of snowboarding to explore a holistic approach to living and making the most of the mind/body connection. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Spirituality, Buddhism, Travel, Sports, Adventure, Meditation

238 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Grogged · Rating 1 out of 5]

If tempted to read Surfing the Himalayas, do yourself an enormous favor and instead use the pages to slice away your corneas. It will be far less painful in the long run. This book is the translation of Buddhism into IKEA furniture instructions.

With sincere apologies to IKEA...

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spiritual adventure indeed. Read this years ago right around the time it first came out, and as I'm updating my goodreads book list with it, I find that I will probably need to read this one again. Forgot I had this book, and interestingly, it is about a snowboarder, so it just shows you how long that sport has been around. Anyway, I was just learning about the metaphysical aspects of spiritualism when I first read it, and loved this book. When it was over, I put it down and felt like I really discovered myself.

[Kbg503 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading. At this time, some of the mysticism seems clearer and worth exploring further. What sticks in my mind most was the quote "Once you have become enlightened, you don't have to live in a monastery, because the whole universe has become your monastery."

[Otis Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in college in my 'spiritual book' phase, and despite its cheesy name remember rather liking it. Its basicaly an intro to Buddhism.

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one will stink up the room. There are so many better books out there for those who are interested in religion and mysticism.

[Dena Rivas]

This book was soooo fun to read! Not only was it fun, it was a very spiritual journey. I read this book in 2 days and loved it so much. It really gave me a lot to think about in the spiritual sense.

[Kerfe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was cleaning out my bookshelves while I was reading "Turtle Feet" and came across "Surfing the Himalayas". Looking at the blurbs, I thought it might be interesting to contrast it with Grozni's book.

Unfortunately "Surfing the Himalayas" is truly awful--so dreadful I could barely make it through half of the book. Written in the style of a bad middle school essay ("How I Spent My Summer Vacation"), it makes Buddhism sound like an eternally sunny, self-centered, new-agey joy ride. No struggle, no searching--just find your teacher and your bliss. Variations on the words "happy", "ecstasy" and "enlightenment" are too numerous to count; in a "see no evil" view of the world, malevolence doesn't matter--just meditate and ignore your way past lies, war, oppression, cruelty, killing, hunger, poverty, slavery, death, and suffering.

Just how does one see and experience this light without acknowledging the darkness? It never sounded very appealing to me, this totally self-indulgent vision of happiness, which, of course, "can't be explained in words".

Read "Turtle Feet", instead, not only for the vibrant writing, but for a real view of the conflicts, contradictions, and constant inquiry involved in the practice of any spiritual life.

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book to read! As a young adult myself, I found this story to be very relatable, especially in being that it tells the story of an American who ventures into an unknown land, learning ancient practices. It reminded me of "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and "The Tales of Don Juan."

The book goes over basic Buddhist principles in a concise, clear way. Although the writing style is like that of a journal, which some might find to be elementary, it makes it all the more like we are peeking into Lenz's life.

Overall, I have to say the best part of it is how much it made me laugh. There are so many funny little lines, even the fact that the spiritual teacher is named Master Fwap, puts a smile on my face. After reading other spiritual-type books, this one was light and easy to read, while providing insights that anyone can learn from if they stop judging it by what they think a "spiritual book" should be.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Surfing the Himalayas long ago, at a time when I was starting to snow board. I believe my impression of it then was much different when I recently read it. On the surface it's about a young guy who comes to the Himalayas to surf the highest mountains, only to encounter a mischievous monk, Master Fwap, who wants to take up all his time and teach him about Buddhist principals. I found it enlightening and I enjoyed the fun, dialogue between the two explaining and debagting some pretty serious topics such as reincarnation, meditation, metaphysical elements of spirituality and lots of other interesting topics. It also neat to realize that this is based on Frederick Lenz's real life adventures in the Himalayas that inspired him to become a spritual leader himself in the West.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gawd, I tried to get through this book, and finally tossed it after this, on page 152:

"I asked Master Fwap if he would explain, in more physical terms, the high- and low-range "frequencies" he had mentioned to me. I thought I understood some of what he had said to me, but parts of his explanation still seemed difficult, if not impossible, for me to grasp.

"Master Fwap, would you please tell me a little more about these high- and low-range frequencies?

Yes, of course."

and, two paragraphs later

"What does that mean, Master Fwap?

It means that enlightenment exists..."

152 PAGES OF THIS! Plus, I'll bet tantric Buddhist monks don't! use! exclamation! points!

Bah.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

People seem to be pretty forcefully opinionated in their reviews of this book. It’s basically about a young man from the west who heads to the Himalayas to snowboard and while on a run down a mountain runs right into an enlightened Buddhist monk. I liked this book. The writing style was basic at best and it probably could have been half as long, but, a lot of the topics really resonated with me right now. And it has prompted me to look into some things for further understanding, which is really cool.

[Neil Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outreach book - great for young adults or teens.
It is NOT a manual, factual or a study guide.
Read it with the audience in mind. There is no 'short path' ...

... but it's nice to hope for.

[Emily Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story

[J.D. Steens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lenz goes to Nepal to snowboard, meets a Buddhist guru, who teaches Lenz the ins and outs of enlightenment.

Not quite sure how one hops on a bus in Kathmandu and gets up to "the Himalayas" to snowboard in the afternoon or the next day, but that's the least of the problems with this book, a couple of which are worth mentioning. One, the Buddhist master, despite a lifetime looking for his own master to teach him various mysteries of Tibetan Buddhism, was, after spending some time together in a Himalayan cave, able to give Lenz a crash course that pretty much brought him up to speed on Nirvana. I presume this is what is meant by the book's subtitle: A Spiritual Adventure. Two, Lenz's master has a propensity to levitate all over the place in this narrative, and, though a novice by Western standards, the master hops on a snowboard and goes off a vertical cliff, and then zips back up to the top by some sort of vertical float.

I suppose I could be liberal and view this account as a metaphor for True Reality being non-material, allowing the enlightened spirit to do all sorts of things that the non-enlightened would regard as nonsense. But I'm not.

By this narrative, if you don't buy this stuff, you're not enlightened. You're an imprisoned soul, clutched by materialism. It's sort of Alan Wattsy that way. A productive exchange is not possible when arguments begin with "Truth."

Saying someone or something is "self-absorbed" is sort of a put down these days, but its literal meaning does seem to apply here: The whole world is going to hell, and one's focus is on non-worldly enlightenment, including, somewhat, living in a Himalayan cave.

[Eyun · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this when I was 18. Likely my first venture into Eastern thought. I was an avid snowboarder and liked it. 30 years later, I found it in a used book shop and want my $7 back.

Having dabbled a bit more in Eastern thought, I was interested in revisiting it. It seemed to represent an overly simplistic view of Buddhism, with a silly new age twist. Who knew the lost city of Atlantis was a precursor to Buddhism.

The main character comes across as borderline stupid, with his repeated 'but what do you mean?' questioning.

As a lifelong snowboarder, I started to wonder if the author was actually a snowboarder. It didn't seem like it. So, I googled Frederick Lenz... oh my. first thing I notice is a Richard Simmons looking guy in a sparkly track suit. he looked like some sort of space cult leader. Turns out he was more of a sex cult leader.

My 18 year old self was unaware that this book was more of a marketing tool for his new age Buddhist cult than the story of a soul surfer in the Himalayas. Thankfully, I have my life to the cult of snowboarding and not a Richard Simmons look alike contest winner turned sex cult leader.

[Courtney Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a great book for it's writing. In fact, you have to be very patient in getting to the payoff. It's one of those books where my own personal life experiences factored strongly into my affinity for Master Fwap, and my willingness to slog through the author's ... colloquial writing aesthetic ...

So it was hard to chose a star rating, because I'd rate it "Read at Your Own Risk, but Also I Did Get Something Out of It so I'm Not Going to Hate on It".

[John Fredrickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is difficult to know how seriously to take this book. It is essentially a modern day Buddhist fable about a snowboarder working the Himalayas when he encounters a Buddhist monk he was fated to meet, following which they engage in a series of instructional sessions.

The book is a light and pleasant read. The author appears to have been seriously involved with spirituality and with Tantric Buddhism in particular, but this book is unconvincing.

[Liz Oneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was reread. It has much valuable information to understand enlightenment. According to this author, it is so different than most think. I love one of the sayings that guide me in my daily tasks:
"Chop wood & carry water, before enlightment; Chop wood & carry water, after enlightment. It has todo with outlook & attitude and spirituality.

[Bharathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful entry point to the core philosophy of Buddhism and the parallels to snowboarding is a perfect example of Buddhist style of teaching. What was extremely annoying is how the student constantly injects the flow of the narration with unhelpful questions which interjects impatience into a perfect flow of thought.

[Tomas Vik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure the author meant well but thanks to books like this mainstream culture still looks at meditation and Buddhism like on something unscientific and wishy washy. There was about 30% of good advice 60% of religious nonsense and 10% of unnecessary snowboarding interruptions.

[Sarita · Rating 3 out of 5]

there were some nice parts of this fictionalised journey of an enlightened seeking (twist my arm).. it didn't deliver as much insight into this path that I would have liked and the twisting arm of the rather novice seeker was painful at times.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 A bit of a slog to get through. Lenz does give the reader a basic understanding of Buddhist principles - even so, I still was confused half the time.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted it to be more of an Illusions by Richard Bach. A good story with good messages but nothing to change my life.

[Urko Santillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen libro, para el que le interese un poco la espiritualidad u otras formas de vida y pensamiento, y para el que quiera disfrutar también de una agradable y enriquecedora historia

[Ray Ehrenhaft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book and it had great messages, but I was not a fan of the writing. I stuck with it tho because of what I was learning along the way.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to the ideas behind Buddhism. I enjoyed the connection to board sports and American/Western society. Easy to read with interesting content.

[Mindy Greiling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed discussing this book with my son, who gifted it to me.

[Madeline Singleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

But master fwap 🤬

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was a teenager hungry for spiritual adventure in foreign lands and I loved every page. I read it again well after my student loans kicked in and realised it wasn’t so good.

[Ryley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surfing the Himalaya's

Surfing the Himalaya's was a pretty good book but was kind of boring to be honest. The book was written by Fredrick Lenz. This book mainly talked about religions and a teenager who snowboards and is in the mountains. The young boy was in Nepal at the time to snowboard when he runs into a Monk who is Buddhist. The monk teaches the man ways to be happy by telling him stories and past experiences and the monk is trying to enlighten him. This book was pretty easy to read and did not have to much vocabulary words that I did not understand. The author had a bit too much description I believe for explaining happiness and describing the mountains and so on. Although this book talked about an adventure in the mountains it seemed to be interesting.

There was a connection when I was reading because the teenager was a snowboarder while I have never been skiing or even in the mountains ever in my life and the author explained what the feel was like in the mountains. Before reading this book I didn't know anything about the Himalayas and after reading this book I learned a lot of new and interesting facts. After reading I learned that Nepal is the worlds tallest mountains. The monk taught him that he could master any mountain. The boy said that he had a feeling that he knew the monk somewhere and he acted like the monk was some type of god and a sacred person. The author wrote this book in first person which was kind of hard to understand and grasp rather than a difference character or person. I believe it is easier to read a book when it is not in first person because the characters are easier to connect to.

If I had to recommend this book to anyone it would be to people who like mountains or exploring in places rarely people go or find interesting to them. Also, I would recommend this to people who have a strong belief in religion because without the monk on this book the snowboarder wouldn't be so content and satisfied with his life. I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars because I didn't relate to the character that much and the description was sort of weird to me. The best part of the book I thought was when the snowboarder was being taught different meditations and techniques to become more happy. Although this book was interesting I also thought the book seemed out of order when talking about the snowboarder and the monk.