The book is very entertaining and gripping. The imagination of the author is commendable in keeping the interest of the reader on a tough subject like after life. Very realistically written, whether one wants to believe that the recollections are the person's imaginations or real is left upto the reader. But a very genuine effort has been made to document the recollections and no attempt has been made to substatiate or confirm the recollections as true.

Of course I was going to buy ths book! I read the first release, Surfing the Himalayas, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. The first book explained meditation and mindfulness in a more clear and entertaining way than any other Buddhist or Eastern philosphy-type book I've ever read. The second go 'round of Frederick Lenz's intense adventures in the snow covered peaks of the world's largest snowboard park had me crazily wanting to go there myself. I started boarding after reading the first book, and it has effected my whole life - literally. The second volume of Tantric Buddhist knowledge and wisdom is a western Buddhists crown jewel! These days, people who practice self discovery need something different to re-inspire their journey to enlightenment. If you want a new slant on ancient Buddhist teachings, this is what you've been looking for. It's easy to say, but the messages were so clear that I'm literally a changed person because of them. If you read this, Thank you, Frederick Lenz! I love snowboarding, and I love your books! THANK YOU! I am eagerly awaiting your next epic.

Snowboarding to Nirvana is so exciting that I finished it in only 2 nights - I couldn't put it down. There are really cool spiritual lessons in this book that I will never forget. I've read plenty of books on Eastern philosophy and religion but this one is by far the most fun and inspiring. The meditation techniques explained in the book are great - they are easy to practice and they really work. My intuition is stronger, I feel I'm more energetic throughout the day, I'm happier and more optimistic, and negative feelings and anxieties don't stick around as much! On top of that, the book is full of many adventures and romantic encounters intertwined with some really cool tips on this awesome sport - snowboarding. After reading this book I had to give it a shot! For the women out there - you gotta try it! Read this book and get on the slopes. But beware - you'll get hooked!

This is one of the best books I have ever read on Tantic Buddhism. In order to improve mentally you just need to simply meditate and see where it goes unstead of spending your money on book after book on how to improve your life. The strange thing is that the author killed himself in 1998 after it was discovered that he was running a semi-Jim Jones type cult and was responsible for a lot of mind control and sexual exploitation. It is strange that since, he was known to start of with good intentions in the 70's that such a good book came out as late as the ninties when he was in full swing with his cult. One would think that anything of quality would've came out before his ego got the best of him with the money homes and cars.

"Charged with energy, humor, and insight, this is the engaging story of a young American snowboarder who travels to the Himalayas seeking the ultimate high - but surfs into an experience more transcendent than he could ever imaged. In an accident of karmic destiny, the young man plows into a Tantric Buddhist monk named Master Fwap who takes him on as a spiritual apprentice. Using snowboarding as a path to enlightenment, the charming and learned Master Fwap shows how, by freeing the mind and challenging the soul, one can master any mountain - and master himself."

Surfing the Himalayas is one of the greatest spiritual adventures ever written. It can be easy compared to The Celestine Prophesy, or any book by Carlos Castaneda. Master Fwap's enlightening humor takes your mind into a higher level of awareness at the turn of each page. This is an adventure that should be enjoyed by all.

The story revolves around this L.A. surfer-type who goes off to the Himalayas to achieve the ultimate snowboarding high. One day he snowsurfs right into this monk, Master Fwap Sam-Dup, the last Master of the Rae Chorze-Fwaz School of Tantric Mysticism and Buddhist Enlightenment. So he apologizes most profusely, and the monk assures him that it's perfectly alright since it's their karmic destiny to meet. "You can call me Master Fwap if you like." The rest of the book is basically the long and unlikely conversation that ensues. Not to downgrade the profound effect this book had on me, but one must ignore the quotable quotes on its covers. It is not "a magnificent journey to the mountain within," and much less a collection of "wise approaches to living a much happier life." It's closer to (but not exactly) Bill and Ted on a hilarious marathon trip to nirvana. The snowboarding guy is a confused (non-too bright) American politely asking lots of unenlightened questions about astral travel, auric repatterning, and the second attention. If you don't know too much about Buddhism, this is a pretty good introduction to the basics. For true believers, a fair and entertaining summary. A number of people have complained that this book subscribes to "the usual California school of new-age philosophy" and runs like "an interview with a 12-year old," but they obviously failed to see it in its original context. After all, Master Fwap does say that an outrageous sense of humor is the second sign of an enlightened Master and this, after all, is a very funny book. The absolute pure simplicity of it just knocks me out. Like The Tao of Pooh, it's a western text that casually demystifies eastern philosophy. But like a good koan, it whacks you on the head harder. The snowboarding-Buddhism analogy is cute but a bit of a stretch, and the first few pages get off on a slow start; nevertheless, all in all I highly recommend this book to all true seekers of meaning beyond the confines of this reality (i.e., escape). Either way, it has got to be the supreme spiritual fantasy.

Dear Reader, please do not be influenced by some of the psycho reviews above. The truth is, that although not for all tastes, this is a phenomenal and funny story of a journey of self-discovery, with information in it that you will not find anywhere else, plus, it's really engaging and super cool! As an advanced Buddhist practitioner who does not subscribe to any human dogma or religion (hello, real Buddhism is not a religion, get a clue!), nor is involved in the 'protection' of such, but who relies on the wisdom found in meditation when thought is stopped, I say that this book is RIGHT ON for beginners, and a wonderful work for free-thinkers who seek to know or remember the Truth within life. Read it, and read the sequel (Snowboarding to Nirvana, which contains detailed instructions for practice.) And, if you are inspired, learn to meditate, and learn to discriminate between what's real, what's influenced by conditioning and fear such as some of the reviews I saw, and what's transitory. Extra Credit: Another great non-fiction book once you've absorbed these two tales (take your time!)- The Power of Now by Eckhart Toole.

Reading Frederick Lenz talk about snowboarding and mountaineering is like listening to the Pope deliver a seminar on effective birth control methods - neither has any relevant expertise or knowledge about the respective topics. Save your money, or if must read the book, mail me and I'll send you my copy. It sucked

I do much traveling in my car and have taken up listening to books on tape. I have began to notice that my favorite audio books were the ones where the author read the passages. They know the work so well that it really carries across in the presentation.

Surfing the Himalayas audio tape is no exception. Dr. Lenz has excellent inflection and was a pleasure to listen to. I would recommend this for the commuters out there who are interested in "Eastern" topics.

The book-on-tape is edited (unfortunately) but great to listen to in the car