Alexandra David-Neel
Alexandra David-Neel was a French-Belgian explorer, spiritualist, Buddhist, anarchist, opera singer, and writer. She is best known for her extensive travels in Asia, particularly her journey to Lhasa, Tibet, in 1924, which was then forbidden to foreigners.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
-
1. My Journey to Lhasa
The Classic Story of the Only Western Woman Who Succeeded in Entering the Forbidden City
This book is a fascinating travel memoir documenting the author's daring and perilous journey to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in 1923. Disguised as a beggar and accompanied by a young Tibetan monk, she traversed harsh terrains, braved extreme weather conditions, and evaded authorities who forbade foreigners from entering the city. Throughout her journey, she encountered various aspects of Tibetan culture, religion, and way of life, offering an insightful and vivid portrayal of a land and people largely unknown to the outside world at that time.
The 14161st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
2. Magic And Mystery In Tibet
This captivating narrative delves into the mystical and enigmatic world of Tibetan Buddhism, offering a first-hand account of the author's journey through the remote and spiritual landscapes of Tibet. The book explores the rich tapestry of Tibetan culture, its esoteric rituals, and the profound wisdom of its lamas and monks. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, the author unveils the secrets of ancient practices, such as telepathy and levitation, while reflecting on the profound spiritual insights gained during her travels. This work serves as both an adventure tale and a deep exploration of the mystical traditions that define Tibet's spiritual heritage.
Purchase from Bookshop.org -
3. The Secret Oral Teachings In Tibetan Buddhist Sects
A detailed, first-hand account and analysis of the hidden oral doctrines and initiatory rites found across Tibetan Buddhist schools, explaining how lineage transmission, secrecy, ethical prerequisites and specific meditation and tantric methods (including approaches akin to Mahamudra and Dzogchen) are used to produce direct experiential realization; the work combines descriptions of practices and ritual, comparisons between sects, and historical and cultural observations from the author’s Himalayan travels to make these esoteric traditions more intelligible to Western readers.
Purchase from Bookshop.org