This is the incredible story of Tenzin Palmo, a remarkable woman who spent 12 years alone in a cave 13,000 feet up in the Himalayas.
At the age... read full description
At the age... read full description
reviews
Jan 04, 2009
Mina
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"Cave in the Snow" is the biography of Tenzin Palmo, a British woman, who became a Tibetan Buddhist nun at an early age. In her attempt to seek enlightenment, she endured 12 years in solitary isolation in a barren cave in the Karakoram mountains. For 12 years, she slept upright in a 2' X 3' "meditation box", endured cold, wild animals, and near starvation.
Surprisingly, I found this book to be a real page turner. It was an uplifting book, and accessibly written More...
Surprisingly, I found this book to be a real page turner. It was an uplifting book, and accessibly written More...
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Jun 04, 2011
Newengland
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Though interested in Buddhism, I was unable to work up much enthusiasm for this book. Tenzin Palmo, an Englishwoman who was drawn to the religion and wound up in a Tibetan cave for 14 years, is an interesting case to say the least. I enjoyed reading about her quest for enlightenment, her opinions on all matters religious (not just Buddhism), and her story of survival in a cave 13,200 feet above sea level in the Himalayas.
Less fun was the feminist angle -- ironic, because Palmo does n More...
Less fun was the feminist angle -- ironic, because Palmo does n More...
Apr 10, 2011
Happyreader
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I’ve always been fascinated by Ani Tenzin Palmo. Twelve years meditating in a Himalayan cave!! And during the “prime” of her life too!! Who does that, you wonder? This engrossing biography answers that it’s a woman so dedicated to spiritual attainment that, despite the considerable obstacles of being a woman and a Westerner in the 1960s, she’s willing to commit and give her life to attaining enlightenment in female form. Her purpose in allowing the author access to her life was to inspire o
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Feb 12, 2009
Tracy
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Vickie Mackenzie's tone in this book is a little too breathless and reverential for my taste, but the story she has to tell is quite amazing. What struck me about Tenzin Palmo, aside from her ability to live in a cave/hut on a mountain in the Himalayas by herself, is how she seems to have been totally self-assured about her priorities and choices in life the whole way through. How many people get to be this sure about anything, let alone devotion to a sexist, byzantine religious order belonging
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Jan 22, 2012
Rosemary
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I love this book. It is a real inspiration for anyone who wants to lead a spiritual life, it shows just what it takes to achieve a state of real awareness. Vicki does all the writing, Tenzin Palmo comes over as a gentle soul modestly allowing us to hear her incredible story. I frequently re-read the passage where she spent years isolated in a cave in the Himalayas and at one point was completely buried alive by snow, but calmly found a way to dig herself out. Great stuff.
Jan 19, 2009
Beth
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Very interesting to me...this woman, born in the east end of London, paved the way for others in the spiritual realm of Tibetan Buddhism, and spent 12 years of her life high in a mountain cave in the Himalayas.
It was good for me to read about others who are just as (or more, actually) passionate in their beliefs. Reincarnation and all that...there seems to be quite a mystical array of things that accompany Buddhism.
This was mind opening...
It was good for me to read about others who are just as (or more, actually) passionate in their beliefs. Reincarnation and all that...there seems to be quite a mystical array of things that accompany Buddhism.
This was mind opening...
May 26, 2008
Katrin
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This is a fascinating account of one of the first Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. She was also one of the few women, ever, to vow to reach enlightenment in a female form. Historically nuns have had to be satisfied with learning as much as possible then hoping to be reborn into a male form, whereby they might be given the higher teachings. Tenzin Palmo basically demanded the teachings. She was a recognized reincarnation of a close friend of one of the high lamas. She ev
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Dec 09, 2008
David
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An enlightening insight into Buddhim and its Western practitioners. Particularly strong on the entrenched misogyny in traditional Buddhist organisations. Contains some wonderful tales of mystic phenomena, such as masters' bodies shrinking after death.
Feb 21, 2009
desertmolly
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Amazing story and written quite well. Not as involving as I had hoped, a bit dry. Gives a bit of background info on Tenzin, skims some Buddhist history and philosophy but research for this books seems to have been extensive and time consuming.
Mar 03, 2010
Edward
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Twelve years in a cave, meditating day and night in the Himalaya, that is the story of this out-of-the ordinary tibetan english nun, a total dedication to her practice, what a challenge for an occidental woman, raised in the comfort of the West.
Aug 27, 2011
Shephali
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Tenzin Palmo is an amazing woman. Her life and journey are fascinating. Though this is not an autobiography and the tone can get a dry at times, you get enough insight into her incredibly self-assured and courageous nature.
Oct 01, 2010
This book highlighted the battles of women to become enlightened as Tenzin Palmo takes us along the path of the male world of enlightenment where women did not have a place.
Amazing book and an amazing women.
Amazing book and an amazing women.
Sep 26, 2009
Amazing piece of a book ; meaning - I read it from the middle to the end, then skimmed thru the first part . But I started where she discovers the cave ( it was the best part of the book.)
Oct 22, 2011
Peni
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I would love to find Enlightenment, but I know that physically and psychologically I don't possess the strength to go off in solitude like that! I really admire Tenzin Palmo and those like her.
Jan 22, 2009
Victoria
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This novel chronicles a Western woman's quest for enlightenment, where she spends years in a cave on a mountain in Tibet. This is a moving and inspiring true story.
Dec 22, 2011
Peter
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A fascinating story of her life but her reluctance to talk about what is happening with her inside leaves this as just half of a book.
Mar 05, 2009
Lauren
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ever since reading this as a teenager, I've thought I could be a Buddhist Monk.
I still wish for that sometimes.
I still wish for that sometimes.
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Jun 09, 2011
Sarah
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Not as inspiring as I thought it was gonna be. It all seemed a bit bonkers really.
Nov 27, 2009
Jennifer
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I could not read this book fast enough--loved it more than I ever thought possible.
Nov 13, 2008
Jetsuma Tensin Palmo,one of the first Western women to reach full Bhikshuni ordination. She was a student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche when she was a teenager. Her unwavering devotion and courage were needed to overcome the systemic obstacles of entrenched sexism in the Buddhist faith, and beliefs that women cannot reach enlightenment. Her experiences in the Himalayas as a cave dweller brought her closer to enlightenment. She is making herstory, history! I'm also serving as a co-coordinator f
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Dec 16, 2009
Jennifer
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i abeen intrigued by buddhism and its teachings for several years now. while not ultimately my religion - i'm always fascinated by the lives of its monks and the practices/teachings the so strictly, faithfully follow.
it's not often we get to hear about buddhism from a female monk (an obvious theme (flaw) in all religions).
in this book you hear the account of a british woman, turned dedicated monk who essentially spent 7 years living in a cave.
humbling, insightful, and even i More...
it's not often we get to hear about buddhism from a female monk (an obvious theme (flaw) in all religions).
in this book you hear the account of a british woman, turned dedicated monk who essentially spent 7 years living in a cave.
humbling, insightful, and even i More...
May 29, 2008
Nichole
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It's a nice quick read. The author talks about Buddhism as if the reader has a good base knowledge of the subject, which only makes me realize I could use some more reading about the Buddha and his teachings for sure. Regarding Tenzin Palmo's 12 years in a cave? It's a bit misleading since she did those years in segments and not in one whole block as you might expect from text on the cover....but an amazing feat and testament to her spirit and courage (and incredible strength and will) nonethele
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Sep 10, 2008
Nadia
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what can I say? Tenzin Palmo is definitely my new hero!
Each and every sentences came out of her & written in this book contain depth; yet they are all delivered simply, so simple you can understand each and every message right away.
As for Vicky MacKenzie, the author, i admire the way she put together Tenzin's story.
I will definitely buy some more of Tenzin's books, if any.
Each and every sentences came out of her & written in this book contain depth; yet they are all delivered simply, so simple you can understand each and every message right away.
As for Vicky MacKenzie, the author, i admire the way she put together Tenzin's story.
I will definitely buy some more of Tenzin's books, if any.
Sep 03, 2008
Steven
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All though it has been a while since i read this, I remember it as one of my favs.
I think it was about a woman who became the first female buddhist monk+female westerner to become a monk. She lived in silence/isolation(?) for 2(?)3(?) years up in the mountains, trying to survive and reach enlightenment.
I think it was about a woman who became the first female buddhist monk+female westerner to become a monk. She lived in silence/isolation(?) for 2(?)3(?) years up in the mountains, trying to survive and reach enlightenment.
Dec 29, 2009
Nancy
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I agree with the prior reviewer who said that the author's tone is more than a bit breathless and awestruck. This is not to say that Palmo didn't accomplish an amazing feat. What I appreciated the most was Palmo's certitude.
