A Leaf in the Wind: A Life's Journey

by Venerable Adrian Feldmann

Born in Melbourne in 1943, Adrian Feldmann was one of the first Westerners to become a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. On the eve of a three-year, solitary meditation retreat, he recounts the inner and outer journeys that lead him to Nepal where, in the early 1970's, he met two Tibetan lamas, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. They were among the first lamas to teach Buddhism to Westerners.In the 1970's, Adrian Feldmann was a young doctor wrapped up in the hippie counter-culture, experimenting with mind-altering drugs and studying Eastern mysticism. Seeking a greater purpose to his life, he began to travel. Following his friends on the hippie trail, he travelled through Afghanistan where he was impressed by the spiritual power of Islam. Inspired by his reading of Taoist philosophy, he and some friends bought a converted rowing boat and sailed down the Indus River, searching for freedom and a more authentic way of living. What he found launched him on the spiritual path to Buddhism. This personal account of one man's search for happiness is often humorous and sometimes shocking. Adrian Feldmann doesn't shirk revealing the mistakes and failings which help to highlight his personal message of hope. He wants us to know that the ego undermines our happiness and fortifies our habitual, destructive emotions. His spiritual path is a quest to "slay the ego," and his life story is a parable for modern times.This title was first published in 2005 by Lothian Books as a paperback book. This updated ebook version is published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive and includes a postscript from the author recounting the continuing saga of his spiritual path. The Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive is a non-profit organization established to make the Buddhist teachings of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche freely accessible in many ways, including on our website for instant reading, listening or downloading, and as digital and printed books. Our website offers immediate access to thousands of pages of teachings and hundreds of audio recordings by some of the greatest lamas of our time. Our photo gallery and our ever-popular books are also freely accessible. You can find out more about becoming a supporter of the Archive and see all we have to offer by visiting the LYWA website. Thank you!

431 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2015

Reviews

[Lai Fong Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Insight Into the Mind of a Western Doctor Turned Buddhist Monk

This is an outstanding book for those intrigued by why ordinary people living in the western world turn to Buddhism. The author had everything to live for, a successful career as a medical doctor in Australia, a loving family and healthy social life, but eschewed a conventional life of career and marriage for spiritual enlightenment, finding the perfect path in Tibetan Buddhism.

From his position as a senior meditation teacher and monastery director, the author gives the reader an excellent insider's view into the beginnings and workings of FPMT, the foremost global network of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and teaching centres, and a riveting look into the person of the founder, Lama Yeshe, a most extraordinary and charismatic man, and the highly revered and loved spiritual master who in the 1970s pioneered and built the foundation of Buddhism in the Western world.

[Shannon Olivia O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. This man has a really interesting story. I was extra interested as I've been to some of the places he writes about - Kopan and Bodounath (Nepal), Dharmasala and McLeod Ganj (India), and Chenrezig Institute (Australia). It was inspiring to read about a person who had the bravery to follow a path that rang true for him despite his background and conditioning. Definitely food for thought.....

[Neil Crowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have met the author before but knew very little about him. His memoir was endlessly fascinating and informative. I found much to identify with in talking about Eastern Philosophies.

[Inge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable up until the point he decided to become a Tibetan Buddhist monk