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Matt Lester #2
The Secret Mantra
In a remote, Himalayan monastery he's spent five years preparing for this moment. It's his destiny to open an ancient, sealed scroll containing secret wisdom the world urgently needs. But when his time comes, everything goes wrong.
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First published January 1, 2020
205 people are currently reading
1530 people want to read
About the author
David Michie
95 books672 followersDavid Michie is the internationally best-selling author of The Magician of Lhasa series, The Dalai Lama's Cat series, and several non-fiction titles on meditation and Buddhism. His books are published in over 30 languages and 50 countries.
In 2015 he established Mindful Safaris to Africa.
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In 2015 he established Mindful Safaris to Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 11, 2021
I only have love for David Michie’s work.
When I heard about the second Matt Lester book I was beyond excited. I adored The Magician of Lhasa and still consider it to be one of the best books I ever read.
Therefore the expectations for The Secret Mantra were no less than up in the sky. And I am so glad that the book was just as magnificent as its older brother.
The book felt a lot different. I did get the “Dan Brown” feel, which I think was for the benefit. It makes the book even a bigger page turner as you simply must know what will happen next.
From the spiritual point of view, I always took my time to think about everything. It all makes so much sense to me, it all clicks in such a massive level, that in the middle of the book I actually did my Mantra research and started to recite these as well.
Again, David Michie made sure to give me plenty of food for thought. Again, I lost myself completely in the story forgetting about the outside world.
Brilliant. Complex. Delightful.
Thank you, David 🙏.
When I heard about the second Matt Lester book I was beyond excited. I adored The Magician of Lhasa and still consider it to be one of the best books I ever read.
Therefore the expectations for The Secret Mantra were no less than up in the sky. And I am so glad that the book was just as magnificent as its older brother.
The book felt a lot different. I did get the “Dan Brown” feel, which I think was for the benefit. It makes the book even a bigger page turner as you simply must know what will happen next.
From the spiritual point of view, I always took my time to think about everything. It all makes so much sense to me, it all clicks in such a massive level, that in the middle of the book I actually did my Mantra research and started to recite these as well.
Again, David Michie made sure to give me plenty of food for thought. Again, I lost myself completely in the story forgetting about the outside world.
Brilliant. Complex. Delightful.
Thank you, David 🙏.
October 7, 2020
As with all of David Michie’s writing with ‘The Secret Mantra’ you are ensured a thoroughly good read, this latest offering (the second in his Matt Lester Spiritual Thrillers series) is both an engrossing thriller and a profound (but accessible) lesson in Buddhist meditation practice. I enjoy reading thrillers and detective stories and I enjoyed ‘The Secret Mantra’ on that level, but for me it was the spiritual side that really resonated. Indeed stere are quite a few very interesting and useful passages that I could cite as good, spiritual teaching but I will limit myself to two passages that particularly stood out.
First the sections on, as Michie calls it, “Information Medicine”, by which he means “a method of healing that uses energetic methods – instead of chemical, physical, or biological intervention – to cure disease and promote wellbeing.” This is a running theme throughout the book. It is generally accepted that energetic (by which is meant mental energy, thoughts and mind practices) do affect, both negatively and positively, physical health, think how stress is one cause of heart disease and high blood pressure; the theory of Information Medicine expounded by Michie is simply an extension, or more accurately an explanation of this phenomena. If you are interested in this subject and how meditation and the use of Mantras can be of use, then the book is a great foundation text and worth buying for this alone. Here is one quotation that illustrates how Michie explains this:
“‘You’re driving along the road and a warning light shows up on your
dashboard,’ he said. ‘You have no idea what’s going on, so you take the car to a service center. Once there, a mechanic turns on the ignition and sees the warning light before spending about thirty seconds fiddling behind the dash and pulling out the light bulb. When he switches the engine on again, the light isn’t showing. “That fixes it,” he tells you.
I absorbed the story. ‘Fixing the symptoms and ignoring the cause,’ I said.
George nodded. ‘The consciousness model tells you that both ease and dis-ease arise first in the mind. Then manifest in the body. Even if you fix what is going on in the body, you are only dealing with the symptoms, not the cause.’
‘So, according to this model,’ I mused. ‘When you get physically ill, you should not only want to fix the illness, but try to eliminate what caused it in the first place.’
‘Exactly. Whatever in your inner state is out of kilter. Not such a big leap, really,’ he shrugged. ‘All doctors accept that stress causes heart disease. That anxiety causes digestive problems. There’s no point operating on a
cardiac arrest patient and giving them, say, a bypass if they go back to the same lifestyle they had before. There has to be a holistic shift. They have to change their lifestyle, their mental state, or the same thing will happen again.’”
The second subject I want to highlight is where the author writes about meditating on the Medicine Buddha, especially what he writes in Chapter 13. His explanation of the colours that are associated with the Medicine Buddha and that emanate from him in visions that Buddhist practitioners sometimes experience. The core passage is too long for me to quote in its entirety here, so I will only cite the portion on the colour blue:
“Next I sensed blue, the color of healing. A universal archetype, the radiant, lapis-blue color was both dynamic and curative. It had the power to instantly remove pain, inflammation, blockages, pressures, hindrances, and all aberration, turning the tide on disease and washing the body-mind continuum with wave after wave of vitality and vigorous good health. Profoundly impactful and without limit, its purpose was to bring whole- ness to consciousness as much as to the body, to eliminate all origins of disease in the mind. Here and now, without any conscious effort on my part, drinking in the deep-blue light strengthened my resilience. Simply abiding in its presence empowered a sense of profound wellbeing.”
To sum up. It is unusual to find a book that both entertains and theologically informs the reader, ‘The Secret Mantra’ does this in an easily understood but also profound way. The story is exciting, the theology is enlightening. I certainly have no hesitation in recommending ‘The Secret Mantra’ to readers, you will not be disappointed and it might even change your life.
First the sections on, as Michie calls it, “Information Medicine”, by which he means “a method of healing that uses energetic methods – instead of chemical, physical, or biological intervention – to cure disease and promote wellbeing.” This is a running theme throughout the book. It is generally accepted that energetic (by which is meant mental energy, thoughts and mind practices) do affect, both negatively and positively, physical health, think how stress is one cause of heart disease and high blood pressure; the theory of Information Medicine expounded by Michie is simply an extension, or more accurately an explanation of this phenomena. If you are interested in this subject and how meditation and the use of Mantras can be of use, then the book is a great foundation text and worth buying for this alone. Here is one quotation that illustrates how Michie explains this:
“‘You’re driving along the road and a warning light shows up on your
dashboard,’ he said. ‘You have no idea what’s going on, so you take the car to a service center. Once there, a mechanic turns on the ignition and sees the warning light before spending about thirty seconds fiddling behind the dash and pulling out the light bulb. When he switches the engine on again, the light isn’t showing. “That fixes it,” he tells you.
I absorbed the story. ‘Fixing the symptoms and ignoring the cause,’ I said.
George nodded. ‘The consciousness model tells you that both ease and dis-ease arise first in the mind. Then manifest in the body. Even if you fix what is going on in the body, you are only dealing with the symptoms, not the cause.’
‘So, according to this model,’ I mused. ‘When you get physically ill, you should not only want to fix the illness, but try to eliminate what caused it in the first place.’
‘Exactly. Whatever in your inner state is out of kilter. Not such a big leap, really,’ he shrugged. ‘All doctors accept that stress causes heart disease. That anxiety causes digestive problems. There’s no point operating on a
cardiac arrest patient and giving them, say, a bypass if they go back to the same lifestyle they had before. There has to be a holistic shift. They have to change their lifestyle, their mental state, or the same thing will happen again.’”
The second subject I want to highlight is where the author writes about meditating on the Medicine Buddha, especially what he writes in Chapter 13. His explanation of the colours that are associated with the Medicine Buddha and that emanate from him in visions that Buddhist practitioners sometimes experience. The core passage is too long for me to quote in its entirety here, so I will only cite the portion on the colour blue:
“Next I sensed blue, the color of healing. A universal archetype, the radiant, lapis-blue color was both dynamic and curative. It had the power to instantly remove pain, inflammation, blockages, pressures, hindrances, and all aberration, turning the tide on disease and washing the body-mind continuum with wave after wave of vitality and vigorous good health. Profoundly impactful and without limit, its purpose was to bring whole- ness to consciousness as much as to the body, to eliminate all origins of disease in the mind. Here and now, without any conscious effort on my part, drinking in the deep-blue light strengthened my resilience. Simply abiding in its presence empowered a sense of profound wellbeing.”
To sum up. It is unusual to find a book that both entertains and theologically informs the reader, ‘The Secret Mantra’ does this in an easily understood but also profound way. The story is exciting, the theology is enlightening. I certainly have no hesitation in recommending ‘The Secret Mantra’ to readers, you will not be disappointed and it might even change your life.
November 2, 2020
I am generally a big fan of David Michie's books. I love the 'Dalai Lama's Cat' series. I have also read 'The Magician of Lhasa' several times and really enjoyed it. It combines two parallel stories cleverly and coherently, deals with complex ideas like Tibetan Buddhism, karma and quantum physics in a way which is easy to understand, and moves at a steady pace. It's a good book.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the same positive experience with the sequel. I think the problem lies with the basic concept of a 'spiritual thriller'.
If you are dealing with complex spiritual ideas, you need a certain amount of quite complicated explanation, whch necessarily slows down the pace of a novel. If you are writing a thriller, you tend to have fast-paced action and intriguing twists to the plot. In this book, I don't think the marriage of 'spiritual' and 'thriller' has worked at all.
Unfortunately, the thriller aspect of the plot is also packed with cliches: the power-mad scientist, the brutal evil henchmen, the chase (2) through the marketplace/shopping mall. It began to remind me of Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci Code' which I have always regarded as one of the most over-rated best sellers ever.
There are some really interesting concepts on the spiritual side of this book, but as a complete story I was really disappointed to find it deeply unsatisfying.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the same positive experience with the sequel. I think the problem lies with the basic concept of a 'spiritual thriller'.
If you are dealing with complex spiritual ideas, you need a certain amount of quite complicated explanation, whch necessarily slows down the pace of a novel. If you are writing a thriller, you tend to have fast-paced action and intriguing twists to the plot. In this book, I don't think the marriage of 'spiritual' and 'thriller' has worked at all.
Unfortunately, the thriller aspect of the plot is also packed with cliches: the power-mad scientist, the brutal evil henchmen, the chase (2) through the marketplace/shopping mall. It began to remind me of Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci Code' which I have always regarded as one of the most over-rated best sellers ever.
There are some really interesting concepts on the spiritual side of this book, but as a complete story I was really disappointed to find it deeply unsatisfying.
October 24, 2020
An exciting, mystical thriller that weaves in Buddhist concepts. I often found myself stopping, reflecting, re-reading, and repeatedly telling myself to slow down. After a bit, I gave up and decided to devour the novel to see how it ends and when finished, start again at a slower, more thoughtful pace to contemplate and consider the deeper lessons that David is presenting.
What I enjoy most about his writing is how accessible and comprehensible he makes Buddhist principles, while at the same time wrapping them in a pleasurable, easy read. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) another book in the Matt Lester series.
What I enjoy most about his writing is how accessible and comprehensible he makes Buddhist principles, while at the same time wrapping them in a pleasurable, easy read. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) another book in the Matt Lester series.
December 8, 2020
A wonderful mystery with the Medicine Buddha as the story line. As a Medicine Buddha practitioner, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the mystery and lessons. A fictional story surrounded by nonfiction.
October 22, 2020
David Michie once again takes a potentially challenging topic and makes it easily readable in a fun, non-judgmental format. David has written numerous non-fiction books on Buddhism and his Dali Lama’s Cat series is a delightful way to process basic Buddhist principles in his seemingly light but definitely deep stories. Although this book is the second in the series (the first is called The Magician of Lhasa) you can read it directly without missing any content. If you like modern popular fiction and/or books on Buddhism then this could be a good read for you.
You can also check out some of the actual scientific research that correlates with the story. Though a bit harder to read! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... and https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
You can also check out some of the actual scientific research that correlates with the story. Though a bit harder to read! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... and https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
October 22, 2020
Another David Michie gem!
On the surface, The Secret Manta is an exceptional thriller set in an exotic location, complete with a charming leading man. The book has it all with romance, history, geography and mystery!
Deeper down, as a novice Buddhism follower, I find David is able to convey and explain so many concepts and teachings in an way I can understand. He literally spells out ideas that are sometimes quite difficult to comprehend in a way from which we can all learn and benefit.
This is definitely a book that can be read over and over! Thank you again David Michie! I loved it!
On the surface, The Secret Manta is an exceptional thriller set in an exotic location, complete with a charming leading man. The book has it all with romance, history, geography and mystery!
Deeper down, as a novice Buddhism follower, I find David is able to convey and explain so many concepts and teachings in an way I can understand. He literally spells out ideas that are sometimes quite difficult to comprehend in a way from which we can all learn and benefit.
This is definitely a book that can be read over and over! Thank you again David Michie! I loved it!
October 25, 2020
Story-lovers .. relaaaax and be taken far away!
The Secret Mantra is a page-turning thriller with international twists and turns. Fast-paced in beautifully-observed locations, balanced with welcomed pauses of clearly-understood Buddhist reflections ...
Credible dialogue too in a highly-visual story - you will feel as if you too are at the scene!
Along with 'The Magician of Lhasa' by same author, makes a great present for ALL who enjoy escaping through reading or listening.
Recommend.
Snow
The Secret Mantra is a page-turning thriller with international twists and turns. Fast-paced in beautifully-observed locations, balanced with welcomed pauses of clearly-understood Buddhist reflections ...
Credible dialogue too in a highly-visual story - you will feel as if you too are at the scene!
Along with 'The Magician of Lhasa' by same author, makes a great present for ALL who enjoy escaping through reading or listening.
Recommend.
Snow
October 22, 2020
I loved this book. I thought it was an amazing addition to the first book in the series The Magician of Lhasa. David Michie has a wonderful way of teaching us about Tibetian Buddhism in his stories while also keeping us in suspense and awe. I read both books in 2 days each. I couldn't put either of them down. If you are looking for a book to keep you interested the whole time while reading; this book will definitely do just that. You probably won't be able to put it down.
October 29, 2020
Wow, the reviewers to date have done such a stupendous job I have nothing much to add.
......except my enthusiastic YES! I was as always turning pages nonstop until I finished the book -- at 4am. Now it's time to go back & savor it more slowly & highlight keeper places & quotes to return to again & again.
Like David Michie's other books, this one is at least a 2 level read, off the top an engaging thriller with many twists, and deeper down an accessible introduction to Buddhist practice. I recommend especially the Medicine Buddha visualization / meditation, which for me was so vivid it's as if I dropped into a similar meditative state as the characters in the book.
There are also numerous discussions of quantum theory as it applies to mind-body medicine & healing, and again, very accessible. Quantum theory can rapidly descend into a tangled mess of hooey (IMO) and David Michie makes it the clearest I've seen it, so clear I felt I understood some aspects of it for the first time.
My recommendation, if you haven't figured it out yet, is DO read this book, it's a keeper.
......except my enthusiastic YES! I was as always turning pages nonstop until I finished the book -- at 4am. Now it's time to go back & savor it more slowly & highlight keeper places & quotes to return to again & again.
Like David Michie's other books, this one is at least a 2 level read, off the top an engaging thriller with many twists, and deeper down an accessible introduction to Buddhist practice. I recommend especially the Medicine Buddha visualization / meditation, which for me was so vivid it's as if I dropped into a similar meditative state as the characters in the book.
There are also numerous discussions of quantum theory as it applies to mind-body medicine & healing, and again, very accessible. Quantum theory can rapidly descend into a tangled mess of hooey (IMO) and David Michie makes it the clearest I've seen it, so clear I felt I understood some aspects of it for the first time.
My recommendation, if you haven't figured it out yet, is DO read this book, it's a keeper.
October 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. As always, the writing is great and I found the story compelling and satisfying. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. Also, I found myself excited to keep reading. It was suspenseful plus I learned a lot of wonderful life lessons that can be applied to life.
October 20, 2020
David is a master storyteller. I couldn't wait to turn the page and learn more about what was happening. Amazing plot and great book. Highly recommended.
I read the first book in under a week and this was the same!
Thanks David - keep up the amazing writing. Love it!
I read the first book in under a week and this was the same!
Thanks David - keep up the amazing writing. Love it!
October 26, 2020
Another great hit!
David has once again held me spell bound as I travel through the story and adventure. I again find wonder with the Buddhism presented.
David has once again held me spell bound as I travel through the story and adventure. I again find wonder with the Buddhism presented.
December 30, 2020
David Michie did it again. What a great book! A spiritual thriller!
Our Book Circle read the first book and then were excited when this one came out - and it didn't disappoint us at all.
Our Book Circle read the first book and then were excited when this one came out - and it didn't disappoint us at all.
October 26, 2020
Inspirational. Fast-paced. Thought-provoking. Educational. Engaging, believable characters. This excellent, spellbinding international spiritual thriller has it all! Highly recommend!
November 29, 2020
Could not put this book down and will go back and read it again slower! I love David Michie's writing and am always waiting for the next book. My friends and family know that they will get the gift of the newest David Michie book for any special occasion that may arise. Thank you David for another wonderful book!
November 24, 2020
I loved the mystery but what caught my attention was the way the characters call upon their Buddhist practice in all situations. I’d noticed this very thing when trekking the Himalayas - practitioners make its mantras the music of their lives and activities. The science is a smidge weak at times but the ideas behind this are intriguing. Splendid read.
November 23, 2020
Adventure with historical and spiritual aspects
An amazing adventure story and conclusion to the first book. It can be read as just an action/adventure story or can be an introduction to another culture and Buddhism along with the adventure
An amazing adventure story and conclusion to the first book. It can be read as just an action/adventure story or can be an introduction to another culture and Buddhism along with the adventure
November 23, 2020
Wonderful sequel to "The Magician of Lhasa" throughly recommend both books.
January 11, 2021
Quite a combination: a thriller with a healing, mystical message.
Like his previous book in this series, this is an exciting story while having a soothing feeling underlying it all.
Yes, life seems rather chaotic and terrible things happen.
But if you tap in deeper, you can become aware of a purpose and hope for us all.
It reminds me a bit of The Celestine Prophecy, but better written.
Like his previous book in this series, this is an exciting story while having a soothing feeling underlying it all.
Yes, life seems rather chaotic and terrible things happen.
But if you tap in deeper, you can become aware of a purpose and hope for us all.
It reminds me a bit of The Celestine Prophecy, but better written.
January 8, 2021
Love this & the first. Not just reading a good mystery, but being brought into the introspective spiritual learning. I actually felt the impact of the novel. Also love David Michie’s story telling. Also love the amazing tie of science and spirituality.
October 4, 2020
I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this book and it was the perfect book to read on a wet miserable weekend. It was so interesting to learn a bit more of the science behind the connection between meditation and health and was cleverly written to enhance and not detract from an interesting and clever storyline.. David Michie has, yet again, done a wonderful job of integrating various aspects of mindfulness, meditation and Tibetan philosophies into a delightful read. Many will have seen images of the Tiger’s Nest but his descriptive writings bring a new element of wonder to this magical and spiritual place. A delightful read.
Currently reading
September 23, 2020The Secret Mantra is the follow-up to my first spiritual thriller, The Magician of Lhasa. Thank you to all my wonderful readers for encouraging me to write it - I hope The Secret Mantra meets your long-awaited expectations!
I interveave a fast-paced storyline with insights into the unique mind-body healing practices found in Tibetan Buddhism. These are explored from both a traditional perspective as well as that of contemporary science. It was great to spend more time with our much loved characters again - so much so that I'm mulling over a third book in the series ...
"David Michie has written a cracker of a Buddhist thriller - sacret art heist, skuldggery, international chase, a hint of romance - and all interwoven with the profund mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. Couldn't put it down." Vicki Mackenzie, author Cave in the Snow
"David has done a beautiful job of integrating mindfulness and the healing power of meditation into this page-turning work of fiction. A delightful read that will entertain and inspire you."
Kate James, author of Create Calm
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCL24J9
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id152...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/Search/Que...
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
I interveave a fast-paced storyline with insights into the unique mind-body healing practices found in Tibetan Buddhism. These are explored from both a traditional perspective as well as that of contemporary science. It was great to spend more time with our much loved characters again - so much so that I'm mulling over a third book in the series ...
"David Michie has written a cracker of a Buddhist thriller - sacret art heist, skuldggery, international chase, a hint of romance - and all interwoven with the profund mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism. Couldn't put it down." Vicki Mackenzie, author Cave in the Snow
"David has done a beautiful job of integrating mindfulness and the healing power of meditation into this page-turning work of fiction. A delightful read that will entertain and inspire you."
Kate James, author of Create Calm
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DCL24J9
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id152...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/Search/Que...
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
December 23, 2020
Such a beautiful message behind this story. I'm profoundly moved by this book.
February 24, 2021
Even better than the first bookin the series, The Magician of Lhasa. Even more dharma seamlessly intertwined with the story. I found the information about mantras very intriguing. Having visited Bhutan myself in 1993 & 1997, Il loved reading about Taktsang Monastery ( the Tiger’s Nest) and remembering wandering through labyrinthine monasteries and temples, feeling the sacred peace everywhere, and seeing the giant thing drop unfurled at the Paro tsechu. It’s easy to imagine the magical secrets within Taktsang and the Paro Valley.. I haven’t been able to find the Medicine Buddha mantra readers are directed to find on his website.
October 31, 2020
I have loved all books of this author. This is the one I liked less. I think it is a bit like Da Vinci’s Code, The lost symbol and other Dan Brown’s books. It is full of action, but in the end the story is not so remarkable. I did not get it. All the work to get a mantra that all the monks knew? A bit of a anti-climax. I love buddhist themes and I have been to Bhutan and I enjoyed the references to the places where I have been.
May 3, 2021
What a lovely read! Not only a good story, but also very insightful. I checked out the nine-round breathing too. Apparently beginners can start the practice without visualisation. I will will persevere! My thanks to David Michie. I only hope his preoccupation with cats will abate somewhat to enable the writing of the next book in the Matt Lester series.
March 23, 2021
A very readable and engaging mystery story. I love the way that Buddhist beliefs are entwined with the mystery without it ever becoming heavy.
April 6, 2021
Another fantastic book by David Michie, he has a wonderful way of writing fiction books that are really interesting whilst sharing really profound and important tibetan buddhist teachings !
April 29, 2021
This story will really make you think. Great follow-up to The Magician of Lhasa.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews