mayne@vsserv.scri.fsu.edu (William (Bill) Mayne) (02/06/91)
I am presently reading _Magic & Mystery in Tibet_ by Alexandra David-Neel. This book is very interesting and of great enjoyment to me. But as I read, I find myself wondering about the author and the honesty of the experiences she writes about. A friend assures me that the author is for real. But I find myself still wondering... Anyway, does anyone know of the background of David-Neel, and of the culture of which she writes. If so, I would be most grateful to anyone for sharing what ever knowledge they have on this. To be honest, I am totally ignorant of her topic. Though I am very familier with the mysticism of Sufism. So what she writes about does not really supprise me, nor puts me off in anyway. In fact, just the opposite, which is why I'm wondering about the author and her background. Thanks in advance: David Hatcher
torkel@sics.se (Torkel Franzen) (02/06/91)
In article <2093@sun13.scri.fsu.edu> mayne@vsserv.scri.fsu.edu (William (Bill) Mayne) writes: [This attribution is incorrect, probably due to my error in posting an article by someone else - Sorry about that! -- Acting moderator] >Anyway, does anyone know of the background of David-Neel, >and of the culture of which she writes. If so, I would >be most grateful to anyone for sharing what ever knowledge >they have on this. David-Neel (1868-1969!) is well known. A readable account of her remarkable life is given in 'Alexandra David-Neel - Portrait of an Adventurer' by Ruth Middleton. David-Neel's many books about Buddhism, of which I have only read a minute fraction, testify to her vast knowledge and understanding of the subject.