Pre-Owned White Lama: The Life of Tantric Yogi Theos Bernard, Tibet's Lost Emissary to the New World (Hardcover) by Douglas Veenhof

Douglas Veenhof's "White Lama" is a book that succeeds on many levels. To all those who are curious about the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism and Yoga to the west, this is a seminal volume. For all of those who have happened upon the amazing and curious life of Theos Bernard, this is the most complete record of his life. Wrought out of what must have been years of research, the book forms a complete picture of Theos Bernard, of his profound work and influence, and his extraordinary life - all the way from his early roots in Arizona to his mysterious finish. All these things aside, Douglas Veenhof is one of the most fantastic writers I have read in a long time. His deft turn of phrase, his keen observation and his rich prose, married with his simple yet poetic ability to express something, makes me think of him as a deep and powerful master writer in company with the likes of a Pasternak or a Hemingway, a Melville or McCarthy. Where these authors bring their awesome powers of writing to the world of fiction, Veenhof brings it to non-fiction, making for an account that is both amazing in content (truth is stranger than fiction) and in the sheer craftsmanship of word. I cannot think of anyone who would not get something from this book - biography nuts, scholars, historians, yogis and Buddhists (especially those in the west) and all lovers of extremely good and well-written books to those just looking for a great summer read. Lastly, on a personal note, as a practitioner of Buddhism and yoga this book gave me a connection, a link, as to how these teachings and practices got into our western world to begin with. I felt myself tremendously moved by Theos' bravery and persistence in bringing these teachings out of a remote land and to us in the west, where they have benefited so many; and to Douglas Veenhof I felt tremendously grateful for the sharing of such a profound tale written with such gripping exactitude. The book was profound, insightful, interesting and fun, perhaps destined to be a classic as it feels like the telling of a missing link in the extraordinary saga that is Buddhism's introduction to the west. Big recommend.