A remarkable book which has become a classic of natural history and eastern religion.  The author hooks up with a famous naturalist, George Schaller, and after flying to Katmandu, begins a westward and northern trek of several weeks over the Himalayas to reach the Crystal Mountain in northwest Nepal in the Land of Dolpo on the Tibetan plateau.  The 250 mile walk under challenging circumstances of snow, ice, poor trails, recalcitrant porters, diminishing food and firewood stores, etc leads Matthiessen to a Buddhist awakening of mindfulness, present focus, and fascination with the ability to be in the moment and not let worrying about the future interfere with living in the present, or as he puts it, ‘forever getting ready for life instead of living it each day’.  He tries to extend the acute awareness of life experienced in moments of sexual pleasure and extreme danger into the ordinary moments, the precision and openness and intelligence of the present”.  “God offers man the choice between repose and truth; he cannot have both.’  Matthiessen arrives at the conclusion that ‘in worrying about the future, I despoil the present.”  Great advice, but perhaps too much about the individual names and places of Buddhism.  There is also a bit too much repetition in the narrative about the journey—too many ice fields and crusts, too many icy trails, dung fires, poor dinners, dirt, etc.  In sum, though, a fine book for nature lovers, hikers, and Buddhists or aspiring Zen masters.  Four Noble Truths:  1. Existence is inseparable from suffering 2.  Cause of suffering is craving.  3.  Peace is attained by extinguishing craving.   4.  Liberation is brought about by the 8fold path.  Eight Fold Path:  1. Right attention to understanding 2.  Right attention to intentions  3.  Right attention to speech  4.  Right attention to actions  5.  Right effort in livelihood  6.  Right mindfulness  7.  Right concentration  8.  Unification of self from sitting yoga.  The book needed a map and my library book from Norwood only had half of the original.