Not being a reader of travel books, I attended this lecture expecting a large number of beautiful pictures combined with amusing anecdotes, with a few thoughtful asides- related to the spiritual side of things referred to in the pre-lecture ads.
Instead Colin, a very well known writer came armed with just one slide ( a map of his route to the holy mountain he visited) and a wealth of knowledge and information about Tibet and the religions of the area he visited for this trip. After the death of the last member of his family he decided to visit the holy mountain in Tibet where the world is supposed to have begun and is also the place where Shiva is supposed to contemplate. His description of it and the nearby holy lake evoked a beautiful vista. Whilst the devout pilgrims attempting to atone their sins and attain Nirvanah by making their way around the mountain by means of prostration was awe inspiring. Air burial, where the dead are cut up and fed to the sacred vultures was not a way I'd choose to go personally but I can see the environmental as well as spiritual appeal of it for some!
The talk was a most interesting, thought provoking and revealing experience that was informed by a wide range of texts. I was very impressed!
I was also left regretting the passing of occasions like this where one person can hold you with his experience and train of thoughts on such a serious subject (ritual, religion and death), without any other aid bar his voice and brain!
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