Tibet, Lamplight Unto a Darkened World (The American Delusion, a Parody of Life) PREFACE & OVERVIEW

 

                                 Preface &  Overview

 

 



This book is a complex work, yet deceptively simple to read. There are 3 interweaving storylines...each with corresponding, alternating, small chapters.  It was written this way to provide easy-to-assimilate small chunks for busy readers; while allowing the story to unfold in a logical manner.  The work is separated into two small books:



Book I  Kathmandu Karma, and   

Book II  Messengers of the Gods.



 It is a Michener-esque view of America from the 1960's to present day.  A colorful and intriguing story, that also clarifies  how we got to where we are today; and, what we can do about it.... to help repair the disconnect between the meticulously crafted, & carefully managed,  perspectives of our 'culture' and the realities of our world today. 



While the plight of the Tibetan people is a central topic, it is an allegorical example for our lives    The book operates on many levels, providing accurate insights from the point of view of people from various unique cultures & socio-economic groups; and therefore, should be appealing to a broad audience. 



While it is classified as Parody, it is good to remember that the best Parody reflects accurate facts in order to highlight societal ills. Throughout written history, Parody has served a vital purpose.  How else does one elucidate, safely, about the lack of clothes on the Emperor....and the court? ;-)



The 1^st storyline starts in chapter 1. It is an adventure storyline (in real time) where the main character Thomas is engaged in a self exploration journey through his adventures in India, Nepal, and Tibet.  In his "trip to Thomas" he meets many interesting people, and has many experiences (This draws upon my personal experiences in these countries, such as the events surrounding the Slaughter of the Nepalese Royal Family for the attempted coup by China in 2001 ; which resulted in martial law in the country, precipitating the current unrest in Nepal. I supplied the only accurate information to leave the country at the time to CNN(via emails from Kathmandu, by an unmonitored server) during the 2 week+ communications  blackout in Nepal. The actual emails are included).



The 2^nd  storyline  is about the people that REALLY  control our world... "The Shadowmen" .....and how economics, industries, countries, and politicians are run by them.  These are short chapters, and their timeline is simultaneously concurrent with the 3^rd  storyline, beginning in chapter six, after the two main storylines are firmly established. This is a 'bird's eye view' perspective of events that occur in the 3^rd storyline. This is not an 'evil plot' view; just an explanatory nod to the stratification of human influence/control over each other, and our world.



The 3^rd  storyline is a Modern-day Siddartha Story, starting in chapter 2, Mirrors Hermann Hesse's  documentation of  Buddha's younger life....only in today's culture...i.e. how to achieve enlightenment (aka Increased Awareness of life, etc; bringing calm and happiness) This story starts at its end; where the protagonist has crashed physically & emotionally from his frustrating journey through life...'successfully' pursuing the American Dream (aka "The American Delusion," or,  "L'illusion Américaine, une Parodie de Vie."  It's purposely not clear who/what has happened in chapter 2; this storyline jumps back to his beginning, actually beginning in chapter 4. This storyline illustrates what Westerners can learn from HHDL, The Dalai Lama



So while this book  sounds, and is, complex; it reads easily, due to concise chapters that allow the reader to set it aside at logical breaks, thus fitting it into busy schedules.  In effect, it adapts to an A.D.D. existence; while simultaneously attempting to show the readers a way to change that by "Living the Change"  But a warning: "Michener-esque" means the reader has to 'allow' the author to adequately 'set the stage,' for a complex story.  Chapters 1 thru 6 do this. So, please be patient; you won't regret it :-)



There are a couple climaxes, & many revelations, in the book. The first climax comes when the 1^st and 3^rd storylines meet. The end of the 1960's timeline ends where the real-time story starts.  When Tom crashes, he 'picks up the pieces;' then leaves on his self-exploration journey to Tibet and the Dalai Lama.  This is an 'expected surprise' to the informed reader.  The other two 'surprises' are not.  Just when you think its over, it isn't.  Not until the last line.  Which, btw, means nothing if you skip and try to read ahead ;-)



 



Enjoy, and "good Life" to you !

  CLICK HERE TO GO TO CHAPTER #1  "Into Varanasi"  ;-)





-patrick mahoney





 

 

 

 

Ps: This EBook has been provided Free of charge, due to the fact that American's "Need to Know," and the "Need for Action" for Tibet, far surpasses any economic concerns.

 

1)      The 2008 Bejjing Olympics is the last shot for preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist World/culture

2)      Also, with our presidential election in full swing, AND, an Economic Depression on the way,  reading this Ebook will help in understanding the full reasons behind the turmoil; and avenues for possible solutions to the critical problems facing Americans.

 

Accurate knowledge, and decisive actions, in 2008....by all of us...are crucial.  The facts in this book, presented in an entertaining way, should help in these endeavors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©Tibet, Lamplight Unto a Darkened World...the American Delusion, a Parody of life; is copyright protected, by author, Patrick Mahoney. Online Internet Reproduction/Propagation/Quotation Encouraged, with this citation. Any Printed reproduction, other than for personal reading, requires written permission by author, patrickm http://patrickm.gather.com/  or patrick1000000000@yahoo.com