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Married to Bhutan Kindle Edition
by Linda Leaming (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 219 ratings
Tucked away in the eastern end of the Himalayas lies Bhutan: a tiny, landlocked country bordering China, India, and Nepal. One of the most remote places in the world, Bhutan is rich in natural beauty, exotic landscapes, and ancient wisdom, where people are genuinely happy with very few material possessions and the government embraces "Gross National Happiness" instead of Gross National Product. As one of the few Americans to have lived in Bhutan, Linda Leaming offers a rare glimpse at the peaceful mountain kingdom so many have only dreamed of. For over ten years, Leaming has lived and taught in the small town of Thimphu, where there are fewer than 100,000 people and no traffic lights. "If enlightenment is possible anywhere," she writes, "I think it is particularly possible here." The Bhutanese way of life—quieter, slower, and more tranquil—can seem daunting to most Westerners, consumed with time, dates, speed, and efficiency. In Bhutan, people rarely check their e-mail and take their time answering their telephones. But, as Leaming shows us, a little patience—over a cup of warm tea and friendly conversation—can help soothe the most distressed mind and soul. In this funny, magical memoir, Leaming takes us with her on her travels through South Asia, sharing her experiences as she learns the language, customs, and religion; folklore of a revered Tibetan holy man who gave blessings to the people by whacking them on the head with a big wooden phallus; her unlikely romance with a Buddhist artist; and her discoveries about the unexpected path to happiness and accidental enlightenment, where true bliss resides. Married to Bhutan is a reminder that following our dreams is the way to be truly happy.
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“As engaging and magical as Bhutan itself, written with heart and insight, Married to Bhutan is a wonderful memoir and a great journey.”
— Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Theif
About the Author
Linda Leaming is a writer whose work has appeared in Ladies’ Home Journal, Mandala, Guardian UK, A Woman’s Asia (Travelers’ Tales), and many other publications. Eric Weiner included her in his bestseller, The Geography of Bliss. Originally from Nashville, she has an M.F.A. in fiction from the University of Arizona; and she regularly speaks about Bhutan at colleges, churches, seminars, and book groups. She is married to the renowned Bhutanese thanka painter, Phurba Namgay.Find her at: www.marriedtobhutan.com and www.twitter.com/lindaleaming.
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Product details
File Size: 1090 KB
Print Length: 265 pages
Publisher: Hay House Inc. (April 1, 2011)
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B004SAC9N4
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
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Biography
Linda Leaming first traveled to Bhutan in 1994, and moved there three years later. This tiny Buddhist country hidden away in the Himalayas is a very happy place for many. Its king believes in Gross National Happiness instead of Gross National Product. Leaming writes about her life in Bhutan and how she learned to live more simply, how she laughs at herself instead of getting mad at others, and how she slows down to look for magic-- because it's everywhere. In Bhutan, she's known for using a salad spinner instead of a washing machine, and her village man makeovers.
Her writing has appeared in Ladies' Home Journal, Huffington Post, Mandala, Guardian UK, A Woman's Asia (Travelers' Tales, 2005), and many other publications. Eric Weiner included her in his 2008 bestseller, The Geography of Bliss. Originally from Nashville, she has an M.F.A. in fiction from the University of Arizona, and she regularly speaks about Bhutan at colleges, churches, seminars, and book groups. She is married to the renowned Bhutanese thanka painter, Phurba Namgay.
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married to bhutan linda leaming gross national well written united states life in bhutan national happiness years ago love story enjoyed this book bhutanese man running water way of life good read loved this book thoroughly enjoyed english teacher fall in love great read traveling to bhutan
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5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a wonderful, informative book about life in bhutanReviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book is a wonderful, informative book about life in bhutan, you almost feel like you are there. I have visited Bhutan and the descriptions by Linda Leaming are truthful and beautiful about the people and geography of this magical country. I hope more people in America will read this book and put their life in perspective , we are not on this earth forever, make your life count: that does not mean with money and material things, you are not taking one thing with you when you leave, just the love and kindness you gave will matter. Signed: Daunn Munn
5 people found this helpful
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Gabriella West
5.0 out of 5 stars A brave story about a woman's leap of faithReviewed in the United States on March 13, 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Married to Bhutan is the best book I've read this year so far. And I stumbled upon it by accident. I was looking at Eric Raff's "No Sense of Direction" and this was one of the "customers also read" choices. Since Leaming's memoir is about following your intuition and about choices, I like the fact that it fell into my lap.
When I was about 13, my English teacher at my school in Ireland left and went to Bhutan. She came back and did a slideshow for the whole school. I just remember how happy and relaxed she seemed. There was one picture of her sitting in an outdoor bath, smiling, with a grinning young Asian man pouring water over her. All the girls laughed nervously. I never forgot how she had "followed her bliss." I can't remember if she came back to teach, or returned to Bhutan. But it was a rare glimpse of someone daring to make an unconventional choice.
To get back to Leaming's memoir. It's beautifully written. A tongue in cheek humor comes through in the first part, where Leaming describes her experiences teaching English at a school in Bhutan. Her efforts to learn Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, are truly hilarious. I guess I wondered why she was so desperate to fit in in this foreign country. The funny thing about the book for me is that as it progressed, I really didn't take to Bhutan! I realized that I would be quite unhappy there, what with the isolation, the crazy roads, the religious conformity, not having water on a regular basis, and so on. But I never for a moment doubted Leaming's love of the country. And I found her description of her relationship with her now husband, a thanka painter at the school, quite touching. There is a picture of them together at the end that melted my heart. They look right together.
The book is not so much introverted and psychological as it is a meditation on happiness and making choices. Leaming says, "In the West it is possible to live and be asleep. In Bhutan one is compelled to wake up." She has certainly made what many people would think of as a crazy leap, to leave behind all that she knows and fully adopt a foreign country and its ways--and yet it makes perfect sense. In the end Leaming suggests that we can all find our own version of Bhutan, off the beaten path.
5 people found this helpful
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Turyia
5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't want it to end!Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
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I was invited to Bhutan to speak at a International Congress on Asian Medicine and I fell in love too! So as I read this book I was totally captivated and I felt like I was back in Bhutan. The people are indeed wonderful and happy! I delayed reading the last chapter because I did not want the book to end! I've since joined her web page and get news from time to time. I am amazed at how well she acclimated coming from the Continental U.S. to Bhutan but I can definitely relate and indeed how she describes Bhutan and her people is very accurate. I love this book!!! I had a wonderful time and a very profound Spiritual experience. I will be returning to Bhutan. They truly have had over 100 years of peace and happiness! Get it, enjoy it.
6 people found this helpful
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bookaddict
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative memoirReviewed in the United States on August 1, 2013
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
This memoir describes American Linda Leaming's adjustment to a very different culture and a much simpler life. How she came to love Bhutan would be an interesting story in itself. But this book goes beyond explaining Leaming's adjustment. It also describes the beautiful and severe natural environment and the beauty of the people and customs of this agrarian Buddhist society. The contrast with American materialism is striking, both in terms of the day-to-day hardships of life in Bhutan and the shallowness of American priorities in the grand scheme of things. The author describes her learning process and mistakes with humor, making the book very pleasant reading. Rather than trying to be exhaustive, she details particular experiences; some readers might disagree with her choice of what it is important to describe. And perhaps learning about Bhutan is less interesting to readers who never expect to be there. I'll be visiting Bhutan in the near future, and i found her perspective and information very valuable.
2 people found this helpful
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Hampden H. Smith III
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect introduction for a trip to BhutanReviewed in the United States on May 4, 2012
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I tripped over this captivating book while looking for something to introduce me to Bhutan before traveling there. I was charmed by it -- and this gruff old man isn't charmed by much, and certainly not by "chick lit." But more to the point, it was a perfect primer for this soon-to-be visitor. Without my realizing it, Leaming gave me insights into the culture, religion and character of this fascinating place that made my trip much more informative and interesting. I insisted my wife read it too, and she is more enthusiastic about it than I. We both told everyone else in our touring group they absolutely had to read it. Westerners have a tough time grasping non-Western cultures and viewpoints; this charming, warm, informative little volume helped me be open to a world far different from mine.
3 people found this helpful
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Pamela H. Parsons
4.0 out of 5 stars Loved this BookReviewed in the United States on June 18, 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This was a very unique and different kind of book and very hard to find - only one copy in the state of IL library system! But one of our book club members suggested it. I loved her laid back quirky but clean style of writing - it all felt very tongue in cheek and at the same time as if she was sitting on a mountain top with her eyes closed and musing. Reading it was to experience "letting go" in the Buddhist sense - of any attachment to the things that Americans feel define life but instead trap us into our gerbil wheel of existence. Clearly Bhutan is one of the most beautiful places in the world physically and inwardly. A country that focuses on " Gross National Happiness" as opposed to "Gross National Product".
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Top international reviews
sos
4.0 out of 5 stars What marriage?Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2015
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This is a fascinating well written book that reveals what it is like to live in Bhutan. It really makes you think about your life here in the West and how we can make changes if we want to.
The disappointing thing about this book is that there is very little said about the marriage in the title - Linda's relationship with her husband. It appears to be very platonic with no passion and no details about their relationship are forthcoming, or even any physical description of Namgay apart from one sentance. Also I would have liked to know what her family thought of Namgay when they got to know him. Nothing is mentioned about her family or previous relationships either. This left quite a big hole in the book - so much left unsaid.
I wonder if they are still married or whether she has returned to America, we are only told about the first few years of her living there and the rest is missing.
One person found this helpful
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Kaydee
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable readReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2017
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Gave an excellent insight into Bhutan and local life there. I visited the country shortly after reading the book and it was interesting to have had an intro to the country from Linda's book beforehand. Not somewhere I could ever imagine living but hats off to her for creating a new and enjoyable life in a very different country.
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xxb9nm2xx
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!! This is it!!!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2015
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I've always wanted to go to Bhutan and unfortunately I haven't yet made it there.
This book however really helped me to imagine what day to day life there is really like.
It was vivid and exciting and excellently written. I was furiously turning pages, hoping that it would never come to an end.
I could picture myself following the author along, as she settled into her new life and made peace with such an amazing country.
As for Bhutan? Well this book has only fuelled my desire to go there...Hopefully one day I'll make it, and get the opportunity to experience such a wonderful and magical place.
I hope the author continues to write novels like this, about the place that she now calls home.
If Bhutan is of interest to you, or if you are looking for a new book to dive into and lose yourself, then this is it!!
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R. Walter
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and wonderfully writtenReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I really enjoyed this honest account of life in Bhutan from and outsider perspective, it's always interesting to see a slice of someone else's life and this author is certainly having a wonderful adventure in a fascinating country
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Cherry
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this bookReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2018
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
It encapsulates what is good and fascinating about Bhutan. I've been there twice and it's a very special place with lovely people. Linda conveys the essence of it very well. I love her other book too, a field guide to happiness.
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박경철 충남연구원 사회통합연구실장
