Blue Sky Kingdom
An Epic Family Journey to the Heart of the Himalaya
An Epic Family Journey to the Heart of the Himalaya
Feeling stagnant, gawking mindlessly at his phone, increasingly disconnected from family and everything of importance in his world, it struck writer Bruce Kirkby: this wasn't who he was; this wasn't how he wanted to live. That moment of clarity led to a plan: he, his wife and their two young sons would jump on a freighter and head for the Himalaya. To help with the finances, they would document the adventure for a reality TV travel series. Bruce, Christine, seven-year-old Bodi and three-year-old Taj travelled across the globe by sea, rail and eventually on foot. Upon reaching a thousand-year-old Buddhist monastery in the remote Zanskar valley, the television crew left them in peace. In Blue Sky Kingdom, Kirkby shares the story of this journey and his family's three months in one of the last places on earth where Tibetan Buddhism is still practiced freely in its original setting. Exploring themes of modern distraction, the loss of ancient wisdom and Kirkby's process of coming to terms with Bodi's autism diagnosis, Blue Sky Kingdom is the remarkable tale of one family's experience living in a refuge where ancient traditions intersect with the modern world. With wit, insight and compassion, Kirkby tells a story that will deeply affect readers.
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This is the second Bruce Kirkby book I have read. Back in 2018 I read his book The Dolphin's Tooth. For me this was a book I considered a gem - a rare find where I enjoyed the authors writing style, outlook and ambition to find his own path in life. It was a 5 star book from the end of the first chapter.
I was recently offered a media copy of Kirkby's new book Blue Sky Kingdom in exchange for a review. This is, as you will see, a review which endorses this as a great book. That is purely because it is, not because of any perceived obligation.
Since his last book, Bruce has done some adulting. With a wife and two boys, he finds himself grappling with a life of consumerism and a (fairly typical) digital addiction which makes his cellphone more riveting than engaging with family or friends. On whim he decides a Buddhist Monastery somewhere in the Himalaya for three months with his family would help him refocus his life!
“The lesson I want to impart to my kids is that it's not about the stuff. It's more about being solid within yourself.” p83
“Despite the challenges of being constantly filmed, I was also aware the crew afforded our family experiences we would have never contemplated (or afforded) alone.” P53
I wrote out lists of farm animals, office supplies, family members, geographical landmarks, common foods and, finally, kitchen implements: cup, plate, knife, fork . . .“Fork,” I read aloud.“Fuck,” he tried to copy.“Fork,” I said again, gently trying to steer him away from the profane.“Fuck!” the tall monk said decisively, finally closing his notebook. He repeated the word as he shuffled toward the altar room and began lighting yak-butter candles.“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”P114
At home in North America, no amount of debate had ever been able to sway my skeptical views on reincarnation, but here, in the shadows of the ancient, I found myself reminded of a Sherpa saying: “Maybe true. Maybe not. Better you believe.” p144
