Tess Burrows - Cry from the Highest Mountain

Cry From The Highest Mountain

5th Edition

Published by Eye Books Ltd 2005

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Set in Times

ISBN: 1903070120

Copyright 2004 Tess Burrows

The events and opinions in this book originate from the author. The publisher accepts no responsibility for their accuracy.

The moral right of Tess Burrows to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

I offer this book with love,
that Tibet and the Earth may be free from oppression
and find peace.

I would like to send warm and heartfelt thanks to all of my family and friends who have given me their help, support and encouragement and have stood by my need to give the writing top priority during the growth of this book.

With special thanks to:

His Holiness the Dalai Lama for His inspiration and Universal Love. The other patrons Joanna Lumley, Uri Geller and Doug Scott for their belief in the spirit of Climb For Tibet.

All those who gave of themselves by sending peace messages and sponsorship to Climb For Tibet.

All whose names walk across these pages in the unfolding of the story, especially Mig, GT and Pete a team forged in caring.

Lawley and my three sons for their unending love and support and all that they teach me not least the arduous task of how to press the right buttons on the computer without panicking. Paul for sharing his higher truth and for feeding me, Scott for translations and dependable priority assistance even when under university pressures, and Mark for the continuous use of his room which houses the computer and his technical know-how aided by two little black and white cats whose job it was to sit on all the papers with love.

My soul partner Pete, for all things including painstakingly transcribing all the tapes and peace messages, and always being there for me with love and strength at every twist and turn and every tired-out writing moment and for not giving up on me.

Dan at Eye Books for the glorious vision of how to share heart journeys, and for believing in me and giving me guidance.

The illustrators Robert Beer, Mig, Paul and Scott whose combined beautiful efforts had no definite edges as to which picture belonged to whom sketching for the greater good of the whole.

The Duffy family, especially Yannicks Godmother Filly, for literary advice.

Those in spirit who held my hand.

Chris at Samye Ling for reminding me to write with love.

When the Communist Chinese first invaded Tibet more than forty years ago, they talked about peaceful liberation. Instead, we Tibetans have experienced the greatest period of loss and destruction in our history. Hundreds of thousands of people have died and thousands, who had committed no crime other than patriotism, have suffered long years of imprisonment. Our monasteries and nunneries, the repositories of our rich and ancient culture, our source of education, have been demolished. Our institutions of government have been set aside, so that the destiny of Tibet and its people is no longer in the hands of Tibetans. Our natural resources, which we used carefully and treated with respect, have been wantonly plundered and the environment spoiled. Even the wild animals who once lived without fear of human beings have been ruthlessly eliminated.

A climate of oppression currently prevails in Tibet. Virtually everything of significance to Tibetans is under attack. At the same time, the people of Tibet are almost powerless to respond. The Chinese authorities brook no opposition to their rule. Protest provokes an invariably harsh reaction. This is where we Tibetans who live in exile have a special responsibility, for we have the freedom to speak up for our brothers and sisters in Tibet. We can make known the reality of life in our homeland. We can help increase awareness of the value of Tibetan culture and the loss to humanity if it should be allowed to disappear.

This book written by Tess Burrows tells the story of Climb For Tibet and seeks to make readers aware of Tibets indomitable spirit and our undiminished determination so admirably shown by one young man, Migmar Tsering. It embraces the spirit of compassion, which we Tibetans value so highly, that is to be proclaimed from the mountain in thousands of messages of peace. We Tibetans live in a distant and remote land, but like everyone else, we want to live in peace and happiness and like everyone else we have a right to do so. I hope readers whose interest is stirred by this book may also be inspired to give their support and see their own way forward in love and respect for all beings. Let us all, brothers and sisters of the single human family, live together in peace.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, December 1999
Winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize

Map of The World

Map of Ecuador

Of course it seemed crazy, impossible and over-ambitious: but at the same time Tess Burrows Climb For Tibet project sounded thrilling, engaging and daring. Could they do it? Or more importantly, could she do it? The expedition would be extremely tough by any standard. And would anyone actually send any prayers? Would the tiny team even reach the summit?

I became a patron on the spot with great pride and anxiety. There were so many aspects of the trip that intrigued me a woman of nearly fifty attempting something so dangerous: a unique idea which sounded mad but was to be presented at the Royal Geographical Society; a passionate belief that prayers can change the world; the extraordinary fundraising efforts, all for charity; and the support of the Tibetan community headed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who had readily agreed to become the chief patron.

It had everything to make a good story, lecture, book or film the planning, the ascent, setbacks and triumphs, illustrated by photographs and so forth. But gleaming brightly above all this was the inspiration if you want something enough, go for it.

This is an enthralling journey of courage and endurance. Now the peaceful crystal shines from Chimborazo. Below it, mankind stands yet again at the crossroads of war and peace, still wondering which path to take

Joanna Lumley O.B.E, May 1999