Published: Sep. 07, 2011
Words: 180,174 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780984016716

Short description

All of her life, Madison Albright was taught tobe cute until one night when she is nearly raped by a classmate and comes to know herself as truly powerful. D. M.Kenyon's debut novel of a teenage girl's transformation from texting gossip maven into a deeply aware, compassionate woman of conscience and commitment takes readers on a rare journey into personal evolution and self-mastery.

Extended description

Madison Albright’s life takes an unexpected detour out of the isolated comfort of her suburban community where teenagers are taught how market their looks and everyone is obsessed with their social credit score when she brutally defeats a classmate who tries to rape her. D. M. Kenyon's debut novel of a teenage girl's transformation from texting gossip maven into a deeply aware, compassionate woman of conscience and commitment takes readers on a rare journey into personal evolution and self-mastery.

Kenyon introduces readers to an eclectic cast of characters including Rinchen, a thoughtful meditation and martial arts instructor, and his twin children who have been raised to greet risk with skill and temper power with love.

This rich, engaging story shows us how enlightenment can be found in racing motorcycles over treacherous but lovely stretches of highway or in the contemplation of a single flower. The Lotus Blossom is a deeply moving, often humorous story that stays with read.. (Read more) Madison Albright’s life takes an unexpected detour out of the isolated comfort of her suburban community where teenagers are taught how market their looks and everyone is obsessed with their social credit score when she brutally defeats a classmate who tries to rape her. D. M. Kenyon's debut novel of a teenage girl's transformation from texting gossip maven into a deeply aware, compassionate woman of conscience and commitment takes readers on a rare journey into personal evolution and self-mastery.

Kenyon introduces readers to an eclectic cast of characters including Rinchen, a thoughtful meditation and martial arts instructor, and his twin children who have been raised to greet risk with skill and temper power with love.

This rich, engaging story shows us how enlightenment can be found in racing motorcycles over treacherous but lovely stretches of highway or in the contemplation of a single flower. The Lotus Blossom is a deeply moving, often humorous story that stays with readers long after they've turned the last page.
(Less)

Tags

love, women, consciousness, life, fear, death, warrior, martial arts, empowerment, buddhism, war, motorcycles, meditation, tattoo, parenting, focus, culture, responsibility, compassion, awareness, aikido, kendo, dharma, fighting, awake, visualization, lotus, existentialism, loving kindness, tibetan buddhism, weakness, sensei, dojo, teenage girls, deity, budo, discipline teenagers, vajrayana, succes, tame shigiri, yidam, wrathful compassion, lotus blossom, byakuren

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Reviews

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Review by: charlotte fanning on Feb. 02, 2012 :
Excellent book for this genre and I have read a lot of them. I like the accurate detail, the characters, and the dharma. It is a lon, delicious book. Find myself searching web for Seniors who have practiced Aikido. Awakens one to a different view.

Char Fanning
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Jane Quartel on Dec. 03, 2011 :
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Very entertaining and yet extremely thoughtful and provocative. A book that stays with you for days, weeks and possibly longer.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Taylor Lee on Nov. 17, 2011 :
“Transforming — A Process”

This is the coming of age story of a teenage girl who in the short span of two years “transforms” or as D. M. Kenyon says, “wakes up.”

Madison hates her name. Who wants to have a first name that is a U. S. President’s last name? As Mattie would say, “How Westchester-like.” Madison is like a lot of suburban teenagers who sneer at their families, their classmates and their life in general. It would be easy to write her off as one more privileged teenager who wants to show her independence by dismissing her friends and family.

Fortunately for those of us who have known or read far too many of the above described teenagers, Madison’s story travels a different road. Enter Rinchon, an Aikido sensei who fate, or the universe, or perhaps simply because it is her path, comes into Madison’s life.

All of the bratty assessments that Madison makes of those around her are transformed by Rinchon. With simple eloquent language, Rinchon helps her put her life in perspective.
The Gossipedia that Madison hates, Rinchon helps her see is the way young people create and reinforce the safe space that is conformity, to somehow stay within the “bounds of normal.” His calm, gentle words are descriptive, not critical.

Through discussions with passionate lesbian friends, Madison struggles with the concepts of male dominance. As one friend proclaims the “history of women is history of women as a thing.” Madison wants to live her life as a person not a thing. Rinchon gives Madison, whom he renames Lhamo, which implies power and fierceness, new tools to become physically and emotionally stronger. Madison thrives in the equalitarian environment of the dojo where women are as powerful as men and learn that Aikido is all about where you pinpoint the pressure not how much pressure you are capable of exerting.

Madison throws off the rigidly prescribed set of rules for how to dress, how to speak and how to think as a Westchester teenager and eagerly accepts a new set of rules –that of a martial arts practitioner. She loves the carefully prescribed dress, the somewhat shocking “biker wear” of her new friends and glories in the roar and attention she receives riding her new “crotch rocket.” In a moment of self awareness, she says without irony, that when she often “put a lot of hard judgment on the kids in my school, maybe it was just because I could feel better about my choices.” That kind of insight speaks to the wisdom of Rinchon that is slowly becoming a part of the way Madison thinks and feels.

This is a book so filled with lovely, memorable “lessons” in the words of Rinchon that this reader will return to it many times to soak up the wisdom. One small example was Rinchon’s response to death – what would have been an impossibly sad circumstance for Madison and her friends – and especially for Rinchon. But instead we are left with a gripping parable about the temporary nature of life. Yes, we all know that to live well, one must be comfortable with death, but how good to have the perspective of the “Monkey Trap” a hard lesson for those who are grieving but a truth so simple and clear it speaks to us all. As does “The Lotus Blossom.”

by Taylor Lee, author; "Struck by Thunder" (The Grandmaster's Legacy)
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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