Under the Goddess of the Sky

Judith Glyde, in the fall of 1999, spent three months in the Khumbu region of the Himalayas. Following in the footsteps of the Buddhist teacher who enters contemplative isolation to study, she experienced these months in a secluded village, Sengma, re-exploring the six suites for solo cello by Bach.

Upon her return, Judith wrote: "Where shall I start? Sengma was a remote, isolated Sherpa village of only several houses facing tremendous 22-23000-foot peaks. My accomplishment was considerable:...