Bryan Mcdonald

Letters to Anna E Bryan Mcdonald

At twenty four, Bryan McDonald's life revolves around supersonic jets and attractive women. Stationed in Europe with the 2nd ATAF he meets Carla, a medical student at a university not far from where he is based. Heavenly months of a precious courtship culminate in a commitment to unrivaled loyalty. Tragedy takes away from him prematurely his first and greatest love, forever altering his life. Bound by nothing, intent to go beyond anger and sorrow, he seeks enlightenment and purification of the heart in the Mountain Kingdom of Nepal, undergoing an enduring spiritual metamorphosis. Following years of a self-imposed, yet ubiquitous life he encounters a strong-willed and intellectual lady born in the Far East. She becomes the key to permanent closure of his torturous past, the answer to a miraculous genesis. When incomprehensible tragedy strikes their nascent relationship, he seeks relief from all the suffering by dedicating his life to a monastic society in a spiritual oasis of the American Southwest. Thoughts from the Dhammapadathe sacred writings of the Buddhamore profound and mysterious than life itself, project themselves as he crosses into New Mexico, inhaling the familiar fragrance of the chaparral and the distant echo of Gregorian chants.