Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner

[skinnee soldier]

Sorry that this isnt Tibet related, but has anyone out there read Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner? I found it to be very interesting. It strips away some of the intimitating/annoying ritualistic aspects of zen and gets right to the core.

[hellojello]

and what is at the core of zen, exactly?

[skinnee soldier]

according to warner, the practice of zazen (or sitting in meditation) is the core of zen buddhism. He kind of disects zen like bruce lee disected kung fu when he created jeet kun do. its an interesting book. He says the rituals and chanting are just there to "bring in the crowds".

[adrockmelanie]

i don't understand any of this..... just so you know.

[buddhuchile]

I think what makes Brad Warner more appealing isn't that he strips away the ritualistic aspects, it's more that he is able to approach zen in a pedestrian fashion. What he sais isn't meant for the spiritually inclined. It's meant for the common person, the person that likes to watch the Comedy central and skate with his friends and go to concerts. This is the first time I've seen someone make something suitable for that audience and I hope to God it's not the last.. Chanting and bowing are useful tools but I think what Warner wants to emphasize is not to get attached to them. I think by itself this book is kind of tough to chew on because of the lack of formality. Although he stresses lack of attachment, he does maintain a certain idealism about Zen/Buddhism (he is human after all). I think he should've gotten into the heart sutra earlier in the book. I deffinitely suggest Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind for anyone who has read or plans to read Hardcore Zen. (It's the Yang to Warner's Yin)

[skinnee soldier]

I think what makes Brad Warner more appealing isn't that he strips away the ritualistic aspects, it's more that he is able to approach zen in a pedestrian fashion. What he sais isn't meant for the spiritually inclined. It's meant for the common person, the person that likes to watch the Comedy central and skate with his friends and go to concerts. This is the first time I've seen someone make something suitable for that audience and I hope to God it's not the last.. Chanting and bowing are useful tools but I think what Warner wants to emphasize is not to get attached to them. I think by itself this book is kind of tough to chew on because of the lack of formality. Although he stresses lack of attachment, he does maintain a certain idealism about Zen/Buddhism (he is human after all). I think he should've gotten into the heart sutra earlier in the book. I deffinitely suggest Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind for anyone who has read or plans to read Hardcore Zen. (It's the Yang to Warner's Yin)



Thanks for the insight. I know what you are saying about it not necessarily being meant for the "spiritually inclined." I am interested in zen more as a philosophy and less as a religion. Ill check out Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. Any other suggestions?

[TMcG]

Have you read 'Dharma Punx' by Noah Levine? It is a great book which really inspired me on the path. I was fortunate enough to practice with Noah when he was visiting Montreal.

For more info check out www.dharmapunx.com

Also check out the trailer for 'Meditate and Destroy' - an independent movie on the author. www.digitalrites.com/meditate

[skinnee soldier]

Have you read 'Dharma Punx' by Noah Levine? It is a great book which really inspired me on the path. I was fortunate enough to practice with Noah when he was visiting Montreal.

For more info check out www.dharmapunx.com

Also check out the trailer for 'Meditate and Destroy' - an independent movie on the author. www.digitalrites.com/meditate


My girlfriend read it and said it was good. I havent had time yet but I plan on it.

[buddhuchile]

I would also recommend Charlotte Joko Beck's Everyday Zen. What I would most recommend though (as would Brad Warner, I think) is simply to sit zazen. The problem with reading about zen (or anything for that fact) is that everything has two sides but usually only one can be expressed. Usually this leads to attachment to views and ideas about zen. To simply sit zazen is to experience true zen. Reading and rituals and all that other stuff are useful tools but they can lead to attachment. Gate, Gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi, sva-ha!! Let your mind settle nowhere. I'll make sure to check out some Noah Levine stuff too.

post script- Levines "Dharma Punk" tattoo is the shit. and sorry if I sound fanatical.

[bluelotus]

Have you read 'Dharma Punx' by Noah Levine? It is a great book which really inspired me on the path. I was fortunate enough to practice with Noah when he was visiting Montreal.

For more info check out www.dharmapunx.com

Also check out the trailer for 'Meditate and Destroy' - an independent movie on the author. www.digitalrites.com/meditate

hey, thanks for the mention on this list 'bout my film....

it's almost 2005, if you're looking to make a charitable donation and would like a 2004 tax benefit-- donate to MEDITATE AND DESTROY. what a great gift to the world-- you'll make this film come to reality!! humanity needs to see more sacred cinema!!

to view the film trailer simply go to (the link above is incorrect):
http://www.digitalrites.com/meditate/trailer2.html

peace and love,

sarah fisher
director/producer
blue lotus films

[icantsurf]

Have you read 'Dharma Punx' by Noah Levine? It is a great book which really inspired me on the path. I was fortunate enough to practice with Noah when he was visiting Montreal.

For more info check out www.dharmapunx.com

Also check out the trailer for 'Meditate and Destroy' - an independent movie on the author. www.digitalrites.com/meditate

Dharma Punx is a great read in terms of recovery from drugs/alcohol. It provides a lot of hope. But it doesn't really contain any information about Buddhism, the Dharma or meditation, which is kind of, well, weird. He just practices a mish-mash of new agey stuff and different religions.

Hardcore Zen is really interesing otoh. A no-bullshit kind of approach to Zen.

"Taco bell is a way of life", that shit is hilarious.

[guerillaGardner]

Have you read 'Dharma Punx' by Noah Levine? It is a great book which really inspired me on the path. I was fortunate enough to practice with Noah when he was visiting Montreal.

For more info check out www.dharmapunx.com

Also check out the trailer for 'Meditate and Destroy' - an independent movie on the author. www.digitalrites.com/meditate


Any time I've seen anything about this, Noah Levine is front and centre. Is this more about Noah Levine's ego than any kind of spirituality/philosophy?

[Echewta]

yea