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Title: Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality
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Manufacturer: Wisdom Publications
List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $8.44
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| Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications Review From a Non-Buddist | I know nothing about Buddism. I saw this book out-of-place in Barnes in Noble, and I liked the title, so I picked it up. I was on a business trip; I had nothing better to do...
I don't care if this speaks the truth about Zen and Buddism, as I really could care less.
This received 5/5 stars from me for two reasons: 1. It was very well written, and down to earth in style. 2. It made sense to me in a way that no other book on spirituality ever has.
Really, it's all about the second one... So don't read this for Buddism, don't read it for the writing, read it for yourself. Try the first few pages. If you don't want to read any more of it, you don't have to; in fact, I encourage you not to, as you would only be wasting your time...so read this book if you seem to like it; if not, go do something you love doing instead. | | Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications One of the most fun Zen books out there | | This book and The Zen of Meeting Women are the two most fun Zen books out there. The Zen of Meeting Women teaches you about Zen within the context of . . . yes, you guessed it, meeting women. Hardcore Zen teaches you about Zen in the context of Brad, one time hardcore punk band member. He blows away many Zen myths and takes Zen down to the human level. There's a lot of Brad's personality in this book, and you either love him or hate him. Either way, you'll get a very helpful and unique view into Zen. | | Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications Zen - action alone exists | | At 202 pages and spread over twenty short chapters Brad Warners book sheds some light on a somewhat mystical subject. It is in itself a journey of seeking answers and revealing truths. An account of the authors own journey to enlightment that is broken down in a clear and simplistic way so that any reader will be able to collect enough clues so as to start their own journey. An easy to read book that also gives clues about Japanese culture. For example: themes such as "work to the universes time scale, be patient", and "sort out your misunderstandings of time and all your issues will disappear". | | Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications I wish I had written this book! | The author and I come from similar backgrounds. I was the make-up wearing, nice suit, skinny tie, blue haired, New Wave punk from the eighties. I come from a very similar lifestyle and I find it refreshing that I'm not the only Old-School Punk to find the ways of the Buddha. In hindsight, the punk days of the eighties were really not what they seemed to the outside observer looking in.
A previous opinion mentioned how they did not like Mr. Warner's "asides" that are found throughout the book. I found them refreshing in that, they reminded me so much of me.
I refuse to give away the particulars of this book because that's not fair to the author, whom I plan on seeing while he is in Atlanta in March 07. But I will say this.
Where you the crazed rocker? Inside a truly good person that no one understood? All the worlds religions seem to get you down and browbeat you over their idea of what's healthy and normal. Are you now searching for your "way." Buddhism is a no frills plain, sometimes boring, yet totally rewarding "way." Zazen is one of these ways. This book Hardcore Zen, and his followup Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye are the perfect introductions for our type of human. Forget what the hard-#ss reviewers say. They've never had the fun we have. THIS IS THE BOOK YOU WANT!
If I was as well versed in Buddhism (hopefully someday) as this "Punk Monk"... This is the book I would have written. Rock On Brad! Hope to see you in Atlanta! | | Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications Less about Zen; more about Brad Warner's ego | I've read Hardcore Zen twice. The first read-through last year left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. My overall impression was that even though Brad really did have some good information and interesting experiences to share, the book suffered strongly from his inability to get out of his own way while sharing it. A recent rereading hasn't changed my initial impression, which is that much of what the book was intended to convey is eclipsed by Warner's need to show off, criticize, and name drop. From beginning to end, Hardcore Zen is a vehicle for Brad's ego far more than it is a vehicle for the Dharma, and that's really unfortunate, as there is a lot of value in what Brad is trying to say.
I haven't met Brad Warner in person, so I don't want to make an all-encompassing statement about his overall personality, but in Hardcore Zen he comes off as an immature jerk. That's a fairly undesirable attribute to appear in a biographical work in general, but in a book about Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes a philosophy of "no self", it's a rather glaring flaw.
He's foulmouthed, judgmental, antagonistic, and seems to enjoy insulting other people in the Buddhist community who he disagrees with. I was shocked to find out that Warner is 40-something, as his writing displays a maturity level that reads more like early 20s. I don't have a problem with obscenity or sarcasm where it has value and meaning, but the "I'm a Zen priest who says %&@$" angle loses its novelty fairly quickly. More importantly, the book is pervasive with a "Zen is about questioning everything, but people who don't practice like I do are stupid and not worth your time" attitude, which I find a harsh contrast with the overall message that Warner is trying to get across.
To sum up, I do think Brad's experiences are worth reading, but his attitude does not inspire confidence in the credibility of his information. | | Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth about Reality by Wisdom Publications Product Description | | This is nor your average Zen book full of feel good stories designed to lull readers into beautiful dreams of peace and wonder. It's a book written in an open, accessible style with biting humor that spares no one. |
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