The Buddha Walks into a Bar...: A Guide to Life for a New Generation

by Lodro Rinzler

Overview

A guide to Buddhism for 20-somethings who are grappling with the ups and downs of adulthood—from an eloquent and funny young teacher
 
This isn’t your grandmother’s book on meditation. The Buddha Walks Into a Bar . . . is about integrating that "spiritual practice thing" into a life that includes beer, sex, social media, and a boss who doesn’t understand you. It’s about making a difference in yourself and making a difference in your world, whether you’ve got everything figured out yet or not. This is Buddhism for a new generation—one that is leaving the safe growth spurts of college and entering a turbulent, uncertain workforce.
 
With humor and candor, teacher Lodro Rinzler offers an introduction to Buddhism for anyone who wants to ride the waves of life with mindfulness and compassion. You’ll learn how to use meditation techniques to work with your own mind, how to manage the pervasive "Incredible Hulk Syndrome," how to relax into your life despite external pressures, and ultimately how you can start to bring light to a dark world. Applying Rinzler's Buddhist teachings can have a positive impact on every nook and cranny of your life—whether you’re interested in being a Buddhist or not.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590309377
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	01/10/2012
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	443,006
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Lodro Rinzler is a teacher in the Shambhala tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. He has taught numerous workshops and retreats. His column What Would Sid Do (Sid = Siddhartha, the Buddha) has appeared regularly on Beliefnet.com since 2009, and his posts there have also appeared in the Huffington Post.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A young, New York-based Buddhist teacher, Rinzler is able to take a relaxed, colloquial approach to meditation and its many benefits because he’s so well-versed in Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. With examples ranging from superheroes to YouTube videos, Rinzler brings timeless teachings to the buzz of now in an engaging, richly instructive, genuinely illuminating spiritual guide.”—Booklist

“Don’t let Rinzler’s youthful exuberance fool you. The kid knows his stuff.”—Tricycle

“This volume is far beyond a compilation of Rinzler’s columns or prior work; it is a genuine introduction to living a Buddhist life without immersion in Buddhism’s more esoteric practices.”—Library Journal

“Light-hearted, contemporary, and at times hilarious, Rinzler’s book is addictively easy to read.”—Nexus

“Enjoyable, engaging, and inspiring. I loved the book and think it’s a great introductory read for a younger person who would like to know more about Buddhism, or just life in general.”—Wildmind.org

“Rinzler’s voice is approachable and funny and absolutely credible to all of the young professionals who seem to have it all but who are beginning to wonder if they are missing something really, really big.”— www.beliefnet.com 

“The cool kid’s Buddhist.”—The Boston Phoenix

Editorial Reviews

Can the younger generation discover Buddhism more easily if Siddhartha Gautama is referred to as Sid? That is an open question in this guide by Rinzler, a 28-year-old teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition. Aiming at young people who “like to have a beer once in a while, enjoy sex, have figured out that parents are crazy, or get frustrated at work,” Rinzler explores classic Buddhist techniques and concepts such as shamatha (calm abiding) and vipashyana (insight) meditation, the five kleshas (afflictive emotions), and the six paramitas (perfections). His lens for doing so is the “four dignities” (tiger, snow lion, garuda , and dragon) of Shambhala Buddhism, based on teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and currently led by his son Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Examples are drawn from situations that might be encountered by 20-somethings coping with work and relationship challenges; practices are included. Rinzler’s focus on distinctive aspects of the warrior training taught by Shambhala Buddhism may narrow this guide’s appeal compared to more comprehensive introductions to this Eastern philosophy. (Jan. 10)

Publishers Weekly

A young, New York-based Buddhist teacher, Rinzler is able to take a relaxed, colloquial approach to meditation and its many benefits because he’s so well-versed in Shambhala and Tibetan Buddhism. With examples ranging from superheroes to YouTube videos, Rinzler brings timeless teachings to the buzz of now in an engaging, richly instructive, genuinely illuminating spiritual guide.”—Booklist

“Don’t let Rinzler’s youthful exuberance fool you. The kid knows his stuff.”—Tricycle

“This volume is far beyond a compilation of Rinzler’s columns or prior work; it is a genuine introduction to living a Buddhist life without immersion in Buddhism’s more esoteric practices.”—Library Journal


“Light-hearted, contemporary, and at times hilarious, Rinzler’s book is addictively easy to read.”—Nexus


“Enjoyable, engaging, and inspiring. I loved the book and think it’s a great introductory read for a younger person who would like to know more about Buddhism, or just life in general.”—Wildmind.org

“Rinzler’s voice is approachable and funny and absolutely credible to all of the young professionals who seem to have it all but who are beginning to wonder if they are missing something really, really big.”— www.beliefnet.com 

“The cool kid’s Buddhist.”—The Boston Phoenix

From the Publisher

Huffington Post columnist Rinzler can certainly be said to speak for the twentysomething generation, since he is not yet 30. This volume is far beyond a compilation of his columns or prior work; it is a genuine introduction to living a Buddhist life without immersion in Buddhism's more esoteric practices and without the heavy weight of academicism or politics that tends to affect the experience of Buddhism in America today. While Rinzler's dauntless confidence suggests his relative lack of experience, that very voice is likely to speak effectively to young adults. VERDICT A fine beginning resource for younger adults ready to try the approaches of Buddhism; this is Eastern spirituality for the Harry Potter generation.

Library Journal