The Dude and the Zen Master

This is not a self-help book, or some guide to become a zen master. Dismiss any such misconceptions right away. It just isn't. It is, however, a simple book containing the comments and conversations of two friends reflecting on their lives and how the world has perceived things in unexpected ways, namely the movie "The Big Lebowski and the movie's character, the Dude". Accept it for what it is and the book is an interesting and entertaining read. No expectations are better than high expectations, in most cases, and this book is no different. Now, don't take me wrong. I am not putting the book down. I throughly enjoyed reading it and will pass it around to my friends to read themselves. I am merely sad to read reviews of this book as if it was some self-help or Zen guide, and thus reviewed negatively. It was never marketed as one and never tries to be one. So, I don't understand the confused crossover. The book is actually a few days of conversations between Jeff and Bernie, on various topics, recorded and the transcript organized into a somewhat coherent structure. You can really see the conversation back and forth in the way the book is formatted with the "Jeff: Jeff's thoughts. Bernie: Bernie's thoughts" sectioning to the chapters. Each chapter is full of insights from both men, reflections of past experiences such as Jeff training with a master bowler for the role of the Dude, and random thoughts. If you have ever had, or listened to, a conversation between two old friends going on about anything and everything, then you know what is in this book. Two men, with unique lives, tossing around thoughts, over cigars. An interesting and entertaining read, to say the least. You may be enlightened by the stories and comments within, but don't go into it expecting some kind of Zen-like realization. Don't get wrapped up in expectations, just take it at face value, and the face of the book is a picture of two friends smiling. It is worth a read, worth talking about later, and maybe worth buying a red nose to have in your pocket too.

First off... this book is awesome! I think it's a real life changing book, it's one of those books you read and few days later you find it positively impacting you. The first opening sections were Bernie says, "Thinking's not the problem. We freeze up because we expect a certain result or because we want things to be perfect. We can get so fixated that we can't do anything. Goals are fine; what I don't like is getting caught up in expectations or attachments to a final outcome." This book is not just about the Big Lembowksi that's just a metaphor. This book is about two people, living a good life with compassion, happiness, and most importantly - humor. You don't even have to have seen the Big Lembowski to enjoy this. Jeff explains his fascinating career in the movie and music industry; than explains how he used a non-attachment - just do it attitude. Some days are good; some days are not so good, and it doesn't do any good to get caught up whether it's good or bad. Then Jeff goes on to explain how he used a non-attachment mind throughout his entire life. Jeff says, "Just do it. Get into the thing, see where it takes you." There's a tremendous amount of incredible wisdom, in here that you couldn't read anywhere else. You get to peer into the life experiences of two incredible people. Or there's a great part were Jeff is talking about working on a movie with James Fonda and director told them to just do it! There's no need to let your mind wander to thousands of different worries you have -- just do it. There's a great part were Jeff talks about working with Francis Coppola and how Coppola made him use improvisation on set. He relates these experiences to how to live a good life. The philosophy in this book is life changing... Most importantly it's done in a humorous way that everyone will laugh. As Alan Watts says, "As they say in Zen, when you attain satori, nothing is left you but to have a good laugh." Jeff talks about how Watt's influenced his life growing up and how he was able to overcome several hardships. Bernie talks about fear, explaining that the reason people get stuck is because they're afraid to act. They get so attached to some outcome that they made up. In life you go there and do it, you get rejected, you mess up, some days are incredible, and some days are not. The true key is to recognize this and become friends with it. Bernie uses a great metaphor when he says, "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream." This book teaches you to enjoy life.

The Dude and the Zen Master is a conversation between two very talented and benevolent men. Jeff Bridges is a well-known Oscar-winning actor, performer, songwriter and photographer; and Bernie Glassman is the founder of the Zen Community of New York and a longtime Zen teacher. This dialogue addresses their thoughts and opinions about work, play, love, compassion, trust, selfishness, fear, life, death, and much more. It’s a somewhat rambling conversation that is humorous at times and very poignant at other times. It reveals much about each of their personal (and working) lives, while weaving much Zen wisdom throughout the discourse. The Dude is a character from The Big Lebowski (movie) and serves as an example for much of the wisdom that they impart. The conversation leads the reader through a maze of diverse topics which requires inquisitiveness, patience and thought. However, I found it to be a very rewarding experience to negotiate this maze. I learned much about both of these men and appreciated their integration of Buddhist wisdom into their discussion. This is a unique and very worthwhile book that provides entertainment and life lessons from a Zen perspective.

Love the book, read it at least once every 2 months. Really enjoy the way it's presented as well.

Une lecture facile et accessible sur la compassion dans une atmosphere détendue et pleine d'humour. Beau cadeau pour les fans du film.

Amazing book, but the kindle version, or at least my kindle version is missing some pages.

Ich kann meinem Vorrezensenten nur zustimmen: Alleine die Aufmachung des Buches und besonders das sympathische und positive Coverfoto machen schon Lust aufs Lesen. Und der Inhalt des Buchs enttäuscht nicht: Zum Glück kein Lebenshilferatgeber, sondern schlicht die Aufzeichnung eines langen Gesprächs zweier sympathischer, gebildeter und belesener Freunde. Dementsprechend liest es sich trotz der großen Themen, die behandelt werden, und der teilweise tiefgründigen Überlegungen immer leicht, eben wie ein Gespräch von zwei Menschen, die kein bisschen abgehoben sind, sondern mitten im Leben stehen. Ein Buch, das man in einem Durchgang auslesen, über das man aber auch noch lange nachdenken kann. Ein Wort zur englischen Fassung: Da es sich um ein Gespräch handelt, nicht um Literatur, ist das Englisch entsprechend gut verständlich. Man kann also auch ohne perfekte Englischkenntnisse beherzt zum Originaltext greifen.

Deep yet easy read,Zen for everyone. Brought my passion for the character to a whole new level.You will achieve and abide.