Warner knows Zen. Of course, he would immediately deny "knowing" Zen, since as he so entertainingly explains in "Hardcore Zen", Zen enlightenment is all about direct experience, and can not be "known" by anyone, but can be directly realized by all those willing to put in consistent hours on the meditation cushion. Warner's is a refreshing perspective, as he draws on his experiences in punk rock and monster movies to arrive at the same insights that have at times seemed stifled by more traditional presentations. Warner's only serious mistake is his insistence on Zen Buddhism's superiority to other forms of religion or spirituality. If we are to collectively survive the 21st Century, then people of all faiths and spiritualities must join together in a spirit of peace and cooperation. Making a joke out of the faiths that people are willing to die for only increases the chance that they might choose to do so, and Warner too frequently falls into this trap. But when Warner sticks to his Zen basics he offers much that is helpful. Recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment