The Buddha Walks Into A Bar… by Lodro Rinzler – A Review

I really enjoyed The Buddha Walks Into A Bar… A Guide To Life For A New Generation by Lodro Rinzler.  I came across the book at the perfect time. I’d gotten away from meditation and spiritual pursuits due to the complexities of life that we all face. Ironically, it is just those complexities and the hustle and bustle of our fast paced society that makes meditating all that more important.

Rinzler, who is a meditation practitioner and teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, has written an engaging guide that speaks to the current generation. It is wise and practical, as well as relevant to those of us living in today’s world. While based in his form of Tibetan Buddhism, one does not have to practice this form of Buddhism, or Buddhism at all, to benefit from the teachings in this book.  However, I’ll admit that because I enjoy Buddhist and Taoist teachings, it helped my enjoyment of this guide. At times the author also uses the term warrior in his teachings, and it is most likely due to my study and pursuit of the Asian martial arts, and living and training in Asia, that my spiritual studies have also drifted to Buddhist and Taoist sources, so that also helped me connect with and enjoy this book. It also helps me apply the teachings to my own life and teachings.

The book helps take ancient lessons of the tiger, snow lion, garuda, and dragon taught for centuries and apply them to modern day living. But it is not a traditional book on these topics. Right from the start you know this. The Introduction starts, “This isn’t your grandmother’s book on meditation. It’s for you. That is, assuming you like to have a beer once in a while, enjoy sex, have figured out that your parents are crazy, or get frustrated at work.”  And again, you don’t have to become a Buddhist to put some of these Buddhist teachings to work in your life.

I think the most important thing about this book is that it stimulated me to get back to meditation practice and to reconnect with my spiritual side as I still continue to tackle the daily events that stress all of out at one time or another. If you are a spiritual seeker and maybe need a little boost in the meditation department or some guidance on your spiritual journey, this book is a great read to do just that.

The Buddha Walks Into A Bar… is available at amazon: