The Dude and the Zen Master

This is a conversational book about the zen of life and living

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.

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.

Less of a book and more of an intimate conversation between two incredibly willing individuals. "The Dude And The Zen Master" is an important reminder that we all need to remember we are on this planet together. Jeff and Bernie rattle back and forth the entire book and man it is fun to watch them take these important conversations into interesting and thought provoking territories. I'd loved the read quite a bit!

This book really ties your thoughts together. I mean say what you want about the tenants of Zen but at least it’s an ethos! Good reading for those trying to improve their lives or just abiding. I personally use it as one of my many mental calisthenics to keep the mind limber. Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta good chapters. The only time I don’t read is during league play, other than that this is a good anytime read even on Shabbas. It’s actually well written and insightful none of the making viz da funny shtuff. A friend of mine recommended to me said it was some kinda Eastern vibe as we sipped Sioux City Sasparillas. You’re already late if you haven’t started reading…it’s already the 10th.

This is a slightly 'niche' book: Jeff Bridges and a Zennist discussing The Dude and Zen. We learn a lot about Jeff Bridges' approach to acting and the ways in which the student of film or theatre can correspond with the work of a Zen student. The pages shown via the 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon give you a fairly good idea of what lies within. It's fine, it's amusing, there's interesting nuggets in there. I read it through quite quickly so it's engaging on some level. It's a 'hard to place' book so its reception will vary according to the reader - quite Zen in that regard I suppose.

A pleasant, gentle book. As you'd expect, perhaps, not much wisdom from a Zen Master, but a glimpse into the world of Jeff Bridges is cool and interesting. Don't expect too much, take it as it is, and you'll have a few hours of relaxation and ease.

I enjoyed the book a lot, it made my tube rides a mental journey and helped me to put a lot of pieces of this puzzle called life to the right place. Thanks Jeff & Bernie

This is a delight to read. Humour, wisdom, a deep sense of caring and above all, very human. No phoney mysticism here, but people directly involved in social action. A book to be read and re- read.

Entertaining, 'down to earth' approach to life, but with humour, candour, and mindfulnessGentle nudging to self-development and simply enjoying ones life :)