Fighting Buddha: Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It
✍️ Eisenberg, JeffCurrently unavailable
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Jeff Eisenberg, a seasoned martial artist and dedicated meditator, offers a refreshing, often audacious, exploration of how the disciplined paths of martial arts and Buddhism can not only coexist but profoundly enhance one another. Through personal tales, strategic insights, and ancient wisdom, this book dissects the perceived conflict between non-violence and fighting, challenging readers to find mindfulness not just in quiet contemplation, but in the most intense, real-world situations. It's a lively, unconventional guide to integrating spiritual principles with physical power.
Praise for this book
“Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment.”
📝 Description: Fighting Buddha: Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It
📑 What's inside
- Introduction
- 1. The funny looking fat guy
- 2. Cause No Harm: The non-violence of violence
- 3. Are you fit to be a Buddha?
- 4. Just get on the mat already!
- 5. Cramping my style
- 6. The good of bad training: Finding the right teacher
- 7. Good teachers gone bad
- 8. Tapping Out
- 9. Stop blaming the teacher!
- 10. Warriorship: The discipline of discipline
- 11. There is nothing routine about rituals
- 12. The middle way sucks...But it ain't as bad as the ends!
- 13. Black Belt Enlightenment
- Conclusion
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who feel a tension between their spiritual aspirations and physical vitality will find profound relief in this guide. It is ideal for martial artists seeking deeper meaning beyond technique, and meditators craving to test their mindfulness under pressure. By uniting the warrior's spirit with the Bodhisattva's heart, Eisenberg provides a practical framework for those who wish to save themselves and others through disciplined action rather than passive abstraction. This book empowers individuals to embrace intensity without losing compassion, making it essential for anyone ready to integrate spiritual principles with physical power in their daily lives.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Eisenberg delivers a lively, unconventional guide that successfully dissects the perceived conflict between non-violence and fighting. His approach is refreshing and audacious, offering strategic insights grounded in ancient wisdom rather than dry academic theory. However, this book does not suit readers seeking rigid dogma or purely theoretical Buddhist philosophy, as it prioritizes personal tales and real-world application over scholarly analysis. Those expecting a traditional religious text may find the focus on 'kicking ass' too informal. It is best for those open to a practical, experiential exploration of how mindfulness functions in intense situations.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you're a martial artist seeking deeper spiritual meaning, a Buddhist practitioner curious about embodied wisdom, or simply someone who believes spirituality should be gritty and real, this book is for you. It challenges preconceptions and offers a vibrant, no-nonsense path to integrated living.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Warrior's Path, Monk's Mind
This book boldly addresses the apparent contradiction between martial arts' combative nature and Buddhist tenets of non-harm. It skillfully differentiates between violence and the judicious use of force, positing that a mindful approach to self-defense can align perfectly with a spiritual path focused on compassion and awareness, even in the heat of conflict.
Mindfulness Beyond Meditation
Eisenberg challenges the conventional idea that mindfulness is reserved for tranquil settings. He argues that true spiritual application is tested and honed in challenging, high-stakes environments, such as a sparring match or a crisis. The text advocates for a dynamic, engaged form of awareness that thrives outside the traditional dojo or zendo.
Practical Spiritual Integration
Through a blend of candid autobiographical anecdotes, strategic martial arts concepts, and teachings from koans and sutras, the author demonstrates how ancient wisdom can be a living, breathing guide for contemporary life. This isn't abstract philosophy; it's a blueprint for applying spiritual truths to everyday struggles and physical disciplines.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Dojo
- Zendo
- Koan
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Reflect on a time you had to use force (physical or otherwise) in a situation. How did your actions align, or conflict, with your personal ethical or spiritual beliefs?
- Where do you typically seek mindfulness? How might you intentionally cultivate presence and awareness in a challenging, non-meditative aspect of your daily life?
- Consider the idea that 'kicking ass' can be a form of 'saving it.' What does this mean to you in terms of self-preservation, boundary setting, or defending values?
📖 Read on the blog
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