02-11-2008, 06:18 PM
I found this at the library sale, and really only picked it up to trade it at Recycle Books. But since I once heard DM mention it, I thought I'd read it.
It's the story of a skater kid who becomes a punk and gradually sinks down to being a homeless junkie before age 18, but then discovers meditation and gradually straightens himself out and finally becomes a meditation teacher. I am greatly simplifying this.
I think that have to say that I found it inspiring (since I have thought about it a lot), and I rarely say that about books. But also it was an easy and quick read, which was a plus.
However, I have to take issue with his idea that buddhism and punk are similar in their rejection of the material world and materialistic society:
First, I have to ask if anyone can still take the idea of "punk revolution" seriously. Does anyone still think that punk can change the world? I rather doubt it, particularly since punks are mostly quite young. It sounds about as reasonable as a "bluegrass revolution".
Second, based of my contact with punk and punks, punk seems mainly to be a nihilistic hedonistic movement - the world is a mess, so I'm going to do whatever the hell I want. Certainly that is antithetical to Buddhism.
Finally, punk shows are violent, and that goes against the Buddha's teachings. The pit was certainly violent back in the day, and I assume it still is. I think that you could also argue that everyone is inflaming their anger and expressing it, which psychologists have shown does not blow off steam, but sets one up for a pattern of expressing extreme anger.
So while I respect what he has accomplished, I think the punk / buddhism connection is shaky at best. But it was an enjoyable read.
DM - curious for your thoughts on it.
It's the story of a skater kid who becomes a punk and gradually sinks down to being a homeless junkie before age 18, but then discovers meditation and gradually straightens himself out and finally becomes a meditation teacher. I am greatly simplifying this.
I think that have to say that I found it inspiring (since I have thought about it a lot), and I rarely say that about books. But also it was an easy and quick read, which was a plus.
However, I have to take issue with his idea that buddhism and punk are similar in their rejection of the material world and materialistic society:
First, I have to ask if anyone can still take the idea of "punk revolution" seriously. Does anyone still think that punk can change the world? I rather doubt it, particularly since punks are mostly quite young. It sounds about as reasonable as a "bluegrass revolution".
Second, based of my contact with punk and punks, punk seems mainly to be a nihilistic hedonistic movement - the world is a mess, so I'm going to do whatever the hell I want. Certainly that is antithetical to Buddhism.
Finally, punk shows are violent, and that goes against the Buddha's teachings. The pit was certainly violent back in the day, and I assume it still is. I think that you could also argue that everyone is inflaming their anger and expressing it, which psychologists have shown does not blow off steam, but sets one up for a pattern of expressing extreme anger.
So while I respect what he has accomplished, I think the punk / buddhism connection is shaky at best. But it was an enjoyable read.
DM - curious for your thoughts on it.
the hands that guide me are invisible