Lunch with Buddha

By: Roland Merullo

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

A novel about family, open-minded spirituality, and the American road, Lunch with Buddha accompanies the characters from Breakfast with Buddha as they move further along the path toward lasting peace of mind. Facing one of life's greatest emotional challenges, Otto Ringling takes comfort in a loving family and offbeat lessons from eccentric spiritual teacher Volya Rinpoche.

Funny at times, heartbreaking at others, Lunch with Buddha offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the life we live now.

©2012 Roland Merullo (P)2015 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Merullo's is a beautifully written and compelling story about a man's search for meaning that earnestly and accessibly tackles some well-trodden but universal questions." ( Kirkus starred review)

Absolutely brilliant

The narrator should get an Oscar for his performance. I laughed out loud and had tears rolling down my cheeks at other times. I loved breakfast and could not imagine a sequel that could be at least as good. It is. I pre-ordered dinner with Buddha, in the meantime I am going to listen to breakfast and lunch again. I have never listened to a bookagain because there is too much good stuff out there. This time I am. Amazing, down to earth, emotional, beautiful and absolutely totally utterly brilliant.
This is for everyone, blue collar, white collar, religious, atheist, computer geek, farmer, house wife or bank clerk. These are feel good books that make you think and think a bit more.

Better than Breakfast!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love the soothing and calm demeanor of this book in audio format. I find myself drifting off and imagining the landscape, the people, the essence of where they are, what they are doing and what is being said or felt at that moment in time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lunch with Buddha?

This books comes with a sense of sadness, a edge of your seat profoundness. I appreciate the experience of letting a loved one go in this book, different from Breakfast, and I love the break in sadness with a tough of the Rinpoche's unassuming humor.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Every moment of this book brings me close to emotions felt in my own life. I've laughed and cried at many moments throughout. A book I can relate to and yet it still takes me away from my day to day.

Any additional comments?

Roland Merullo is a genius! His books are relatable, profound, and intense. No matter what religion you are or what level of spiritual awakening you've had, his Buddha books are written in a way that opens a window or a door, they hint at questions that have always lurked in the depths of your mind. I'm in love with this serious and look forward to others written by Roland!

Evidently Buddha is a Morning Person

Not a bad book, just didn't like it as much as Merullo's the "Breakfast With Buddha."

Maybe it was the theme of death which set up the antagonism for the plot of the book. Maybe it was just me, having just finished "An Available Man" by Hilma Wollitzer, which also sponsored a newly minted widower. Maybe I was just tired of listening to a man lament the death of his wife, even if done in a decent, respectful way.

I do love the narrated voice of the Rinpoche as created by Sean Runnette. I love the personality Merullo paints for the Rinpoche.

Of course, at times, Merullo has the Rinpoche ask about an Americanism or slang or custom that you figure he must have already run into at least once in his sojourn in America, having interacted enough with the culture to marry an American and start a commune on its premises. These instances can seem like an obvious attempt at preaching to the choir in some aspects-- as can the somewhat contrived meetings with typical jerks who expose their prejudices too facilely and a trifle predictably and who just beg for an appropriate Buddhist dialogue which will set their errors aright.

I understand Merullo might want each Buddha book to stand alone and feels a new reader may need these set-ups, but reader of the Breakfast book might tire of the repetition.

In the long run, though, who am I to critique a book about a Buddhist monk? I can hear the Rinpoche laughing.

The sound of one hand not clapping.

A Must Read Triology

Shocking beginning to Lunch but I still love the spiritual aspect, the journey to enlightenment Otto is taking and the beautiful way the author allows us to get to know each character. If you haven't read Breakfast, it's a must! Off to listen to Dinner now--I so love this trilogy!

Delicious

A tale of travel. Inner and outer. Fed me in ways that tasted fresh and fulfilling yet made me long for more. Looking foward to "Dinner" and "Dessert". Yum!

Learn through fiction

I appreciate the self-improvement ideas about calmness and acceptance bundled inside an enjoyable piece of fiction.

Loved it!

A continuation of Breakfast With Buddha. A lovely story--look forward to Dinner With Buddha! Thank you for giving me a sense of calm.

Good 2nd book in this series.

Following the surprisingly good first book "Breakfast with Buddha" I jumped right into this book and was not disappointed. I kept the 5 Star rating, but I'd probably give it 4.5 if I was comparing it to the first book. Without spoiling any of the story, it is a good sequel and continues on the original story's path of self discovery through life's ups & downs.

Narration continues same as first book, so you know what to expect.

Incredible!

Where does Lunch with Buddha rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was an amazing book for anyone exploring spirituality. It's such a poignant story and so well done, a perfect follow up for Breakfast with Buddha! I'm pretty picky when it comes to voice talent but Sean does and incredible job on this. I just finished but I'm going to start listening again!

Hooked on Buddha

Thoroughly enjoyed this very well delivered, thought provoking book as well as the first "Breakfast with Buddha." Now looking forward to "Dinner with Buddha." Reader is articulate and easy to listen to.

Inspiring and thought provoking.

This was very well narrated throughout. Having enjoyed the previous book, breakfast with Buddha and now this one, I will be buying the next in the series straight away. Very enjoyable and thought provoking series.