Hardcore Zen

By: Brad Warner

Narrated by: Brad Warner

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

This is not your typical Zen book. Brad Warner, a young punk who grew up to be a Zen master, spares no one. This bold new approach to the "Why?" of Zen Buddhism is as strongly grounded in the tradition of Zen as it is utterly revolutionary. Warner's voice is hilarious, and he calls on the wisdom of everyone from punk and pop culture icons to the Buddha himself to make sure his points come through loud and clear. As it prods readers to question everything, Hardcore Zen is both an approach and a departure, leaving behind the soft and lyrical for the gritty and stark perspective of a new generation.

The subtitle says it all: There has never been a book like this.

©2003 Brad Warner (P)2013 Brad Warner

Clear understanding with colorful personality

Would you consider the audio edition of Hardcore Zen to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! The author is 100% into the presentation. It is done professionally but with personality and spirited with music and the occasional sound effects. In print you miss the illustrations - in this audio presentation of the book you actually gain music and fun sound effects at just the right time.

What other book might you compare Hardcore Zen to and why?

This is a very unique book/perspective on Zen given Brad Warner's Punk background. While Buddhist fundamentals are intact and there is good clarity the insight is provided in an atypical manner. If talk of boogers and nasty farts offends you then you may not like his presentation style. However, if you are the type of person who can giggle when someone farts then you will like Brad's unique presentation style. There is no farting - just an analogy for context.

What about Brad Warner’s performance did you like?

Personality, personality, personality. Reading and listening to Zen based material can get a little dry and homogenized. While there is a time and place for everything it is nice to have some bumps in the road to keep you awake. Brad Delivers with his upbeat attitude and occasional impromptu comments “kitty off the keyboard” during the reading. But, don’t let this detract you into thinking this was not well recorded or professionally done. Audio quality and reading of the text is excellent.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

easy listen

firat zen book. conected well with the author and got his point accross well in q very undestanding way

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Best Zen book ever

I read a lot about zen and Buddhism but this one takes the cake. Simple, true and hardcore to the bone. An absolute must read for anyone even mildly interested in zen and Buddhism.

The fact that it is read and edited by the author (and his cat) really makes this a unique listening experience.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Modern Zen

Great book!! Definitely worth reading or listening to on audio. The author presents a good overview of Zen Buddhism.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Outstanding Audio Book

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

His clear and ernest approach to the subject.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hardcore Zen?

The two times he is interrupted by his cat.

What about Brad Warner’s performance did you like?

His voice is fun and entertaining without sounding over produced.

Any additional comments?

This is a FANTASTIC book!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Idiots way to Zen

It was by far the easiest way to understand what Zen or meditation or not Buddhism' is or is not for most of us who grew up in the late 70's and up to mid 90's. His approach is honest and open. I wished that someone had indeed given him a professional recording, because the audio recording was challenging while driving around... though I didn't mind background noise like hums or the kitty jumping around. Although I believe that this introduction to "Zazen" is very real and true for him and most... I can't help but to feel a bit pessimistic about it too... to those who have not experience enlightenment. Then again what do I know about it? I would definitely put this in my teenager and college bound kids library and also recommend it to my friends who often say "WTF Jane? when did you become so spiritual?" and honestly I think is a good solid foundation for anyone who is interested in the subject.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Brad is the one!

Would you listen to Hardcore Zen again? Why?

Listen to it many times. Why? Don't know. His voice has a way of leading you on.

What other book might you compare Hardcore Zen to and why?

His other book: Sit Down and Shut Up.

Which scene was your favorite?

the "farting man"?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Chapters 10 to 12

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Totally

Very good book. My husband got the Sit down, shut up for me a few years back. I saw its an audible book now, too. Brad does a wonderful job of narrating his own book. This is the first book in a long time I recommended to family and friends.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Nice, non-jargon Explanation of Buddhism

I liked the last few chapters best. The biography was less meaningful to me, though in the context of the book, I can see why it was included.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Honest and refreshing look at Zen

Brad Warner must a be a great dude to hang out with. He reminds me of a young Alan Watts. Except Alan Watts was super boring when he was young and only got fun to listen to when he got older.

I don't really relate with Brad's growing up in the Punk scene but I do relate to having to sift through all of the new age garbage about Zen.

Brad does a great job of putting a realistic face on Zen which is what it deserves. Cold hard honesty. Zen is awesome but only when it's understood. Brad definitely gets it and helps us get it.

Superb

Easy to listen to, down to earth, homorous mix of a rock bio and a zen manual for modern times. Really enjoyed it.

Brillant and Fun

An amazing journey with Brad. Enjoyable, educational and thought provoking. Presented as a personal journey it is everything you hoped it .might be

It took a while to get into it but......

He is dead straight about it being a home made recording which is refreshing and it is not at all bad and a good deal better than many others. I don't share his taste in music but I let that go because the content is just great and blows a lot of dust and BS out of the subject.

Better than the excellent paperback

Full of honesty and insight and truth.
What more could you want from a book about Zen Buddhism? Well worth a listen for beginners and seasoned Buddhists, something to learn from this book for everyone.

Great audio version of a great book.

The Cat that isn't even billed as co-star, yet it totally steals the show. :)

Joking aside, great book. I have read it a number of times, along with Warner's other books. This works really well as an audiobook. Very relaxed reading and although "not professionally" recorded, the quality is great.

profound, clear, fun and accessible

What did you like most about Hardcore Zen?

Gets you seeing things in a way that make sense - in a no-nonsense clear and entertaining way.

What other book might you compare Hardcore Zen to, and why?

Science of mindfulness. Also helps with seeing things in a clear, connected way.

Have you listened to any of Brad Warner’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first book of his that I've listened to. I'll look out for more.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Clarity of connection

Zen made reality

If you could sum up Hardcore Zen in three words, what would they be?

Zen made reality

What did you like best about this story?

Brad takes the mythical and ethereal world of buddhism and makes it a down to earth practice. Striping away your expectations and leaving you a 3000 year old practice that just makes sense.

What does Brad Warner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Brad adds a sense of sincerity to his work that maybe missed upon reading the first time

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

This book when it was first release turned me to the path of Zen and I haven't looked back since

Great Reading by the author

I have read the book several times, but Brad Warner really adds something special to the audiobook by the way he engages the listener with his excellent rendition of his work. There are a few extra bit included here, some snippets of the music, and an appearance by his cat. Absolutely loved this and hoping he will give a similar treatment to all of his other books.

Semi Enlightened...

Writer has too much prejudices to give him credence on subject matter, he's led an interesting life but still falls into some pitfalls. He talks about compassion but then gives everyone the quest to "save the world" from nuclear war, concentrates far to much on criticizing other writers (great teachers never need do this), dismisses psychedelic experiences though only having experienced questionably sourced drugs himself and asserts himself far too strongly for someone who doesn't seem well read in the subject matter other than head line books, I'm surprised he never even talked about shamanic ritual regarding use of psychedelics.

He ain't nothing special. Tolle and Watts are far more developed and useful.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful