The Accidental Buddhist

Mindfulness, Enlightenment, and Sitting Still

By: Dinty W. Moore

Narrated by: Jack Hawkins

Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Dinty Moore never intended to change his life, he just wanted to document the lives of others. This investigative reporter set out to explore America's fascination with Buddhism and found himself enthralled. You will be too, as Moore takes you into the world of American-style Buddhism, from a mountain retreat for executives learning to deal with stress to a Tibetan Freedom Concert with the Beastie Boys. You'll meet a Zen teacher holding classes in an old Quaker farmhouse and sit in on Change Your Mind Day, a kind of annual be-in held in Central Park. And who knows? Maybe your life will change too.

©1997 Dinty W. Moore (P)1997 by Audio Renaissance Tapes, a division of CPU, Inc.

great read

this was a great read even if you are a practiced Buddhist or a beginning student or even have a question this brings insight and a different point of view from who we are and the impact that we have on others and our mindfulness of ourselves

Good introduction

Journal of a man who finds Buddhism. Good book if you want a little information to get started on a long journey. It is short, interesting, and a quick listen.

Needs more content

This was a good introduction to Buddhism, but I found other books that were much more educational. See my other reviews for those books.

I really enjoyed this book

As a novice to Buddhist ideas I found this book to be very accessible and enjoyable. Jack Hawkins seemed to have just the right pitch and feel for the material.

An Interesting look at one man's exploration.

If you could sum up The Accidental Buddhist in three words, what would they be?

If I could sum up this book in three words, they would be funny, interesting and inspiring. The author's skeptical, yet sincere view is witty and entertaining. The subject matter is interesting and is presented in an organized and logical way. The book is inspiring, because it has lead me to also explore further some of the approaches presented here.

What other book might you compare The Accidental Buddhist to and why?

I really haven't read any books that would compared to it.

Have you listened to any of Jack Hawkins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't. I only had one gripe about his reading and that was for his gross mispronunciation of "Yuengling", when referencing Yuengling beer in the story. Thank goodness it only occurred once.

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

Yes, many laughs. Nothing to cry about, though.

Any additional comments?

Having known the author personally for many years, I just find it to be a shame that he himself didn't narrate the book. His inflection and wit would have come across much stronger, had it been his own performance. But, for most other people that wouldn't matter at all.

Changed my life.

After reading this book I became an accidental Buddhist myself. Well that’s an overstatement but I certainly took an interest in Buddhism. One that has lasted me 30 years and enriched my life greatly.

A really good read if contemplating Buddhism

What did you love best about The Accidental Buddhist?

I'm someone who's been exploring religion and Buddhism for a while, trying to understand my own spirituality. I enjoyed this read as I related to the author in a number of ways. It's a lighthearted easy short read (listen) and I can see myself listen to it again a few times over.

Not what I remember

I was glad that this book came out in audio, and I look forward to re reading it but it's not what I remember. How regular is that, who are among us remembers correctly? Studies say that it's very very few.

Additionally, I thought it was important to admit that I had seriously thought about returning this title. I didn't like it, I wouldn't re-listen to it, & those are usually reasons I might consider returning the title. But first, I chose to bring focused awareness to the my decision making process and realized that I very much wanted to be read this book and the reader and publisher went to the effort to make it available to me in this format. So who am I to refuse to help pay them for the experience. So I will keep the book. Maybe at some point I will be able to offer it to someone else who is in a place in their lives that it will help them as it helped me upon my first reading.

ineresting and worthwhile

Moore goes to several different kinds of Buddhist retreats and monasteries and reports his experiences. He is skeptical but also really wanting to find meaning. The narrator is good, seems to fit the voice you'd expect of the possibly irritating personality of the author. I found the book worthwhile on several levels. Thought provoking due to the philosophy. But also very humorous. And fun because of the great variety of events he attends. After paying for attendance and travel to all kinds of places, he stumbles on a group in his hometown.

If this book sounds interesting to you, pick it and you won't find it to be a disappointment. I enjoyed it. If it sounds dumb, don't pick. I suspect many would not like this selection, might react "what rot".

Excellent!

Wonderful story and marvelous performance! I enjoyed this book deeply and plan to share with friends