Zen Judaism: For You, A Little Enlightenment Hardcover by David M. Bader (Harmony)

A sequel of sorts to Haikus for Jews, Bader's new book is a romp through the Zen tradition, matched, sometimes perilously, with the Jewish tradition of self-mockery: e.g., "Enlightenment is a sudden, wordless understanding. Stop telling everyone already" and "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single 'oy.' " A continual pleasure, this is highly recommended. 

On the lighter side is David Bader's Zen Judaism: For You, A Little Enlightenment, a pocket book of laughs. The chuckles begin with the introduction, where Bader claims that Siddartha Buddha (aka Sidney Arthur Buddha) announced early on to his family that he intended to become a great sage. "The idea thrilled his parents, as long as he went to law school first," Bader quips. What follows are short, pithy "koans" that elicit some groans but mostly good-natured smiles: "Do not kvetch. Be a kvetch. Become one with your whining," he advises. This little book will appeal to the growing "Bu-Jew" movement (Jews who seek to incorporate elements of Buddhist practice into their spirituality), but it will also find a wider audience among those who appreciate loving, perceptive humor about religion, the family and other sacred cows.

Few spiritual practices are more intriguing or elusive than those of Zen Judaism,” says David M. Bader in the foreword to Zen Judaism. “This growing movement offers a unique way to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, ideally without gaining quite so much weight.” These nearly 100 sacred teachings are capable “of bringing about an enlightenment experience so pure, so elevating, and so intense, you could plotz.” 

For you, some samples:

To know the Buddha is the highest attainment. Second highest is to go to the same doctor as the Buddha.

Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated? 

There is no escaping Karma. In a previous life, you never called, you never wrote, you never visited. And whose fault was that?

If there is no self, whose arthritis is this? 


Be patient and achieve all things. Be impatient and achieve all things faster.