Breakfast with Buddha

I loved that it was easy to read, like a conversation! I loved that the realizations for Otto were mine too.I am now reading the second book, then the third and I will be recommending the series over and over.

I honestly resisted reading this book because I could tell it was going to present ideas that I do not understand and therefore do not agree with. Ideas that contradict my own ideas of spirituality . About 3/4 of the way through, I relaxed and from then on, I enjoyed it immensely . Excellent writing. Excellent humor. Very thought provoking .

I really enjoyed this new take on finding "the path". The idea of a road trip that pairs up a middle class, New Yorker with a Buddhist monk is unique and makes for an interesting and well-developed plot and set of characters.In essence, the son of recently deceased parents is called upon to journey back to his North Dakota plains, farming roots to settle the estate for those who remain in his family. His intended sidekick will be his sister, a 60's hippie chick. Thus the narrator sets out, away from his middle class, New York life, complete with loving wife and two "normal" teenaged children, to collect his airy-fairy, touchy-feely kid sister. For a week or so, the brother and sister will drive cross-country, in the quest to sell off the family farm and their history, where they grew up, under the taciturn and rigid eye of their no-nonsense parents. Two siblings couldn't be any more different, yet the same.When the main character arrives at this sister's decrepit home in Paterson, New Jersey, the anti-thesis of his life in the Big Apple's suburbs, he is confronted with the realization that his sister will not accompany him westward. Rather a large, Russian monk, clad in maroon robes, is destined to ride in the shotgun seat, during the trip back west and back in time.As the odd couple heads out, the brother gives in to his sister's request and accepts that his traveling companion will be part of his life for the coming week. In accepting the presence of the lama, the narrator and becomes upbeat and intent on showing off the "real America" that is so close to his heart, yet so confusing with its modern ironies and conflicts. The monk is similarly compelled to show the driver a parallel world that some describe as "the way".As the miles, sights and days roll by, the pair begin to teach one another, through a series of chance encounters and places, that life and times in America can be seen as good, bad or indifferent to those who experience them.Not to give the plot away, one could say that in the end, many truths are made clear to all those involved in the storyline. Acceptance is revealed. And hope for a darkening world is lightened by the existence of a higher being. Who that is remains unclear. But "the way" is described as never clear, except to those of find it, in their own way.This is a very entertaining and provocative read. Having the narrator discover basic truths about himself and about unknown, farflung worlds is a clever format through which to meander for as long as one is engrossed in this novel. For those who are interested in world religions and diverse cultural beliefs and mores, this tale is for you. Who knows what is possible in this ever-confusing and ever-conflicted world?!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a cross-country road trip with the Buddha? If so, you should check out Roland Merullo's spiritual novel "Breakfast with Buddha," which will give you a glimpse of that experience.My mother recommended this book to me a couple years ago and I filed it away on my "Want to Read" list but had mostly forgotten about it until an alert from Bookbub informed me that it was on sale for Kindle last year. So I bought it and then promptly forgot about it again. But I eventually got around to adding it to my list of "Books I'll Read Next" and started reading it in July.The book sucked me in pretty quickly. It's narrated in first-person by the protagonist, a nice and caring family man named Otto Ringling. He is a highly intellectual editor of food books who has a bit of a skeptic streak running through his veins. At the beginning of the story, Otto's parents pass away, and he plans to drive his eccentric sister from New York to his home state of North Dakota in order to settle their family's estate. But somehow he ends up traveling with a Siberian monk by the name of Volya Rinpoche instead of his sister. Otto's disbelief toward spirituality or religion makes for a hilarious dynamic as the pair teach each other about their different backgrounds, cultures, and views on life—all while stuck together in a car for 1800 miles."Breakfast with Buddha" is perfect for someone who is looking for a lighthearted tale to kick back and relax with. But it's not all just fun and games. While there are plenty of laughs, there are also inspirational life lessons scattered throughout this book, and I look forward to one day reading the other books in this trilogy: "Lunch with Buddha" and "Dinner with Buddha." I don't know much about them at this point, but my mom says that each one is better than the last. And she might be right—after all, she was about this one!

Otto ends up on the road with a Guru who's not exactly a buddist, {although it seems an enlightened one} who's shaved head, dress & lack of conversation raises otto's hackles somewhat. He wonders if this supposed Guru who's broken english spoken in riddles & who spends much time smiling is a fake & nothing more than a gold digger.Otto see's himself as an upstanding citizen a good hardworking loving person & just wants to get this journey over & done with & get back home to his family.His "whacky" sister, hippy tarot reader, past lives regresser, chakra cleanser etc is blamed for this uncomfortable journey that he see's as a set up, trickery & is not happy.The story takes you on a journey where the irritated otto starts to wonder if there's more to this oddball than meets the eye as he shows him America on route to his childhood home after his parents have died.A nice story with some thought provoking additions & it reads like an autobigraphy of the author. But it missed a certain something. I think its that i found the book to be a bit like a "guide to america at times with all its streets, routes, highways, restaurants etc being expessed in minute detail & felt this a bit tedious & distracting when the story could have remained focussed on the characters themselves.However there are a few good belly laughs in here, some "wise" statements & a bit of quantum physics. Judging by the ending there could be a follow up which i would probably purchase.I would ideally liked to score a 3 & half but cant so 4 it is. A mix of brilliant in some places & boring in others {ie the exact long details of routes & roads taken}.I purchased on kindle & have ordered a paperback for a friend also. Why you ask if only a 3 & half score? Well its hard to find good spiritual fiction & this is in the better bracket. This is not quite in the league of "The Shack" in my opinion but those who enjoyed the shack may also enjoy this.It is also one of the more expensive reads on kindle. Would like to see this price come down a bit!

This is an engaging and occasionally very funny tale of a man being drawn unwillingly into his life's purpose. I very much enjoyed it, and would have liked to give it five stars, but the beginning was slow and somehow a bit contrived, and along the way there were one or two points of plot development that struck me as a bit far fetched. Nevertheless I am glad I persisted, and foodies amongst you will be happy at the idea that good food and spirituality can go together. It won't do much to satisfy seasoned spiritual journeyers (except as a light diversion) but beginners on the path will find much to interest them in a very palatable format. All in all, well worth it.

Highly recommend this book. There are passages that you want to reread again and again as they are so insightful, empowering and enlightening. A humbling narration that will inspire readers.

Bit lightweight on Buddhist practice but I suppose it doesn't pretend to be a instructional book only a road trip story

An uplifting and enjoyable read!