Buddha Takes No Prisoners: A Meditator's Survival Guide [Paperback]

In BUDDHA TAKES NO PRISONERS Patrick Ophuls has performed an invaluable service to anyone interested in Buddhist-oriented meditation. This is the best introduction to practice I have ever read. (I am a Zen teacher who has practiced for over twenty years and I highly recommend this book to my students.) The book reflects Ophuls' Theravadan/Vipassana background, but it is general enough to apply to any of the Buddhist traditions. General does not mean superficial. While short (175 pages) the book is remarkably thorough. Ophuls takes the basic tenants of Buddhism and explains them briefly but incisively through the effective use of metaphor and ordinary language. He focuses on the process of meditation.

In a literary world that provides the newcomer with a bewildering array of books on Buddhism and meditation practice, Ophuls' perspective is unique: one, as he says, "of an experienced student rather than a proper teacher." It's a valuable perspective. Not only has Ophuls practiced meditation for over thirty years, he is also a student of Western thought, an author of books on politics and ecology, and someone who has lived a rich and varied life. The wisdom that comes from such a life of study and practice shines through, giving us a profound yet assessable presentation of the Buddha's teaching and guidance as to how to apply those teachings in daily life.

In his introduction, Ophuls states that he often finds traditionally presented explications of Buddha's teachings to be "abstruse" and that his aim is to provide "down-to-earth, colloquial advice to those embarking on the wonderful but challenging journey of meditation." He has succeeded. He succeeds due to the clarity and conciseness of his language and the brevity and directness of his style. For example, he says that when it comes to meditation, "[H]ere are the rules in a nutshell: shut up, sit down, and pay attention." You can't get clearer, more direct, or more accurate than that. As stated, his approach is metaphoric rather than conceptual, which is another key to his success. While he makes use of traditional metaphors, like turning butter into ghee (for purification), his real contribution is the use of original and contemporary ones, like comparing "concentration" to a laser and the meditation process to "untangling a knot." He also offers insightful critiques on contemporary understandings of key Buddhist concepts, like "loving-kindness" for metta and practice as "a path". The tone of the book is humorous, playful, and respectfully irreverent, without ever becoming mean-spirited.

The book is primarily an introduction and guide for those who are interested in a serious practice. Ophuls is not shy about outlining the difficulties of the path, both within our own minds and within the culture in which we live. He is clear that successful practice requires deep commitment and sustained effort but affirms that liberation is there for any of us, if we could only see it, and that meditation is the primary tool for clearing away the dust in our eyes. He neither soft-pedals nor waters down the Buddha's message: the path is neither an intellectual quest nor a self-improvement program but one that aims at a radical transformation of the deeply flawed assumptions and misguided strategies that keep us ensnared in endless cycles of suffering.

Patrick Ophuls has given a great gift to both beginning and experienced buddhist meditators with this book. His is a very frank, funny and thought provoking book, that address's many of the difficulties unique to those of us practicing in the west,in a culture awash in materialism, distraction and delusion. It is both a highly intelligent critique of our times and a straight and simple guide to meditation practice. Not your typical buddhist guidebook.
I had a hard time putting this book down because of the unconventional views and creative metaphors that cut to the heart of Theravadan (and for that matter all buddhist) practice. It's a playful, irreverent and instructive guidebook that's laced with a "take no prisoners" attitude. He warns us not to be mislead by western views of dharma as simply a healing tonic that can make us O.K. with life. Rather he lay's out the unavoidable truth of suffering and directs our motivation to the promise of liberation as both the path and fruit (actually he calls it the "peach") of practice. One of the most valuable aspects of this book is the authors ability to deflate the seriousness by which we can cling to our views and identities as buddhists or spiritual types. He does this through humor and some crazy metaphors like this chapter heading "Meditation is like Cleopatra".

This book does not pander to ideas of easy enlightenment. It is direct in it's message and has the fire of a hard won inner wisdom. Not the kind of wisdom we can learn through books but certainly a great aid and encouragement to the laypersons daunting task. In the last portion of the book the author changes gears and delivers a scathing critique of western cultural values. Historically tracing the roots of ignorance that fuels so much suffering today, making it very clear what western practitioners are up against. Wow, finally someone lays it all out the way he sees it! I loved the frankness and insight here. Chapters on karma,the politics of, and the physics of meditation, make for really interesting reading and contemplation. All this in one book! My sitting group has begun reading the short chapters together and find that they make for good, thought provoking discussions.

This is a very inspiring guidebook for any long time buddhist meditator or curious beginner on the path. There is a spark of courage, and insight that leaps off the page. The author does not mince his words or views and that's what makes it such a refreshing, timely and important contribution.

I was recommeded this book by a woman with whom i have been studying and who meets with us weekly for zazen. I find this book fascinating as a person new to this subject (tho not to faith issues all together). It does an excellent job of laying out what Buddhism is all about but at the sme time discourages too much intellectual pursuit in favor of the practice itself. It is a wonderful read and in language that all can understand and hopefully appreciate!

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