Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies and the Truth About Reality
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- Create Date：2021-12-23 09:51:04
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Brad Warner
- ISBN：1614293163
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Summary
Zen， plain and simple， with no BS。
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。
This new edition will feature an afterword from the author。
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。
This new edition will feature an afterword from the author。
Reviews
Seph Chris King
，
Very good book- like the message about questioning authority， and good wisdom in it！The prose annoyed me at times though， but the nuggets of wisdom （bad phrasing） were in there。
Lea
，
I really liked Warner's "Don't Be a Jerk" and since Hardcore Zen was his first book and seemed more like an introduction to Zen Buddhism than the one I'd read， I thought it might be a good present for my brother。 Sadly， I did not really like this one。 It's less an introduction to Zen and more an introduction to Warner's life up until that point。 The language isn't just "edgy" （which I expected it to be） but incredibly try hard， off-putting and makes this book very very dated。 As does the fatphob I really liked Warner's "Don't Be a Jerk" and since Hardcore Zen was his first book and seemed more like an introduction to Zen Buddhism than the one I'd read， I thought it might be a good present for my brother。 Sadly， I did not really like this one。 It's less an introduction to Zen and more an introduction to Warner's life up until that point。 The language isn't just "edgy" （which I expected it to be） but incredibly try hard， off-putting and makes this book very very dated。 As does the fatphobia and weird anti-enviornmental takes。 Warner keeps going on about how he is totally against authority and so 'different' from anyone else - who writes likes like this past the age of 15？ - but then tells of the various belief systems he adhered to。 That's a totally human thing to do but the way it's presented without a hint of self awareness is incredibly off-putting。 And the tone of the book is the opposite of "zen"。 He's so agressive and spiteful and cynical。 Sure， he says you don't need to believe him and should doubt him， but he doesn't doubt any of it。 In the second half of the book， when it concentrated on zen buddhism instead of Warner's life， it got a little better。 I found his straight forward way of explaining complicated issues very refreshing but it didn't take away from the bad stuff。 Definitely not a book I can give as a present to anyone， and I'm a little sad about the money I spent on it。 It will go into a donation bin。 。。。more
João
，
4。5/5clever， deep and crazy funny book
Damian Burford
，
I flew through the first half of this memoir/guide to finding meditation。 It helped me discover a love of Godzilla and Ultraman that i didn't know existed！ Then the second half of the book was a slog。 It changed from a memoir to an examination of the then current trends of the zen Buddhism world and what the author didn't like about it all， and it really lost me。 I just didn't give a shit， the way i did about the first hundred pages。 But then it's wrapped up nicely and I really enjoyed the last I flew through the first half of this memoir/guide to finding meditation。 It helped me discover a love of Godzilla and Ultraman that i didn't know existed！ Then the second half of the book was a slog。 It changed from a memoir to an examination of the then current trends of the zen Buddhism world and what the author didn't like about it all， and it really lost me。 I just didn't give a shit， the way i did about the first hundred pages。 But then it's wrapped up nicely and I really enjoyed the last few chapters。 I think i would have enjoyed this more ten years ago， than i do now， but regardless， lots of good ideas and thoughts in here。 Just could have done without some of the griping that took place in much of the second half of the book。 。。。more
Yukio Nagato
，
Another book I tend to be partial to since the author and I are only a couple of years apart and have grown up listening to many of the same bands and were part of the same scene - punk。 Also， our youthful minds being shaped （damaged？） by Japanese monster movies and living in Japan help give us a cosmic connection - we are all one， after all， aren't we？ So more yellow rating stars for Warner！ The drift toward the simplicity and cutting out of all the bells and whistles that other Zen practices e Another book I tend to be partial to since the author and I are only a couple of years apart and have grown up listening to many of the same bands and were part of the same scene - punk。 Also， our youthful minds being shaped （damaged？） by Japanese monster movies and living in Japan help give us a cosmic connection - we are all one， after all， aren't we？ So more yellow rating stars for Warner！ The drift toward the simplicity and cutting out of all the bells and whistles that other Zen practices entail kept me from chucking this book mid-read。 Zen is sitting， breathing， and living in the now - the 9 minute version of this very good book。 。。。more
Lily C
，
3。75
Winter Arcane
，
Entertaining and thought provoking。 I quite enjoy writing about Buddhism from the perspective of people who don't fit fit the stereotypical Buddhist mold and this fit that bill nicely。 For sure， there were several things that the author said that I didn't agree with， but the important thing is that it succeeded in getting the gears of my own brain turning and boosted my mindfulness。 The past couple of years have really taken a toll on me， and my heart had grown unimaginably hard and heavy。 This Entertaining and thought provoking。 I quite enjoy writing about Buddhism from the perspective of people who don't fit fit the stereotypical Buddhist mold and this fit that bill nicely。 For sure， there were several things that the author said that I didn't agree with， but the important thing is that it succeeded in getting the gears of my own brain turning and boosted my mindfulness。 The past couple of years have really taken a toll on me， and my heart had grown unimaginably hard and heavy。 This book help me feel much lighter， and perhaps a little softer。 。。。more
Alexander
，
What I needed at this moment。 5 of 5。
Julie
，
This book really hit home for me。 I've been questioning everything my whole life。 I've never fit a mold。 I'm hardcore in everything I do。 And its refreshing to find a zazen book that speaks to me without being all bubbly wubbly and beautifully phrased。 Brad Warner speaks the same language as my ego。 I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in buddhism but also thinks it （and all other religions） are cults。 Its cuts through the bullshit and shows you can talk like a sailor and still be r This book really hit home for me。 I've been questioning everything my whole life。 I've never fit a mold。 I'm hardcore in everything I do。 And its refreshing to find a zazen book that speaks to me without being all bubbly wubbly and beautifully phrased。 Brad Warner speaks the same language as my ego。 I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in buddhism but also thinks it （and all other religions） are cults。 Its cuts through the bullshit and shows you can talk like a sailor and still be real and deep。 "Zen is the complete absence of belief。 Zen is the complete lack of authority。 Zen tears away every false refuge in which you might hide from the truth and forces you to sit naked before what is real。""You can convince yourself that your pessimistic outlook is 'correct' or 'realistic' or 'justified'-and any newspaper will give you plenty of evidence。 You can wallow darkly in your certainty that anyone who sees things in a positive light is an unrealistic empty-headed ninny。 Spend your time doing that and you'll be miserable， which you believe is your right， a personal choice that affects no on but yourself。 But it's not。" 。。。more
Kristine
，
DNFThis book has not aged well。 The misogyny， humblebragging， and overall obnoxious attitude of the author makes it difficult to believe he is a Zen Master; I can't ever imagine any Buddhist I know saying or writing， "In my next life I want to come back as a pair of Lucy Liu's Panties，" let alone purposefully titling a chapter of a book in such a manner。 DNFThis book has not aged well。 The misogyny， humblebragging， and overall obnoxious attitude of the author makes it difficult to believe he is a Zen Master; I can't ever imagine any Buddhist I know saying or writing， "In my next life I want to come back as a pair of Lucy Liu's Panties，" let alone purposefully titling a chapter of a book in such a manner。 。。。more
Elissa Bogie
，
Read multiple times
Bob
，
I thought I was going to love this book。 But damn， this guy is full of crap。 His deal is， more or less， to take a punk rock attitude （ie。 rude and obnoxious） and use it as a weapon to tell you that everyone is stupid and wrong。。。except people he agrees with。 His arguments are vague and really make no sense （circular reasoning， accusing other people of doing exactly what he does 3 seconds later）， and the other religious boogymen he sets up are total straw men （either it's on purpose， or he's igno I thought I was going to love this book。 But damn， this guy is full of crap。 His deal is， more or less， to take a punk rock attitude （ie。 rude and obnoxious） and use it as a weapon to tell you that everyone is stupid and wrong。。。except people he agrees with。 His arguments are vague and really make no sense （circular reasoning， accusing other people of doing exactly what he does 3 seconds later）， and the other religious boogymen he sets up are total straw men （either it's on purpose， or he's ignorant of real people of faith）。I had high hopes。。。。but no thanks。 。。。more
Mkittysamom
，
If you want to know about Buddhism and Zen， Brad Warner is the funniest， and also explains everything in a way I can understand！ I love all his books， I’ve skimmed a lot of them and there are plenty to check out！
Codester
，
Relatable， but slightly pretentious。
Sarah
，
Really loved specific parts of this book。 No nonsense explanations of zen thinking explained in the context of the personal journey of Brad。 Really accessible。 I listened to the audiobook which was recorded by the author and felt very genuine。 The thing about this moment being the only moment you are actually in and therefore the best moment you could possibly be having has really stayed with me and bought me a heightened sense of gratitude （i've explained that badly- please read the book）。 Coul Really loved specific parts of this book。 No nonsense explanations of zen thinking explained in the context of the personal journey of Brad。 Really accessible。 I listened to the audiobook which was recorded by the author and felt very genuine。 The thing about this moment being the only moment you are actually in and therefore the best moment you could possibly be having has really stayed with me and bought me a heightened sense of gratitude （i've explained that badly- please read the book）。 Could see me revisiting this book。 。。。more
Dita
，
I plan to read more punk and buddhism book this year。 And why not reading them in one book？ Hell yeah。 This one is part memoir and part an introduction to zen buddhism in a no-nonsense easy-to-digest flow。 I enjoy it and as a beginner learner in buddhism， I just need someone to explain it to me in words that I can comprehend。 So， well done Brad Warner。
Elizabeth
，
I love Brad Warner's Buddhist teachings， and I enjoyed it even more in the audiobook format。 I particularly enjoyed this DIY， punk rock production， complete with punk music， monster movie sound effects， and Brad's cat jumping into the middle of recording a couple of times。 Brad Warner makes Zen Buddhism accessible and easy to understand without diluting the message or condescending to the listener。 It's palatable and profound and most of all， it's punk。 I love Brad Warner's Buddhist teachings， and I enjoyed it even more in the audiobook format。 I particularly enjoyed this DIY， punk rock production， complete with punk music， monster movie sound effects， and Brad's cat jumping into the middle of recording a couple of times。 Brad Warner makes Zen Buddhism accessible and easy to understand without diluting the message or condescending to the listener。 It's palatable and profound and most of all， it's punk。 。。。more
Eric Primus
，
This was an interesting read。 It didn't go as in depth as I would have liked on any of the topics in the title， mostly it was just the author's personal interpretation and experience with meditation and various Buddhist concepts。 I was hoping for more insights about the contrast between the serenity of Zen and the chaos of the punk scene from someone who lives in both worlds， and more about his experiences with working on movies。 Not bad overall， but there's a lot of better books out there about This was an interesting read。 It didn't go as in depth as I would have liked on any of the topics in the title， mostly it was just the author's personal interpretation and experience with meditation and various Buddhist concepts。 I was hoping for more insights about the contrast between the serenity of Zen and the chaos of the punk scene from someone who lives in both worlds， and more about his experiences with working on movies。 Not bad overall， but there's a lot of better books out there about Buddhism， music and film in my opinion。 。。。more
Jonas
，
This book was recommended and leant to me by a friend recently。 As a rural raised misfit with an interest in both punk music and Buddhism I found it very relatable。 With his down to earth， no nonsense approach and writing style Brad Warner managed to rekindle a dormant interest in Buddhism and renew my determination to keep sitting down and shutting up。 I’ve since read several of his other titles which are all worth the time。
Brian Pearson
，
Really enjoyed this book， being interested in punk and alternative music along with secular Buddhism I really enjoyed his take on Zen。 As for the book， enjoy the present as you read and experience it。
Skylar
，
This was easily one of my favourites I have ever read on Buddhism。 It breaks it down and makes it more relatable versus the "old school" more formal Buddhism。 The main thing to remember when studying Buddhism is that there are many different types。 You do not have to be hard core and shave your head。 Buddhism is accepting of everyone and does not deny any other religious beliefs you may have。 Overall， great book and a nice reminder that you， the reader， are not failing Buddhism。 This was easily one of my favourites I have ever read on Buddhism。 It breaks it down and makes it more relatable versus the "old school" more formal Buddhism。 The main thing to remember when studying Buddhism is that there are many different types。 You do not have to be hard core and shave your head。 Buddhism is accepting of everyone and does not deny any other religious beliefs you may have。 Overall， great book and a nice reminder that you， the reader， are not failing Buddhism。 。。。more
Mariann
，
My husband read this many years ago and for whatever reason I picked it up。 He said he liked it but didn’t really tell me much about it。 It’s not your typical Zen book which is what I appreciated。What I got out of the book “live your own life， live it now， each moment。”Pretty simple！
Ken
，
I enjoyed it mostly for the stories about his band。
JennericUser
，
I think my main issue with this book is the tone， because a lot of the advice and experiences that he shares are great （and I even enjoyed the occasional cat cameo in the recording）， but then he repeatedly breaks in with some “edgy” comment like a teenager that is trying too hard to get a reaction from people。 It wasn’t so much offensive as jarring and distracting from the original point and I found myself rolling my eyes harder and harder at each forced comment the farther I progressed。 Also， a I think my main issue with this book is the tone， because a lot of the advice and experiences that he shares are great （and I even enjoyed the occasional cat cameo in the recording）， but then he repeatedly breaks in with some “edgy” comment like a teenager that is trying too hard to get a reaction from people。 It wasn’t so much offensive as jarring and distracting from the original point and I found myself rolling my eyes harder and harder at each forced comment the farther I progressed。 Also， as an audio-book listener and a headphone user， I really didn’t appreciate the occasional， unexpected blaring of loud music that was significantly louder than the voice recording it jumps out of。 。。。more
Michael Dubakov
，
Not my style， but still good thoughts。
Tyler
，
Many good ideas and practices， but he stubbornly holds onto sexist language。
Bubo The Reader
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I had to read it in college。 The writing style was garish; I blame the editor。Nothing is scared。 Watch out for the enlightenment word。 Zen does not have set beliefs that have to be adopted。 Buddhism is non-conformist。 The Great Heart of Wisdom Sutra。 Compassion is most important。 Form is emptiness and emptiness is form。 Zazen will bring you your demons。 Reincarnation does not exist。 Too much meditation and you'll hallucinate。 JUST LIVE LIFE because you only have one。 I had to read it in college。 The writing style was garish; I blame the editor。Nothing is scared。 Watch out for the enlightenment word。 Zen does not have set beliefs that have to be adopted。 Buddhism is non-conformist。 The Great Heart of Wisdom Sutra。 Compassion is most important。 Form is emptiness and emptiness is form。 Zazen will bring you your demons。 Reincarnation does not exist。 Too much meditation and you'll hallucinate。 JUST LIVE LIFE because you only have one。 。。。more
Ron Russell
，
Gave my weird-ass self， the permission to do zen in a bit of an unconventional way。Was the start of my Meditation practice。
Oakleigh
，
We all want to be deceived by others。 We want to pretend we believe idiotic philosophies we find comforting。 But in the end， no matter how much we try， we can't possibly be deceived。 Reality is always there。 I have always wanted to be religious but chance would have it that by my combination of nature and nurture， I'm a big fat skeptic。 I'm not doing it （purely） to be edgy or 'punk'， or to Question Authority; I just have a streak of the disagreeable that makes me leap to form an argument opposi We all want to be deceived by others。 We want to pretend we believe idiotic philosophies we find comforting。 But in the end， no matter how much we try， we can't possibly be deceived。 Reality is always there。 I have always wanted to be religious but chance would have it that by my combination of nature and nurture， I'm a big fat skeptic。 I'm not doing it （purely） to be edgy or 'punk'， or to Question Authority; I just have a streak of the disagreeable that makes me leap to form an argument opposite to whatever is presented to me， whoever it is presented by。 What drew me to secular Buddhism wasn't just the science behind mindfulness but it's frank disregard for belief。 Zen isn't about memorising scripture or visualising spirits， it's about engaging in our best guess of reality （the right here， right now）， and it's definitely not about floating away to someplace nirvana。 I really liked Warner's stance on that - he definitely sold Zen in a really positive light。I liked all the auto-biographical content and reflections on his punk-rock days。 I also liked his humorous anecdotes and brutal honesty， and I even agreed with enough of what he said to bookmark whole insightful pages for future reference。 However， as much as Warner claims he's questioned EVERYTHING， he seems pretty sure that he's got 'reality' figured out， and there was a lot of waxing lyrical about 'reality is an old guy in Cleveland' and 'you've won all of creation' and 'I AM someone else' and 'the universe is me and I am the universe' which sounded like mysticism to me。Still， it made me think deeply， and that's all you can ask for。 。。。more
Chris
，