Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer's Quest to Find Zen on the Sea (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A journalist, photographer, surfer and Zen Master, Yogis began the life of a roving seeker his junior year of high school, when he ran away from his Sacramento, Calif. home to learn how to surf in Hawaii. His subsequent travels include a handful of prime surfing spots, but Yogis's more arresting journey is spiritual, taking him to monasteries in France and Berkley, Calif., and deep into the living tradition of Zen Buddhism. Captured here in short chapters and wonderful, visual prose, Yogis's coming-of-age odyssey also takes readers into the culture of indigenous Hawaiians, who believe the gods were surfers. Yogis's long-time surfing mentor Rom provides insight into the science of surfing, ocean swells, the bathymetry of the continental shelf, deep water canyons and sea mounts. Even land lovers will find Yogis's lessons resonant and entertaining, but surfers will find this a quick, surprisingly deep tribute to the quest for surf and serenity.
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Review

"Jaimal's story also, in part, an adventure story in which the sea is a powerful antagonist, at once the siren and the ogre, irresistible and terrifying in its sheer, monstrous power. For this author, it's a voracious and demanding lover, and he is skilled at summoning its ever-changing presence."--The Huffington Post


"A journalist, photographer, and surfer, Yogis began the life of a roving seeker his junior year of high school, when he ran away from his Sacramento, Calif. home to learn how to surf in Hawaii. His subsequent travels include a handful of prime surfing spots, but Yogis's more arresting journey is spiritual, taking him to monasteries in France and Berkley, Calif., and deep into the living tradition of Zen Buddhism. Captured here in short chapters and wonderful, visual prose, Yogis's coming-of-age odyssey also takes readers into the culture of indigenous Hawaiians, who believe the gods were surfers. Yogis's long-time surfing mentor Rom provides insight into the science of surfing, ocean swells, the bathymetry of the continental shelf, deep water canyons and sea mounts. Even land lovers will find Yogis's lessons resonant and entertaining, but surfers will find this a quick, surprisingly deep tribute to the quest for surf and serenity."--Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861715357
• ISBN-13: 978-0861715350
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,428 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Surfing
  #1 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( B ) > Buddha
  #3 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism > Zen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and insightful book, May 1, 2009

By	David (Hawai'i) - See all my reviews

I started surfing about 3 months ago. That was also around the same time I started seriously looking at Buddhism. It is amazing that I discovered Jamail Yogis's book while going through a vaguely parallel experience.

Coming from this perspective, Saltwater Buddha is an amazing book that blends personal memoir with spiritual insight. It is thoughtful, well-written, and an entertaining read. The last point is worth emphasizing - a spiritual journey may be very interesting to the person going through it, but it will not necessarily resonate with others. Yogis has accomplished the task of translating his inner journey into a narrative that holds the reader's attention and can speak to people from varied spiritual backgrounds.

From a purely descriptive perspective, the book is about a man's intellectual, emotional, and spiritual maturation. Yogis lived a life that many of us dream of. Several times during his life he followed his impulses and went to Hawai'i to pursue his passion for surfing. However, these excursions to Hawai'i were bracketed by emotional growth and learning to take responsibility. As easy as it would be to lose oneself in a tropical paradise, Yogis realized that he needed to balance his passion with the more mundane aspects of life. The book traces his journey back and forth between these twin forces.

At the same time, Yogis is going through significant spiritual growth. Whether it is through private meditation or a stint in a monastery, his spiritual education moved through both formal and informal channels. More significantly, much of his spiritual growth came out of his movement between passion and responsibility. Life is often the greatest spiritual guide. For him, it was surfing that had one of the largest impacts on his journey. Not only did it serve as a metaphor for many of the formal principles in Buddhism, but it also served as spiritual practice.

Most of the surfers that I know acknowledge the spiritual impact surfing has. While they may not recognize it inside a specific dogmatic framework, they are certainly aware of the connection between surfing and some larger cosmic mystery. One reason that Yogis's book is so fascinating is that he looks at surfing through the lens of a particular spirituality. This helps to give structure to thoughts about how surfing impacts people.

Looking at surfing through the lens of Buddhism is not, obviously, just a literary device used by Yogis. However, this particular perspective is what makes Saltwater Buddha unique and engaging. Buddhism is capable of embracing so many different paths of spirituality and surfing was one of the paths for Yogis. The structure of the book reflects this interconnection - spiritual insight is interwoven with the narrative of his life. Each piece serves to illuminate the other.

This is, of course, how life is actually experienced. We do not experience inner and outer experience as separate things. Instead, our spiritual/emotional/intellectual life is completely intertwined with our experiences in the world. We find meaning in the events of our lives and those same events give validation (or challenge) our worldview. It is difficult to capture this in an effective way and even more difficult to convey this to another person in a structured and coherent way. Again, this is a task that Yogis has admirably accomplished.

I have purchased several copies of the book because I plan to give them to friends; to both surfers and nonsurfers. I have found that Saltwater Buddha gives expression to many of the experiences I am having myself. I have found it so difficult to explain my experiences to people that don't surf - which makes Saltwater Buddha even more impressive. Yogis has found an effective way to give voice to the deeply emotional and spiritual aspects of an activity that many dismiss as idle fancy. We should all be thankful for this gift.

I am confident that this book will open your eyes to a different world; even if you have no interest in surfing or Buddhism.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't Surf. And I'm not a Buddhist, but I loved this Book!, April 9, 2009

By	Sara Songen (San Francisco, USA) - See all my reviews

I've tried surfing a few times and, to be perfectly honest, I'd usually rather lie on the beach or go for a swim. I'm also lukewarm on Buddhism in any kind of strict sense. But Saltwater Buddha kept me riveted and laughing the whole way through. Not only is it funny, the insights sprinkled through the narrative gave me fresh perspective on my own life. It's the kind of book I wanted to start again as soon as I finished.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Other people's praise for Saltwater Buddha, January 6, 2009

By	Jaimal Yogis "Author of Saltwater Buddha: a s... (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

"Heartfelt, honest and deceptively simple. It's great stuff with the words Cult Classic stamped all over it." Alex Wade, author of Surf Nation

Jaimal's "story-telling
instincts are strong, so strong that this book will surely find the
audience it deserves-among surfers, among seekers, and among those
who enjoy being swept along on a curious ride."
Daniel Duane, author of Caught Inside: a surfer's year on the California Coast

"Jaimal's tale of survival and perseverance reminds us to follow our hearts without fear. A bold young man's coming of age, Saltwater Buddha is not only entertaining, it's inspiring and motivating. I loved this story!" Urijah Faber, World Champion Mixed Martial Artist

"Surfers and Zennies alike will want to catch this wave."--Shambhala Sun

"...may ultimately launch an entirely new breed of memoir: the coming-of-sage story."
Bruce Kelley, editor-in-chief, San Francisco Magazine

"...lighthearted and natural and unafraid...a beautiful coming of age story."
Abby Gruen, New York Times contributing writer

"It's the perfect read for those who love the ocean as much as their yoga mats, or for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual practice that is surfing."
Karen Macklin, Yoga Journal

"An incredibly fun ride."
Steven Kotler, author of West of Jesus

"As a surfer, Saltwater Buddha is a reminder to focus on the positive even in difficult situations. Whether it's fierce localism, cold water, or endless big waves, we could all use a little more Zen."
Holly Beck, professional surfer