Overview

A raucous, irreverent look into the Buddhist and Martial Arts worlds Can we be martial arts practitioners and Buddhists at the same time? Can these practices actually complement each other, in mindfulness? How do we reconcile Buddhist concepts like non-violence with a fighting practice like judo, karate or jiu jitsu? Long-standing martial arts instructor and meditator Jeff Eisenberg addresses these and other questions in his own inimitable style, employing autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial arts fighting strategies, koan and sutra teachings, and Buddhist folk stories. Fighting Buddha outlines why the true test of a martial artist’s skill and of a Buddhist’s application of mindfulness is during a situation that is the least conducive for it--usually not inside the Dojo or Zendo. Challenging the belief that fighting martial arts styles are not conducive to a meditative practice, the book discusses the difference between violence and the use of force as it relates to the Buddha’s teaching of “cause no harm”, exploring the common misunderstanding that meditative moments are exclusive to only select activities. Further topics are the struggles of beginning training and practice, the importance of identifying goals, choosing a teacher and training in support of these goals. And, far from being the often-perceived ending, Jeff concludes that enlightenment and the black belt are really only a beginning.

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9781844097227

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Reviews

Fighting Buddha: A Story of Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It is Jeff Eisenberg's personal memoir and details his forty year journey in martial arts and meditation training, as well as some 25 years of Buddhist practice. Using autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial art fighting strategies, Buddhist folk stories, and koan and sutra teachings, Eisenberg explores both the benefits and detriments of each practice, as well as how they complement each other as a singular practice. An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented read from beginning to end. * Midwest Book Review * Mr. Eisenberg has had bad experiences. He's been led astray by teachers, seen disgusting martial-arts snake oil sold as legitimate self-defense, and watched Buddhist leaders acting badly, practicing the opposite of what they preach. He doesn't call anyone out by name, but he writes extensively of the misdeeds and charlatanism he's witnessed over the years. * Brent R Oliver, The Tattooed Buddha * Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment. * Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications *

The Buddha was trained as a warrior, his early life was spent in the discipline and technique of early Indian martial arts. He then used the discipline of that training to fight the causes of suffering and confusion in his own mind. Jeff Eisenberg has followed a similar path and in this insightful book shares with us the path of liberation through the internal battle. Fight the power. Fight ignorance. Fight greed, hatred and delusion. Fight on! Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment. Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications. Lead Dharma Teacher of NYC Dharma Punx. Although Fighting Buddha is about the author's personal journey in reconciling his enjoyment and successful career in martial arts with his Buddhist `do no harm' philosophy, to me, the book reaches beyond the boundaries of martial arts and Buddhism and speaks to anyone who wishes to be a better person and to live their life more fully and authentically. The author speaks from his heart, and shoots from his hip. I found it a very enjoyable and enlightening read. What I got out of the book is the overarching importance of personal responsibility for your life and happiness. Everyone's conscience and ideals are going to be different, as are everyone's struggles. At the end of the day, we are still left with ourselves - and we'll be a lot better off if we can look in the mirror and accept whatever reality is staring back at us. You can't effect change without first accepting reality. The book is a terrific addition to Buddhist and Martial Arts sections in the stores, but it also could use shelf space in the Self-Help area. My all-time favorite quote is in this book: You are perfect, but you could use some improvement. And I think that sums- up the message. And how the author arrives at that message is absolutely worth reading. -- Katherine Nordone * Amazon * This book is a REFRESHING addition to the growing field of books on applying mindfulness/meditation in daily life. I am especially appreciative, as a meditation teacher, of how Jeff embraces the notion that mindfulness can be practiced in every activity of human living...especially in hard core martial arts. As a creative meditator/meditation teacher, and now a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, I could not put this book down! I especially appreciate Jeff's candidness and honesty in talk about the phenomena of cults/groupies/teacher workship that he has experienced first hand in both meditation and martial arts circles. Thank you, Jeff! -- Jamie Marich * Amazon * Mr. Eisenberg has had bad experiences. He's been led astray by teachers, seen disgusting martial-arts snake oil sold as legitimate self-defense, and watched Buddhist leaders acting badly, practicing the opposite of what they preach. He doesn't call anyone out by name, but he writes extensively of the misdeeds and charlatanism he's witnessed over the years. -- Brent R Oliver * The Tattooed Buddha * Fighting Buddha: A Story of Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It is Jeff Eisenberg's personal memoir and details his forty year journey in martial arts and meditation training, as well as some 25 years of Buddhist practice. Using autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial art fighting strategies, Buddhist folk stories, and koan and sutra teachings, Eisenberg explores both the benefits and detriments of each practice, as well as how they complement each other as a singular practice. An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented read from beginning to end. * Midwest Book Review *

The Buddha was trained as a warrior, his early life was spent in the discipline and technique of early Indian martial arts. He then used the discipline of that training to fight the causes of suffering and confusion in his own mind. Jeff Eisenberg has followed a similar path and in this insightful book shares with us the path of liberation through the internal battle. Fight the power. Fight ignorance. Fight greed, hatred and delusion. Fight on! Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment. Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications. Lead Dharma Teacher of NYC Dharma Punx.

"""Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment."" * Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications * ""Mr. Eisenberg has had bad experiences. He’s been led astray by teachers, seen disgusting martial-arts snake oil sold as legitimate self-defense, and watched Buddhist leaders acting badly, practicing the opposite of what they preach. He doesn’t call anyone out by name, but he writes extensively of the misdeeds and charlatanism he’s witnessed over the years."" * Brent R Oliver, The Tattooed Buddha * ""Fighting Buddha: A Story of Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It is Jeff Eisenberg's personal memoir and details his forty year journey in martial arts and meditation training, as well as some 25 years of Buddhist practice. Using autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial art fighting strategies, Buddhist folk stories, and koan and sutra teachings, Eisenberg explores both the benefits and detriments of each practice, as well as how they complement each other as a singular practice. An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented read from beginning to end."" * Midwest Book Review *"

Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment. J, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications. Lead Dharma Teacher of NYC Dharma Punx -- Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications. Lead Dharma Teacher of NYC Dharma Punx

Fighting Buddha: A Story of Martial Arts, Buddhism, Kicking Ass and Saving It is Jeff Eisenberg's personal memoir and details his forty year journey in martial arts and meditation training, as well as some 25 years of Buddhist practice. Using autobiographical anecdotes, along with martial art fighting strategies, Buddhist folk stories, and koan and sutra teachings, Eisenberg explores both the benefits and detriments of each practice, as well as how they complement each other as a singular practice. An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and presented read from beginning to end. * Midwest Book Review * Mr. Eisenberg has had bad experiences. He's been led astray by teachers, seen disgusting martial-arts snake oil sold as legitimate self-defense, and watched Buddhist leaders acting badly, practicing the opposite of what they preach. He doesn't call anyone out by name, but he writes extensively of the misdeeds and charlatanism he's witnessed over the years. -- Brent R Oliver * The Tattooed Buddha * This book is a REFRESHING addition to the growing field of books on applying mindfulness/meditation in daily life. I am especially appreciative, as a meditation teacher, of how Jeff embraces the notion that mindfulness can be practiced in every activity of human living...especially in hard core martial arts. As a creative meditator/meditation teacher, and now a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, I could not put this book down! I especially appreciate Jeff's candidness and honesty in talk about the phenomena of cults/groupies/teacher workship that he has experienced first hand in both meditation and martial arts circles. Thank you, Jeff! -- Jamie Marich * Amazon * Although Fighting Buddha is about the author's personal journey in reconciling his enjoyment and successful career in martial arts with his Buddhist `do no harm' philosophy, to me, the book reaches beyond the boundaries of martial arts and Buddhism and speaks to anyone who wishes to be a better person and to live their life more fully and authentically. The author speaks from his heart, and shoots from his hip. I found it a very enjoyable and enlightening read. What I got out of the book is the overarching importance of personal responsibility for your life and happiness. Everyone's conscience and ideals are going to be different, as are everyone's struggles. At the end of the day, we are still left with ourselves - and we'll be a lot better off if we can look in the mirror and accept whatever reality is staring back at us. You can't effect change without first accepting reality. The book is a terrific addition to Buddhist and Martial Arts sections in the stores, but it also could use shelf space in the Self-Help area. My all-time favorite quote is in this book: You are perfect, but you could use some improvement. And I think that sums- up the message. And how the author arrives at that message is absolutely worth reading. -- Katherine Nordone * Amazon * Jeff Eisenberg has written a down-to-earth, informative investigation of the converging values and practices of martial arts training and the Buddhist path. His insights and reflections are honest and easy to follow, elucidating a wide variety of spiritual insights. You'll enjoy these reflections; they may even point you towards black belt enlightenment. Josh Korda, Buddhist writer for Lion's Roar, Tricycle, and Wisdom Publications. Lead Dharma Teacher of NYC Dharma Punx.

Author Information

Jeff Eisenberg is a Grand Master level martial arts and meditation teacher with over 40 years of training and 25 years of teaching experience. Trained in a variety of disciplines, he has run his own Dojo for nearly fifteen years and has trained thousands of children and adults in the martial arts. Jeff’s life also spans periods working as bodyguard, investigator and director of crisis response in the emergency and psychiatric ward of a major hospital. He lives in Long Branch, NJ, USA.

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