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

Terra firma. Soil. Streets. This is where most of us spend our lives, save for the occasional dip in a pool, river, or ocean. Surf? On a board? Ha. The lucky few who are geographically blessed and fearless enough to take on the moniker `Surfer', are a small but esteemed lot. There is a mystique surrounding the word itself, hearkening a free-spirited lifestyle, casual perspective, and of course, a little attitude. How can you not have some attitude rolling through Brooklyn on the subway mid-winter with a surfboard in tow? Or enter the challenging coves of Pohoiki, Hawaii as an inexperienced Ha-ole? In Jaimal Yogis' book, Saltwater Buddha, this mystique is amply propelled and diminished within its chapters. `Attitude' and `Zen' don't exactly seem to share a common ground. Most images of Buddha are sedate, peaceful, and jovial glimpses of a well-rounded (in more ways than one) soul. Attitude? Hard to have attitude in a bathrobe. Therein lies the paradox so present within Eastern philosophies.`Zen Attitude' is an unlikely pairing but fits the bill. Hard to catch a wave being complacent, it'll pass you right by. Saltwater Buddha explores the classic paradigms and modern approaches to the assimilation of ancient teachings. It finds Yogis approaching life from both a humble seeker and inadvertent teacher's perspective, full of curiosity, gall, courage, rebellion, mystification, reverence, respect, naivety, and fervor. The pages of Saltwater Buddha reflect the thoughts of a master. A master of his own vision, own path, and personal sovereignty. Jaimal adeptly communicates that the target of enlightenment is always moving, the brass ring, once grabbed, appears yet again on the next go-round. The search for a moment, a wave, a friend, a reason...and god-forbid, even a job. The pages echo the the pursuit of other mere mortals - the Land-lubber Buddha, the Business Man Buddha, the Blue Collar Buddha, the Trust-fund Buddha. They surf metaphorical waves but share the same perils. The winds we all face and the hidden dangers that hide beneath the surface of daily life require adept navigation. Duck-dives, balance,foresight, patience. Jaimal Yogis weaves together an entertaining and insightful series of his own thoughts and experiences, and relates them back to the master teachers and his monastic and scholarly lessons. All together, it is an accessible and clear illumination of an often esoteric and intimidating philosophy. You can't read this book without walking away with a new perspective or the inclination to consider the impact of Yogis's experiences on your own life.What it comes down to in part, and what Jaimal skillfully points out through his salty, romantic, honest, coming-of-age stories, is that although the quest of Buddhism is oriented towards finding enlightenment, the truth is that Zen practice evolves between where you are now and where you think you want (or need) to be. In a one hour surfing session, there can be 50 minutes of waiting for a swell and 10 minutes of actual surfing. Our lives are dominated by the `in-between'. We'll all find ecstatic moments of fulfillment, be it on the inside edge of a right break that curls into a ferocious saltwater tube, a quiet moment of mediation, looking into the eyes of baby, or just feeling present and content. Yogis truly nails it with his insight that `in between', where discontent dwells, is the oh-so-important concept of paddling...the space between those moments when it really matters how you cope with the world. Where life happens and we make decisions. Experience it through the eye's of the teller and drift with him through the unique journey of a true Saltwater Buddha.

My copy of the book has already had a taste of Saltwater itself... a couple of days ago, some strong island winds blew it into the Caribbean ocean when I put the book down for a second, and I saw it floating away. I was about halfway through the book and was just at the point where the author was wrestling with his fear about the big wave at Third Bay. Rom had already taken a wave.I tried scooping up the book but couldn't reach it, and every second it just got farther and farther away. As I quickly went through my options I realized if I didn't get the book now, there was a good chance I wouldn't be able to finish the book this week. I'm in Jamaica right now for the week, so I'm guessing it would be hard to get the book through Amazon or Kindle. And my fiancee is already excited about reading the book, too. So I stripped down into my underwear and dove into the ocean to get it. Granted, I wasn't in deep water or anything, but it's not like jumping into a swimming pool.I swam back with the book, both of us wet and salty. After some hair dryer action and half a day of island sun, the book was almost dried out and the pages didn't stick together. Fortunately, I was able to finish reading the book.Considering this is the first time I've ever dropped a book into the ocean, I think it's funny and fitting that it happened to be Saltwater Buddha.I'm not a surfer, and a lot of times philosophy feels like mental masturbation to me. However, I finished this book in two days and plan on reading it again (that's amazing for me). I find it impressive that the author is able to interject thousands of years of philosophy into a humorous, reflective, and honest narrative without being heavy-handed or dogmatic about it. The author will apply a philosophical point to an event and present it as his contemplation as if the story were no more than a coffee conversation, and leave it for the reader to agree, disagree, or ignore it. He is able to connect a deep, profound Buddhist teaching to ordinary events that could happen to any of us in modern life.I can relate to many of the events in the author's life, and I suspect many our generation can. Since reading the book, I am already starting to see things a bit differently, and that's a really neat thing. This is definitely a book worth reading.

Strictly speaking, this is not a book about surfing. It's also not a book about Zen Buddhism. Saltwater Buddha is a book about the spaces between, where Zen and surfing coincide and coexist, or more specifically where Zen and the ocean coincide and coexist.Reading this book is like being in the ocean, insulated and buffered and supported by what is all around. In his quest to find a happy medium, a middle-ground road where he can comfortably live his own life, Jaimal Yogis takes his readers on a gentle journey. It's a memoir, but it's more than that. If Yogis as a writer immerses us in snippets of his life story, as readers we become lulled into being immersed. The book has a lot of description of surfing and a lot of description of Zen practice, but it's tempered by Yogis' gently cynical outlook on life.Ultimately the book's teachings boil down to the essence of simply being, and that's not a bad thing to consider. It's a quick and easy and enjoyable read, well written, and it left me feeling contented not for myself, but for Yogis and his journey. The book is peppered with quotes on Zen and surfing, and the selected quotes add so much to the story that they practically merit their own meditation session.Gentle and peaceful: those are the words I keep coming back to for this book.

I am learning to be a fan of Jamil Yogis. he writes in a beautiful relaxed, yet engaging way. I have read many books on the experiences of peoples surf journey and this is one of the best in my opinion along with 'Kook'. If you want an enjoyable and heartwarming and often funny read then treat yourself to Saltwater Budda :-)

Jaimal Yogis from an early age had been exposed to spiritual teachings from the East. In particular, Buddhism - with the underlying aim of seeking spiritual truth, found resonance with a young man who had also discovered a love of the ocean and surfing.Perhaps then it is not surprising that the young disciple begins his quest of adolescent discovery by running away to the promised land of Hawaii.It doesn't take long, however, for Jaimal to encounter life's trials and tribulations and the young surfer soon turns to meditation to help focus his thoughts and to divine the rest of his life.From then on the development of Jaimal's spiritual being is inextricably linked to his journey as a surfer. The connection with the ocean is fundamental and proves a fertile proving ground in developing the young mind and body into a Saltwater Bhudda.The book is written in easy bite-size chunks and is very easy to read. The story develops quickly into a good page-turner, but do stop and ponder for a while in places in case you miss the hidden gems of philosophy woven within. Not as well written as Tom Anderson's Riding the Magic Carpet, but still a good read that will resonate with many a surfer.

Some of us just have that deep longing that makes us want to take to the road, head to the water and search for something - more. Jaimal Yogis beautifully and effortlessly shares a story about following your heart, living authentically - and finding your truest and best self. How amazing that the story is true. Page after page - you'll see yourself in the words and maybe even find some inspiration to ride your own wave.

A book I go back to again and again.Such a wonderful read that is so relatable! From learning to surf and finding that motivation to keep going even when it gets hard and the knock backs get to you, to feeling that love for the ocean when you ride the perfect wave!It’s such and encouraging book and really gives a sort of relaxation for the mind.I love it. My friends love it. It’s going to live on my bookcase forever and every time I have another read, will never fail to make me laugh or touch me. Thankyou Jaimal.

Easy to read and gives a little insight to Buddhism. It was on my book shelf for ages glad I picked it up. Really enjoyed it