What do you think?
Rate this book
no remedy: An introduction to the life and practices of the spiritual community of Bubba Free John
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 23, 2025
Another brilliant book by Adi Da (aka Bubba Free John).
This text is an edited/amended compilation of dharma talks. Da argues that the core human problem—the root of suffering—is the sense of separation generated by the ego’s constant seeking.
Instead of resting in the peace and happiness of simply being, in radical acceptance and relationship to what is. We want things to be more extra, or less basic, or more blissful, or less painful. We feel broken, cut off, alone and incomplete.
So we look endlessly for the remedy.
But there isn’t one.
Because we’re none of the above.
But it gets worse.
According to Da, every attempt to find a “cure” for the suffering of separation only reinforces the sense of a separate self. In that sense, seeking (especially spiritual seeking) doesn’t resolve the problem—it perpetuates it.
It’s no different than any other kind of addiction.
It’s the ULTIMATE addiction.
Da claims that because our true nature is already whole and free, there is literally “no remedy” to attain, acquire, or possess—only the simple, radical recognition that the search itself is the illusion and the source of suffering were avoiding.
I’m completely down.
And…
One of the fascinating and deeply unsettling aspects of Da is his evolution over time. His early work is humble, lucid, vulnerable, honest, and direct. His middle work is authoritative, forceful, and sharply critical of authoritarian cults. His later work appears self-aggrandizing, authoritarian, and demanding of total fidelity and worship of him.
This book comes from that “middle phase.”
There’s a lot here about how people should behave in the community forming around him. He is highly critical of cults and cult leaders. Given what later unfolded in his own community (serious allegations of multiple forms of abuse), the book carries an ironic subtext that practically begs for an explanation. What happened?
Da is a once-in-a-lifetime genius—and a larger-than-life cautionary tale. The cognitive dissonance is basically built into the Da experience. This is not “safe” material. If you read him, be prepared to be confused and confronted as much as inspired and transformed.
5/5 ⭐️ — but proceed with caution. ⛔️
This text is an edited/amended compilation of dharma talks. Da argues that the core human problem—the root of suffering—is the sense of separation generated by the ego’s constant seeking.
Instead of resting in the peace and happiness of simply being, in radical acceptance and relationship to what is. We want things to be more extra, or less basic, or more blissful, or less painful. We feel broken, cut off, alone and incomplete.
So we look endlessly for the remedy.
But there isn’t one.
Because we’re none of the above.
But it gets worse.
According to Da, every attempt to find a “cure” for the suffering of separation only reinforces the sense of a separate self. In that sense, seeking (especially spiritual seeking) doesn’t resolve the problem—it perpetuates it.
It’s no different than any other kind of addiction.
It’s the ULTIMATE addiction.
Da claims that because our true nature is already whole and free, there is literally “no remedy” to attain, acquire, or possess—only the simple, radical recognition that the search itself is the illusion and the source of suffering were avoiding.
I’m completely down.
And…
One of the fascinating and deeply unsettling aspects of Da is his evolution over time. His early work is humble, lucid, vulnerable, honest, and direct. His middle work is authoritative, forceful, and sharply critical of authoritarian cults. His later work appears self-aggrandizing, authoritarian, and demanding of total fidelity and worship of him.
This book comes from that “middle phase.”
There’s a lot here about how people should behave in the community forming around him. He is highly critical of cults and cult leaders. Given what later unfolded in his own community (serious allegations of multiple forms of abuse), the book carries an ironic subtext that practically begs for an explanation. What happened?
Da is a once-in-a-lifetime genius—and a larger-than-life cautionary tale. The cognitive dissonance is basically built into the Da experience. This is not “safe” material. If you read him, be prepared to be confused and confronted as much as inspired and transformed.
5/5 ⭐️ — but proceed with caution. ⛔️
Displaying 1 of 1 review