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Buddhist Boot Camp

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A collection of short journal entries and letters sent to friends over the course of an eight-year journey to mindful living. Buddhism is all about training the mind, and boot camp is an ideal training method for this generation's short attention span. The chapters in this small book can be read in any order, and are simple and easy to understand. Each story, inspirational quote, and teaching offers mindfulness-enhancing techniques that anyone can relate to. You don't need to be a Buddhist to find the Buddha's teachings motivational. As the Dalai Lama says, "Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."

So whether it's Mother Teresa's acts of charity, Gandhi's perseverance, or your aunt Betty's calm demeanor, as long as you're motivated to be better today than you were yesterday, it doesn't matter who inspires you. Regardless of religion, geographical region, race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, flexibility, or vulnerability, if you do good you feel good, and if you do bad you feel bad.

Buddhism isn't just about meditating. It's about rolling up your sleeves to relieve some of the suffering in the world. If you are ready to be a soldier of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2012

945 people are currently reading
12477 people want to read

About the author

Timber Hawkeye

14 books612 followers
To make a long story short...

I sat there in front of the Tibetan Lama, wearing my maroon robes after years of studying Buddhism and said, "With all due respect, I don't believe the Buddha ever intended for his teachings to get THIS complicated!"

My teacher looked around at all the statues of deities with multiple arms and said, "The Buddha didn't do this!" he chuckled, "The Tibetan culture did; this is their way. Why don't you try Zen? I think you'd like it!"

So I bowed-out of the temple, took off my robes, and moved into a Zen monastery far from home. I was determined to find a simpler depiction of the Buddha's valuable teachings.

My teacher was right; Zen was simpler (the walls were blank and I loved it), but the teachings were still filled with all the dogma that sent me running from religion in the first place.

There are many incredible books out there that cover all aspects of religion, philosophy, psychology, and physics, but I was looking for something less "academic", so to speak. I was looking for something inspirational that people today would not only have the attention span to read all the way through, but actually understand and also implement in their daily lives. I pictured a book called "A guide to being a Buddha" with only two words in it: "Be kind."

Some have even claimed that the short chapters in this little book are "too long". So to all of you who want to stop right here, let me leave you with one important message: Be kind.

As for the rest of you soldiers of peace in the army of love, welcome to Buddhist Boot Camp!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
Profile Image for Nathaniel Hathaway.
6 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2013
I bought this as an audible book. Something I think everyone should truly listen to. It's something that I wish I had heard about 20 years ago. It's almost like having a conversation with a new friend that's already made all the mistakes you have and gives gentle advice.
Profile Image for Erin.
49 reviews6 followers
October 30, 2013
After posting on FB the other day that I had some soul-searching to do, a friend offered to mail me a copy of this book. I received it Monday and read 1/2 of it then and finished up the last few pages today.

First off, I will admit I did not have much knowledge about Buddhism prior to reading this book. And I should add I am definitely not a religious person to say the least. I have my own personal beliefs but religion as a whole turns me off.

This book resonated so much with me. And yes it's true, a lot of it is nothing new, I think we all need reminders quite often of how we should be living vs. the life we do live. And sometimes we need to hear it from someone else before it clicks and actually makes sense.

I won't pretend that I am a better person overnight for having read it, but instead I have recognized the areas in my life that I need to work on and improve.

By the time I read the last page, it just seemed like I had a better vision of the world and my life - as if I had been wearing foggy glasses and removed them.

I can tell this is a book I will read over and over again in my journey to being a better human being - because as I said, I think we all need reminders when we loose sight of what is important. I've highlighted passages that just clicked for me and I am sure that each time I read it, I'll take away something new from it.

I particularly liked that it wasn't a self help book in the sense of do x,y,z and this will happen - instead it was general pearls of wisdom that one can put to use to become more at peace and happier, inside and out.
Profile Image for Kelli.
927 reviews448 followers
December 15, 2016
I could easily fill this review with quotes from the book, but who really wants that? Instead I will say that this book felt very authentic to me. The author states his intentions right in the beginning: to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire. This book is packed with stories, anecdotes, and wisdom that can only make the world a better place. It presents a different perspective on many things and it seems to be kind advice that would be acceptable in any religion. The author never comes across as preachy or even hokey. This reads like a conversation with a trusted friend offering solid, positive insights and suggestions to help improve your outlook and attitude toward yourself, others, and life.
(I'm certain this would be a great audiobook and I may have to investigate that soon. It would be a good gift for high school graduation.)

Re-reading now.
Profile Image for Emmy.
32 reviews17 followers
March 6, 2013
First things first, I'm not religious and he's very clear that you can be totally free from religion or practice any faith and get something out of this book. He's right about that. The things he says fit into anyone's life and go against no religious belief that I'm aware of. I think they would only enhance anything you currently practice. This is a very quick read, but its a book I can see myself reading multiple times. There's nothing new or revolutionary here, but it is raw and honest and it is stuff we should all know and be doing. Read it.
Profile Image for me.
58 reviews11 followers
April 30, 2013
This book reminds me of Tiny Buddha, Simple Wisdom.

This is a nice and somewhat innocent book. Being in the second half of my life, I find the author young.

The other thing I find with this book is that it doesn't address deep pains such as war, poverty, trauma, rape,genocide, loss, betrayal, etc.

The book would have been great for me to read when I was a teen. Overall, I hope he continues to write as he ages. Younger people can definitely benefit.



Profile Image for Deborah.
Author 1 book5 followers
June 12, 2013
I bought this book, I read it, and then I bought more copies to give to my friends. It's a great little book that you can dip in and out of and refer to when you need a little clarity in your life. Every page is a separate read. If everyone lived with these principles, the world would be a wonderful place. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Charles.
13 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2012
A quick read. Very basic, but OK for those who are new to Buddhism. The author does not appear to have a lot of experience with Buddhism. Some of the ideas Buddhist thought he presents is incorrect. However, this is a book I could recommend to someone who could benefit from adding some simplicity and less ego to their life.
Profile Image for Adam Watson.
Author 2 books2 followers
October 25, 2013
There were moments and messages in Hawkeye's book that, while not necessarily groundbreaking or new, are worth repeating. One of his messages is to increase gratitude for life; by "feeding" gratitude more than anger or fear, those other negative emotions will atrophy. This is definitely one I need to work on.

The anecdotes about Hawkeye's personal life is scattered throughout, and this creates a fascinating, sometimes jarring experience with his Zen teachings. I almost wish he wrote a straight-out chronological autobiography of his life showing how Buddhism has helped him conquer considerable demons; THAT would be an interesting book! Some of these anecdotes are warm and make their point well, such as Hawkeye facing his fear of spiders while staying at a friend's home. However, there are several random moments where I am pulled out of "Buddhist Boot Camp" with a bark of surprise laughter. For example, when Hawkeye was young, his mother comments that he is getting "chunky." He gets an ab machine and tells a curious clerk he wants to be a stripper when he grows up. You think this is just a flippant response to a nosy clerk...until a paragraph later when Hawkeye reveals casually he WAS a stripper. Um, okay. Good to know. It's impossible to decide whether this revelation is meant to be offhand, profound, or unintentionally (perhaps intentionally??)hilarious, but regardless of the intent, it was a distractor from whatever lesson was attempting to be taught. Other revelations of parental abuse and personal confessions such as "I killed two cats" are against the grain of the rest of the book, and are not given enough depth of context to be understood properly.

My other criticism is a sometimes lack of pragmatic approaches to finding Zen in your life. For example, Hawkeye found a way to move to Hawaii. That's great, and being surrounded by palm trees and warm ocean, I imagine, makes meditation far easier, but most don't have that option. If he acknowledged that in the text, I would find it easier to not be put off by it. (I know, I'm concentrating on jealousy instead of the teachings, but I'm still learning.) Next, he talks about avoiding television, the newspaper, etc. because of all the negativity. Granted, all the violence in the world can weigh you down. However, this is where we philosophically disagree: you cannot conquer the world with love without being engaged in it, and avoidance of negativity does not make it go away. Be actively loving in the face of the often negative world, and be an agent of change -- don't ignore or avoid it. Lastly, he says he works part-time to "live full-time," but this sounds like a Gen Xer that can afford such choices because he has no family ties or real responsibilities. Not all Buddhists can be ascetics. I was hoping to find a Buddhist book that looks at the modern life of a family person and helps me find the center, but this isn't it.

Hawkeye has a wit and a talent of turning a phrase, so there's good to be had in this book. Just know what it is, and isn't. I will keep an eye out for his website and future publications.
Profile Image for Edwin Mcallister.
94 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2018
Chicken Soup for the Buddhist Soul.

OK, I admit to having not finished much of this book, partly because the more I thought about the author's name, the less I felt able to renounce my desire to punch him in the face. Also, as far as I can tell, this guy is like the Joel Osteen of Buddhism. He takes all the positive, attractive, new-agey sounding love stuff and leaves out anything smacking of critical self-examination or of being enlightened to the actual, literal meaninglessness of life, the universe, and everything.

It's certainly true that the heart of Buddhist teaching is simple, but it's profoundly simple. Sure, you can spout a koan, but the point is that you have to think a long time about the koan before it becomes plain.

Buddhist Joke:

So there's this guy seeking enlightenment. He travels all over the world, seeking out wisdom in libraries, in churches, at universities and ashrams and dope dispensaries, talking to every shaman and healer and holy man.

Finally, someone tells him: true enlightenment can be found only with Yogi Maresh, who is meditating atop K2. So the guy trains for K2, spends years working out, getting in shape, leaves his wife and kids, nearly dies climbing to the top of this terrifying mountain in a blizzard, and finally reaches the summit of K2, exhausted and broken.

There is Yogi Maresh, meditating at the top of the mountain. The man crawls to his feet. "Yogi Maresh, what is the meaning of life?" The Yogi's eyes open. They are glowing with love for all things. He speaks: "Life is like a flower."

The man responds, somewhat nonplussed: "Life is like a flower?"

Yogi Maresh looks confused. "Isn't life like a flower?"

Boom.
Profile Image for Rick Gardner.
9 reviews4 followers
March 10, 2014
A "boot camp" - such as military or fitness boot camp - is usually a short but intensive period of indoctrination into a system or process. "Buddhist Boot Camp" does not fit that description.

For the seasoned Buddhist, with years of meditative experience and familiarity with the teachings of the Buddha, this probably is NOT the book for you. For the person with little (read: no) familiarity with Buddhism, or someone who isn't interested in learning any of the deeper tenets of Buddhism, this book will provide some very basic tools you can use in your daily life. Just don't get the impression that this is the meat (pun) of Buddhism, or any kind of "boot camp."

The Pros:
- It is an easy read.
- It is short on Buddhist terminology. You don't need to learn Pali or Sanskrit. In fact, you don't even need to know what those are.

The Cons:
- It is overly long on anecdotes, some of which feel contrived.
- It is short on any real Buddhist tenets. Shouldn't a "boot camp" give some instruction on the basic tenets of Buddhism?
- The book gets a little "preachy" at points on a few subjects. While the author is quick to suggest the points (such as vegetarianism) are not "required", he still feels it is necessary to mention he engages in them. It left me wondering why.

Profile Image for Geoff.
8 reviews
April 12, 2013
Demystifies Buddhism for the average Joe............a great introduction to ways of making changes in your life without the worry of having to become a Buddhist
Profile Image for Ellen Pilch.
Author 3 books18 followers
June 13, 2014
I did not finish this book. I read about half of it and it was OK, nothing new. Then there were 2 pages where the author lists all his past sins. He lists having abused a dog and killed 2 cats. I was mortified and certainly not in a Buddhist relaxed state after that. I don't care how reformed he is now, what he did is unforgiveable and I don't think anyone should buy this book or waste their time reading it.
Profile Image for Kaleb Phillips.
Author 1 book7 followers
April 5, 2013
This is one of those books that will actually help you. It does not give you a secret code to unlock the mysteries of the universe, nor does it tell you how to win a million dollars. This book helps you change your perspective about the things happening in your life, and how to see a silver lining, and teach you the one true way to a happy life: Be kind.
Profile Image for Lisa Hazen.
Author 3 books13 followers
March 5, 2013
I really loved this book, and I'm certain this will be one I will return to. It is a seriously quick read, and unlike a lot of self-help/religious books, not so heavy or dogmatic that it is hard to digest (or stomach, for that matter). Little elements of this book keep coming back to me, which is a great sign. I love following Timber on Facebook, too!
Profile Image for Kenny.
1 review1 follower
August 12, 2012
This is a very insightful book on how simple it is to lead a simple, grateful, life.
Profile Image for Craig Fiebig.
491 reviews14 followers
November 2, 2012
Our son expressed interest in buddhism so I grabbed this in the SF airport the other day to simply learn more than I knew. This was easy because I basically know nothing about buddhism. Hawkeye's book was a fun and intriguing introduction. I'm glad Tommy pointed me in this direction and look forward to reading more in my next dip in these waters.
Profile Image for Marlies.
13 reviews
September 4, 2012
Quick read. Ended up making notes within the book. This is nothing new but simply reminders of how we should act on a daily basis. I've re-read it an additional 2 times.
Profile Image for Greg.
67 reviews4 followers
May 27, 2021
This is a great little book on leading a simple and grateful life. Full of positive and inspiring quotes and anecdotes written from a Buddhist perspective but for everyone. Well worth a read.
Profile Image for Michele Harrod.
545 reviews52 followers
May 9, 2014
Oh this wonderful, wonderful little book. I almost don't want to say that it has been 'read' and file it away - as it's one that should be checked in with, often. Like a good trainer, Timber Hawkeye knows that we need encouragement and motivation to stay on track. This is 'fitness' for the soul. If I could I would buy a copy for every child in the world, to help spread these teachings - of the very fundamental principles of love and respect.

And then I would secure a copy for every adult, everywhere in the world, to help teach us all the art of acceptance and serenity. To encourage us to defeat our anger, and to put aside our judgement. There are some fabulous guidelines to doing that in here - I love how this has made me evaluate my emotions and reach for the true underlying issues.... which are probably based in fear or unmet (and probably unrealistic) expectations.

I highlighted this wee gem, though there are a thousand more I could have - but my highlighter would have run out of ink, and the pages would all be yellow ....

"Is peace merely the absence of war, or is it tranquility despite the conflict? Is happiness the absence of suffering, or is it contentment despite the imperfections?"

Having read this, I feel deeply in love with the world again. And I have a renewed tenderness for my fellow man, and hope that all of our imperfections, if handled with compassion and kindness, will lead us all to a deeper connection and appreciation for each other.

Maybe this one should stay in my 'currently reading' list forever, to remind me to check in. To turn up for another workout, very soon!!!
Profile Image for Sommer Marsden.
Author 267 books280 followers
December 10, 2013
I started this little book yesterday afternoon. In between the many things I managed to do between then and now, I finished it. I loved it. It's a borrowed book from the library but I plan to buy a copy for the house. Possibly a few to give out to friends. It's a book that begged to be opened back up to page 1 and started again. I loved how simple but profound it was. It nutshelled many Buddhist beliefs and practices and made them easy to digest and understand. I recommend it highly to anyone, from any religion, who wants to dip their toe into Buddhism or simply read a lovely little book about patience, kindness, love and good will! :)
12 reviews
January 16, 2014
This book is written so beautifully I wish there were more like it. Offering the opportunity to read it in small byte sized pieces in any order you want. Using short stories to explain the philosophy without claiming any rights to rules or commandments. It is truly written by a buddha who understands the philosophy.
Profile Image for Heidi.
286 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2016
I hesitated to leave a poor review, but this book was full of easy cliches and held little substance. Moreover, I felt a surprising amount of the author's ego in the writing. Some passages relating his experiences were off-putting in their "humble brag" tone.
Profile Image for Denise.
110 reviews
March 3, 2015
I love Buddhist Boot Camp. Nothing new really but fresh and young in its presentation. It's easy to forget that the opposite of one's beliefs is also true among other things. It's a keeper and one of those books I'll keep handy and read again in snippets.
Profile Image for Stef.
4 reviews
July 19, 2012
Quick and easy read to remind us of what's important in our lives!
18 reviews
July 17, 2013
Not really sure why this person is qualified to write this book. Very silly I was expecting more like the Art of Happiness. Don't waste your time.
Profile Image for Maia-Michele.
17 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2020
I read this in a book club a couple years ago. No one in the group liked it. It had a pretentious privileged feel to it.
Profile Image for Marla.
35 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2022
So many great messages and lessons in this little gem!
Profile Image for Linda Kissam.
37 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2014
As the author explains, this is not a book about Buddhism. What it is, is a collection of inspirational thoughts and directives to help the reader go within and around themselves to awaken, enrich and inspire. You do not need to be Buddhist – or even thinking about becoming a Buddhist-- to enjoy or benefit from this book.

The author has a diverse background. On page 140 he explains, “I am a lot of things, yet not one of them defines me. Although I am technically Jewish, my mantra is Hindu, was ordained Buddhist, and my morning meditation is the Catholic Prayer of Saint Assisi.”

This read is a simple, clean, energy packed hardback filled with daily spiritual guidance – but very much on the light side. The tone is pretty much summed up on page 55 when the author shares, “Compassionately understand that everyone is on his or her own path and, furthermore, honor where everyone is on that journey at every moment. No fear, no hatred, bigotry or animosity, just deep understanding, empathy, love, and respect for all beings.” Yup, I’d say we could all use a little more of that in our daily lives.

This is a great book to have at your nightstand at home or when you travel. It’s also makes a great gift.

To continue the journey, just “Like” Hawkeye’s Facebook page and receive an occasional thought or two from the master himself: www.facebook.com/buddhistbootcamp

Namaste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews

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