Dharma Road: A Short Cab Ride to Self Discovery

by Brian Haycock

Brain Haycock was a cabdriver--who happened to be a Buddhist. During the course of his career as a cabdriver, he learned that each fare provided an opportunity to learn the life lessons of the Buddha. So, hop in and buckle up; we'll be making several stops on this trip. We're off on our journey to self-discovery, passing through the precepts, the four noble truths, taking a hard left to stop and get coffee--where we'll learn a few breathing techniques to bolster our patience--all the while watching for ambulances and bikers, focusing our attention and awareness so that we can arrive at our destination in good time and in one piece. Here are stories from everyday life that demonstrate how we can all benefit from a little Buddhist philosophy or practice. With each chapter focusing on a specific topic, readers will learn to coast their way to building a life routine, focusing the mind, calming themselves with breathing exercises, and much much more.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Memoir, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Wit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for real, practical lessons in Zen philosophy and teachings. Whether you're a daily Zen practitioner, a novice or just a dabbler Brian Haycock, a Zen taxi cab driver, delivers you at a place well on your way to understanding Zen Buddhism. I particularly like how he couches each chapters lesson on a particular practice of Zen in very relatable stories. Although they are told from his perspective as a Austin, Texas cab driver they could easily relate to any one of us in whatever job or lifestyle we have. Whether you're heavily into Buddhism or Dharma (the teachings of Buddhism) or you're just looking for a little something different Dharma Road is well worth hailing this cab and taking the ride. Life is an amazing detour and you'll be surprised what you can discover along the way if you use a little Zen now and then.

[carl theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zen and the Art of Cab driving - that may have been the working title.

Author Brain Haycock melds his experience driving a taxi in Austin, Texas with an introduction to Zen Buddhism. As I live in Austin, I was looking forward to stories about Austin. He has a couple flash backs to the ‘80s, which I found nostalgic, but that was before he drove a cab. His cab driving took place in the 2000s.

So, less nostalgia as 2005 seems like yesterday… but as he uses a lot of local details such as street, building and business names, I could easily follow his treks around town as he teaches the vocabulary and precepts of Zen; the four noble truths, Eightfold path, zazen, samadhi, paramitas.

As he relays his everyday observations of cab fares and traffic I initially thought, gee any one can babble about what they did at work today, but that is the fun of the book in that he has a pleasant conversational style, which easily blends with the Zen tutorial.

At times he falls into familiar preacher traps, that is, anyone with more than you, be it money or a nicer house or car, must be spiritually lacking, and as with any profession that is exposed constantly to the public, a cabbie vs them attitude.

Another side effect of dealing with the public is that it helps him describe the cab driving business model as one that is necessary for society and does those not always pleasant tasks of getting an apparently often cranky public to their destination. Published in 2010, it is interesting that a few years later ride-sharing - Uber and all - has about wiped out the old taxi business, karma?

‘Dharma Road’ was a quick, pleasant and informative read. It was like a drive around Austin with Buddha without the meter running !

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book sometime earlier this year after borrowing it from the library and only getting through the first few chapters. The length of time it took me to read Dharma Road is not a fault of the books, but rather my own inability to stick to a book that isn't written by a sci-fi or fantasy author for more than 3 days at a time. But I'm actually really glad I dragged this book out for so long.

In many ways this book reminds me of The Tao of Pooh. The book is extremely readable and the author strikes an easy-going, conversational tone throughout - impressive because of the breadth of content he covers in such a relatively short amount of time. The short chapters are focused, interesting, but above all engaging. I feel like Haycock succeeds thoroughly in illuminating Zen principles through the unlikely lens of a cabdriver, and I very much enjoyed being taken along on the ride.

I initially was drawn to this book after reading Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs and wanting to know more about what Zen was. I walk away from this book completely satiated in that goal and find myself wanting to still explore more.

[Jonathan Bracker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing, to me. He says nothing new, nothing fresh, and although he is straightforward and clear, his style is generic. I can't see why Jack Kornfield praised it. There are so many good books about Buddhism, a person need not waste time reading this one, I think.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great introduction to Zen Buddhism. The author comes across as a regular guy who is working on becoming a better guy, and who would like to help us along the way. He thanks his readers very sincerely for reading this book, and I kind of love that. My favorite quote? "In its broadest definition, a bodhisattva is anyone who has set foot on the path to enlightenment. Even without the vows. Just by reading "Dharma Road" you have become a bodhisattva. Congratulations. Now you can begin to save all beings." So, for those of us keeping score, this makes me a yogi AND a bodhisattva. What would my family back in Ohio think? Seriously, this book is a wonderful introduction to Buddhism, and has, indeed set my foot on a new path.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally have a literary crush on Brian Haycock! Dharma Road is bascially a short book on the basics of Buddhism through the eyes of a cab driver. I really enjoyed Mr. Haycock's sense of humor & how broke the teachings of Buddha down in a consise, clear form. I hope to read more books written by him. And if he ever goes back to cab driving, I hope to catch a ride with him.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was easy to read, very insightful and overall helpful to beginners like myself. Charming and worthwhile I recommend it to all who are interested.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these kind of books. More day to day life rather than theoretical. More stories than facts. It is a good easy read but it does peter out a bit in the end. Still well worth the time.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a quirky read, but surprisingly well-done. The seemingly non-applicable world of cab-driving actually provided quite a few fitting opportunities to present the tenets of Buddhism, and particularly Zen, in easily understood metaphors, analogies, and everyday situations.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book on Buddhism that I’ve read that was written by a westerner. It provides some very layperson level and practical teaching on Buddhism. I would highly recommend to any commoner like myself seeking to better understand Buddhism.

[Gor “Gorki” Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, amusing and REAL.

[Private · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is entertaining and useful at the same time

[David Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on Dharma and the teachings of The Buddha. Good idea to keep a copy of this book somewhere accessible always.

[Ommiolgi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice light zen/cab driver book
Not to heavy at all it still has content.

Would recommend

[Elçin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bir taksici ile yollarda Budizm ogrenmek keyifliydi, akiciydi bence. Cevirisi de kotu degildi.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun light read that affirms life and the daily effort to be your own path. In this case Brain Haycock is a cabbie observing life and doing his best as a human being.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I did, then I didn't then I did. It wasn't what I expected but I adjusted my expectations and I enjoyed it. And quite frankly, I may have learned something, but more so, to me, I went with for the ride so to speak. I'm just a girl, trying to find my way through this world, trying to stay on the upside of emotions, trying to leave the past behind and appreciating today. I feel like Brian took me on this ride with him, showing me the sights of where peace can be found, but ultimately it's up to me to take what I've learned and apply it.

If Brian became a cab driver again and decided to do a Dharma Road (Part Two), I'd read it. I'd be interested in what he's learned and applied and if our Spiritual Awakening is aligned.

Namaste

[JG Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at the downtown library in Austin. I was just looking for a basic book about zen with out a monk on the cover. I took it home and quickly found out that it's about a cab driver in Austin. It really hit home for me. I know all the streets and landmarks the author refers to. It's an easy read and over all just a great book about zen and the art of driving a cab. If your from Austin and interested in zen this would be an excellent book .

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Only wish I'd discovered this nearer the beginning of my practice. Straight-talking, simple, refreshingly honest, witty, very human, open-minded, never pompous or succumbing to self-indulgent mystification like too many zen books out there. If you're new to this buddhism thing or some way along and feeling a little nostalgic for your beginner-mind this is the one for you.

[Jeremy Hermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was introduced to me by my brother. Haycock does an excellent job at giving a beginners guide to zen. Haycock emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment and personal expression within a modern society.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I was searching for an "everyday" Buddhism/Zen sort of book. No meditating monks or big Sanskrit words. This book most definitely delivered and kept it extremely simple. Yay for Mr. Haycock for making us all think we could achieve enlightenment :)

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily digested, introductory book on Buddhism told in the friendly style of a former Austin cab driver. If you are interested in spirituality I'd recommend it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I anticipated. Simple and straight-forward.

[Pam Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading it...

[Ric Underhile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and practical book either for well-read Buddhists or those merely seeking an introduction to Eastern philosophy.

[Madhusree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book-if a cabbie can practice lovingkindness meditation,then surely,I can.

[Jeff Loquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent ride through the difficulties of zen practice in the real world.

[Sylvia Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book, so much so I am about to start reading it again

[J W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for the novice zen want to be in all of us. Learn the basics in a very practical dialog. Very easy read.

[Jonathan Rosenthal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very accessible introduction to Buddhism through the wanderings of an Austin Texas taxi driver. Easy read and appealing.