Zen Confidential Audiobook By Shozan Jack Haubner, Leonard Cohen cover art

Zen Confidential

Confessions of a Wayward Monk

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Zen Confidential

By: Shozan Jack Haubner, Leonard Cohen
Narrated by: Shozan Jack Haubner
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These hilarious essays on life inside and outside a Zen monastery make up the spiritual memoir of Shozan Jack Haubner, a Zen monk who didn’t really start out to be one. Raised in a conservative Catholic family, Shozan went on to study philosophy (becoming de-Catholicized in the process) and to pursue a career as a screenwriter and stand-up comic in the clubs of L.A. How he went from life in the fast lane to life on the stationary meditation cushion is the subject of this laugh-out-loud funny account of his experiences. Whether he’s dealing with the pranks of a juvenile delinquent assistant in the monastery kitchen or defending himself against claims that he appeared in a porno movie under the name “Daniel Reed” (he didn’t, really) or being surprised in the midst of it all by the compassion he experiences in the presence of his teacher, Haubner’s voice is one you'll be compelled to listen to. Not only because it’s highly entertaining, but because of its remarkable insight into the human condition.

©2013 Shozan Jack Haubner (P)2014 Audible Inc. Buddhism Religious Zen Funny Witty Thought-Provoking Zen Buddhism Japanese Philosophy
Excellent Storytelling • Humorous Writing • Poetic Narration • Thoughtful Insights • Relatable Perspective
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This book felt like a long piece of humor writing even though it got serious and dramatic at times. I liked listening to the author's narration and his comic deliveries. Easy listening. Enjoyed it. There is one thing about this book that influenced me. The parts where he talked about his dealings with his parents...that struck me and since then I have been more attentive and understanding to my parents. So in that sense this book did change something for me as well.

Only zen in the book is the zen YOU bring to it

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly recommended. The author links the guts and grime of being human with the innate desire and search for the beauty of the spiritual.

Humanizes the idea you have of monastic purpose

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I was enthralled from the beginning. I absolutely love it and I wish his other book was on Audible as I on a road trip currently.

wonderful, literally goosebumps from chapter 7.

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To many adjectives, and being stuck on a audible screen that will not go away until I write a review and I pay a monthly fee for this.

Irreverence

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Shozan really is quite a good writer and overall the book is really good. However, as others have noted, he's obsessed with shit. Also, the detail with which he describes a porn film I thought was in bad taste, whether gay, straight, or other. Again, though, overall very well done.

Excellent writing, but ...

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I'm a beginner on Zen topics. So, this book taught me a lot. It's always interesting to learn from a westerner perspective what is like to experience a different life. Found it very relatable too. Loved the performance. Thank you.

Learned and enjoyed it a lot

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Journey of a monk growing into the role...

Most unusual combination of son of gun barron to vegetarian monk...

Something unexpected, but good

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Great book! Unexpectedly riveting, raw and real. Great read, i couldn’t put it down. Love it!

Raw and unpretentious

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Who never zen monks were human ??? Or had more baggage than me??
Great insightful book into monastic life. The good, the not so good and the ugly!!! This is a very eye opening and honest book about the human experience, for all of us. Not just for a person searching to be enlightened.

Surprisingly honest!!! Great listen!!!

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Great book. The author writes well and is an excellent storyteller. Stories are Vi vid The narrative and Zen principles are interwoven seamlesslya.
They are Often funny with a great deal of insight.

Excellent Book

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