Dharma Punx: A Memoir - Hardcover

"Buddhism and punk rock", writes Noah Levine in his memoir Dharma Punx, "obviously have some huge differences". No argument there. "But", he continues, "for me they are both part of a single thread that has been stitched through every aspect of my life". Judging by Levine's childhood, it's amazing there's any salvageable material with which to stitch. He was suicidal at age five, smoking pot and drinking beer while crashing headlong into the Bay Area punk scene by the 8th grade, and in and out of jail as a wayward teen who stole VCRs from neighbours to finance a crack habit. After he hit bottom and embraced a Buddhist path similar to that endorsed by his father, author Stephen Levine, the trappings of his previous life were largely rejected. Except for the punk rock, which Levine channelled into a Buddhist worldview. The first section of the book is harrowing as Levine details his descent into addiction and does so with a simple matter-of-fact approach that makes his tale all the more compelling. Levine is a potent central character, always sympathetic even when he's neither likable nor completely forgivable. Later sections lack the same impact and consist largely of travelogues of the author's journeys around the world in search of spiritual satisfaction along with attempts to reconcile the disparate worlds of punk and Buddhism. Nonetheless, it is satisfying to see Levine return to the juvenile halls where he was once incarcerated, this time as a counsellor. While there is nothing especially unique about the literary genre of reformed addict memoir, it's a genre that rarely involves punk rockers or Buddhists. Levine's unique and skilfully related journey will appeal to punks, Buddhists, and anyone interested in the idea of redemption. --John Moe, Amazon.com

"Fierce and disarming in its honesty, raw and true in its expression...This is not your average spiritual autobiography!"--Norman Fischer, Zen priest and poet, and founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation

"An entry point for many others into a potentially life-saving practice...an empathic and moving offering."--Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are

"Honesty and wildness that become transformed and inspiring."--Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart

"This honest, page-turning confession is also a measure of the adaptability and usefulness of the Asian tradition of Buddhism for the young and restless of contemporary America."--Publishers Weekly

"Levine has a gift for plunging readers into the belly of his experience."--Tricycle magazine

"This book is a great success story that shows that violence, negativity and self destruction doesn't accomplish anything."--Mike Ness, lead singer of Social Distortion

"Noah takes us through his own personal genocide in this honest and at times unbearably painful account of his journey."--Sothira, lead singer of Crucifix/Proudflesh

This honest, page-turning confession is also a measure of the adaptability and usefulness of the Asian tradition of Buddhism for the young and restless of contemporary America. --Publishers Weekly"

Fierce and disarming in its honesty, raw and true in its expression...This is not your average spiritual autobiography! --Norman Fischer, Zen priest and poet, and founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation"

An entry point for many others into a potentially life-saving practice...an empathic and moving offering. --Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go, There You Are"