Spiritual And Philosophical Support

Are the meanings of the banners unclear? For Spiritual Support see Dharmabanners founder Michael Attie's new book:

Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way
A Guide to Meditation, Spiritual Awakening and Fun

The book is an eccentric, non-sectarian, open-hearted, inspirational and de-confusing guide to the spiritual path. As a balance to the large number of overly dry and intellectual books on the subject, Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way emphasizes an open-heart as the most important ingredient in the practice of meditation. Rather than treat the subject in an overly solemn and serious way, the book is filled with personal and usually humorous anecdotes to illustrate concepts about the spiritual path. Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way emphasizes that meditation will help us find more fun, humor and light-heartedness in our lives.

MANY WAYS. The book takes a close look at various meditation traditions that have been transplanted to the West. As these streams are inevitably learning from and influencing each other, a distinctly Western approach is slowly evolving. We study this process and see how we can use the more helpful aspects of various approaches. We understand what characteristics are essential and common to all schools of meditation.

MIDDLE WAY. The meditation path often seems to be a paradoxical clash of seemingly contradictory tendencies. A middle way understands that these are actually complimentary dichotomies; it is broad and well-balanced enough to include both sides of the seeming paradoxes in its practice. Some of the dichotomies that the book studies in detail are faith/doubt, lovingkindness/non-duality, thinking/feeling, form/formless, observation/concentration, experiencing both our bliss/and our pain.

NO WAY. The subtlest teachings of all schools emphasize this deepest teaching; there is no way because we are already where we want to be. If we are open, quiet and stop grasping (even after 'enlightenment'), we realize that our deepest desires are fulfilled right here. The very nature of our mind/heart is unlimited love. Understanding no way is the best antidote to the uptight overseriousness that to often infects meditators.

HUMOROUS. Most of the great spiritual teachers have had dual careers as comedians. We look at some of their lives and understand how meditation practice can help us to lead a life filled with mirth and playfulness. NON-SECTARIAN. Most books are written from the point of view of one particular pathway or tradition. It is often implied that this is the preferred, fastest or deepest approach. Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way could serve as a veiled deprogrammer for all people with potential cult or fundamentalist leanings. A spiritual anarchistic message runs throughout the book: study and learn from all ways but maintain your autonomy.

OPEN-HEARTED. Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way stresses repeatedly that our relationships are inseparable from our meditation practice. Living our life in a generous, unattached and open-hearted way is infinitely more important than any particular meditation technique. Mystics use countless words to attempt to label the indescribable reality that they discover is the very nature of consciousness and being: one-mind, emptiness, God, bliss, etc. Although still inadequate, 'love' is the best word for our times.

Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way--A Guide to Meditation, Spiritual Awakening and Fun, published by the Neon Buddha press, is available is available through this site for $18. click here to order.

 

About the author,

Michael Attie has been a student of Zen, and Vipassana Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta for over 40 years. In the sixties and seventies he joined the Western pilgrimage to Asia, residing in Japanese Zen monasteries and Indian Ashrams. In 1973 the revered Indian Guru, Neem Karoli Baba told him to teach Dharma in the West. Ever Since then he has been pursuing his Guru’s instructions through a variety of mediums, always emphasizing the recurrent theme that one need look no farther than the current circumstances of one’s life for spiritual inspiration.
After Michael returned to America and inherited Playmates of Hollywood, he performed ‘The Lingerie Zen Review’ to packed houses to celebrate his dual life as meditator and panty salesman. A few years later Michael performed the ‘The Zen Opera Show’ around California, celebrating opera-mania as a shortcut to spiritual enlightenment. His new performance piece, ‘Buddha to Broadway,’ demonstrates that one needn’t learn Tibetan or Sanskrit to study dharma. It is all there--in Gershwin, Berlin, Porter and Johnny Mercer. Michael is currently filming ‘Dog Realization,’ a documentary on ‘Canine Tantra;’ through loving our dogs, we can learn to love the whole universe.
Michael founded and owns DharmaBanners, a company that designs and markets prayer flags in English, of all the world’s spiritual traditions. He also plays the accordion with the PujaToons, specializing in Musette, Tango, Klezmer and American Swing tunes. Michael currently resides in Los Angeles, where he founded and teaches Dharma at the Don’t Worry Zendo. Michael has authored two books of poetry, This Smiling Heart and The Love Beggars. The poems are reflections on a life lived with humor, playfulness, and an open heart.

For more information on Michael’s schedule, please click onto www: dontworryzendo.com

 

Praise for Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way

Michael Attie will help you smile your way to enlightenment.

--Maureen Draper, author, The Nature of Music (Riverhead)

A spiritual journey with some surprising twists. On his path to theintriguing ‘Don’t Worry Zendo’ at Playmates of Hollywood, the Lingerie Monk presents us with the basics of dharma practice, gently seasonedwith Sufism, Ramana Maharshi, and the poet’s own insights and humor."
--Dale Pendell, author, Pharmako/Gnosis (Mercury House)

Michael Attie’s Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way examines Buddhism’s many facets—its principles and practices, its lineages, and its consonance with other disciplines—all the time reminding us not to take anything too seriously. Attie’s approach is encyclopedic, thoughtful, compassionate, and best of all, gently outrageous.
--Jeff Kane, author, The Healing Companion (HarperSanFrancisco, 2001)

A witty, compassionate, reverential and wise description of meditation and ordinary spiritual practice by a wandering pilgrim whose understanding matured immeasurably at midlife when he became the owner of “the world’s largest lingerie store.” Based upon his personal experiences, Attie describes an unconventional, self-authenticated, non-authoritarian spiritual practice drawn from Eastern devotional traditions and meditation techniques that embraces everyday life and promotes relationship and the collective experience. Attie’s romp through Eastern mysticism and practice illuminates, instructs and celebrates life’s juxtaposition of chaos, passion, music, poetry, art, travel and people with spiritual practice. His world is a warm place filled with love, humor and appreciation.
--Stan Madson, editor, The Bodhi Tree Book Review

In Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way Michael Attie blends his clear and approachable Dharma interpretation with deep insight gained by living a joyful and attentivelife. In so doing, he opens wider the path toward balance and clarity inour own lives. This manual is a true gift:an invigorating book filled with love, humor, wisdom, and a dose of invaluable anecdotes from poets, roshis, saints and sages.
John Brandi—author, Heartbeat Geography(White Pine Press)

Michael Attie is passionate about meditation. With enchanting tales about his journey through the halls and temples of several Asian spiritualtraditions and hilarious directions for breaking down staid concepts about meditation, Attie will entice even the most reluctant to find a cushion and
begin a meditation practice. His life as a "Lingerie Monk," the richness of his experience as a meditator, and his earnest storytelling animate this personal and useful book.

Susan Suntree, Editor, Wisdom of the East: Stories of Compassion, Inspiration, and Love
(Contemporary/McGraw-Hill)

Hollywood Buddhism Sizzles! Michael Attie knows his dharma, and understands show-biz, and he puts the two together in this profound, lighthearted and often touching book. Attie will take you with him to visit the esteemed Zen master Sasaki Roshi or the Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba, and then to meditate in his "Don't Worry Zendo" or at the
Playmates lingerie meditation hall. Can you find universal consciousness through the Feather Boa Dance? Read this book and find out! You'll have a good time on the way.
--Wes Nisker, author, Crazy Wisdom (Ten Speed Press)

Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way is a unique, humorous and openhearted book which will delight the independent-minded spiritual seeker.
--Daidie Donelly, author, Sorrow Mountain (Kodosha)

MANY WAYS, MIDDLE WAY, NO WAY   TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE: INTRODUCTORY
1. Introduction	...................	3
2. Why Meditate	...................	5.
3. The Middle Way	...................	8.
4. A Short Spiritual Autobiography	...................	11.
5. Bhakti and Jnana	...................	17.
6. Your Way	...................	22.
7. Fanaticism	...................	27.
PART TWO: THE BASICS
1. The Knot: Breathing	...................	31.
2. Resistance: Sangha	...................	33.
3. Just Sit Here	...................	38.
4. Difficulties, Obstructions, Distractions	...................	41.
5. Grieving, Healing, Blissing	...................	44.
6. Zenassana	...................	47.
PART THREE: THE HEART OF THE MATTER
1. I'll Think and I'll Think	...................	53.
2. Compassion and Emptiness	...................	56.
3. The Feeling of the Heart	...................	60.
4. Form and Formless	...................	66.
5. Non-Duality	...................	70.
6. Non-Attainment	...................	74.
7. Self-Inquiry	...................	80.
PART FOUR: DHARMA IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES
1. Lovingkindness	...................	87.
2. Take it Easy, Slow Down	...................	91.
3. Anger	...................	93.
4. You Are The Boss	...................	95.
5. Microcosm/Macrocosm	...................	101.
6. Generosity/Gratitude	...................	105.
7. Sleeping/Dreaming	...................	109.
PART FIVE: MANY WAYS, NO WAY
1. Death I	...................	117.
2. Death II	...................	121.
3. A Poor Old Man I--Nobody	...................	126.
4. A Poor Old Man II--Somebody	...................	130.
5. Let Yoursef Go	...................	133.
6. Don't Know Mind	...................	136.
7. Many Ways, No Way	...................	140.
PART SIX: DHARMA PLAY AND LOVEGAMES
1. Walking Meditation	...................	147.
2. The Lingerie Zen Sect	...................	153.
3. Dialectics of Delusion	...................	158.
4. Mystics' All-Time Hit Parade	...................	168.
5. Cosmic Joke/Cosmic Smile	...................	178.
6. Wide Open Dharma	...................	.185.
7. Grace	...................	191.

Click here for Introduction and six sample chapters from Many Ways, Middle Way, No Way--A Guide to Meditation, Spiritual Awakening and Fun:The Middle Way, Just Sit Here, The Lingerie Zen Sect,Many Ways and No Way, Walking Meditation, Mystics All-Time Hit Parade.

Now available at this site from Neon Buddha Press for $18 per copy.

Click here to order!