Brad Warner

Diesel, A Bookstore in Oakland welcomes author Brad Warner back to the store to discuss and sign his new book, There is no god and he is always with you: A Search for God in Odd Places, on Friday, August 2nd at 7pm.

There is no god and he is always with you, may sound like a typically enigmatic Zen quote, the kind of answer couched within a riddle that makes you roll your eyes and toss up your hands. But in his new book, Brad Warner makes the compelling argument that that quote quite succinctly and perfectly presents the Buddhist approach to the concept of God. Your precise idea of God, he says, whether a He, She, or It, does not exist. Cannot exist. It is an image created in your mind. It doesn't matter if it's the Judeo-Christian-Islamic God or a bright, amorphous being, or a purple-skinned Indian youth. But something spiritual exists, "something powerful and ineffable that is the ground of all being and nonbeing." Something that could be called God?

Brad Warner is a Soto Zen priest, punk rock bass guitarist and the bestselling author of Hard Core Zen, Sit Down and Shut Up, and Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. He lives in Los Angeles.

Location: Street: 5433 College Ave City: Oakland, Province: California Postal Code: 94618-1502 Country: United States (added from IndieBound)… (more)

Brad Warner promotes Sex, Sin, and Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex from Celibacy to Polyamory and Everything in Between.; Jeffrey Small promotes The Breath of God.

Two authors discuss interesting takes on spirituality in their latest books. Zen priest and punk bassist Brad Warner, (author of, among other titles, Hardcore Zen) discusses and signs copies of his latest Sex, Sin, and Zen: A Buddhist Exploration of Sex from Celibacy to Polyamory and Everything in Between. Atlanta author Jeffrey Small shares his debut novel The Breath of God, a thriller that explores the possibility that Jesus's "missing years" were spent in the far east, studying Hinduism and Buddhism. About SEX, SIN, AND ZEN: A BUDDHIST EXPLORATION OF SEX FROM CELIBACY TO POLYAMORY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN: With his one-of-a kind blend of autobiography, pop culture, and plainspoken Buddhism, Brad Warner explores an A-to-Z of sexual topics – from masturbation to dating, gender identity to pornography. In addition to approaching sexuality from a Buddhist perspective, he looks at Buddhism – emptiness, compassion, karma – from a sexual vantage. Throughout, he stares down the tough questions: Can prostitution be a right livelihood? Can a good spiritual master also be really, really bad? And ultimately, what's love got to do with any of it? While no puritan when it comes to non-vanilla sexuality, Warner offers a conscious approach to sexual ethics and intimacy – real-world wisdom for our times. About THE BREATH OF GOD: A murder at the Taj Mahal. A kidnapping in a sacred city. A desperate chase through a cliffside monastery. All in the pursuit of a legend that could link together the great religious faiths of the world. In 1887, a Russian journalist made an explosive discovery in a remote Himalayan monastery only to be condemned and silenced for the heresy he proposed. His discovery vanished shortly thereafter. Now, graduate student Grant Matthews journeys to the Himalayas in search of this ancient mystery. But Matthews couldn't have anticipated the conspiracy of zealots who would go to any lengths to prevent him from bringing this secret public. Soon he is in a race to expose a truth that will change the world's understanding of religion. A truth that his university colleagues believe is mere myth. A truth that will change his life forever – if he survives. (jasbro)… (more)

Brad Warner , Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma.

How does a Zen Master help others through hard times when he’s dealing with pain of his own? How does he meditate when the world is crumbling around him? And is meditation a valid coping mechanism or just another form of escapism? These are the questions that ordained Zen priest, bestselling author, and punk rock bassist Brad Warner will discuss in this event based on his new book in which he shines a bright light on commonly held misconceptions surrounding spiritual masters. Brad Warner is a Zen priest, filmmaker, and Japanese monster-movie marketer living in Los Angeles. He’s the author of Hardcore Zen, Sit Down & Shut Up, and most recently, Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon with Brad Warner at Brazos. (booksense)… (more)

Brad Warner , Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip Through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma.

How does a Zen Master help others through hard times when he’s dealing with pain of his own? How does he meditate when the world is crumbling around him? And is meditation a valid coping mechanism or just another form of escapism? These are the questions that ordained Zen priest, bestselling author, and punk rock bassist Brad Warner will discuss in this event based on his new book in which he shines a bright light on commonly held misconceptions surrounding spiritual masters. Brad Warner is a Zen priest, filmmaker, and Japanese monster-movie marketer living in Los Angeles. He’s the author of Hardcore Zen, Sit Down & Shut Up, and most recently, Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate. He will give a Dharma Talk at the Zen Center, followed by a signing. Brazos Bookstore will handle the booksale. (booksense)… (more)

Brad Warner , Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye.

Meet Brad Warner: Soto Zen priest, author, blogger, documentarian and punk rock bass guitarist. Brad will present and sign his book Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye, a collection of musings that explore the Zen teachings as they apply to contemporary alternative issues. (booksense)… (more)