Breakfast With Buddha

Memories of a romantic past flood back as Otto reminisces about his honeymoon with Jeannie, stirring deep emotions. In this sentimental state, Otto makes an impromptu call to Jeannie, surprising her with his location. Their conversation quickly turns intimate and nostalgic, as they fondly recall specific moments from their early days together. Otto playfully suggests that for their next anniversary, they should revisit the Knickerbocker Hotel, now subtly changed but still a symbol of their shared history.

The conversation then shifts as Otto confides in Jeannie about Rinpoche’s influence on him. He admits that Rinpoche has slightly eroded his cynicism, prompting him to contemplate life and death from a different perspective. While Jeannie expresses some surprise at this unexpected change in Otto, she’s supportive, showing the strength and adaptability of their bond. The call ends on a note of domestic normality, yet Otto is left with a sense of contentment and love, reflecting on the strength of their relationship and the vast possibilities of life.

Otto and Rinpoche experience a classic American evening by attending a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. The journey to the stadium, with its vibrant atmosphere of lights, smells, and sounds, is a vivid prelude to the game. Despite arriving late and navigating through the bustling crowd, the sight of the iconic ballpark is exhilarating for Otto. Their seats provide a distant view from behind home plate, setting the stage for an evening of traditional ballpark fare and the complex yet widely beloved intricacies of baseball.

However, the game’s nuances are lost on Rinpoche, who finds the rules and structure bewildering. Otto attempts to explain the game’s subtleties but eventually resigns himself to simply enjoying the spirited ambiance. Surprisingly, amid the excitement and noise, Rinpoche falls into a deep, peaceful sleep, embodying a serene tranquility that deeply resonates with Otto. This serene image of Rinpoche sleeping peacefully becomes a symbol for Otto, representing the inner peace and enlightenment he aspires to understand and attain.

Otto immerses Rinpoche in Chicago’s architectural splendor through a river cruise, hoping to add a cultural dimension to his American experience. They admire the city’s towering buildings and learn about the Chicago River’s reversed flow, a feat accomplished to prevent waterborne diseases. After the cruise, they briefly enjoy Chinese appetizers before leaving the bustling city.

As they drive toward Wisconsin, Otto reflects on their recent interactions. Notably, Rinpoche hasn’t mentioned Otto’s spiritual journey since a conversation at Marshall Field’s. Otto feels a sense of contentment, questioning the need for deep spiritual contemplation when many people lead fulfilling lives without it. However, Rinpoche’s silence during the drive hints at contemplation, prompting Otto to ponder whether Rinpoche’s every action is a spiritual metaphor. This thought unsettles him, especially when Rinpoche requests Otto’s presence in the front row for an upcoming talk and hints at “something a little else” (214) beyond mere discourse. Despite Otto’s discomfort with meditation, he agrees to Rinpoche’s request, masking his apprehension. The journey continues, accompanied by Rinpoche chanting a prayer for those in peril, which fills the car with a solemn yet mysterious ambiance.

In Madison, Otto and Rinpoche explore the city, which has a vibrant atmosphere and is adorned with artistically decorated ceramic cows. They end up at Himal Chuli, a Nepali restaurant, where Otto tries vegetarian dishes as part of his newfound openness to Rinpoche’s teachings. During the meal, Rinpoche communicates in Nepali with the waitress and reveals his fluency in 11 languages. The conversation turns to Otto’s mysterious, long-lasting illness, which Rinpoche interprets as a spiritual struggle, asserting that “all sickness comes from your spirit” (217). This leads to a discussion on spirituality and the possibility of cleaning one’s mind through good deeds and meditation.

After the meal, Rinpoche shows Otto a print featuring a goddess, hinting at her imminent arrival to aid humanity. This unsettles Otto. However, a deep and unexpected connection forms when the waitress reverently presents Rinpoche with a necklace, treating him with immense reverence. Otto’s confusion intensifies as he too is regarded with respect, despite feeling unworthy. This culminates in their being led into a room filled with people, their expectant faces adding to Otto’s sense of unease and the surreal unfolding of events.

Otto faces his apprehension when he realizes that Rinpoche’s “something a little else” (225) is a yoga class. Feeling out of place and unprepared, Otto reluctantly joins the class, led by an instructor named Molly, who has reserved a spot for him in the front row. Despite initial reluctance and discomfort, Otto attempts the challenging yoga poses, motivated by Rinpoche’s encouragement and the presence of the other participants. Throughout the class, he struggles with the physical demands and feels embarrassed by his lack of flexibility and fitness compared to others. However, as the class concludes with the corpse pose, Otto experiences a profound sense of calm and a brief period of thoughtlessness, finding an unexpected peace and a hint of understanding about his inner life. This moment of tranquility leads him to reflect on the possibility of continuing yoga, despite his earlier doubts. As the class disperses, Otto observes the admiration Rinpoche receives from the attendees, highlighting the impact of the experience on everyone involved.

Otto and Rinpoche stay at the GrandStay hotel on the outskirts of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After the yoga session, Otto has mixed feelings of anger and newfound peace. He admits to Rinpoche, “I’m angry at you” (233), to which Rinpoche calmly responds, acknowledging Otto’s emotions. Rinpoche then challenges Otto, asking, “Are you ready to become the new Otto, or do you want to stay the old Otto?” (233). Otto, reflecting on the moments of peace during yoga, agrees to learn more from Rinpoche, setting aside his anger. Rinpoche instructs Otto to fast for the night and the next day until dinner, suggesting a meditation practice. He guides Otto to focus on sensations like the tapping of a bird and the noise of a refrigerator, aiming to detach from persistent thoughts about food or life worries. The meditation session proves challenging for Otto, filled with distractions and physical discomfort from the day’s yoga. However, toward the end, he experiences moments of calmness and detachment, finding himself observing his thoughts without getting carried away. Rinpoche acknowledges this progress with a smile, advising Otto to carry this calmness into sleep, focusing on breathing in and out before closing the session for the night.

In the morning after the yoga session, Otto wakes up in agony, realizing the extent to which yoga engaged his unused muscles. The pain leads him to ponder if his physical condition reflects his spiritual awareness, musing that “there were whole areas of the mental landscape” (239) he had been unaware of. Despite the pain, Otto practices mindfulness, focusing on his hunger and visualizing food, and then letting the thought go, a technique taught by Rinpoche. As they check out of the GrandStay hotel, Otto resists the temptation of the breakfast buffet and embarks on a journey with Rinpoche, sticking to a fast.

During their drive, Rinpoche instructs Otto to take breaks, drink water, and stretch. Otto grapples with his hunger, contemplating the naturalness of eating and questioning the purpose of abstaining. Rinpoche explains that abstaining from pleasures like eating and sex momentarily allows one to see how the mind constructs the world, offering clarity and peace. Otto recalls moments of mental quietude during yoga and meditation, describing it as a “wonderful feeling” and a “nice blue space” (244). Rinpoche confirms that this state is what many spiritual teachings aim for, a place free of worldly desires and fears. Despite Otto’s skepticism and his struggle with fasting and pain, Rinpoche encourages him to appreciate the present, suggesting that attentiveness and mindfulness slow down life’s pace and bring one closer to divinity.

During the drive through Wisconsin, Otto reflects on his painful post-yoga condition, comparing his newfound awareness of his body’s muscles to a potential ignorance of his spiritual self. Despite the temptation, they don’t stop for any distractions, aiming to keep a calm mind. In Duluth, they stay in a modest motel on Barker’s Island. Otto finds his room moldy but tries to see the mundane TV programs as distractions from the “blue sphere” of mindfulness Rinpoche introduced him to.

Otto ponders whether his parents experienced a meditative connection to nature through their simple, rural lifestyle. He contrasts this with Rinpoche’s teachings, which suggest personal control over spiritual development, unlike his parents’ passive, faith-based approach. Reflecting on his own life journey, Otto acknowledges that his quest for knowledge and escape from the monotony of rural life led him to success. However, Rinpoche’s teachings challenge him to reconsider the value of a quieter, more contemplative life, conflicting with his lifelong pursuit of intellectual growth and urban success.