Price: $11.98 - $12.99
(as of Nov 02, 2024 07:48:07 UTC – Details)
A Zen priest in San Francisco and cookbook author use Zen Buddhism and cooking to relate to everyday life.
Aspect Ratio : 1.78:1
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
MPAA rating : PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.72 ounces
Item model number : 031398233053
Director : Doris Dörrie
Media Format : Color, Multiple Formats, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC, Closed-captioned
Run time : 1 hour and 34 minutes
Release date : May 6, 2008
Studio : Lionsgate Home Entertainment
ASIN : B0014BQR74
Number of discs : 1
Edward Espe Brown –
You’re on your own. Together with everything.
I guess that your algorithms did not let you know that I am the “star” of this movie How to Cook Your Life. And excuse me, yes, I think it’s great. But as I say about food, you make your best effort and some people like it, some people don’t. See where your taste is at: check it out.No, I do not know how to perform impeccably, but is that what life is all about? “You’re only as good as your last performance.” Or can you be you, and share your heart and your food with family and friends with joy and well-being?Love and blessings. And Guten Appetite.
Patricia Brescia –
soothing and light with deep content
I can watch this video many times and never tire of it, which is why I purchased it after watching a copy. It combines great humor, serious spiritual practice and commentary on our lives with inspiration and lightness. Suzuki’s simple teaching of “letting the bird come home to your heart” when the monk is disturbed by the blue jay cawing outside his window while he tries to study is the jewel of the film. Edward Espe Brown is a funny, serious, charming man and he brings his human vulnerabilities to us all with compassion and authenticity. The chanting and bells are beautiful background to the inviting journey to this magical place. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in Zen, meditation, good food and spirituality. It is a gem.
Kindle Customer –
Food is holy
If you have a little patience while watching this film, you will be greatly rewarded. Edward Espe Brown is not only a wonderful cooking teacher, but a humorous and humble spiritual guide. The side stories about food that illuminate this film’s philosophy are enlightening and thought provoking without having to resort to disturbing film footage about our corporate food industry’s ugly side. I don’t purchase many DVDs, but I had to have this for my small collection. I love to cook, and having this film is like having a spiritual guide at my side to help me be patient and have reverence while I prepare food for my loved ones and myself.
Stream Hiker –
Horrible representation of Zen and Shunryu Suzuki
I cannot believe they let this guy do this. You can see right through him. He is clearly not in command of any type of spiritual merit and has apparently learned nothing in all these years. He’s also not funny and not nice.If I could give a negative star I’d do that. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME.
Judith –
Food for a thoughtful life
I happen to come upon this video by accident one day as it played on a pbs channel. Days after seeing it, I was still thinking about it. It was kind of a “DUH, go to Amazon and buy that thing” moment. Although it’s not a “cooking guide” it is a recipe for a thoughtful, mindful life. I will often play it as I am doing something mindless like washing dishes and just listen to the lessons. In these horribly rushed and busy days it’s nice to be reminded to just chill and appreciate. AND… eat to fill your soul.
Middle aged reader –
Some good points
I was not as impressed with this DVD as I thought I’d be. It made many good points about food, but took a negative look at other natural eating philosophies such as Macrobiotics. That put me off the content somewhat because I really didn’t want to hear critiques of other ideas, but just simply wanted to see what positive messages they could put forward. However, if this doesn’t bother other buyers, it has some interesting points and may suit them better.
L. Auperle –
Puts my cooking to shame.
I showed this DVD at one of our Spiritual cinema evenings. Most people were quite impressed. Here is a dedicated men who follows his heart and ends up becoming a “famous” author and monk. This book should be required viewing for all Corporate managers to give them an impression of a different life. It also showes us how far removed a lot of people have become from spending some thoughtful time in the kitchen.
Kindle Customer –
I love Doris Dorrie’s movies very much
I love Doris Dorrie’s movies very much. This examination of a Zen practitioner named Edward Espe Brown is a fun look at his life and his cooking. The movie calls him a “Master”. He doesn’t seem happy but I don’t know any masters to compare with him. I find Zen monasteries interesting as, to teach a non-individual view, they seem want to force all students into a “mold”, following a recipe followed by past teachers. Seems to be more of a Asian thing than a Buddhist thing. Still, if it’s a Dorrie movie, it’s a movie that will show the cold, naked truth at all times, generally with a generous helping of love.
Garth Duguay –
This was a great purchase and was very happy with it!
Susan –
Love love love this film! Although this has German subtitles, it is still a wonderful glimpse into Buddhism as a way of life. Bought this one as a gift, but watch mine every so often to centre, uplift and inspire about what really matters. Love.
Giuseppe N. Lacagnina –
Uno splendido, avvicente – ed anche commovente – documentario sulla vita e la pratica di un maestro zen. Molto affascinante la connessione che si traccia tra l’attività del cucinare e lo zen. Assolutamente consigliato.
Hase77 –
Ich finde den Film sehr inspirierend. Ich kannte ihn schon bevor ich ihn bestellte – hatte ihn bereits 3x zuvor gesehen. Ich habe beschlossen, dass er in mein Standardrepartoire aufgenommen werden muss: Ich bin zum einen Hobbyköchin und lege groÃen Wert auf Qualität und Vollwertigkeit der Lebensmittel sowie auf einen bewussten Umgang mit diesen. AuÃerdem ist der Film für Menschen interessant, die ein Interesse an Meditation, Reflexion, kritischem Denken und Poesie haben – dies ist in dieser Doku von Doris Dörrie wunderbar miteinander vermengt und mit einer kräftigen Prise Humor und Menschlichkeit abgeschmeckt. Ein gelungener Augenschmaus! Die Lieferung verlief reibungslos. Daher alles in allem 5 Sternchen.
Shri Durga –
This delightful and insightful film from German director Doris Dorrie (Enlightenment Guaranteed) demonstrates, in the tradition of great Buddhist teachings, the marvel of life that is and always has been right under your nose, right at your fingertips, right there waiting for you to really see it, really feel it, really smell and taste it.Ostensibly a profile of American Soto Zen priest Edward Espe Brown , for 30 years the head cook of the California Tassajara Zen Center, the film is in the end more about how we relate to food, and ultimately how we relate to life. In Japan’s Soto Zen tradition, cooking is more than just feeding the monks. It’s about close attention to detail. It’s about respect for the produce of the Earth. In the process, its as much about preparing yourself as it is a meal.For a more thorough review, with trailer, see my blog, FullThangka.#