Mon 2 Jul 2007
Noah Levine is a Buddhist teacher, counselor and author of the book “Dharma Punx.” Noah healed himself from addiction and substance abuse after being in the prison system, and now he is a counselor and Buddhist teacher. He comes from a punk background and is able to communicate the Buddha’s teachings in a way that resonates with a younger demographic.
Kent and I attended a day long workshop with Noah Levine at Spirit Rock Meditation Center on April 28th, 2006 where were able to interview him.
I got a chance to read Noah’s latest book “Against the Stream”, which summarizes basic Buddhist principles such as the Eightfold Path
and the Four Noble Truths in easily understandable language.
I like the way Noah interprets the Buddha’s message for contemporary times. By sharing personal experiences, he explains how the path of love is “against the stream” of habitual patterns of the mind and creates freedom. The book offers meditation exercises that can help us to overcome tendencies of the mind toward greed, hatred and delusion. And through meditation we learn to intentionally cultivate generosity, compassion, and understanding.
There is also a documentary about Noah’s path through spirituality, punk rock and inner rebellion called “Meditate and Destroy” that recently premiered in Santa Cruz.
Music: “The Message 2 (Jazz Mix)” by cdk via ccmixter.org
Photos: adobemac, ayahyoung, beija-flor, beija-flor, cathycracks, culturesubculture, davebluedevil, digitalgrace, fredarmitage, grantneufeld, introspectrum, jgarber, k9, kikisdad, nolifebeforecoffee, pefectfutures, stuckincustoms, & timcummins
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Thanks again.
I’ve been looking over your shoulders for quite a while now. And I feel now is the time for a more extensive comment.
I’m no Buddhist nor have I read any books about it. But I notice I lean towards it quite a bit. Every time I see one of your interviews (or the more personal video’s for that matter) I find a lot of recognition within myself and am amazed by the positive energy we all long for (every religion I know off, thrives on that). The big difference is that most people put the ultimate responsibility (hope) with that higher power they have to obey through a book to achieve that. I tend to see this as escapism and tunnel vision, although I try hard to keep an open mind.
Buddhism tells me it’s the power within you and wants to make you more aware of that and the world around you. Finding inner peace / truth and giving you the ability to connect again.
From the moment I became conscientiously aware of life I wondered why we as humans have so many conflicts. My conclusion time and time again is that we have become disconnected with that what binds everything.
We humans, as I, desperately try to reconnect. As history and present tells us we are still lost.
As I go along my path I find Buddhism quite close and walking in the same direction. I like the company.
(please correct me if I’m wrong)
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:00 am
[…] The latest episode features Dharma Punx author and Buddhism teacher Noah Levine. The intimate interview is contrasted with Creative Commons-licensed stock photography and music to increase the emotional impact of Levine’s words, lending a sheen to the production. “We’re trying to reach outside of the tech world,” said Jen Gouvea, who, along with partner Kent Bye, produces the show. […]
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:41 am
I come from a sorta punk background and have to say Levine totally resonates with where I am now.
When I was younger, my dad asked me who I wanted to be, who was more important: the person who throws the brick through the window at the protest, or the person who gives the speech. I told him they were part of a necessary whole, which I how I see this video but also your whole concept here.
Living it, for me, is always the hardest part. I find being the punk to be much more natural and easy. Levine says something I try to remember a lot about being hard on yourself: essentially, don’t be harder on yourself than you’d allow anyone else to be.
Glad you got a write up on this. Well done
July 5th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Hey guys -
We met (briefly) at the web video conf in S.Jose.
Nice job on the Noah Levine piece. Love the cross-cuts and the groovy soundtrack. Good compliments to Noah’s delivery of wisdom.
Peace.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
hi alan…
.great blog thanks for watching!
Hi erik…
Personally, i am not a Buddhist so I am no expert. I don’t really subscribe to any one spiritual path at this point. I enjoy exploring and documenting all the different ways that people approach inner peace/outer action. This is my way of searching for truth.
I do agree that we do need to be willing to take on our own power to create the positive energy in the world we want. Prayer and surrender to a higher power can be a path for some people. You might like the book Engaged Buddhism in the West by Christopher S. Queen.
Thanks for the encouragement.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:13 am
The Punk/Buddhist connection is a really interesting one, and I love the way Noah describes this, and I believe that his is absolutely correct, that it is the doing something that is important.
Nice Video!
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:21 pm
i thought that your production was incredibly in tune with the spirit of the interview. i just picked up a copy of “against the stream” at the suggestion of one of my twelve step friends and am especially looking forward to it after viewing your interview. i too was heavily into the punk rock scene in the 70 and 80’s and have recently changed careers and become a school teacher to try to light a proverbial fire under the asses of todays self-centered youth. doing that in a way that promotes a buddhist path should be rather challenging. thanks again for your work, i will pass it on!
July 24th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for sharing. I was a rebellious punk rocker too. Its funny to trade sides and end up in the shoes of “the authority figure”.
I experienced that shift when I worked in Baltimore city teaching art and doing media projects with inner city youth.
Good luck with your important work as a teacher.
-Jen
May 21st, 2009 at 8:11 am
This is the best site! got to read more
October 20th, 2009 at 11:01 am
cool pics http://www.blogsofzion.com/blog/?p=1497