How To Cook Your Life

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This Buddhist teacher is fun, he's human, and needs to have patience. (Like me.) It reminds me of my days chanting, and going to temple. It was the happiest time of my life. The philosophy is simple: pay attention to what you're doing, and be in the moment. He authored a book on making bread, which I bought in the 60's. If you want a video that makes you appreciate the simplicity of life, this is it. (He teaches cooking skills with a chef's knife, but I'm not there yet!)

This documentary shows people trying to live life more connected, more substantially, more fulfilling, through a series of vignettes revolving around a Buddhist monastery experience in Germany where food preparation is a metaphor for living one's life. When you chop the carrots, chop the carrots. Simple wisdom, simple focus, simple life, good life.

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.

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.

Not what I as expecting but good fun anyway

Ich hatte den wunderbaren Film von Doris Dörrie vor vielen Jahren im Kino gesehenund ihn endlich mal gekauft. Eine Ode an den Zen-Buddhismus. Er ist vollerWeisheiten, die auch heute noch gelten. Ein Film über das Leben, die Menschen,ihre Gefühle und die Weisheit und Tiefe des Zen. Und viel feiner spiritueller Humor.Ein Film auch über die Erde, den Konsum und das Leid, das wir durch unsereKonsumhaltung verursachen.Sollte in Schulen im Religionsunterricht gezeigt werden, auch im Fernsehen statt Kochshows.

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 großen Wert auf Qualität und Vollwertigkeit der Lebensmittel sowie auf einen bewussten Umgang mit diesen. Außerdem 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.

Ein wunderbarer Film rund um die Zen-Kunst des Kochens. Herrlich wie aus missratenen "pickeled dogans" eine tiefgreifende Erfahrung des "Nicht-Denkens" wird... Kein Kochlehrgang à la TV-Soap sondern ein Film über die Kunst des Zen in der Küche, luftig inszeniert von Dorris Dörrie.Dazu der echt menschelnde Edward Espe Brown life.Auch für Nicht-Köche, Nicht-Zen-Meister, Nicht-Buddhisten, Nicht-Spirituelle-Leuchten..... Prädikat: Super-Sehenswert!!