Lunch....

... with Buddha.

When I first opened Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo, I had the distinct and comforting sensation of being embraced by a loving family after a long absence.   I blogged about my love affair with Breakfast with Buddha and have revisited the book several times while waiting for the sequel.  I've read or listened to random snippets in the meantime... always finding new wisdom.

Lunch brings a similar scenario.  Otto Ringling, our reluctant hero, and his brother-in-law, the Buddha-esque Volya Rinpoche, travel in a rumbling elderly pickup from the Pacific Northwest to Dickenson ND.  Their adventures along the way serve as vehicles (pun intended) for Rinpoche to teach subtle but profound lessons.  This journey has a strong undertone of grief (I won't spoil the plot here, suffice to say I sobbed through Chapter 8), yet, as the story reveals, the connections we form and cherish often transcend physical life.

I applaud the quiet humor that Mr. Merullo provides...  these journeys take me from laughter to tears within a few pages. 

After living in Spokane for several years, I could easily relate to the geography of this journey.  The vast open landscapes of the northern plains often remind me of the landscape of the mind.  At first, that which appears to be mundane and/or cluttered (whether it be with scrub trees or miscellaneous thoughts), hidden treasures can be found when we look closely.

I love how Mr. Merullo brings the stories to conclusions without closing the door.  In Breakfast, we knew that Otto had made some deep decisions, even though we weren't told what they were.  I knew.  And now, Lunch concludes with a similar hook, one that made me smile and feel deep and abiding satisfaction.  Even though we aren't told the next chapter, we know.

Mr. Merullo has a gift for character and story....   lyrical prose, quiet metaphors that speak loudly, and characters that truly come to life.   The question remains:  What time is Dinner?