Saltwater Buddha Surfs Costa Rican Blogs

Siri and I were just traveling in Costa Rica over the summer and had such a great time. I only wish I'd gotten to meet Ike in Jaco who writes the blog, Surfing in Costa Rica. Ike is down there following his dream and he did an awesome job capturing the essence of Saltwater Buddha in his review (below). Thanks Ike.

"I find as I continue to live life, I am definite that there are no coincidences of events or experiences. There is something that is working underneath that shapes and teaches us and if we are willing to listen, we can learn much about ourselves. I also believe that these forces continue whether or not we are willing to acknowledge them. Many people share stories of epiphanies, I believe these are moments of clarity or as Jaimal Yogis describes in his book, “Saltwater Buddha” becoming “awake.” Some people purposely endeavor to become awake by studying Buddhism. Most people don’t study but I believe many people experience a “Buddhist” moment in their life and what they do with the experience defines their future lives and how they relate to the world around them. It is a fork in the road of life and all of us must make these decision many times whether we are “awake” or not.

I was asked to read the “Saltwater Buddha” and offer a review for the author. Initially, I was reluctant to begin as I am not a fan of reading PDF doc’s for leisure or study. I prefer to have my coffee, pillows arranged on the couch and the table close for my legs to rest on, with a physical book in my hands. However reluctant, I began reading and I was immediately captivated and soon forgot my creature comforts habits. Jaimal writes a story about a boy on a journey of self-discovery in the age of suburbia, Play Station, CD’s and MTV. He creates a character that is complex and unique, but it is the characters desires and dreams that creates a knowing connection immediately. On the most basic level, I believe all of us want to be happy, joyous, and free but with societal demands many never experience nor achieve all three simultaneously. Leaving us with a feeling in our gut that “something is missing?” and it is at these times many of us have these epiphanies. Saltwater Buddha is a journey of a boy who has this empty feeling and decides to not dream but live his dreams. I believe everyone can relate to this book because the experience is a human one and includes all age groups and both genders.

The books setting is the ocean and the waves it creates. Jaimal finds a connection between his desire to master the oceans waves by learning how to surf and how to master the waves of life and its ups and downs. As you journey with Jaimal, you begin to identify more and more with the story and how surfing relates to so much of what we experience in life in and out of the water. This book is a great reading for all people but it is a must read for any surfer, because there is that basic feeling or desire that all surfers share and that is living in the moment. Every surfer can remember the first day they stood up on a board and dropped a wave. It is a spiritual experience that forever changes you. For those of you that are familiar with spirituality, you will find Jaimal’s references to history’s greatest spiritual leaders heartwarming. And for those who are not, you will walk away with a catalog of quotes and a new understanding of what these spiritual leaders were espousing.

I am grateful that Jaimal offered me the opportunity to read the pre-release novel because it has affected me in the most positive way. The book confirms my choices of wanting to live near the surf in Costa Rica but also helps me define why I chose to do this. As I wrote initially, I believe there are no coincidences and while I am not a Saltwater Buddha, I am a student of Saltwater Buddha.

Official release is May 1, 2009, you can pre-order your own copy of Saltwater Buddha on Amazon here."