Breakfast With Buddha

At the Boathouse Restaurant, Otto indulges in a feast, savoring a steak after his period of fasting, while Rinpoche enjoys a simpler meal of whitefish. The meal leads to a reflective conversation. Rinpoche uses a flower petal under a cup as a metaphor for the protective barriers people construct around themselves. He suggests that living without these barriers allows one to truly experience the world. Otto feels flattered when Rinpoche remarks that he doesn’t have many such defenses. The conversation takes a personal turn when Otto realizes that Rinpoche harbors feelings for his sister, Cecelia. After dinner, as they walk back, the evening unfolds beautifully, and they take in the fragrance of the surroundings and the sight of a full moon rising. Rinpoche shares a thought: Truly seeing and experiencing the world without preconceptions removes life’s “armor,” allowing for pure love and connection. The evening ends on a light note, and the two are like friends, sharing a laugh before parting ways for the night.

In the morning, Otto is grateful for his scheduled massage appointment because he’s sore from the previous day’s yoga. He and Rinpoche check out of the motel and drive toward Duluth. Otto reminisces about his grandparents’ trips to Duluth, reflecting on how the city once seemed like the heart of American life to him. He briefly joins Rinpoche for morning meditation before heading off for his massage appointment, entrusting Rinpoche with the task of finding a swimsuit for a possible swim later in the day.

The massage therapist, Jane Aleski, impresses Otto with her expertise. During the session, Otto attempts meditation, focusing on letting go of his metaphorical armor. He realizes that while he’s open with his family, he’s more guarded in other aspects of his life. The conversation turns to Rinpoche when Jane learns of Otto’s travel companion. She’s intrigued by Rinpoche, mentioning rumors of his spiritual significance. Otto, skeptical yet increasingly fond of Rinpoche, admits to a growing appreciation for his company and teachings.

After the massage, feeling rejuvenated, Otto reflects on the profound, albeit fleeting, sensations he has experienced lately, which feel like “intermittent knocking at the door of [his] house of belief” (271). Jane shares the contact information for another therapist in Bismarck and expresses interest in the retreat center that Rinpoche may establish on Otto’s family land. Otto feels like a new man, his skepticism mingling with a budding openness to Rinpoche’s teachings.

Before leaving Duluth, Otto and Rinpoche spend an hour at Chester Creek Café. While eating, Otto reads the news about ongoing global conflicts and contemplates the detachment of most Americans from wars abroad, feeling a sense of national dissonance. They then journey west on Route 2, entering the wild and sparsely populated Great North Woods, a shift that Otto feels might mark a transition into another of America’s subcultures.

Otto asks about Rinpoche’s views on war, terrorism, and the moral stance on conflicts like the Iraq war. Rinpoche responds with philosophical depth, emphasizing the importance of striving not to act with violence, even in thought. He suggests that spiritual advancement involves understanding oneself as beyond the physical realm and every life experience teaches one to do so. When asked about the existence of evil, Rinpoche explains that life is a series of choices between good and bad, and these choices shape our spiritual journey across lifetimes. He clarifies that while God constantly radiates love, individual choices enable or prevent one from feeling it. Rinpoche’s teachings highlight the personal responsibility in spiritual growth and the potential for change, even for the most troubled individuals, while emphasizing a long journey toward enlightenment.

In Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Otto and Rinpoche dine at the Hong Kong Garden, where Otto muses on Judy Garland’s connection to the town and the philosophical underpinnings of “The Wizard of Oz.” After lunch, they travel through the Chippewa National Forest, driving along Route 6 and stopping at the Mississippi River. Otto introduces Rinpoche to the iconic American river, explaining its symbolic significance and vast journey across the country.

During their bridge stop, they encounter a loon, and its calls enchant Otto enough to share the experience with his wife, Jeannie, over the phone. Rinpoche, too, speaks with Jeannie, expressing his enthusiasm and affection for his shared journey with Otto. As they continue, Otto ponders Rinpoche’s teaching method, noting how he allows time for lessons to integrate through life experiences.

They stop at Leech Lake for a swim, where Rinpoche’s unconventional attire and joyful laughter offer a moment of lighthearted fun. Later, at the Northern Lights Casino, Rinpoche indulges in the slot machines, enjoying the thrill until his luck runs out. Otto intervenes, preventing Rinpoche from losing more money. As they leave the casino, Rinpoche humorously reflects on the experience.

Throughout the journey, Otto reflects on the depth and absurdity of life, contemplating Rinpoche’s teachings and the seemingly trivial yet meaningful moments they share. Otto’s thoughts highlight the beauty and complexity of their shared experiences.

Heading toward Bismarck, Otto and Rinpoche stop in Park Rapids, Minnesota, for a German meal at the Schwarzwald Inn. The familiar setting evokes childhood memories for Otto, particularly of his parents’ simplistic yet profound lifestyle. Amid the nostalgic atmosphere, Rinpoche shares memories of his own father and their life in Siberia, drawing a parallel between the vastness of Siberia and North Dakota. Otto reflects on the different ways that parents express love, noting his parents’ stoicism compared to Rinpoche’s more openly affectionate family.

The conversation shifts to spiritual matters when Otto inquires about reincarnation, leading Rinpoche to explain the presence of divine love in the world and how it manifests in human form during times of need. His words resonate with Otto, reminding him of the almost otherworldly love he felt during the birth of his children. This realization unsettles him, as he confronts the superficiality of his usual worldview.

As they prepare to leave, two children spontaneously interact with Rinpoche, showcasing his innate ability to connect and bring joy. The dinner concludes humorously: Rinpoche leaves casino tokens as a tip, a playful gesture blending spirituality with lightheartedness and encapsulating the unique bond between Otto and Rinpoche on their journey.

Traveling from Park Rapids to Bismarck, Otto and Rinpoche embark on the last stretch of their journey. Otto anticipates showing Rinpoche the dramatic change in landscape as they approach western Minnesota and North Dakota, intending to explain the region’s history, from its rich agricultural significance to the tragic decimation of buffalo and displacement of Indigenous Americans. However, the conversation doesn’t materialize, as Rinpoche rests during the drive, leaving Otto to reflect on the radio chatter about terrorism, morality, and societal division.

Crossing into North Dakota, Otto feels the weight of history and contemplates Rinpoche’s teachings about cosmic unity and love, comparing the superficiality of radio debates to the spiritual insights Rinpoche shared during their dinner. The journey’s introspective nature deepens Otto’s understanding of a universal love that potentially guides all existence.

Upon reaching Bismarck late at night, Otto and Rinpoche check into their hotel. To Otto’s astonishment, he receives a note from his sister, Cecelia (Seese), who bravely flew in to surprise them. Her presence promises a joyful reunion, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and the unexpected turns that relationships and journeys can take. Rinpoche comments, “The country of surprise” (304), which encapsulates the essence of their adventure and the connections they’ve made.

In Bismarck, Otto awakens to a call from Seese. He feels a mix of emotions as he prepares to meet Seese and Rinpoche for breakfast. Amid these emotions, he realizes how the journey has temporarily freed him from his routine life, offering a sense of liberation. Their heartfelt reunion is marked by Seese’s excitement about overcoming her fear of flying and possibly being in love.

For breakfast, Seese leads them to an organic bakery, a choice that surprises Otto given the conventional tastes of North Dakota. This experience, coupled with Rinpoche’s silent observation, leads Otto to reflect on the changes in himself and his surroundings. He notices an almost devotional connection between Rinpoche and Seese and contemplates the dynamics of relationships, contrasting theirs with his parents’ more turbulent relationship.

As they finish breakfast, Otto’s thoughts shift toward the imminent visit to Stark County, hinting at unresolved issues and memories that await them in a place teeming with “ghosts” from their past. This realization sparks a sense of urgency and introspection as they prepare to confront what lies ahead.

Traveling to the Ringling farm, Otto, Seese, and Rinpoche traverse familiar landscapes, filled with memories and emotions. Otto reflects on the land’s history, recounting the brutal displacement of the Indigenous people and the buffalo, as well as the subsequent settlement by farmers like his ancestors. They eventually pass the site of his parents’ fatal accident and mark the moment through prayer and reflection.

Arriving at the farm, Otto grapples with the decision to hand over the property to Rinpoche for a meditation center, considering both his parents’ legacy and the land’s spiritual significance. As they explore the now-empty house, memories flood back, prompting Otto to seek solace in his childhood hiding place by Snake River. There, he confronts his innermost desires for a method to live peacefully amid life’s inevitable changes.

Seese reveals her plan to live with Rinpoche as his “spiritual wife” and her wish to sell part of the land to support Otto’s family, a proposal that leaves Otto contemplating their parents’ likely reactions. Despite his initial skepticism, Otto’s journey and reflections lead him to a moment of acceptance and understanding, and he kneels before Rinpoche in a symbolic gesture acknowledging the spiritual journey he has embarked upon.