Meditate and Destroy
Price: $13.97
- MEDITATE AND DESTROY (DVD MOVIE)
Meditate and Destroy
Description
MEDIATE AND DESTROY takes you into the world of punk rock, spirituality and internal rebellion through the eyes of bestselling author Noah Levine (Dharma Punx, Against the Stream). This powerful film examines the driving forces that transformed Levine from a violent, addicted rebel to a dedicated teacher and community leader. Tattoos, motorcycles, music, peace and Buddha all work to tell the inspiring story of finding new paths.
Meditate and Destroy
This powerful, moving documentary traces Noah Levine’s harrowing journey from wasted youth to deeply spiritual man. As detailed in his autobiography Dharma Punx, Noah found the strength to overcome a perilously troubled adolescence marred by multiple incarcerations. The film brilliantly explores his transformation, combining interviews with his parents, friends, followers and teachers with footage of both his dissolute punk days as well as his serene adult life. The film does the power of his story justice, encompassing both the grisly details of his nadir as well as the intensity of his dedication to the Buddhist practice. MEDITATE AND DESTROY draws great strength from Noah’s narration, as he draws us in with palpable wisdom, honesty, and compassion. This is a real story: invigorating, engrossing, and inspiring.
It is exciting to see a Buddhist documentary like “Meditate and Destroy” come along. Buddhism films are few and far between.
Noah Levine’s book, “Dharma Punx” is a fine book. I wanted to know how Dharma Punx is introducing people to Buddhism. How is the movement spreading across the U.S.? What is it’s impact? This documentary just scratches the surface.
The film is 70% autobiography of Levine. Only about 30% shows how he is helping people discover Buddhism, and creating a modern image of the dharma.
The film spends too much time on his past drug abuse, street running and lawlessness. It comes to a peak with a video-game style scene of him “hitting bottom” in a jail cell. It was over-the-top and by far the low-point of the movie.
On the positive side, seeeing people he has touched in his community was very cool. His message resonates with the 12-step (Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous) folks, and we clearly see that here. I liked watching him teach on a meditation pillow without much Buddhist “trappings”.
I also liked when he interviewed tattoo-clad young people about how they came to follow Buddhism. Good stuff.
I want to see more about these 30-something authors and teachers (my age group) who are stripping away the safron-robe image to make Buddhism more relatable in the West.
Maybe in the next movie.
Meditate and Destroy is an eye opening documentary about Noah Levine’s amazing life story. Growing up in Santa Cruz, Noah spent his early adulthood trying to figure out his purpose in life through addiction. Given a second chance, he found his true purpose which is teaching Buddhism. Excellently captured by Director Sarah Fisher, Meditate and Destroy is an amazing story that will make you reflect on your own life’s path.
Director Fisher does a great job of capturing the essence of Noah Levine’s story — bringing us through his struggles and demonstrating the quiet strength and solace in the meditative life. This is not your father’s Buddhist story. Noah’s had a rough and tough life, yet shows the possibilities for potential. You definitely get a feel for the guy and my only wish is that more people would follow in his footsteps into the way of peace and reconciliation.