Breakfast With Buddha

Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo, first published in 2007, is a novel that falls within the realm of spiritual fiction, delving into the introspective themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and inner peace punctuated by moments of humor. Merullo, an author noted for weaving personal transformation and spiritual introspection into his writing, presents a story set against the backdrop of a transformative journey across the US. The novel’s protagonist embarks on a road trip that unexpectedly morphs into exploring the self and spiritual awakening. Throughout the novel, the physical journey mirrors an inward odyssey as the characters confront and unravel layers of their own consciousness and move closer to enlightenment and self-understanding.

This guide is based on the 2008 Algonquin Books Kindle edition.

Plot Summary

The novel centers on Otto Ringling, a middle-aged, no-nonsense man in the book publishing industry, who resides in New York with his wife, Jeannie, and their two children. Otto faces the “North Dakota Question,” prompted by the need to handle his deceased parents’ estate in North Dakota. His contemplation of this task is steeped in familial sentiment, particularly the desire to preserve certain pieces of his parents’ antique furniture. However, he has no interest in retaining the house and land. Otto’s relationship with his sister, Cecelia, complicates the situation. He expected Cecelia, described as flaky and averse to air travel, to accompany him to North Dakota, triggering contemplative discussions between Otto and Jeannie about family, life’s impermanence, and the pursuit of a meaningful existence.

Cecelia’s life starkly differs from Otto’s. She indulges in unconventional practices, including tarot and palm readings, past-life regression, and spiritual journeying. This lifestyle has long bewildered Otto, who values pragmatism and conventional living. The plot takes an unexpected turn when he arrives at Cecelia’s home to begin the journey to North Dakota and Cecelia introduces him to Volya Rinpoche, a monk she reveres as her guru. In a surprising revelation, Cecelia informs Otto that she won’t be joining him on the trip; instead, she insists that Otto travel with Rinpoche, to whom she plans to bequeath her share of their parents’ property.

Skepticism, curiosity, and a wary acceptance of his sister’s wishes mark Otto’s interaction with Rinpoche. Despite his reservations, Otto agrees to take the journey with Rinpoche, motivated partly by familial obligation and partly by a latent search for something deeper, perhaps an answer to lingering questions about life’s purpose and direction that surfaced following his parents’ passing. This road trip, initially perceived as a duty, gradually transforms into an expedition of self-discovery, introspection, and confrontation with beliefs and preconceptions.

During the journey, Otto’s interactions with Rinpoche fluctuate between frustration, introspection, and gradual understanding. Initially, Otto exhibits a volatile temperament, particularly evident during a traffic jam early in their trip. His outburst by the roadside reveals his struggle with his shortcomings and inherited traits, a struggle that becomes a recurring theme throughout the text. Despite these moments of tension, the road trip through various landscapes, from the bustling highways to the serene countryside, facilitates Otto’s introspective journey. His reflections on his parents, family, and life choices are interspersed with his observations of the changing scenery and the people they encounter.

Otto’s initial skepticism toward Rinpoche’s teachings gradually gives way to begrudging respect and curiosity. Their interactions range from humorous misunderstandings due to language barriers to discussions about life, religion, and the human condition. Rinpoche’s cryptic responses and lessons, often illustrated through simple yet profound actions (like stirring dirt into a glass of water), challenge Otto’s worldview and force him to confront his preconceptions and biases.

The transformative journey culminates in Bismarck, North Dakota. Cecelia unexpectedly joins them, revealing her plans to sell part of their family land, use the proceeds to support Otto’s family, and donate the remaining land to Rinpoche for a meditation center, where she intends to live as his spiritual companion. Otto grapples with these revelations, leading to introspection under the expansive North Dakota sky. He ponders Rinpoche’s teachings, contemplating the interconnectedness of life and the pervasive role of love, and ultimately reaches a place of understanding and acceptance. He acknowledges the value in Rinpoche’s teachings and Cecelia’s spiritual path. The journey concludes as Otto bows before Rinpoche in a symbolic gesture of respect and acceptance, signifying his spiritual awakening and newfound openness to the complexities of life and the myriad paths one can take in pursuing enlightenment.

The road trip is a metaphor for Otto’s journey toward self-discovery and enlightenment. Each encounter and experience along the way mirrors his internal struggle and contributes to his gradual transformation. The final act of bowing signifies Otto’s readiness to embrace Rinpoche’s teachings, to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all life, and to approach the world with a new sense of openness and understanding. The text closes on this note of reconciliation and hope, suggesting that Otto’s journey, though fraught with challenges and skepticism, has led him to a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.