Competitive Buddha

Jerry Lynch's The Competitive Buddha examines mastery, leadership, and spirituality through the world of sport. It explains what to hold on to, what to let go of, and which mental, emotional, and spiritual skills to build, whether you are an athlete, coach, leader, parent, chief executive, or anyone else who performs in life.

The book looks at connections in both directions. It shows how Buddhism can prepare you for athletics and everyday life, and how sport and daily experience can clarify Buddhist ideas. It also traces how people around the world have combined the Buddha with athletics to bring more fun, enjoyment, and pleasure to their performances, from courts and fields to other arenas.

Lynch is an avid runner and cyclist who has coached athletes at the high school and AAU levels. He holds a doctorate in psychology from Penn State University and has done extensive postdoctoral work in philosophy, Taoist and Buddhist thought, comparative religion, leadership development, and performance enhancement.

Drawing on timeless core Buddhist values, Lynch shows how to move into uncharted territory and understand the Buddha-mind, with reference to the Kobe Bryant Mamba Mentality. For coaches and leaders, the book presents specific strategies and techniques for applying ancient methods in modern settings, covering leadership skills, how to use Buddhism as an approach to competition, and how to master both athletics and life. It will appeal to readers who enjoyed Win the Day, Mamba Mentality, or Relentless Optimism.