Dr. Jerry Lynch - The Competitive Buddha: How to Up Your Game in Sports, Leadership and Life (Book on Buddhism, Sports Book, Guide for Self-Improvement)

Praise for The Competit ive Buddha

Yes, the Buddha does speak to sports, as illustrated in the distinguished career of Jerry Lynch. Who would think that like Jerry, the Buddha built teams? If you doubt it, then read The Competitive Buddha it will capture your imagination and enlighten your mind. This is joyful reading at its best.

Ron Adams, three-time assistant coach of the year for the World Champion NBA Golden Stat e Warriors

No other person has had more influence on my thirty-six years of coaching than Jerry Lynch. Whenever I need wisdom, insight, or inspiration, I look to Dr. Lynch. His work with Buddhist thought as applied to sports never fails to address the truly essential elements of coaching with the heart, as demonstrated by his latest book, The Competitiv e Buddha.

Missy Foote, head womens lacrosse coach at Middlebury College with six NCAA national championships to her credit, a seven-time national coach of the year, and member of the 2012 USA Lacrosse Ha ll of Fame

Our team culture has truly been reshaped and remolded with Jerrys Buddha wisdom and guidance. We all feel honored to have had him work so closely with our team here at Boston University Womens Field Hockey. Our personal growth as coaches from his work will continue to benefit the program going forward. We have really enjoyed working with Jerry and his unusual Buddhist sports approach to leadership and per formance.

Sally Starr, head coach of Boston University Womens Field Hockey and winner of sixteen conference cha mpionships

Many people dont, but I love pineapple on pizza. So often it is when apparently different ideas bump together that new insights emerge. Jerry Lynchs The Competitive Buddha does not disappoint in this regard. The Buddha and sports?! Well, it turns out that some of the biggest insights in sport psychologythe ideas and techniques that elite athletes routinely use to approach their peak performancesare Buddhist to their core. The Competitive Buddha is a worthy contributor to this literature. And as a bonus, adopting the ideas in this book will help coaches and athletes win more, in the broadest sense of word.

Jim Thompson, Positive Coaching Alliance founder and author of Elevating Your Game: Becoming a Triple-Impact Competitor

If youre looking to live with deep inner peaceand at the same time perform toward the upper reaches of your potential in highly stressful and competitive environments, this book is for you, written by a man who is considered by many to be an authority on the confluence of ancient philosophy, psychology, an d sports.

Michael Gervais, PhD, high performance psychologist and host of the nationally acclaimed podcast Findi ng Mastery

The Competitive Buddha affirms there is no path to mastery because mastery is the path, the path of the Warrior Mystic. Such a warrior is one who is fiercely committed to competing at the highest level, and at the same time, doing so in Love, Joy, Connection, Compassion, Collaboration, and Cooperation (the four Cs). Jerry is a warrior mystic, a competitive Buddha, and a kindred spirit committed to service, helping others to reach their full human p otential.

George Mumford, athlete, Zen Buddhist teacher, and author of The Mindf ul Athlete

In sports, we are often led to believe that competitiveness and joy cannot coexist. We are told that it is impossible to build a selfless team in a world of self-centeredness. We are told that love and compassion have no place in the cutthroat world of youth, college, and professional sports. We have been misled. In The Competitive Buddha , my great friend and mentor Dr. Jerry Lynch teaches us how the ideals of the Buddhajoy, compassion, selflessness, connection, and patiencebring balance to sport and will help you unleash the greatest version of yourself. It is a must -read for all my teams.

John OSullivan, author of Every Moment Matters and founder of the Changing the Ga me Project

Jerry Lynch is a great teacher of mastery, expressed masterfully in this brilliant book. He shows how so many Buddhist values are critical to success in sports and life: Mindfulness and Presence, Selflessness and Patience, Gratitude and Compassion, Respect and Humility, and more. This book will rouse the Joy of Competition, teach you that The Path is the Goal, and inspire you to Never Give Up!

Dr. Joseph Parent, Buddhist teacher and author o f Zen Golf

What an incredible, must-read book from one of the best in the business of performance and leadership. The lessons, principles, and strategies that you will learn in this book from this master teacher are the same that Jerry used to help my University of Maryland Lacrosse team to win seven consecutive national championships. The Competitive Buddha is a book that will fill your craving for connection, caring, compassion, cooperation, and collaboration not just in the locker room, but in the boardroom as well. Brillia nt stuff!

Cindy Timchal, eight-time national womens Lacrosse championship winner as head coach at University o f Maryland

I count Jerry as a friend who has given me much encouragement. He has made a difference by helping me to lead, coach, inspire, and empower my athletes to reaching their potential. This is a good time for this book, The Competitiv e Buddha.

Phil Jackson, head coach of NBA Championship Bulls and Lakers and author of El even Rings

Jerry Lynch is one of the few people who knows that the Buddha was the first student athlete, excelling both in the classroom (where he mastered sixty-four scripts) and outside, where he bested his opponents in archery, weight-lifting, and wrestling. In The Competitive Buddha , Jerry brings the insights of the Buddhist tradition back to the playing field, where they began so long ago.

Donald Lopez, PhD, professor of Buddhist Studies and author of Buddha Takes the Mound

I was a philosophy major and an elite soccer athlete in college. It was always a challenge to understand how these two disciplines could converge. What I love about Jerrys work is how he effortlessly helps us to experience the relevancy of Buddhism to sports. In The Competitive Buddha , he imparts an abundance of time-honored, sacred wisdom and makes it easily accessible for immediate use, both for my athletes and my coaching and leadership. Jerry is a wise and trusted friend who has a very positive effect on me and my progra m at UNC.

Anson Dorrance, head coach for womens soccer with twenty-two national championships at the University of Nort h Carolina

I have known Jerry for over twenty years; we worked together at Duke, as well as more recently, with my career culminating now as head coach of the Utah Jazz. He has been a friend, a confidant, and a profound mentor with enormous influence on my leadership and coaching skill set over the years. Jerrys unique and innovative approach to athletics and life is unparalleled. His latest book, The Competitive Buddha , is arguably his best work of his forty-year career, and it will inspire you as it has me to continue your journey to be the best you can be in all aspects of sports and life. This is a remarka ble book.

Quin Snyder, head coach of the NBA Utah Jazz

I think this is Jerrys best book yet, a book that jibes perfectly with my vision for the Warriors.

Steve Kerr, head coach of the NBA Golden Stat e Warriors

I have been coaching golf for over thirty years, training some of the top golfers in the world including Patrick Reed, the 2018 PGA Masters Champion. To achieve this level in my work, I have leaned heavily on Jerrys books, especially his latest, The Competitive Buddha . This book contains all of the profound and pertinent wisdom that he has passed on to me, lessons I use daily with my athletes and myself. Jerrys teachings in The Competitive Buddha have altered how I perceive t he world.