BOOKISH: Lama Marut @ Penn Bookstore

Lama Marut discusses his new book, A Spiritual Renegade's Guide to the Good Life, tomorrow at the Penn Bookstore.

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BOOKISH: Lama Marut @ Penn Bookstore

POSTED: Monday, June 25, 2012, 10:00 AM

Filed Under: Arts Books

Lama Marut's bio is not that of your typical Buddhist monk: Born Brian K. Smith, the motorcycle enthusiast and former surfer descends from a long line of Baptist ministers. Changing the course of this lineage, Smith earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Religions before taking the name Sumati Marut when he was ordained into monkhood. Although his background may lead some to dismiss the authenticity of his particular Buddhism (yes, he's a white dude in a robe and he lives in Cali), his eclectic influences may be the key to his success. His video and audio podcasts are downloaded 25,000 times a month, and his Twitter presence earns him a spot second only to Deepak Chopra in the increasingly popular genre of inspirational tweets.

With his extensive Internet presence and commitment to spreading knowledge of self-awareness, Marut has developed a base of fans that connect to his unique blend of Eastern and Western religious practice, making him arguably one of the hippest monks around. This universal appeal is evident in his newest book, A Spiritual Renegade's Guide to the Good Life, in which he focuses on the concept of karma in applying ancient Tibetan practice to a contemporary world of consumerism, commercialism and info overload. Where the book could fall into new age cliches and posi-vibe-vagueness, Marut manages to keep his advice succinct and direct, providing specific meditations and plans of action for staying happy in a modern world. For some in-person wisdom, hear him speak tomorrow at Penn Bookstore (3601 Walnut St.). Sticking to the good karma theme, the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m., is completely free.

(nina@citypaper.net) (@willboctopus)

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