The Dharma of the Princess Bride

July 10, 2017
Nichtern (The Road Home), a Buddhist teacher in residence for the Shambhala N.Y.C. community, uses the 1987 film The Princess Bride as a frame for life lessons and discovering deeper spiritual truths. In a light and earnest tone, Nichtern offers advice about the dharma centered around friendship, romance, and family. His slightly geeky enthusiasm and willingness to share personal stories invites the reader into his world, which in turn opens the door for Buddhist principles and practices, including a meditation guide centered on character tropes from The Princess Bride such as a “Fezzik Stage” for imagining a loved one or friend and a “Vizzini Stage” for imagining an enemy. Fans of popular films who are also drawn to Buddhist principles will find much to enjoy here as Nichtern’s deconstruction of the plot skillfully and clearly teases out well-defined lessons—his ruminations on friendship through the relationship of Fezzik and Inigo Montoya are a highlight. The book isn’t for everyone—those who haven’t seen the movie may find it difficult to follow—but for those who seek meaning, love, and values, even in unorthodox places, this unusual work will come as a pleasant surprise.

July 15, 2017
A Buddhist approach to navigating key relationships with lessons from the cult classic film.In this accessible and often inspiring new book, Buddhist studies teacher and author Nichtern (The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path, 2015, etc.) applies a contemporary understanding of Buddhist practices to the core foundations of friendships, romantic attractions, and family bonds, relaying how and why meaningful companionship can be essential when undertaking a path toward spiritual self-discovery. The author draws expansively from his own experiences with relationships and as a teacher of meditation and Buddhism, but he also attaches relevance to the evolving relationships explored in The Princess Bride. "The 'dharma' contained in The Princess Bride is all about relationships," writes Nichtern. "The story offers a perfect canvas upon which to explore the three things that almost always take over the discussion when I teach Buddhism: the dharma of friendship, the dharma of romance, and the dharma of family." In the first section, "The Dharma of Friendship," he uses the film's narrative arc and character development to convincingly illustrate how and why friendships form. In later sections, which deal with romantic attractions and family bonds, the author effectively engages readers with his ability to streamline complex Buddhist concepts and accessibly share authentic personal experiences. The author clearly has a deep affection for The Princess Bride and its characters, which provides a convenient platform for many of the concepts. Yet even for readers who may be unfamiliar with the film or are not die-hard fans compelled to rewatch multiple times, the strength of Nichtern's Buddhist insights and overall content extend well beyond the film's connection. A generous and instructive book on working through relationships, with much to recommend for readers, whether they are fans of The Princess Bride or not.

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August 1, 2017
The Princess Bride has been a cult classic since its debut in 1987. Kids love it for the swashbuckling fights and silly humor. Adults love it as a parody of fairy tales and romance. Buddhist teacher Nichtern loves it as an example of the dharma of relationships. It doesn't hurt that Christopher Guest, who plays the Six-Fingered Man, is his father's best friend. Having watched the movie more than 30 times, Nichtern examines the film from three perspectives: friendship, romance, and family. He cites examples of trust, inspiration, and generosity shown by the three friends, Inigo, Fezzik, and Wesley. The villains portray delusion, hatred, and greed. Nichtern describes the search for his own Buttercup and the lessons he learned about love. Finally, he looks at the grandfather character and the importance of finding one's place in one's family. Examples from the author's personal life add warmth to this study of relationships and Buddhist philosophy. Fans of the movie will want to see it again armed with Nichtern's insights.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)