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Bhikkhu Nyanadhammika (Richard Zeikowitz) was born into a secular Jewish family in New York. As an adult, he distanced myself from Judaism and after college began what would be a multi-decade spiritual journey, initially in Buddhism. In his late 20s he relocated to Europe, where he lived for eleven years, the majority of the time in Berlin. He then returned to the U.S. and enrolled in graduate school, eventually earning a Ph.D. in English Literature. He subsequently held university teaching positions at the University of South Alabama and John Jay College, CUNY. In 2008, he gave up his academic career to go forth as a monastic in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, receiving novice ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. After spending a year at an international Tibetan monastery in France, he transferred to a monastery of the Thai Forest tradition in England, ordaining as a bhikkhu. In 2011, he decided to continue his monastic life first in an Anglican Benedictine monastery in Michigan followed by eight years in a Greek Orthodox monastery in Ohio, culminating in taking life vows. As a result of researching the Jewish roots of Christianity, his Jewish roots resurfaced and he left the Orthodox Christian monastery and spent a number of months embracing Orthodox Judaism. However, he came to realize that he could not relate to Judaism on a spiritual level and returned to Buddhism. He re-ordained as a bhikkhu in 2023 and currently resides at a Burmese monastery near Austin, Texas.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Goal in Progress: The Detours and Diversions of a Spiritual Journey by Bhikkhu Nyanadhammika takes readers on an insightful and deeply personal odyssey following the author's eclectic and non-linear spiritual quest. Through his narrative, the American Buddhist monk shares the fifty-year evolution of his journey toward awakened awareness, emphasizing the importance of detours and diversions in shaping his understanding of his spiritual goals. The author's journey unfolds across continents, from Bodhgaya, India, to monasteries in France, England, and the United States, encompassing diverse traditions such as Tibetan Buddhism, Thai Forest tradition, Christianity, and Judaism. This book is a memoir rich in introspection and self-awareness, following the author through struggles with shifting beliefs, encounters with various spiritual communities, and moments of profound revelation.
The narrative is delivered with honesty and humility. Bhikkhu Nyanadhammika does not shy away from acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges he faced along the way, nor does he claim to have all the answers. Instead, he invites readers to join him on a journey of exploration and discovery, where each detour and diversion becomes a valuable lesson in self-understanding and clarity. Goal in Progress is beautifully crafted, weaving together personal anecdotes, reflections, and insights with skillful storytelling. Whether recounting his time in bustling European cities or solitary retreats in monastic settings, the prose remains consistently descriptive and transports readers into the heart of the author’s spiritual journey. The quest for meaning and purpose become central themes in this spellbinding memoir, and the author is an expert at exploring the different seasons of the soul while sharing invaluable lessons and insights from his unique journey.
