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

“The Competitive Buddha is a pure expression of a new and refreshing competitive, servant-led MIND space. This book will help you to pause, pivot, reset, rewire, and refire as we SEEK together and WIN where it really counts. Jerry is the master of this, and his book is a reflection of all the awesome Buddha work we did together with our storied program at the University of Maryland. Jerry demonstrates a warrior spirit with a teacher's heart, not just in his work, but in his personal life as well.”
—Missy Meharg, head coach of the University of Maryland's women's Field Hockey team, winner of seven NCAA national championshipss, twenty-six conference titles, and nine-time national coach of the year awards






“Opening your heart and mind to Jerry’s teachings is truly transformational. If you seek excellence and mastery for yourself and those you lead, The Competitive Buddha is a must-read! The win at all-cost culture of Western sport has paralyzed the growth of the human spirit. In this extraordinary book, Jerry uses Buddhist insights to teach the balance between the physical and the spiritual: encouraging the interconnectedness needed to build transcendent teams and finding real joy in the harmonious dance of competitive sports. Once again, a brilliant teaching book for anyone who strives to up their game in athletics and life.”
—Jenny Levy, head coach women's Lacrosse at University of North Carolina, winner of two NCAA national championships





“Dr. Jerry Lynch’s latest endeavor to shed his brilliant illumination on the best of the competitive spirit is his most compelling yet! His storytelling is incredible and gives richness and meaning to the entire competitive journey. This special book comes at a time when unifying the human spirit around deeply grounded principles and values is more relevant and compelling than ever. He does so with grace, deep insight, and humility. Jerry’s leadership and leadership advice has been deeply impactful in my professional and personal life and I am deeply grateful for his ongoing contribution in the competitive arena.”
—Bob Hansen, head men's tennis coach at Middlebury College, winner of eight NCAA national championships

“Combining insights from the worlds of sports and spirituality, The Competitive Buddha shows us the power of competing with, not against, each other. Jerry helps us to move beyond our fears to greater faith in ourselves and one another, while focusing on the larger process in athletics and life. This is an important book for our time.”
—Diane Dreher, PhD, author of Tao of Personal Leadership

“Dr. Jerry Lynch’s new book, The Competitive Buddha, will allow us to add another thread to the fabric of our National Championship culture at the University of Connecticut. Jerry’s impact on our team has been immeasurable. Following the path of mindfulness and competing with a warrior’s open heart has allowed our team to reach the pinnacle of our sport. Jerry is a gifted coach, teacher and author who continues to inspire us through his work.”
— Nancy Stevens, head women's field hockey coach at the University of Connecticut and all time winningest women's field hockey coach with three National Championships and nineteen Conference Championships

“I am especially excited about Jerry Lynch’s latest book The Competitive Buddha because my name, Tara, is a Buddhist deity known for compassion and action. In his book Jerry describes how successful athletes and coaches are both competitive (action) and caring (compassion). As a coach I work to teach basketball skills, encourage individual growth and teamwork while, like the Buddha, always bringing joy to the gym! Thank you Jerry for all the good work we did together and for writing this important book. It is right up my alley!”
—Tara VanDerveer, women's head basketball coach at Stanford University (with two national and twenty-nine conference championships), Olympic Gold Medal head coach, and coach of the women's national basketball team

“The writings of Dr. Jerry Lynch have informed and inspired me since the early days of my coaching career almost thirty years ago, and sustain me in my leadership and work as an athletics director, and in my personal life. In The Competitive Buddha, Jerry once again combines ancient wisdom with practical, modern approaches to build better athletes, coaches, and leaders with lessons that are applicable on the field of play and the game of life.”
—Erin Quin, director of athletics, Middlebury College

“Jerry Lynch came into my life at just the right time, and his teachings and books have had a profound impact on me. Jerry continues to be a guiding force in my life, reminding me to follow my heart. From his first book, Thinking Body, Dancing Mind to his most recent book, The Competitive Buddha, Jerry's words center me so I can think clearer, be present and lead free from distraction. The Competitive Buddha reaffirms the pertinent lessons I have learned from him over the past twenty-five years and reminds me how important they are to share with future leaders. Leading with love from your heart doesn't make you soft, it makes you stronger and more connected to those around you. In this book, Jerry gives examples of how to do this, and I know from experience it has helped me in my leadership and can help you in yours.”
—Karen Henning, Head Women's Lacrosse coach at Colby College and winner of five National Championships in Women's Lacrosse

“In his latest book, Jerry continues to explore dimensions of consciousness that will help you to view competition in a profound, refreshing way. In The Competitive Buddha, he transforms the world of athletics into a sacred space for absorbing practical, usable life lessons and ageless wisdom for higher performance, not just in sports but in all of life.”
—Michael Murphy, founder of Esalen Institute and author of Golf in the Kingdom

“I have been competing in tennis for the last thirty-seven years, traveling on a path toward just winning more. Reading many of Jerry Lynch’s books, starting with his extraordinary eye opener, Thinking Body, Dancing Mind, has led me toward a new path of finding the wins within the win. The Competitive Buddha presents, with beauty and clarity, the ultimate goals of competition and high performance in every aspect of our lives. This book will change your life and your view of the world.”
—Bob Litwin, Former #1 Senior Tennis World Champion, twenty-five time US National Champion, author of Live the Best Story of Your Life