If you see the Buddha on the side of the road, kill him!

Recently, I heard about an intriguing self-help book: If You Meet the Buddha on the Side of the Road, Kill Him!  Actually, it's more of an anti-self-help book.

I haven't read it yet, but it looks intriguing. From what I understand, the basic idea is that you fundamentally cannot solve some of your problems.  You can't do it, and no one else can really help you, because the problems are unsolvable.  To quote from a reviewer on Amazon:

Whether giving or receiving therapy, this book reminds us that we are all humans -- nobody has all the answers. The eschatological laundry list (which I've seen roaming around the web, but never attributed to Kopp) has become a classic.
1. This is it!
2. There are no hidden meanings
3. You can't get there from here, and besides, there's no place else to go
4. We are all already dying and we'll be dead for a long time.
5. Nothing lasts!
6. There is no way of getting all you want.
7. You can't have anything unless you let go of it.
8. You only get to keep what you give away.
9. There is no particular reason why you lost out on some things.
10. The world is not necessarily just. Being good often does not pay off and there is no compensation for misfortune.
11. You have the responsibility to do your best nonetheless.
12. It is a random universe to which we bring meaning.
13. You don't really control anything.
14. You can't make someone love you.
I'll stop there -- there's more in the book, and if you find the list discouraging, you need to read the book. If you find the words encouraging, you need to read the book. Add it to your list of books to give friends who are feeling glum and hopeless.

I think the basic outlook here should be interesting to anyone interested in Stoic philosophy.  I'm a big fan of this kind of realistic philosophy.  No, things don't have a meaning.  Life has no real purpose.  There is no grand plan.  When you lose the comforting illusions that you cherish, you can see the truth, and in seeing the truth, you can act appropriately.

I'll attempt to get a hold of it and read it and report back!