photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions Zen master Edward Espe Brown shares bread-kneading techniques in “How to Cook Your Life.”

When Edward Espe Brown was 10 years old, he flew from his home in California to Washington D.C. to visit relatives, with whom he enjoyed the taste of homemade bread for the first time in his life. The difference between the delicious homemade food and the "puffy" manufactured baked goods, was striking for him. From that moment on, he knew he was going to bake bread.

Doris Dorrie's new documentary "How to Cook Your Life" follows Brown, now a master Zen Buddhist priest and cook at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley, Calif., and his learners in their day-to-day life as he explains the guiding principles of Zen Buddhism and their application to food.

It may sound like a strange subject to tackle for a documentary film, but Dorrie and her crew pull it off surprisingly well with excellent camerawork that expertly captures the beauty of food, nature and a peaceful, Zen-like approach that will draw viewers in almost immediately.

The soft-spoken Brown, who is the primary interview subject in front of the camera, has a lot of fascinating wisdom to share on the nature of cooking and how it should relate to life and human rituals. A lot of it, though, may be difficult to perceive for those unfamiliar with Zen teachings or who are simply not open to learning them.

"We're cooking the food, but in terms of practice, the food is cooking us," one of Brown's Zen students says. Although an explanation is attempted, it can still be very difficult for lines like this to sink in and have a clear meaning unless the viewer has the right state of mind.

Throughout the film, Brown and other Zen Buddhists tackle the issues of minimizing food waste, feeding others and allowing the ritual of cooking to teach the cook about life.

While the message may not always sink in, the experience of hearing Brown's soothing voice affirm these Zen teachings and cooking techniques is an experience that cannot be duplicated.

The film succeeds in making viewers feel as though they have actually set foot in the kitchens of Tassajara and other Buddhist centers.

The camerawork, courtesy of Jorg Jeshel, is very appealing. While there are plenty of unremarkable, static shots of interview subjects, numerous close-ups of delicious foods (breads, veggies and salad, pastries and pizza) and the cooking process will undoubtedly make viewers hungry.

Scenes of animals in their natural habitat, lush vegetation and the activity of day-to-day human life also help punctuate and emphasize the Zen teachings.

"Actually nourishing yourselves and other people doesn't finally come out of a package." Food is precious, as are people, Brown said.

This documentary film will make most viewers reconsider the amount of manufactured foods they eat, but whether or not the Zen teachings will stick will vary between viewers. Either way, audience members who see it will immediately want to go home and start cooking.

"How to Cook Your Life" is currently in limited release and opens in Seattle on Friday.

Food: B+

Philosophy: B-

Cinematography: B

Overall: B