The protagonist of Breakfast with Buddha, Otto Ringling serves as the novel’s narrator and perspective lens. An editor by profession and a family man by nature, Otto embodies the quintessential modern Western man: rational, grounded, and somewhat skeptical of anything that strays from his conventional understanding of the world. Throughout the novel, Otto’s character is a study in gradual transformation, moving from a state of skepticism to one of introspective contemplation. Initially resistant to the spiritual teachings of Rinpoche, Otto’s character arc represents the journey from a closed, pragmatic mindset to a more open, reflective state of being. His character’s evolution is portrayed through his internal dialogues, his reactions to Rinpoche’s unconventional perspective, and the ultimate acceptance of Cecelia’s life choices. Otto’s transformation isn’t sudden or complete but a nuanced, slow process, marked by moments of resistance, reflection, and revelation.

Otto’s skepticism isn’t portrayed as ignorance but rather as a natural defense against the unfamiliar. His initial reluctance to embrace Rinpoche’s teachings stems from a deeply ingrained rational perspective on life. Otto’s gradual openness to new experiences and ideas is depicted subtly, through small, seemingly insignificant moments, such as his silent contemplations, his observations of the landscape during the journey, and his increasing willingness to engage in conversations about life, death, and purpose.