Dreaming Me

Books like "Dreaming Me" are gifts or treasures that we rarely have the good fortune to discover. Ms Willis' journey is at times painful yet ultimately joyful. She shares this pain and joy in a compelling writing style that is filled with anecdotes and drama. No matter what your life experiences may be you are quickly drawn into the universal themes that every human being shares. As a white male living in the Northeast during the sixties I was on the other side of the world from a person like Ms Willis. Yet she made her experiences part of me. And like two parts of a greater experience I felt whole after reading this book. I highly recommend it. Thank you Ms Willis for putting your experiences into such a beautifully written book.

This book was read in one marathon session that flew by all too quickly. It spoke to the very core of my being. Having this story told in such a personal way deftly teaches the reader at every level. It's well written and one could easily be fooled that they are simply being entertained with a good read. There were many moments where I felt stunned with deep recognition of a life experience that mirrors a good portion of my own. I connected with this book deeply at the heart level. Most touching were the moments with her teacher, Lama Yeshe. His extraordinary heart helped her heal deep societal and personal pains which have traveled across generations influencing and shaping our culture in difficult ways. Thank goodness Dr. Willis chose to develop the good heart, rather than fight the good fight. One does not need to be in a culturally specific group or religion to recognize and feel Dr. Willis' experience. She reached into the depths of spirit and wrote in a way that touches universally. This lady has a heart that totally outsizes her brilliant, immeasurable intellect and her story will benefit countless numbers. I'm one unabashedly grateful reader.

A reader from the Netherlands is deeply impressed by a book written by a woman who has tremendous courage. Jan Willis overcame racism in a way that can teach us all a lesson: try to use peace, not violence, to live in a world that seems so much against you. This book is a must for everyone who is taken by the issue of race. Jan Willis takes us on her journey from Alabama to India and Nepal, she becomes a professor of Buddhism in spite of all the hindrances she met, but even more,she is an African American Buddhist with two feet on the ground.

Reading this book was fascinating enough on a personal level, but it struck me forcefully that Dr. Willis' personal journey really reflected America's journey during the years referred to. Combatting racism, classism, and societal expectations, Dr. Willis forged a unique yet universally recognizable lifeline. Her journey is written about beautifully, smoothly, movingly - but I think, more importantly, becomes a journey that each of us can recognize and perhaps travel along with as we grow up as a people and a nation.

I bought this book for the collection of the Nutley (NJ) Public Library. I read the review in Library Journal and was just fascinated. The book came, and after reading it, I am glad I bought it. You can use this book for several different purposes. 1. Discussion of Buddhism. 2. A travelog for India and Nepal. 3. The history of African-Americans in the South and what they went through. 4. A History of Universities in the 60's. 5. Personal Journeys.Professor Willis started literally with the odds against her. If she were a thoroughbred in Triple Crown racing, it would have been a long shot bet. Thus, besides brilliance, being in the right place at the right time helps. It also helps that she is curious about things and questioning. You learn about her fork in the road. Buddhism or the Black Panthers. I am certainly glad she chose the former. Her lama, who knew nothing about American Race relations, but understood her personal issues. From that, he produced a Buddhist scholar, who I would be honored to study under. A great book for all personal journeys.