Falling Into The Light

by M.J. Wiley

Where the Far East meets the Wild West, Falling Into The Light reflects the collision of world cultures during the 19th century.

When a young Dalai Lama encounters a deeply hurt soul in his congregation, he begins to doubt his abilities as a spiritual leader, and must travel across the world as a disguised layman to experience human endeavors on the American frontier. Only then could he return home as an enlightened spiritual warrior and the trusted leader of his country's future.

On this transformative journey, the innocence of youth and privilege are shattered soon after the trans-pacific steamship docks in the San Francisco bay. The Dalai Lama ventures from Chinatown to the White House, where he learns, firsthand, the culture clashes of a nation besieged with greed, entitlement, and opportunity. From his encounters with Irish thugs to railroad tycoons and Black slaves to Native Americans, the Dalai Lama is forced to grow up quickly to survive on the American frontier. However, amid all the fear and fighting, the Dalai Lama also finds true love, and is compelled to choose between two futures in two different worlds.

Replete with historical settings, strong characters, and a narrative that reflects the natural beauty of the American heartland, Falling Into The Light is a beautiful story for adventurous readers seeking an escape into the past, while exploring the nature of humanity.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2021

About the author

M.J.Wiley grew up on the Front Range of Colorado. It was through exploring the Rocky Mountains that his passion for nature and the history of the American frontier was intimately instilled. He also spent much of his adult life working in foreign countries, where his interest in Eastern cultures and philosophies emerged. With these memories as his backdrop, Marcus spent several years creating this fictional story that reflects the beauty and insights of his collective past.  

Find out more at;

https://www.mjwiley.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling into The Light is a delightful refreshing read. The author captures how life unfolds for all of us if we stay out of the way. It’s adventurous, historical, and very informing about the spiritual quest for meaning to our life. Cannot wait to see if there is a sequel....or a new book by this author.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read vividly describing life in America during the 1800s. Several Buddhist principles were incorporated into the story. I particularly liked a couple of short poems about living in the moment and being responsible for our actions.

I would have liked for the author to specify the year the events took place to give the reader a better sense of the timeline. The Dalai Lama's love story was also somewhat incomplete but perhaps the author intentionally left it so. Possibly the e-book (Kindle) is a little on the pricey side for a book that has only 134 pages?

There are multiple social issues including slavery, civil war, attacks on Native Americans, all of which were touched upon briefly, but Kudos to the author for an unconventional storyline and interesting premise.


Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Amanda Steinmetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I go back and forth from 'it was okay' to 'i liked it' because of the basic writing in it and wondering if this would be allowed. Even now as I write this review a month later and looking back on my notes I still can't decide. What of what he did is allowed - and by that I guess the next question that follows is - would he be welcomed back if he disclosed everything he did.
I liked the concept of following someone on their journey to discover if what they've known and followed all along is in fact what they want to be doing. All to realize that they were exactly where they were supposed to be, they just needed something to reassure that.
Perhaps my favorite lines from the book all have to do with realizing that no matter how much we try to do different to control or change our destiny, we always end up where we are supposed to be. Change is the only thing in life that is predictable - not what will change, but the fact that at some point it will happen and it's inevitable. Change is meant to have us question what is happening, and even if we go on a long journey, we will end up back where we are supposed to be.
This is a simple read - not because of the context, but because as things happen, it's exactly that...they just happen and the main character is okay with it. He just takes things as they come and doesn't overreact to a situation. This is perhaps the refreshing part of the book, but also a bit frustrating because it's not what one would expect to happen.
The part I didn't particularly care for is the fact the book just ends. There's no wrapping things up, it just...ends. Maybe that's symbolic of life though. The universe unfolding, exactly how it should and none of us knowing quite exactly how that will play out or what's in our control.

I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.