Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Stumbling Toward the Buddha by Dawn Downey is an enlightening collection of essays outlining the author’s life and her search for peace and serenity. The author first examines her childhood, where many of her beliefs about herself were first laid down. She realizes that her memories of those halcyon days may be somewhat lacking or flawed. In part two, the author outlines the processes she has undertaken as an adult to come to terms with what she sees as her limiting fears and lack of confidence. She describes this period as transcendence. Finally, in part three of her life’s story, we find her beginning to understand her purpose, the meaning of grace and gratitude, as well as the ability to embrace and nurture adult friendships and relationships. Ultimately, Dawn is seeking the fruits of enlightenment, struggling along as a human being in a cosmic world. 

Stumbling Toward the Buddha is the perfect title for a book emphasizing humanity's continual need to seek the reason for being. Dawn Downey is incredibly open and transparent in relating her innermost thoughts and beliefs. I found her issues relating to her childhood, especially applied to both her father and her birth mother, incredibly fascinating. The idea of repressed memories and that so many of her fears and self-imposed limitations may be hidden in those memories was a real breakthrough in her understanding of herself. Although not a true practitioner of meditation and yoga myself, many of the revelations and understandings she attained on her retreats strengthen my own beliefs of our place on Earth and in the Universe. What comes through in these essays is that the answers to the big questions in life lie not out there in the world but inside every one of us; something I concur with. This is an interesting story about a woman’s search for herself but it will also give readers much to think about in their own lives. I highly recommend this read.