Reviews of Half Asleep in the Buddha Hall

"This is a veritable smorgasbord of exercises, tips and tales. Like its author, this book is novel, lighthearted, earnest, quirky, and very helpful."
- Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong,
Founders, The Haven

Wayne Allen entices us to look at how we examine who and what we are as we go through our day to day lives. But more than that, he compels us to go well beyond examining ourselves and actively DO the things that will bring us contentedness. Replete with anecdotes, stories, examples and profound introductory pieces, this book engages us to look deep within ourselves, while remaining simple. Gentle humor and genuine honesty are used to keep the reader thinking, feeling, doing and being. Read it....live it.
- Debashis Dutta, Coordinator, Human Services Foundation, Conestoga College

Just wanted to let you know that I just finished reading Half Asleep in the Buddha Hall. More than a book it has been an experience. I have always admired the way that you can put profound insights across so simply - and effortlessly. Thank you so much for all that is there in the book. Of course, this was just a first reading and at so many stages the book made me reflect, pause, wonder, and of course, those 'aha' moments. It also gave rise to many questions. And I think your book is one of those that will make the reader grow with every reading, like a ripple that takes you in deeper with every interaction with it. ~ Sharmila Bhosale

We tend to view life according to the beliefs of our tribe. That is, our way of looking at the world is largely influenced by our upbringing and culture. We view the world from within our small circle and think we know the world, but step outside of the circle and we can see from a very different perspective. Not only does the rest of the world look different, but from this new vantage point we also gain new perspectives into our own life.
In Half Asleep in the Buddha Hall, through traditional and new Zen stories, Wayne C. Allen opens up concepts largely unfamiliar to most Western trained minds. This book, both profound and yet easy to understand, will gently open your mind to a greater perspective, an expanded awareness if you will, that will bring you to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
As an avid proponent of life-long learning and self-development, I offer my highest recommendation for Half Asleep in the Buddha Hall to all who are interested in their personal evolution. A greater perspective awaits you!
~ Dennis "Boogie Jack" Gaskill

"We all spend a lifetime attempting to do only one thing: LOVE OURSELVES! Wayne has the courage to share with us his own journey to AWAKEN TO LOVE in Half Asleep in the Buddha Hall, and in so doing he has guided us to LOVE OURSELVES even more, right here and NOW. There can be no greater gift."
- Dr. Scout Cloud Lee

"This book, like his This Endless Moment, and his blog at http://www.phoenixcentre.com/blog/, is interested in moving you off the wheel of thinking, feeling, and doing the same thing, endlessly, with the same dysfunctional results. The book is thoughtful, funny, and filled with concrete examples of how we create our own unhappiness.It comes at life from a Zen perspective and invites you to take responsibility for you own life. I have found it invaluable in pushing me off stuck and into elegant actions that are a stark contrast to my pouting, "why does she make me feel this way" actions that get me more of what I don't want--isolation and anger. After working with the concepts in this book I found I could move toward connection, which is what I really want.It really is so much better to hug my beautiful wife than it is to walk out the door in a snit. Much better. "
- William Bradbury