This acclaimed biography of the early teaching years of Rama ‐ Dr. Frederick Lenz (1950 ‐ 1998) highlights the new age spiritual renaissance of the 1970s and 80s and the founding of an original, deep‐rooted movement of American Buddhism. Readers take part in a free-spirited adventure as they witness a wild, sports jock teenager transform into an iconoclastic, innovative spiritual teacher. For Frederick Lenz, boundary breaking was de rigueur as witnessed and reported by the 100+ students and colleagues interviewed by author Liz Lewinson. Meditation, the empowerment of women, and Buddhist wisdom form the core of Dr. Lenz's teachings, which he shared and honed with boundless enthusiasm. He encountered opposition, of course, but he kept his priorities straight. When he visited Nepal at age 19, he encountered an aged monk who informed him he was a lineage bearer. He was to revive and re‐establish an ancient school of enlightenment. He was to find his many past life students and help them achieve joyous enlightenment in this life or at least set them securely on the path. He was to do this in the West, using Western means. In the East, centuries‐old traditions maintain meditative pathways to enlightenment. In the West, facing a blank canvas, Dr. Lenz found new ways to build mental and meditative prowess through careers such as computer science, visits to American "places of power," knowledge about real gender equilibrium (not monastic), movies, music, and dance. He taught these skills to American students and observed their success. Whether you are one of Rama's past life students (or not!), reading this fast-paced biography will bring you new realizations and freedom, and ground you in the tenets of American Buddhism.