The Book

Enjoy an excerpt from my forthcoming memoir and sign up below for periodic advances.

Preface

Words often are elusive when it comes to matters of the spirit. Perhaps it’s best that way. Trying to describe spiritual inspiration or encounters with the divine tends to diminish them. Some even say that a mystical experience, by definition, defies description.

I don’t disagree.

At the same time, I think we would do well to try to talk more about it. To hear more voices. Not just the anointed, the scholars and spiritual celebrities with book deals, magazines and massive social media followings. But ordinary people on a path, making their way, discovering mysteries of who they are, gaining glimpses of the cosmos, acquired across the moments of their life. The more people of different cultures, different countries and different spiritual traditions speak up about their personal and shared experiences, the more we all stand to learn from the living spiritual traditions that blanket the earth. Especially if we can discuss our experiences with words that bring us into the same tent rather than segregate and separate. We’re in need of voices that can build bridges and help us understand and appreciate one another and how we taste and feel the world.

When I started writing a book in the summer of 2020, I didn’t have this in mind. The world was four months into a pandemic. Medical professionals, soldiering on without adequate personal protective equipment, had limited data about Covid-19’s effect on the body and how to treat and prevent it. My husband and I followed instructions from our Governor in Washington state. We sheltered in place. He was antsy and eager to get on with a trip to Japan so he could officially launch his retirement travel. My work as an independent consultant had slowed. I figured I’d take advantage of the pause in the economy to enjoy quiet desk time. I was an experienced writer, having published articles, op-eds and blog posts, and I looked forward to the new challenge of a creating a book. I’d take a run at describing the techniques I use with organizational clients to unlock ideas and develop strategy. So, I began writing. On day two the wind blew out of the sails. This was not the book that wanted to be written.

I sat at the computer, surrounded by abject silence. It had seemed like such a natural next step to pen a business book. By mapping my methods, I’d have something to share with up-and-coming leaders who can’t afford to hire me. Virtually anyone would have access to the gems of my personal knowledge base.

This book wanted to be something quite different. Disguised as prose, it quickly evolved into an offering, an ode to the spiritual tradition I consider my true home.

Talk about your spiritual journey.

How you traversed chasms, by choice, not waiting for calamity to strike.

Include others — the sages and contemporary journeyers — who know a thing or two about entering the unknown.

Focus on a tiny audience. People who dare. Who thrive on the fire of aspiration and the voltage of higher realms.

Don’t write about seeking.

Share the story of what it’s like to find what you sought.

Bring them the gold.