How do we then integrate these transformative moments into our daily life?

Tears Become Rain is a collection of such stories, with one common inspiration: the teachings of mindfulness and compassion offered by the most influential meditation teacher of the past century, the Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh.

Contributors from the collection, Jindra Čekan and Coralee Hicks along with fellow meditation practicioner Maria Sgambati will join us at the bookstore to discuss how the work of Thich Naht Hahn, how they each came to practice path, and read from the book.

PURCHASE TEARS BECOME RAIN HERE!

Jindra Monique Čekan/ova, Ph.D. has been a student of Thich Nhat Hanh’s since 1996. She took the 5 Mindfulness Trainings in 1999 (named Awakened Joy of the Heart) and the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in 2011 (named True Collective Maintenance). She is on a
life-long journey to foster equanimity in herself and inter-being with others and live her teacher Thay’s message that “true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion.” She also has 35 years of experience in international development in 27 countries. She is also a mother, manages a family forest in the Czech Republic, lives
part-time in St. Petersburg Florida USA and loves giraffes.

Coralee Hicks, MA, MLS, taught herself to type in elementary school because ‘real authors use typewriters’. Her working experience was mainly focused on the library world, with side gigs in retail and also as a mental health counselor. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she has had a life long attraction to Buddhism. She was a solitary practitioner for many years, gaining insight through seminars, and reading various commentaries available. Like many in her generation, the Vietnam War served as a turning point to move from anger and towards reconciliation. Thich Nhat Hahn’s teachings on engaged Buddhism opened the door to deeper connections. A daily meditator, treasured book reviewer, and lover of all cats both great and small, she continues to practice Buddhism following the Plum Village Tradition.

Maria Sgambati, M.D., is a teacher, physician, and gardener who grew up in Florida in the 1970’s and returned after a 30 year hiatus so she could wear flipflops year round and go barefoot. In 2002, she encountered meditation practice while living in Washington, DC and began practicing with Tara Brach. A few years later, she was profoundly moved by hearing Thich Nhat Hanh speak, and began to practice in the Plum Village tradition. She currently works as a professor at Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, Florida) and Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine consults on projects related to planetary health. Her favorite thing is to swim in the Gulf of Mexico and imagine being a dolphin or manatee.