The River in Me - by Sister Dang Nghiem (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Find refuge and wisdom with a student of Thich Nhat Hanh in the pages of this poignant poetry collection that speaks to the heart of overcoming life's adversities, Zen style

This profound poetry collection, written by a disciple of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, charts a journey from turmoil to tranquility. In this deeply personal work, Sister Dang Nghiem, known for her insightful and compassionate teachings, unveils a journey of transformation and healing that bridges two pivotal phases of her life: the years prior to her monastic ordination and the profound insights gained thereafter. This unique compilation, divided into two distinct parts, illustrates Sister Dang Nghiem's evolution not just as a poet but as a spiritual practitioner.

• The first half, spanning 1989-1999, offers a glimpse into her pre-monastic life, filled with yearnings for reconciliation and liberation yet entangled in suffering and attachments.

• The latter half, encompassing her writings from 2000 to 2023, reflects a stark transformation, imbued with the wisdom and tranquility of her Zen practice.

Not just a display of poetic prowess, but also a testament to Sister Dang Nghiem's resilience and spiritual growth, these poems resonate with honesty and vulnerability, providing readers with a candid testament to the life-altering power of healing through mindfulness and deep community. The River in Me offers a path toward inner peace and wholeness for those navigating the complexities of life and is an essential read for anyone seeking solace and understanding.

Includes 17 black and white photographs prior to and after monastic ordination.

Review Quotes

"These are the collected poems of a woman whose reputation is already firmly established among Buddhist practitioners in the United States trained in the path of Thich Nhat Hanh. ... There is a memoir quality to this book, as well. Many of the poems are meant to reveal the poet's experiences, and there are eight pages of black-and-white photographs in the middle of book showing the poet at different stages in life, ... But the poems themselves are also a spiritual practice. She writes that her mindfulness practice is why she now writes."
--Jon M. Sweeney, Spirituality & Practice

About the Author

Sister Dang Nghiem is a disciple of the revered Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. After losing her mother at the age of twelve, she moved to the United States with her brother at the age of seventeen, where she learned English and went on to earn a medical degree from the University of California-San Francisco. After suffering further tragedy and the loss of her partner, she quit her practice as a doctor to travel to Plum Village monastery in France, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, where she ordained as a nun in 2000. Her writing draws on her unique experiences as a physician, a nun, and an individual navigating diverse worlds. She is the author of three books: a memoir, Healing: A Woman's Journey from Doctor to Nun (2010), Mindfulness as Medicine: A Story of Healing and Spirit (2015), and Flowers in the Dark: Reclaiming Your Power to Heal from Trauma with Mindfulness (2021).