KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – In celebration of her newly released book on mindfulness, author and Companion Circle facilitator JoAnn Saccato will host local authors and poets for a special "Sounds with Meanings" presentation at A Positive Light Center for Spiritual Awakening on Monday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Along with Saccato, eight time author Barbara Sinor and local poets Mia Ruiz and Georgina Marie will share from their published and unpublished works as a way to explore the impact of the spoken word.

"In today's fast paced, sound-bite oriented culture, it is easy to be overwhelmed or numbed by ideas, stories and conversation. Rarely do we take the time to cultivate enough safety and sensitivity to really investigate how these 'sounds with meanings' affect our hearts, minds and body," explained Saccato. "My hope in this exploration is to cultivate this safety and sensitivity and then gently introduce words, ideas and imagery through the works of some of Lake County's most talented and creative wordsmiths."

Saccato, author of “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” recently released her second book, “Mindful and Intentional Living: A Path to Peace, Clarity and Freedom.”

She believes her new book will be most helpful for those struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and emotional reactivity.

"These are the prevailing ailments of our time and culture," she said.

“he book serves as curriculum support for her mindfulness-based courses as well as stands alone to guide the reader through various concepts and practices in mindfulness, compassion and living life with more meaningful purpose and intention.

Having trained and worked briefly with the California H.O.P.E. crisis counseling team after the Valley fire of 2015, Saccato, who also consults on disaster resilience for individuals, communities and organizations affected by large scale disasters, believes the book can be a helpful support.

"As we find ourselves in yet another summer of fires, it's important to learn effective tools that foster our natural resilience--which mindfulness-based exercises can do," she said.

Mindfulness is an umbrella term for a large body of popular health and wellness practices based on purposefully bringing a curious, kind and non-judgmental attention to our moment by moment experience.

Mindfulness practices are scientifically proven to help reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increase focus and attention, decrease incidences of and relapses with depression, reduce anxiety, reduce relapses in addiction, and aid with sleep and digestive disorders. Additionally, they have been shown to increase well being, life satisfaction and happiness, as well as improved social relationships.

Saccato's guest presenters include Barbara Sinor, Ph.D., a retired psychotherapist and the author of eight books which are highly endorsed in the adult children of alcoholics, childhood abuse/incest, and addiction recovery genres. She holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and masters in human consciousness and transformative studies.

In her forthcoming book "Inspirational Musings: Insights Through Healing," Dr. Sinor shares her inner journey while sequestered in a rehabilitation facility recovering from surgery.

Local poet Mia Ruiz, a retired psychiatric social worker for public health in San Francisco, will also share her poetry for the event. Ruiz provided mindfulness-informed psychotherapy and supportive counseling for 20 years before retiring to Lake County in 2010 and says she writes from her love affair with nature.

Also joining in the celebration and exploration is Georgina Marie, a top-three finalist for the 2018 Lake County Poet Laureate appointment. She is a board member for the Middletown Art Center and her first chapbook of poems is due for release in 2018. Georgina Marie works serving families in need at a local nonprofit, practices yoga, paints, is an animal activist and the proud guardian of a dog named Kenya and a cat named Clyde.

Companion Circles are monthly gatherings for those curious about or committed to a mindfulness practice.

The circles occur on the third Monday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at A Positive Light Spiritual Center located at 6470 Kelsey Creek Dr, Kelseyville. The evening includes a guided mindfulness exercise, question and answer period, social mingling and a guest presenter.

Attendees are invited to wear comfortable clothing, bring a journal, and, optionally, a simple finger food to share. Tea and water are served.

There is a suggested donation of $10, though no one is turned away for lack of funds. A portion of proceeds from the monthly event is donated to Asian elephant rescue efforts working to free elephants in the entertainment field from harmful treatment.

For more information on Saccato and the monthly gatherings visit www.MindfulAndIntentionalLiving.com or call 707-350-1719. For more information on A Positive Light Center for Spiritual Awakening, visit www.APositiveLight.com or call 707-279-6031.