LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local author and mindfulness meditation teacher JoAnn Saccato will be speaking at Unity Church on Sunday, March 9.

The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church, located at 15898 Kugleman Drive in Lower Lake.

The topic of Saccato's talk will be “Companioning the Sacred Journey: Incorporating Our Spiritual Practice in Our Day to Day Lives.”

Saccato, a native of Lake County, will share the story of how her book, “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” came about and how the simple tools of journaling, mindfulness and affirmation can make a profound impact on our lives.

She also will share about her 10 years living in a "chop wood, carry water" voluntary simplicity fashion in a single room cabin in the oak woodlands of Lake County with her dog (now deceased), Shyla.

"It was a profound 10-year journey that afforded the time and space for a deeper spiritual inquiry," said Saccato, who now lives in the Cobb Mountain area. "Many of the tools I write about were incorporated in my day to day life while living at the cabin and have proved time and again to be the source of more meaning, value, joy and authenticity in my life."

Saccato extracted the primary tools from the book and created a five-week online tele-course and free in-person two-hour mini-courses.

"With as wonderful as reading about my journey and these tools is, to incorporate a daily practice from just reading is really challenging. It's much easier with the support of a teacher and a community," Saccato explained. "The participants in the tele-course are reporting deeper clarity, more authenticity and a more joyful way of being. And, they appreciated both the personal contact the free mini-courses offer and the long term support while in their own day-to-day routine that the five-week tele-course offers."

Saccato also offers one-on-one companioning for those that are interested in taking their spiritual or life inquiry on a deeper level and offers a complimentary half hour exploratory session for those curious.

Saccato's books can be purchased at bookstores throughout Lake County or online at www.amazon.com .

For more information on Saccato, her book, courses, consulting services and other upcoming engagements, visit www.companioningthesacredjourney.com or call 707-350-1719.