COBB MOUNTAIN, Calif. – Local author and mindfulness meditation teacher JoAnn Saccato, MA will host an informal chat about her recently released book, “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” over tea at the Artisan Realm on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m.

Saccato also will lead the attendees in a brief mindfulness meditation and loving kindness meditation following the chat.

The event is free to the public.

The Artisan Realm is located at 16365 Highway 175 in Cobb and is an art gallery, as well as a play shop and community center.
 
Saccato, a native of Lake County and resident of Cobb, will share a bit of the story of how her book, “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” came about and her 10 years living in “chop wood, carry water” voluntary simplicity in a single room cabin in the oak woodlands of Lake County with her dog (now deceased), Shyla.

“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,” she said.
 
Saccato is a Reiki Master/Teacher, author, inspirational speaker, educator and consultant with more than 20 years of mindfulness meditation (Vipassana or Insight) experience.

During her years at the cabin, she journeyed through recovery for codependency, completed her bachelor's and master's degree at Sonoma State University, traveled on pilgrimage to India, helped found the Lake County Community Co-op (Lake Co-op) and delved deeper into mindfulness meditation and other spiritual practices.
 
She received her dharma name, Awakened Presence of the Heart, in the Thich Nhat Hanh lineage while receiving the Three Jewels and Five Mindfulness Trainings at Camp Latize in 2007. She recently received her Tibetan dharma name, Joyful Deathless White Tara, from Lama Kunga Rinpoche.
 
For more information on Saccato, the event, her book, courses, consulting services and other upcoming engagements, visit www.companioningthesacredjourney.com or call 707-350-1719.

For more information on the Artisan Realm, visit www.artisanrealm.com or call 707-928-1992.