The captivating autobiography of the first Western nun ordained in Thich Nhat Hanh's Vietnamese Zen lineage.
Sister Annabel Laity (Chan Duc, True Virtue) was born in England, and studied Classics and Sanskrit before going to India to study and practice with Tibetan nuns. She has been a disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh since 1986. In 1988, in India, she became the first Western European woman to be ordained as a nun by Thich Nhat Hanh. Sister Annabel was director of practice at Plum Village for many years. She travels widely, leading meditation retreats and inspiring many with her unique teaching style throughout the world. In 2000, she became the first Western/European nun to teach Buddhist Dharma in Thailand, and is currently head of practice at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism in Germany.
"I met Sister Annabel Laity when she helped organize Thich Nhat
Hanh's first teaching tour to the United Kingdom more than 30 years
ago now.… I have seen her transform from a shy young woman into a
formidable teacher of the Dharma."
—Sister Chan Khong, cofounder of Plum Village Community of Engaged
Buddhism and author of Learning True Love
"A first-hand account of the early years of Plum Village and the
unfolding of Thich Nhat Hanh’s vision and the activities of the
Order of Interbeing. Ven. Annabel recounts her early years as a
monastic and her subsequent life helping Thay to realize his
aspirations in spreading the cultivation of mindfulness and
compassion in all directions throughout the world."
—Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, author of Reflections on a Mountain Lake
and subject of spiritual classic Cave in the Snow
"A poignant memoir … a powerful and much-needed reminder in these
tumultuous times of the strength to be found in cultivating
stillness and mindful attention to the present moment. A moving
testament to the courage and deep compassion of those who follow
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s path of Engaged Buddhism in the
world.”
—Christine Toomey, Amnesty International award-winning journalist
and author of In Search of Buddha's Daughters
"A rich and timely book about the spiritual journey of a Western
Buddhist nun.… The author details her spiritual encounters and her
learning in an intimate and fluid way. We are fortunate to meet the
life of True Virtue."
—Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D., founder and abbot of Upaya Zen Center
and author of Standing at the Edge
"There are still so few full autobiographies of Buddhist women, and
this one is a treasure, her luminous voice expressing the depth of
her practice and the flavor of many decades steeped in the
Dharma.”—Rev. Zenshin Florence Caplow, coeditor of The Hidden Lamp:
Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women"
"We are in dire need of more stories from accomplished female
practitioners, showing us how they’ve managed to navigate the path.
I’m grateful to Sister Annabel Laity for giving us a window into
her spiritual evolution … from her childhood in England, to helping
build a monastery in India, to the early days of Plum Village.
Refreshingly forthright and practical … there’s much we can learn
on these pages."—Andrea Miller, editor of Buddha's Daughters:
Teachings from Women Who Are Shaping Buddhism in the West
"Sister Annabel lives and offers the dharma with grace, charm, and
integrity. As a British Dharma teacher, I am full of gratitude for
her support and wisdom.…"—Vari McLuskie, mindfulness trainer in
leadership and organizational development
“A fascinating glimpse into the formation of a great teacher …
touching, inspiring, and frank… Sister Annabel manifests a quality
of deep authenticity and offers a beautiful example for teachers.”
—Orlaith O’Sullivan, PhD, international coordinator for Wake Up
Schools
"The simplicity of style and Sister Annabel’s authentic voice speak
to you in a clear and sincere way through these pages as she
cultivates the path of ‘peace in oneself and peace in the
world.’”—Shantum Seth, Dharmacharya, Ahimsatrust.org, and
pilgrimage guiding teacher, Buddhapath.com
"An inspiring life story."—Lion's Roar magazine
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