ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THIS BOOK IS THE PRODUCT OF MANY HELPING HANDS AND steadfast hearts.

My late mother, Gloria Barasch, was a loving compassion master to her slow student.

My agent, Richard Pine, was as always keen and kindly. My friend and editor Annie Gottleib made the sparks fly with hammer-and-tong smithing on moonless nights. Editor Mariska van Aalst displayed unexpected talents as a muleteer. My assistant, Dana McDowell, showed supernal diligence, helping me find what I didn’t know I was looking for. Researcher Claudia Robinson helped me stockpile an indispensable Alexandrian library.

Ginny Jordan’s early belief and unswerving faith in this book were its genesis and exodus. John and Margo Steiner were fully and generously present, helping when I was most reluctant to ask, the sign of true friendship. Neva Newman was tried-and-true through thick and thin, her heart never far from her hand.

Hector Black, Harold Mintz, Steve Aman, Pete Dobrovitz, Aimee Morgana, and Joseph Sebarenzi welcomed me into their homes, opening their lives with unstinting honesty. They were among the many others who gave me their stories, holding nothing back, asking nothing in return. I wish I could have included them all.

There were those who shared with me the bounty of their life’s work: Courtney Cowart of Nine-Twelve; Bill Fields of the University of Georgia’s Language Research Lab; Doug Vakoch of SETI; Dean Radin of IONS; Doc Childre and Rollin McCraty of Heart-Math; Linda Silverman of the Gifted Development Center; Fleet Maull of the Zen Peacemaker Order; Toni Henderson of the British Columbia Transplant Society; Melodye Feldman of Seeking Common Ground; Robin Casarjian of the Lionheart Foundation; Frans de Waal of the Yerkes Primate Center; Susan Hepburn of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; and many others who provided me with generous access and crucial insights.

Most essential were those who gave friendship new meaning (actually, its oldest one, selfless affection): Michele Correy, whose deep caring was never in doubt. Maryse Elias, whose doting friendship more than once kept this vessel from capsizing in high seas. The Buckley family, who taught me about “making relatives” and gave me warm shelter from the storm. Tano Maida, ever available to share his lucid “tea mind” and infallible sense of direction. Jill Satterfield, who provided unflagging good cheer and a sundrenched perch in New York. Lynne and Bill Twist, who offered their unassuming friendship and the insight that those who set out to save the world can still belt out a mean show tune.

And my family: my daughter, Leah, who has for every day of her life brought me more joy; her mother, Latha, who showed up for some timely interventions; my brother, Doug, who was a stalwart supporter; and my father, Norman, who taught me a writer’s tenacity.

There were those who were bearers of special gifts: Mark Gerzon, Sharon Salzberg, and Rabbi Zalman Schachter gave me crucial early encouragement. Angeles Arrien, Georgia Kelly, and David and Lila Tresemer provided the means to attend a pivotal conference that helped set this work on its course. Dr. Mark Renneker offered the sustenance of his healer’s craft, along with instructions how to surf in all circumstances. Robin Temple kept healing front and center. Jamie Pendell gave me lessons in metta engraved forever within. Donna Zerner furnished shrewd advice and keen counsel. Larry Laszlo looked at me, as he looks at life, through a compassionate lens. Nyoman and his family in Ubud, Bali, allowed me to work on my final galleys in paradise. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso pulled me out of a tailspin with eight words of pith-instruction (“Scared mind comes from nowhere and goes nowhere”). Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche revealed to me, unforgettably, the reality of the path.

Then there were those who showed me their love when I didn’t ask and were kind when I couldn’t see why they’d bother. This book would not exist—nor could I—without the givers in my life. You know who you are. You have my heart.