'Washam brings considerable gifts for conveying her vision of personal change and offers vivid, inspiring testimony to the power of Buddhism (and other wisdom traditions) to help heal suffering.' - Publishers Weekly 'Amidst uncertain times we need strong and inspiring medicine. In A Fierce Heart, you will find this medicine: beautiful teachings and heartfelt stories that can transform your day and change your life.' - from the Foreword by Jack Kornfield With stories from south central LA to the jungles of Peru, these deep and honest reflections by one of the country's most powerful mindfulness teachers focus on compassion as the fiercest and most effective response to suffering. Spring Washam is a founder of the East Bay Meditation Center, the most diverse and accessible meditation center in the United States. In A Fierce Heart, she shares her contemporary, unique interpretation of the Buddha's 2,5-year-old teachings that get to the heart of mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion. Woven throughout the book are stories from her life, family, and community, along with soulful and unexpected stories of compassion in action from all over the world. The life-saving teachings of this charismatic teacher are universal; her honesty, enthusiasm, and energy are a balm.