There are so many people whose encouragement empowered me to write this book:
Stephen Mitchell, writer and guide, and Vicki Chang, healer, friends there since the beginning.
Michael Katz, literary agent, midwife for both the vision and delivery of this project; without his insight and devotion, it would never have been born.
My extraordinary editors: Colleen Kapklein, whose enthusiasm and skill did so much to bring the manuscript to completion; and Nanscy Neiman-LeGette, whose loving care shaped and developed it.
Stephan Schwartz, mentor and sounding board, pioneer, generous giver of time and wisdom.
For their dedicated participation and patience in helping to define and map out the book, I'm grateful to Thomas Farber, Paula Cizmar, and Andrea Cagan.
Many others have also made vital contributions, and I want to acknowledge the assistance of Hal Bennett, Diana Baroni, Jonathan Cott, Burnard LeGette, Daniel Kaufman, Mark Kuo, Thelma Moss, Jeffrey Mishlove, Daoshing Ni, Mark E. Pollack, Terry Schoonhoven, Hayden Schwartz, Barry Taff, and Jollyn West.
My abiding appreciation to my family and friends for their soul support: Mila Aranda, Barbara Baird, Ann Buck, Janus Cercone, Janis Clapoff, Melissa Friedman, Linda Garbett, Berenice Glass, Michael Manheim, Richard Metzner, Mignon McCarthy, Dean Orloff, Theodore Orloff, Phyllis Ostrum-Paul, Sindy Paul, Marc Seltzer, Chris Snyder, Elizabeth and Nate Snyder, and Leong Tan.
Finally, I want to express gratitude to my patients, from whom I've continued to learn so very much as we travel together on the path.