I recently attended a very well attended book launch event for A Whole-Hearted Embrace, written by noted St. Paul psychologist and Spring Forest Qigong teacher Patrick Dougherty.
Patrick told us how he combined the two major stories of his life – the first of death and trauma, the second of healing and love – into his book. One night he says the two stories came together in his mind, and his new spiritual memoir is the result.
Lilja was involved early on. We introduced Patrick to Editor Gordon Thomas, who worked with Patrick on his early manuscript. More recently we have helped promote the finished book, including arranging the launch event at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis.
A Whole-Hearted Embrace is a dramatic account of Patrick’s journey to health and healing after witnessing death at an early age, including his tour of duty as a Marine in Vietnam. He experiences a variety of spiritual traditions, as well as the practice of Qigong.
Patrick reminds us that simply opening our hearts is a major step. Doing so does not just transform trauma and grief, but also brings love and joy. Reading his book reminds me that the journey we make from our heads to our hearts is the longest, most arduous journey we'll ever make -- but also one of the most rewarding.
Spring Forest Qigong, an organization that develops and provides educational tools to help people heal and improve the quality of their lives through Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice using breath and movement, published the book.
-Mary Lilja
-Mary Lilja
