Notes from the Deep: Finding Joy in the Midst of Despair

The journey Spring Washam has traveled in her life is long and difficult. Her father was a largely absent, cocaine addicted ex-con with whom she only connected as an adult. Her single mother worked hard but depended on state aid and food stamps to get by.

In 1997 she hit an emotional rock bottom. She was living in a rough neighborhood with a man who was making her miserable. She was in debt, working an exploitative telesales job that didn’t pay enough. She was deeply depressed, angry, stuck, and overwhelmed by life. One day, she snapped. She quit her job, broke up with her boyfriend, and moved on.

In A Fierce Heart, Spring Washam shares her absolutely contemporary, streetwise interpretation of the Buddha’s 2,500-year-old teachings. As Spring began to save her life, she discovered a deep connection with the dharma and has become a well-respected and beloved meditation teacher.

Washam’s teachings focus on social action, diversity, and youth, making the dharma welcoming to as wide a community as possible. Her interpretations and enthusiasm are electrifying. Anyone who has suffered benefits from the life-saving teachings of this charismatic teacher.

Spring Washam is a meditation and dharma teacher based in Oakland, California, who leads retreats throughout the country. Spring is one of the founders of the East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland and is a member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council. She has extensive training in indigenous healing practices and works individually with students from around the world. Spring is considered a pioneer in bringing mindfulness-based healing practices to inner city communities.