Jem Fredhamn (Chân Pháp Hộ)

Former Buddhist monk Jem Fredhamn (Chân Pháp Hộ/True Dharma Protector) bridges monastic wisdom with secular life to help people find peace and resilience. He practiced as a lawyer in his native Sweden then became a Buddhist monk in the international Plum Village tradition of Engaged Buddhism founded by Thích Nhất Hạnh. From 2003 to 2020 he lived and practiced as a monk in Plum Village, France, and later moved to Deer Park Monastery in Southern California, eventually serving as the abbot. During these years he helped organize and lead retreats on three continents for thousands of people in the art of mindful living.

In the process of healing from the cancer that gave rise to this book, he returned to lay life and became a meditation practitioner and teacher. He is now married, coteaching classes in mindful awareness, love, and wisdom together with his wife, Emma Dinmali Fredhamn.