LAKEPORT, Calif – Local author and mindfulness teacher JoAnn Saccato, MA will be the guest on the Taira St. John Show on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The show begins at 2 p.m. on KPFZ 88.1 FM.

Saccato will be sharing about her recently-published book, speaking engagements and upcoming eight-week course, “Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Relief, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom,” slated to begin in Lakeport on Thursday, Sept. 11.

Taira St. John, a local psychotherapist, life coach, writer and producer, will interview Saccato, a native of Lake County, on how her book, “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” came about and how the simple tools of journaling, mindfulness and setting intention can lead to more authenticity, personal clarity and emotional freedom.

Saccato lived in voluntary simplicity for 10 years in the oak woodlands of Lake County with her dog, Shyla (now deceased).

“It was a profound journey that afforded the time and space for a deeper spiritual inquiry,” said Saccato.

The book arose after Shyla's passing, which occurred shortly after they left their chop-wood-carry-water lifestyle.

Saccato foresaw Shyla's decline and knew she needed to find a way that would afford Shyla comfort for her final days.
 
“Holding conscious, loving and compassionate space while losing my best friend and life companion was one of the most difficult things I've had to do, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world,” she reflected. “It was this process that really helped me see the true power and grace of these simple practices.”

“Many of the tools I write about and teach have proven time and again to create more spaciousness, meaning, acceptance, clarity, freedom and joy,” Saccato explained. “Mindfulness, a relatively recent phenomena in the United States, is a documented method to increase your focus skills, reduce stress and develop increased resiliency from stressful situations.”

The Taira St. John Show is broadcast live weekly on KPFZ 88.1 FM on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. and is streamed through LIVE 365, in real time ( visit www.KPFZ.org for directions).

The show will replay from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18.

This show is the second in the new year-long series on the Taira St. John Show on the topic of Love and Awakening. The series is available for free listening or download on www.TairaStJohn.com (see Radio section).

This series follows last year’s Elixir of Lake County: The New Wine Series of Northern California that ended on July 31.

For more information on Saccato, her book and upcoming courses, visit www.companioningthesacredjourney.com or call 707-350-1719.

For more information on Taira St. John, visit http://www.tairastjohn.com .