A Memoir of a Buddhist

A Memoir of a Buddhist is a captivating and honest story detailing Nong's experiences as a young girl who grew up in Thailand and then moved to the United States when she was older. This move into a new culture proved to be more difficult than she had anticipated. Her excitement in the new culture not only faded but was replaced by loss and heartbreak.

It was when Nong hit rock bottom that she discovered a gift that she had had her entire life. She realized how lucky she was to have been born in Thailand where she grew up practicing mindfulness before she even knew what it was for.

Slowly but steadily, Nong returned to her Buddhist practices and committed herself to daily loving-kindness meditation. Nong found out that in order to have love and compassion for other beings, she first had to cultivate love and compassion for herself. While millions in the West are learning about the power of mindfulness practice to help them find a measure of peace and well-being, Nong had only to turn inward and embrace the tradition in which she was raised. By accepting her own imperfections, remembering where she comes from, loving, and respecting who she is, Nong discovered a way to be free.

Ning Sawangjaeng is a native Thai woman, who has been a Montessori teacher and a teacher of mindfulness and self-compassion practices, which are based on her own experiences as a Buddhist. A Memoir of a Buddhist is her attempt to invite readers to explore mindfulness practices and the teachings of the Buddha. Ning believes that the practice of Metta meditation is a way to self-healing and self-compassion; a path to lessen suffering and to build true happiness. Ning lives in the small town of Lincolnville, Maine, with her husband and her two children.