As a Western Buddhist woman, it can be difficult sometimes to feel a sense of community. For many years I lived in far northern Canada, in a small town without a temple or a Buddhist community. During the times I was struggling, I often felt very, very alone in the world. There were several male Buddhists in my life, but no other women.

I spied this book and picked it up curiously, wondering if any of the women within could possibly be anything like me. And, despite the diversity of their stories, lives, and backgrounds, I found a little bit of myself in each of them, and found a little bit of their strength in myself.

These profiles are written conversationally, after interviews with the subjects, making it an easy read to pick up and put down when you need it, taking on one profile at a time. The women are extraordinary, and surprisingly ordinary at times. Their struggles in life and commitments to spirituality were not only inspiring, but connected me to a larger worldwide community of women all on the same path of spirituality.