(HUDSON, N.Y.) – There will be a reception for Janet Surrey and Samuel Shem, authors of the new book, “The Buddha’s Wife: The Path of Awakening Together,” at Spotty Dogs Books & Ale on Friday, August 21, at 6pm, followed by an authors’ presentation and book signing at Bodhi Holistic Spa and Yoga at 7pm. Books will be available for purchase at both locations. Shem, the pen name of Dr. Stephen Bergman, is a Hudson native and author of the novel “The Spirit of the Place,” set in a fictionalized version of Hudson.

It is said that The Buddha, on the morning of his only child’s birth, left his wife and son to “go forth” to seek enlightenment, without saying goodbye. What do we know of his wife Yasodhara and his son Rahula? The Buddha’s Wife brings this rarely told story of Yasodhara — “She who stays” — and her community, to the forefront, offering a spiritual parable and portrait of these compelling and compassionate characters.

Samuel Shem is the pen name of Dr. Stephen Bergman, who grew up in Hudson.  He is the author of the classic novel about a medical internship, The House of God, which was recently named by the British medical journal The Lancet as one of the two most important American medical novels of the 20th century. It has sold over two million copies, in thirty languages. His novel The Spirit of the Place — set in a fictional “Hudson” — is the winner of two National “Best Novel of the Year” Awards.  Shem has been honored as one of Boston Public Library’s “Literary Lights” and one of “Boston’s Best Authors.”

Janet Surrey, PhD is an Insight Dialogue Teacher. She is a faculty member of Metta’s Relational Insight Meditation Program, facilitates a practice group in the Boston area, and co-teaches retreats. She is a practicing clinical psychologist and founding scholar of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Wellesley Centers for Women. She is on the faculty and board of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy.

Bodhi Holistic Spa and Yoga is located at 543 Warren Street, Hudson.  The spa provides healing services, massage, acupuncture, skin care, sauna, a steam room and a hair salon. Among the massages offered are Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, prenatal, warm stone, aromatherapy and the aromatic hot towel massage. Several kinds of yoga instruction are available, including Gentle Dharma Vinyasa, Yin Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Shakti Yoga. The retail boutique offers natural skin care products, essential oils and yoga equipment.  Bodhi is open 7 days a week and class schedules can be found on the website.

 

Now entering their 10th year, The Spotty Dog Books & Ale is an independent bookstore known for its well-curated, eclectic mix of books, art supplies and a bar/café situated in a beautiful old firehouse at 440 Warren Street in Hudson. We have twelve artisan beers on tap including locally crafted Evans’ Ales and Crossroads Ales. For more information on this event, call us at (518) 671-6006 or check the website.