Jem Fredhamn bridges monastic wisdom with secular life, helping people find peace and resilience. He teaches mindfulness-based practices such as mindful breathing and compassionate listening, offering guidance on transforming suffering and cultivating presence, purpose, and resilient happiness. 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 Thich Nhat Hanh. 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 eventually became a lay meditation practitioner and teacher. He is now happily married, coteaching classes in mindful awareness, love, and wisdom together with his wife, Emma Dinmali Fredhamn.