Sandy Boucher - She Appears: Encounters with Kwan Yin, Goddess of Compassion

CONTENTS

Chapter One
Hearing the Cries of the World

Chapter Two
Alive in Nature

Chapter Three
When Illness Strikes

Chapter Four
Mothers and Daughters

Chapter Five
Visitations/Gradual Awakenings

Chapter Six
Kwan Yin as Activist

Chapter Seven
Death and Grieving

Chapter Eight
Final Words by Sandy Boucher

Praise for She Appears! Encounters with Kwan Yin, Goddess of Compassion

A great and moving chorus of voices. We urgently need this book to bring Kwan Yins gracious, compassionate and fierce energy into all our lives.

Susan Griffin, author of Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy:
On Being an American Citizen.

This unusual book is a vivid testimonial to the appeal the East Asian Buddhist goddess Kwan Yin holds for Westerners. These first person accounts of how Kwan Yin entered peoples lives and the art work and poetry about her that they produced are unique among accounts of Western Buddhist practice. Both scholars of Buddhism and Buddhist practitioners will find these accounts relevant for different reasons. For scholars, they provide contemporary and culturally familiar accounts of how this much loved East Asian goddess can impact peoples lives here and now. For practitioners, they provide immediate inspiration for further devotion to this goddess from the East who, nevertheless, enters the lives of Westerners.

Rita M. Gross, author of Buddhism after Patriarchy: A Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism and Buddhist teacher

She Appears! Is a beautiful book created by Sandy Boucher that tells first-hand experiences of women to whom Kwan Yin appeared. Kwan Yin came in many forms: as deep compassion, healing energy, unconditional mother love, usually at times of crisis. She is often a felt presence and is also seen as an image. She is an archetype (that I described in Goddesses in Older Women), an Asian goddess, and a bodhisattva in Buddhism. In words, paintings, drawings, and sculpture, contributors tell their experience of She-who-hears-the-cries-of -the-world. To all who ask, Kwan Yin pours out mercy and gives comfort. No one has to be somehow deserving. The great value of this book is that it serves as an introduction to a source that anyone can call upon.

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. author of Artemis: the Indomitable Spirit in Everywoman

In the beauty of this book I find both solace and inspiration. Its tapestry of word and imagery evokes a rapt and open stillness that feels close to the core of true compassion. Praise be for the nourishment of soul and senses that Sandy Boucher brings us in this global moment.

Joanna Macy, author of Coming Back to Life:
The Updated Guide to the Work That Reconnects

This is the kind of book you can open to any page and, in just a few moments, feel its supportive gifts. In this book Sandy has gathered and shared the beauty, richness and power of Kwan Yins influence in the West.

Sharon Salzberg, Co-Founder of The Insight Meditation Society
and author of Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation

This book beautifully demonstrates the living presence of Kwan Yin in our midst. The weave of personal accounts and art form an inspiring spiritual gift.

Charlene Spretnak, author of Lost Goddesses of Early Greece:
A Collection of Pre-Hellenic Myths

Sandy Boucher has created a splendid tapestry of stories, memories, dreams and images of Kwan Yin in her new book, She Appears! Along with a rich mix of her own beautifully crafted vignettes and memoirs, she has interspersed dozens of offerings from other devotees of this Chinese Savior Goddess. The writings are touching and the artwork exquisite, facilitating a visceral contact with the Asian Great Goddess of Compassion. Poignant and inspiring.

Vicki Noble, healer, writer, artist and teacher, co-creator of Motherpeace and author of Shakti
Woman: Feeling our Fire, Healing our World and The Double Goddess: Women Sharing Power

On retreat with my mother, she awoke early on the morning she was due to receive the initiation to find White Tara standing beside her holding a lotus which she gave to my mother as she dissolved into light. Later a Lama remarked Well, everyone gets to see Tara.

One can speak of psychological projections, but the fact is that she appears! As Tara, Kwan Yin or the Virgin Mary, the divine feminine is very close to us and ready help whenever possible. Her compassionate assistance is tangible like a mother with her child. Appearing in many forms and guises the divine feminine is there for all of us if we would only reach out to Her.

This book of personal accounts, poems and artwork devoted to Kwan Yin by a variety of practitioners, exemplifies the wide range of Kwan Yins activities and will hopefully introduce this great Bodhisattva to a wider audience. We are grateful to Sandy Boucher for compiling this collection of inspiring anecdotes and paintings.

Tenzin Palmo, author of Reflections on a Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism and celebrated in the book by Vicki Mackenzie Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Pahnos Quest for Enlightenment

This deeply inspiring volume is made up a numerous experiences of Kwan Yin, Goddess of Compassion, both experiences of the main author, Sandy Boucher, well known Buddhist writer and teacher, and of her numerous friends and correspondents who sent her their poems, accounts and images of their experience of the Goddess. These experiences flow across many moments in life, experiences of nature, of family relationships, of healing and peace in times of distress and hopelessness, in struggles against injustices, and times of sickness and death. These are times of precious revelations when we experience the responsiveness of the universe in the appearances of Kwan Yin in our lives. This is a book to keep near at hand, to read and reread, to tap into for the deep moments of love, peace and renewed wellbeing.