What a joy –equal parts enlightening and inspiring– to welcome best-selling author and all around literary and lifestyle icon Sweta Vikram to the 1455 Author Series. Of course, this was not her first rodeo, having been a featured speaker at our third annual Summer Fest last July (check out her panel, The Importance of Wellness for Writers, here). The focus of last night’s discussion was her new book A Piece of Peace, which I enthusiastically recommend to anyone interested in enhancing their physical/mental balance and well-being (e.g, everyone). It’s a timely work, equal parts guidebook and memoir, that will have special resonance with creatives.
I’d like to extend gratitude to Sweta for doing some heavy lifting in the service of describing much of what ails us in the 21st Century: she provides a detailed assessment of the ways we’re almost encouraged to destroy ourselves, via social media obsession, FOMO, bad diet choices, lack of exercise, etc. This subject could, in a more cynical time, be (wrongly) dismissed as ‘new age-y’ but few people would argue these are very serious concerns. One of the things I appreciate about this book is the ways it’s so of the moment, and appropriate (necessary) for our collective sensibilities, circa 2021.
So many of the typical books about writing by writers focus, understandably, on craft and discipline; what even the most prolific and passionate writers from only a couple of decades ago could never have anticipated was what the Internet has wrought; while we can –and should– acknowledge the myriad ways technology has helped democratize content and allowed people to interact, it’s also a huge distraction. One of the recurring admonitions in this work is why writers need to minimize the things that prevent them not only from doing the work, but feeling good about the work they do. The reader will come away from A Piece of Peace with a better understanding of ways the gut affects the brain, how diet and exercise are as important as focus and discipline, and why all writers need to spend more time considering what they eat, how they sleep (or don’t), and with whom they interact all have a direct impact on the subsequent work (or lack thereof).
As always, it’s a pleasure and privilege to partner with D.C.’s historic Potter’s House and I encourage you to support them (and independent booksellers) by getting your copy of the book via this link.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sweta Vikram is an international speaker, best-selling author of 12 books, and Ayurveda and mindset coach who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC and Radio Lifeforce, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, health, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications across nine countries on three continents. She is a trained yogi and certified Ayurveda health coach, is on the board of Fly Female Founders, and holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. Voted as “One of the Most Influential Asians of Our Times” and winner of the “Voices of the Year” award (past recipients have been Chelsea Clinton), she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients across the globe. Her most recent book is A Piece of Peace.
ABOUT A PIECE OF PEACE:
A Piece of Peace is an autobiographical account of one woman’s unique struggle with near-fatal disease. In 2018, Sweta had already earned acclaim from having written a dozen successful books and for her work toward amplifying women’s voices. Suddenly overtaken with a massive health crisis, she entered a fight for her life that lasted more than six months. Her journey back to wellness through mindfulness and Ayurvedic healing show us both the true resilience of the human spirit as well as laying out a practical day-by-day plan that anyone can build on to restore health and recover from chronic health losses. Sweta shares her vulnerabilities, makes recommendations, interviews experts, and reminds us all that how we respond to a situation determines our path in life.
A Piece of Peace by Sweta Vikram is a work of power. It is a rejection of discrimination and exploitation, of women in particular. It is the reaching out of a helping hand to other writers, creative professionals, and anyone else who needs a reminder about the role of wellness in their lives. Above all, it is as the title states, a path to inner peace and personal power.
