Banyen Books ~ Branches of Wisdom

Beloved poet and philosopher Mark Nepo joins Joel Fotinos to discuss The Fifth Season, an inspiring reflection on the gifts and challenges of aging. Now in his seventies, Nepo explores how growing older can be a time of integration, creativity, and deeper clarity—a “fifth season” when life’s true colours begin to shine. A New York Times #1 bestselling author of more than 20 books, including The Book of Awakening and Surviving Storms, and a cancer survivor interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and Robin Roberts, Nepo offers this new work as a companion for making meaning, finding grace, and sharing the journey of living and dying.

Stephen Jenkinson—author of the award-winning Die Wise and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School—presents his provocative new book, Matrimony: Ritual, Culture, and the Heart’s Work. In a time of hollow ceremonies and self-congratulatory rites, Jenkinson calls for a return to the true purpose of matrimony and ritual as communal acts of meaning. Through vivid storytelling, cultural reflection, and lived experience, he explores matrimony as a village rite—a shared acknowledgment of transformation and belonging to something older and truer than the self. A renowned teacher of grief, culture, and elderhood, Jenkinson brings decades of work in theology, social work, and cultural regeneration to this stirring exploration of the heart’s work.

Award-winning author and longtime As It Happens co-host Carol Off discusses her #1 national bestseller At a Loss for Words: Conversations in an Age of Rage, an urgent exploration of how words like democracy, freedom, and truth have been distorted and weaponized, eroding our shared political language. Drawing on decades of acclaimed reporting and over 25,000 interviews, Off shows how this loss of meaning silences dialogue, fuels division, and leaves us vulnerable to authoritarianism and greed. A celebrated journalist who has reported from war zones and political upheavals worldwide, Off is also the bestselling author of The Lion, the Fox, and the Eagle, Bitter Chocolate, The Ghosts of Medak Pocket, and All We Leave Behind—and the recipient of numerous honours including a Gemini Award, two New York Festival gold medals, ACTRA’s John Drainie Award, and the RTNDA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fritjof Capra, physicist, systems theorist, and bestselling author, speaks on the the 50th anniversary of his groundbreaking work The Tao of Physics. This influential book brought the mystical implications of subatomic physics to popular consciousness for the very first time, bridging the worlds of science and spirituality. A message of timeless importance, The Tao of Physics continues to inspire and challenge, offering profound insights into the interconnectedness of all life.

Dr. Steven Farmer, best-selling author and shamanic practitioner, speaks on his new book Healing Ancestral Family Patterns: A Practical Guide to Ending the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma. Dr. Farmer explores how ancestral patterns shape our lives and provide practical tools to break free from inherited cycles of trauma. Dr. Steven Farmer is a world-renowned author, teacher, shamanic practitioner, and Soul Healer. A best-selling author of Animal Spirit Guides, Healing Ancestral Karma, and Earth Magic, Dr. Farmer is also a licensed psychotherapist, ordained minister, and former college professor with three collegiate degrees. His extensive knowledge and experience enable him to offer an exceptional and transformative experience to his clients.

Valarie Kaur, author of See No Stranger and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, shares profound inner wisdom for courageous action. In her book, Sage Warrior: Wake to Oneness, Practice Pleasure, Choose Courage, Become Victory, Valerie Kaur explores how to envision a new world and find the courage to fight for it, even in seemingly apocalyptic times. Drawing from the Sikh tradition of the sant sipahi, the sage warrior who embodies love and fights for humanity, Kaur tells the epic story of her Sikh ancestors, focusing on the women who mapped this path. Her narrative is intertwined with her personal journey to Punjab, India, with her young children, an adventure filled with moments of connection and insight. Each chapter offers lessons on practising pleasure, metabolizing grief, and choosing courage, guiding readers to cultivate their souls and transform the world.

Julia Cameron shares wisdom and tools to ignite your creativity from her new book, The Artist's Way Toolkit: How to Use the Creative Practices. Julia delves into the transformative philosophy behind The Artist’s Way, sharing insights into how its creative practices—from “morning pages” to artist dates—can unlock artistic potential for anyone. Through engaging stories and guidance, she’ll explore the power of consistent creative discipline and offer never-before-shared tips, answering questions to help participants connect more deeply with their creativity. Whether you’re new to The Artist’s Way or a longtime follower, this event and book will re-energize your creative journey with practical strategies and inspiration.Julia Cameron, hailed by the New York Times as “The Queen of Change,” is credited with starting a movement in 1992 that has brought creativity into the mainstream conversation—in the arts, in business, and in everyday life. She is the best-selling author of more than fifty books, fiction and nonfiction; a poet, songwriter, filmmaker and playwright. Commonly referred to as “The Godmother” or “High Priestess” of creativity, her tools are based in practice, not theory, and she considers herself “the floor sample of her own toolkit.” The Artist’s Way has been translated into fourty languages and sold over five million copies to date.Joel Fotinos has been a publishing professional for many years, as well as a minister and author. After 21 years as a Vice-President and Publisher at Penguin Random House, Joel joined Macmillan to start a new mind/body/spirit imprint called St. Martin's Essentials. He and Julia have worked together for 29 years so far, and hope for many years to come.

Dr. Samra Zafar, bestselling author of A Good Wife and one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Inspirational Women, speaks on her book, Unconditional: Break Through Past Limits to Transform Your Future.Blending personal experience with science, Unconditional reveals how unlearning deeply ingrained beliefs is the key to true freedom. After escaping an abusive child marriage, Samra built a new life—but discovered that the hardest battle was within. In this powerful and deeply personal discussion, she shares how to break free from limiting narratives, heal past wounds, and embrace self-love.SAMRA ZAFAR is an award-winning, internationally renowned speaker, physician, author and educator. She has been recognized among the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, the Top 25 Most Inspirational Women in Canada, and the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants. Her book A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose, based on her journey of escaping an abusive child marriage to pursue her freedom, sheds light on gender-based oppression, and was a national bestseller and a CBC Best Book. One of the youngest alumnae to serve as governor at the University of Toronto, she is currently on the board of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation and a celebrated ambassador for Plan International. She is also the founder and executive director of Brave Beginnings, a national charity that provides mentorship to women who have escaped abuse. Her work has impacted millions and has been extensively featured in national and global media. Samra Zafar’s speaking portfolio includes four successful TEDx Talks and many leading organizations around the world.

Susan Gillis Chapman shares helpful insights and wisdom from her new book, "Which Way Is Up?" She is joined in conversation with Jan Marie Martell.Drawing from her personal journey through cancer during the isolating years of the Covid pandemic, Susan offers a guide to navigating difficult times with mindfulness, compassion, and courage. Through the lens of Buddhist teachings on the "bardo"—a period of transition—she reveals how we can face our fears, transform suffering, and emerge stronger.Susan Gillis Chapman is a Buddhist teacher, retired family therapist, and author with decades of experience in contemplative psychology and meditation. She has trained under notable teachers like Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Pema Chodron, and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, and her work emphasizes the power of mindfulness in times of personal crisis. Her first book, The Five Keys to Mindful Communication, has been widely praised. Her new book is Which Way Is Up? Finding Heart in the Hardest Times. Which Way is Up? offers practical and transformative guidance for facing life's greatest challenges.Jan Marie Martell is a poet, writer, photographer, botanical pharmacist, and former film teacher at Emily Carr University. She has been a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since 1996 and member of his organization, Nalandabodhi, since its inception.

Cyndi Dale, bestselling author of the Subtle Body series, discusses her new book Transforming the Legacy and her powerful subtle body approach to healing ancestral and soul-based patterns.Cyndi Dale presents a transformative method for addressing inherited and soul-based issues through the energetic anatomy—your chakras, meridians, and auric fields. Cyndi brings her expertise in energy medicine to help you release ancestral blocks, reclaim your authentic self, and establish a future rooted in love, clarity, and well-being. Join Cyndi for an enlightening exploration of how energy medicine can help transform your legacy and unlock new possibilities for healing and growth.Cyndi Dale is an internationally renowned intuitive healer, speaker, and author of over 30 books on energy medicine, intuition, and spirituality, including The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy, a four-time award winner. With work published in 20 languages, she has helped over 80,000 clients and led workshops worldwide, from Beijing to Peru. A leading expert in subtle energy healing, Cyndi has been featured in documentaries and collaborates with medical professionals, therapists, and thought leaders to bridge science and spirituality in profound and practical ways.