Banyen Books & Sound speaks to activist, nun, and esteemed spiritual voice, Joan Chittister on her new book, The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life. Joan Chittister is one of the most articulate and influential spiritual leaders of our time. The award-winning author of over 60 books, she is an international lecturer who has appeared with the Dalai Lama, on “Now with Bill Moyers”, and on “Super Soul Sunday” with Oprah Winfrey. A founding member of The Global Peace Initiative of Women, a partner organization of the UN, she works to develop a worldwide network of women peace builders. As co-chair of this group she has facilitated gatherings of spiritual leaders throughout the world in an effort to spread an interfaith commitment to peace building, equality, and justice for all peoples. She has received numerous awards for her activism and peace initiatives. A Benedictine Sister of Erie, Pennsylvania, she served as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and as prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie for 12 years. She received her doctorate from Penn State University in Speech Communications Theory, and in 1996 was an elected fellow at St. Edmund's College, Cambridge University.