John Richard Sack was born in Springfield, Ohio. He now lives in southern Oregon. He earned a BA in English from Yale University and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington.As a young man, John spent two years as a Trappist monk under the tutelage of Thomas Merton, his novice master at Our Lady of Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky. In the 1970s, he trained in a Hindu ashram in Ganeshpuri, India. Spiritual awakening and transformation are common themes in both his fiction and nonfiction books. He is the author of the internationally acclaimed novel: "The Franciscan Conspiracy" and a companion work, "Angel's Passage." "The Wolf in Winter" is a fictional tale of the early career of Francis of Assisi. His nonfiction "Yearning for the Father" and "Mystic Mountain" are guides to contemplative prayer, the culmination of decades of research and reflection and his exploration of numerous spiritual traditions.John's loving companion is Christin Lore Weber, author of many books related to spiritual growth. Their blended family includes Bjorn Kristian, Jeff & Karen, Bryana & Patrick and their beautiful daughter Zoe.