Between 1983 to 1998, Dr David R Shlim served as the medical director at CIWEC Hospital, Kathmandu. While in Nepal, Dr Shlim became friends with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, and this friendship is the basis of Dr Shlim’s new memoir, ‘A Gentle Rain of Compassion’.

In the book, Dr Shlim recounts his experience working and living in Nepal for over two decades, his medical and travel adventures, and his experience learning Tibetan Buddhism under Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr Shilm said, “When I started practising meditation and Buddhism, I became better at being compassionate and patient. I also found myself able to listen better.”

Explaining his take on compassion, the American author said,

“Compassion isn’t just something that you can encourage, which is how we treat it in the West. But with Buddhist philosophy, it [emphasises] that compassion is in our basic nature and is something that can be [continuously] expanded the more you practise it.” He further added, “My goal in writing the book is so that people who read it look at Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy as something true and not just as a spiritual add-on that you can adapt to make your life better.”

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, who was also present at the book launch, stressed the importance of kindness and patience among medical professionals. Rinpoche mentioned Dr Shlim in a lighthearted moment and said, “He [Dr Shlim] is my physical doctor, and I am his mental doctor.”

The American Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R Thompson, unveiled the book at the launch event and said, “I had the opportunity to read the book, and I was really captured by [Dr Shlim’s] story and the sentiments that he was trying to convey. I recommend people look at the book to learn more about David, his remarkable life, and the kinds of teachings he found beneficial.”

‘A Gentle Rain of Compassion’ is the winner of the International Book Award for best autobiography/memoir 2022. The book is published by Di Angelo Publications and distributed in Nepal by Vajra Books.