As a wide-eyed spiritual seeker from Oklahoma, Paldrom believed enlightenment would end her suffering. She entered a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery, took monastic vows, shaved her head, and changed her name.
But the monastic life she imagined did not unfold as she had hoped. With quiet candor, she recounts her struggle to become what she believed a perfect nun should be.
Over time, a deeper recognition emerged: what she was seeking could not be found in the way she had imagined.
Out of both transcendence and disillusionment came a simple recognition—never lost, already home.
May 12, 2026 · Monkfish Book Publishing
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Media Recognition
Publishers Weekly
“A frank, refreshingly nontraditional take on what spiritual growth looks like.”
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Lion’s Roar
An excerpt from Girl in a Box will appear in an upcoming issue of Lion’s Roar.
Advance Praise for Girl in a Box
"Deeply engaging and illuminating... gently turning you back to what is already here."
— Joanna Quintrell, Founder and Executive Director, Journey Center Association
“Like a long walk with a dear and wise friend—one who tells her story with the kind of vulnerability that helps you see and tell your own."
— Emily Conway, Writer and spiritual companion
About Paldrom
Paldrom Catharine Collins spent five years in a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery, an experience that continues to shape her life and work.
These days, her life is an ongoing practice of opening—of surrendering, as much as possible, to life as it is— moment by moment.
About Girl in a Box
In this video, Paldrom reflects on the path that led to Girl in a Box.