"The Millionth Circle" by Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD
This book is a step by step guide to creating women's circles. Groups of woman coming together to sew, meditate, sing, house-keep and support each other is as ancient as medieval solar activities and yet as modern as a group of friends on Facebook. Dr. Shinoda Bolen believes that these circles of women are like the Hundredth Monkey- a myth based on scientific research of Japanese monkeys. The science points to a phenomena where when a certain number of people (or monkeys) change the way they think and do things it will become the default for everyone. This is a small book that "provides the tools and inspiration for women to create new circles...vehicles of societal and psycho-spiritual change".
At a little less then 90 pages written in poetic form to empower women to use their own hearts and minds to fill in the blanks, Dr. Shinoda's hope is that women coming together in circles, which she sees as their natural way of communicating, will be the catalysis drawing us out of a world dominated by patriarchy into a non hierarchical society based on balanced humanitarian values. Her years of experience as a Jungian analyst who has worked as a leader and participant of women's workshops leads her to believe that women's circles will be the hundredth monkey changing the status quo that is unsustainable and potentially catastrophic.
The short chapters include instructions for starting, maintaining, and managing circles in an all vs one mode. Reminding us that an individuals story has resonance and implications for all of us, she teaches that circles should be equal, safe, not group therapy and most of all that they will not be perfect but "more then good enough".
I highly recommend this book for any woman who has ever wanted to be proactive about about the world she lives in, but it is also for the woman who wants or needs support for herself. Dr. Shinoda Bolen's vision is that "each circle expands the experience of being in one to more women. Each woman who is in every circle who is changed by it, takes this experience into her world of relationships. Until, one day, a new circle will form and it will be the millionth circle".
For more information about Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen go to:
http://www.jeanshinodabolen.com/
At a little less then 90 pages written in poetic form to empower women to use their own hearts and minds to fill in the blanks, Dr. Shinoda's hope is that women coming together in circles, which she sees as their natural way of communicating, will be the catalysis drawing us out of a world dominated by patriarchy into a non hierarchical society based on balanced humanitarian values. Her years of experience as a Jungian analyst who has worked as a leader and participant of women's workshops leads her to believe that women's circles will be the hundredth monkey changing the status quo that is unsustainable and potentially catastrophic.
The short chapters include instructions for starting, maintaining, and managing circles in an all vs one mode. Reminding us that an individuals story has resonance and implications for all of us, she teaches that circles should be equal, safe, not group therapy and most of all that they will not be perfect but "more then good enough".
I highly recommend this book for any woman who has ever wanted to be proactive about about the world she lives in, but it is also for the woman who wants or needs support for herself. Dr. Shinoda Bolen's vision is that "each circle expands the experience of being in one to more women. Each woman who is in every circle who is changed by it, takes this experience into her world of relationships. Until, one day, a new circle will form and it will be the millionth circle".
For more information about Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen go to:
http://www.jeanshinodabolen.com/