Customer Reviews

Inner Peace for Busy Women

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Inner Peace For Busy Women By Dr. Joan Z. Borysenko is a very nice surprise in that it is not a lot of advice about how to meditate, although this is one of her prime suggestions as a daily practice for gaining inner peace, but this 2 - CD set is her private sharing of the demons she has faced throughout her career as first a medical student/mother/poor housewife and through the years through divorce, single parenting, and balancing a demanding career as a doctor. The pain she experienced and the wisdom she gained she shares openly and especially deals with the persistent guilt of the working mother who is told by society that she can have it all, but in reality she is living a juggling act that kills relationships and individuals. She and her children succeeded through it all and have a loving adult relationship, although her marriage did not. She gives sage advice and encouragement to any woman walking this tight rope. EXCELLENT!

This book is just like sitting down with a close and trusted friend to have one of those woman-to-woman, soul searching chats. In fact, at the end of her book Joan writes that she hopes that this is what reading it will be like. Well, Joan, it is! Thanks for the "chat."

In the course of writing this book Joan looks closely at some of the problems that are very particular to women: combining work with child care; working in a man's world; and the problems inherent in the majority of marriages as experienced by women. Once again, when tackling all these issues Joan has her own particular slant. I love the vision of life in the future that she weaves through her analysis of contemporary women's problems, a vision of a public sphere that will include the feminine dimension with its qualities of "intuition, partnership, team-building, compassion, and the dream of a future when all people will have dignity, respect, and the means to live in peace." But in the end, what makes this book stand out like all of Joan's books are all those sparkling little gems sprinkled liberally throughout the pages of her book, the heartfelt stories of real people that always bring either a smile to your face or a tear to your eye.

Inner Peace for Busy Women is such an important gem for our well~being that I read it twice through to savor every tidbit. It is 'user friendly' with its short, crisp chapters that quickly gets to the core of serious issues. Everyone has at least five minutes a day to devote to self~care, and reading this wonderful book is a sensible beginning. My eyes were moist at the close of many chapters as the recognition of circumstance was driven straight to my heart center, taking me to places where I have avoided journeying solo and have needed to summon enormous courage to face. Inner Peace for Busy Women became a guide and companion in understanding within the process of living in this complicated world with our complicated lives. Reading this book often served as a diffuser of stress that built up on any given day, engaging me with new insights to best handle the dance that is this life.

Dr. Joan Z. Borysenko had provided a masterpiece in a petite package that is a pure joy to read - a breath of fresh air, that gently draws one in closer to our own inner truth ~ Thank you.

Joan Borysenko is a legend in the field of mind-body medicine. In 1987, her first book, the classic: "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind," became a NY Times bestseller. In 2001, book number ten was released: "Inner Peace for Busy People." And now we are blessed with another Borysenko offering.

I wondered what she could say that was new. I didn't wonder long. Borysenko had me captivated right from the start, with her discourse on "Champagne Suffering" (Chapter 1), something you don't hear a lot about. But here she was weighing in on both sides: how good women have it these days, AND how tough are their challenges.

Chapter after chapter, Borysenko's writing is a treasure trove of insight, wisdom, and humor blessed by plenty of new twists on traditional ways of thinking. With refreshing candor, Borysenko writes with a realistic knowing of what life is like for today's woman, sharing plenty of personal stories from the trenches. Further, she provides innovative and practical strategies for handling whatever lands in your path.

Borysenko analyzes issues from all sides, in simple, straightforward fashion. Translating scientific principles of mind-body medicine into heartfelt, commonsense directives for women, she always cuts through the complexities to deliver simple, thoughtful solutions. Her words penetrate to your heart, resonate with inner truth, and move you with their sheer poetry.

One by one, Borysenko tackles each of life's challenges for busy women, laying the groundwork for peace no matter the circumstance and offering hope. Her words are passionate and energized. She imparts an excitement about the possibilities available for each woman in their most authentic self.

This is Borysenko at her best, brightest and most witty. Truth is, her work just keeps getting better and better. Thankfully, she is at peace with it all.

"Inner Peace for Busy Women" combines useful, affirming, research-based information with practical, common sense suggestions for ways to live sanely and happily whilst dealing with the ever-increasing complexities of our lives. Dr. Borysenko manages to weave illuminating and touching personal anecdotes into this very readable "how to" book with delightful humour and respectful empathy.

I read this book in one sitting, I couldn't put it down! I came away feeling like I had just had a great time with a treasured mentor and friend. I felt valued and affirmed and filled with enthusiasm for taking steps to address some of the challenges that had sneaked up on me when I was too busy to notice. This book is a must read. I leave it on my bedside table and revisit it frequently. Although the book is aimed at busy women, there are many truths and insights that men would find very useful.

Joan Borysenko's new book is essential reading for all women; it is definately an Inner Guide's guide. It is a vast offering of intuitive guidance for the busy woman to create a balance between "no longer and not yet." Joan provides a path for keeping our connection to Spirit, following our intuitive inner guidance and being gentle with ourselves even when we are not gentile. This directive keeps bringing us back to our Center/our Now, throughout our busy lives, while facing the demands of work, care-giving, family, relationships and the downsides of divorce, burnout and overload. Busyness, sometimes a form of self-denial, keeps unpleasant emotions at bay, but when we take steps, as offered, toward the stillness of Being, this emotional energy works as an emissary of inner wisdom. Through all these aspects of our very busy lives, Joan brings us to the truism "The present Center is where the Self best shines."

Joan provides us with the Key Element for Center/Now, "When we have sovereignty over ourselves, we are free to follow the guidance from within and create a life that breaks the mold."

"Inner Peace for Busy Women"...Just reading the title of this book makes a person want to read it! Isn't this what we are all searching for in our busy lives?

As the Program Coordinator for a large retreat house, I meet many, many women who are looking for exactly that: inner peace. The number of private retreats and women's retreats that we offer here has dramatically increased over the past few years. Everyone is searching for balance, light, a sense of equilibrium -- and most are frustrated in that quest. Joan expresses, through this book, a deep understanding of the "busy-ness" of women's lives in the second millenium. There is a whole new set of challenges associated with being a woman in these times, and it is obvious that Joan has a great respect for, and desire to help, those who are living those challenges.

As a single woman, I read the beautiful poem at the beginning of the book and wondered if the rest of the book would have anything to say to me. This book brought home to me that all women -- no matter their place in this world, their social standing, their marital status -- have to deal with finding balance in their lives. Taking care of ourselves has to be a top priority if we want to be able to "nuture and bond with" others in a meaningful way.

As one who tends to ignore the "little things," the chapters in "Part IV -- Getting Real: Necessary Practicalities" were a true gift. Something as simple as "how much sleep do I need" often escapes my attention. Joan brings these things into focus gently, yet asks us to take a good look at our lives and what our priorities are. Again, taking care of ourselves is a prerequisite for achieving that dream of inner peace within our outer reality. Joan's practical suggestions -- from meditation to financial planning -- are valuable ideas that all women would benefit from attennding to.

I was not looking for this particular book when I went into my favorite bookstore/coffeshop. But, there it was! How could I resist the title? Inner Peace for Busy Women--this book HAD to be written just for me, I thought!

It is not often that I find it necessary to comment on the actual physical components of a book when I sit down to review it. This time, however, I feel I must share my delightful discoveries. First of all, I am naturally drawn to "little books" as I call them. You know the type. They are slim little volumes that carry messages far deeper than their sleek size could possibly seem to hold. This is one such book. The 179 pages speak not only to me but to many women I know. Now it is my mission to introduce them to this book so that they can have the same delightful experience I had.

Paying for my coffee and newfound book, I settled into a quiet little corner of the shop. The quality of the paper is exquisite. Smooth pages of a soft, subtle white color are inviting. But it was hard to ignore the striking difference from most books, even those "little books" I so enjoy. The delicate shade of green ink is a relaxing and welcoming change from the stark black print we have become accustomed to in most of our reading. I am fairly certain it is no accident that this was the chosen print color. It beckons the reader into a cool, peaceful and calm domain. While inside those pages, I felt as though I had stepped into another world where someone understood what I felt, what I feared, what I needed to hear, and what I already knew. The book and its author made me feel as though I was in the company of good friends once I opened these pages.

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., is the bestselling author of this work as well as many other publications. She is a well-known expert on stress, spirituality, and the mind-body connection. She has ten other publications to her credit and is a nationwide speaker on women's health and spirituality and integrative medicine. She also hosts a website where visitors can browse, sign up for a free newsletter, and get the latest information on seminars, speaking engagements, books etc.

The moment I turned the page to the book's preface, "I Am Woman Telling the Truth", I was hooked. As I read on, I found myself thinking that in some ways, reading this book felt as good as sharing a cup of tea with a dear friend.


"If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that a busy life is hard. In spite of our best efforts to have successful careers, raise happy families, enjoy a rich spiritual life, and make a difference in the world, many busy women carry an unspoken burden of grief inside themselves,"

writes Borysenko.

I couldn't get enough of this book. Nor could I read it fast enough. Yet, at the same time, I knew that the first read was only to whet my appetite for more. I sipped my coffee and read the volume from cover to cover, then headed home to wait for a bit of peace and quiet to REALLY read the book a second time. Its message was just too rich and too personal to be read once and put aside.

"Women's wisdom has traditionally been passed down through story. In sharing these stories of our lives with one another, we leave road maps that detail treasures and traps, paving the way for the generation that follows."

Has Ms. Borysenko been to Story Circle Network? It would seem so from those powerful and true words! Her philosophy is so in sync with that of our own organization that I couldn't help but notice how closely her words mirrored our beliefs about our writings.

This little volume with its five parts contains essays of three types: (1) woman-to-woman stories, (2) essays dealing with research, and (3) spiritual principles on aspects of inner life. With an invitation to join the author, readers are offered a chance to "discover some ways to finally find some balance, wholeness, and peace in our lives."

Looking for some uplifting and encouraging words about stress, guilt, or the busy-ness of life? They're here in this little book. Part of the sandwich generation? Read "Taking Care While Caretaking." Struggling to "Come Back Home to Yourself" (the title of part III)? Spend a little time pondering "Mindfulness: The Lights Are On, and Somebody's Home."

I am fairly certain that once you begin this little treasure, you will find it difficult to put down. When you come to the end, you will feel blessed, renewed, and perhaps a bit sad that the time spent with this new good friend has drawn to a close.

In her afterword titled "Sisters on a Journey", Borysenko bids her readers farewell with these words: "I wish that we could sit together and talk about our busy lives over a cup of tea." (I KNEW IT !! I knew that was what this reading experience felt like!!) "...Looking deeply into each other's eyes, we'd realize that we've held the wisdom in our hands all along. What is there to search for? The answers are already ours... As women have from the beginning of time, we would recognize oursleves in our respective stories." (Are we SURE Ms. Borysenko isn't part of Story Circle Network?!) "...Even though we haven't had the chance to sip tea together, pehaps you will do just that with a friend or a group of friends and talk about your lives..."

This book resonated with me in a way no book has done in a long, long time. I intend to share copies of it with several dear friends and family members. Its message is profound, timely, and deeply personal.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Listening to this audiobook in my car driving kids to and from lessons and on my i-pod commuting to and from work was as comforting as a one-hour full body massage. Although much of what she discusses would be familiar to anyone who has dabbled in New Age, the way that Dr. Borysenko frames this information specifically in terms of the anguishes and rewards of a working woman's life made it uniquely digestible and gave me much food for thought.

I was looking for trustworthy and very useful advice for my too busy daughter as she tries to balance her work, her family, and her own inner or soul needs. I knew that the author is well respected, and so I chose this book in the hope of offering her a gift that would ultimately bring her more inner peace. I'll have to let you know how it has worked, but I was particularly grateful for the format...an audio tape, which she could listen to in her car on long commutes to work. Thank you for having this available.