Customer Reviews

Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom: The Feminine Face of Awakening

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Reading about these "Ordinary Women, (with) Extraordinary Wisdom," their journeys to, and since "awakening," was inspiring and full of valuable reminders in integrating ageless spiritual wisdom, and living in awareness moment to moment. It is as if each woman's unique and enchanting song summons us to "remember to remember" who we are, and live from there. I particularly loved how the author incorporates her own reflections, insights, and growth process throughout the interviews.

Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom celebrates the ancient wisdom inherent in the feminine face of awakening. Each chapter expresses the radiance of it's inhabitant in a personal, sacred and richly divine celebration of the truth in "being infinite love". Any page can be opened at any time and a pouring of ancient wisdom can be lapped up in the remembering that we are all "one" in this possibility of awakening to our extraordinary selves. Beautifully written from the heart of inquiry. A keeper for the bedside table. I am truly grateful for this companion of recognition.

The author, Rita Marie Robinson, in her quest for understanding, has written, beautifully, about the passage she interprets as the direct path. This is spiritual awakening, described in its most welcoming, feminine way.

Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom is a series of interviews, led by Rita Marie Robinson, with twelve remarkable women who have become spiritual teachers (friends as they prefer to be called) through their own emergence into enlightenment or recognition. An unexpected notion is that these women live in our world and among us. Each one's path is unique. Each moves beyond the personal "story" and explains the sameness within all, that which is truly us and only waits to be revealed. Though each teacher's portal to arrive there is distinctive in style, "there" is the same transcendent place to reach within each of us. This is what the interviews assure. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the book promises that there is no lengthy and arduous technique to master; no circuitous route. This peace, mystery, love, intelligence, consciousness, presence, whatever the reader may choose to call it, is available right here, right now. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Reading Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom is nourishing and satisfying like being in satsang, a practice often mentioned by the women. Satsang, a Sanskrit word, means "being together in truth". An interpretation of this is a meeting of hearts facilitated by the teacher. The authentic, candid interviews that Rita Marie Robinson leads are compelling. The reader muses about Rita's own recognition, as the author's loveliness oozes between the lines. While reading this text, one drifts into one's own inquiry an invitation the reader can't help but accept. This book is a highly recommended read for a truly pleasant, demystifying and enlightening venture into the feminine model of awakening.

I loved reading Rita's book since she starts with her journey right where I am at. This book has helped me to see myself as a very ordinary women on the same path as all these, in my eyes extraordinary, women. I have learned through attending Satsang's and doing self inquiry that I can stop my frantic searching and be at peace right here, right now through the example of all these beautiful ladies. Rita writes from her own experience with total honesty and humbleness. A must read for any Advaita (nonduality) student.

Rita is such a gifted interviewer that I felt as if I was seated with these women in my living room. There is incredible openness in the conversations and in Rita's self-reflections. It speaks beautifully of each woman's spiritual journey. For anyone who is 'seeking' this is a revealing book about living one's way to awakening through inquiry.

It's been well over a year since I read this book, and then I mailed it away to a friend who also loved it, and she passed the book along to another. Now I have come back to buy a second copy of this book, as it is well worth re-reading and having available to refer to again and again. For years I've read of the "big" awakenings of Ramana Maharshi, Eckhart Tolle, Jiddu Krishamurti, and many others. Mostly men, and mostly famous. I am a woman, and I am not famous, and I have not had a "big" awakening...but I am deeply interested in living a full and authentic life that is not focused on ego enhancement or material accumulation. This book is a treasure beyond description. Ordinary women with ordinary "messy" lives have delved deep into this mysterious fact of aliveness that we all are and that we all share. Deep openings and shifts occur as mysteriously as birds migrate great distances. This book had a huge impact on my life- I feel less alone and I feel emboldened to trust my own unique unfolding. I give this book the highest possible recommendation.

I've been a big fan of Tolle, Adyashanti, and Byron Katie, but recently discovered Jeannie Zandi and Pamela Wilson and really loved their tender approach. This led me to this book which I could not put down. There is something very tender and welcoming about the feminine side of the spiritual search. I wanted it to keep on going when I got to the end of this book. It's so nice to see so many different sides of awakening and to realize it does not have to look a certain way. Having an expectation about what it "should" look like is one of the many obstacles we encounter.

I practically had an awakening experience just reading this book. Hearing about awakening from so many different viewpoints, with different voices and experiences, as well as the voice of the narrator/author helped me take the information deeply inside of myself where I could feel it viscerally, treasure it in my heart, and allow it to move through me into my world. Highly recommend.

I was very excited to attend Rita Marie Robinson's book signing at the in Santa Fe on Oct. 12 and was delighted to get a copy of her book here.

Rita has crafted a heartwarming look at the spiritual journey of 12 women who lovingly share their wisdom in what is call Satsang - a Sanskrit word meaning "bringing together in truth". I spent most of the next day reading the stories of Santa Fe's Pamela Wilson, Muni Fluss, Sharon Landrith and Gangaji, whom I had recently seen at a Satsang in Ashland, Oregon. I so identified with each woman's story of their path to recognition or awakening. I felt a kinship and joy as I realized I was not alone in this journey I have been on since 1971.

Rita has connected each interview with her own story of her growth and insights gained as she took up the challenge to fulfill the inner urge she had to tell these women's stories. In addition I found in the telling of these stories, the wisdom of 'resting', being totally present to the now, living our ordinary lives in exceptional love, patience and peace.

I have found that "Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom" is full of additional encouragement and understanding for living a level of 'no limit soul connection'. I encourage you to get a copy of this book.

I agree with author Raphael Cushnir as quoted on the back of Rita's book..."One of those books to savor, underline like crazy, and then age with gracefully." Congratulations Rita."

This book was absolutely amazing. I have never liked reading and this book I finished in a week...that I have never done! There is never a moment where you are bored. I was itching to know more each sentence I read. It is hard to describe how much I loved it so I am going to stop trying...you will have to see for yourself how wonderful this book truly is. :)