Sisters Singing is a fresh, vibrant, and intimate exploration of contemporary women's spiritual lives. This inspiring new collection contains poetry, prayers and stories from more than 100 writers, as well as beautiful artwork and a section of original music notated for voice and instruments. These luminous works unveil spirituality as it is lived and experienced by women today, in daily life, human relationships, mothering, meditation and prayer, as well as connections with the earth and the ancestors, culminating with prayers for peace and for the world.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
As I read Sisters Singing I felt my soul change. In the midst of so much planetary uncertainty I suddenly felt safe. I felt reassured. I felt peace welling up and spreading out. If you read Sisters Singing, I predict that you too will find yourself flipping back to the biographies every few pages out of gratitude and praise for such full-throated, woman-generated spiritual vision. These Sisters sing forth a world-changing wisdom. May their fire ignite our fire. May we too experience our 'long-silenced, stifled, rusted voice become a cry, a wail, a growl, then a full roar.' --Brian Swimme, author of The Hidden
Recently, I received a copy of Sisters Singing for book review. Without expectations, I browsed the plethora of poems and art included in the volume and found myself enveloped by a choir of women's voices. My spirits were lifted and hope re-engaged, which is odd, because I'm only nominally spiritual and I didn't think I'd quite quaffed all the hope I'd been laying by over the years. More sustenance was found in the biographical notes of the more than 130 contributors. If you want an idea of how women artists are actively working for peace and prosperity in the world, read this book. And read the biographical profiles at the end too. There's hope in the world. --Chris Watson, Book Briefs, Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 30, 2008
This magical book is a well of blessings. Sit beside it, let down your bucket. Open it anywhere and you will hear their voices. Your sisters are singing, praying, murmuring stories, telling us, in a thousand ways, what we most need to know: that we belong to each other and to the living Earth. --Joanna Macy, author World as Lover, World as Self
Sisters Singing is at once contemplative and celebrational with over one hundred women joining together to shed light on the inner workings of the female soul. The title of the book truly speaks to me. I had the immense fortune of listening to Susan Lincoln, musician and founder of the Hilde Girls women's spirit song circles, speak and sing at the 2008 Stories from the Heart conference in Austin... Dozens of timid, uncertain voices merged into one strong group-voice that coursed through each of us. It was as if, all of one mind, we stopped focusing on our individual voices and how we sounded, and sang for the pleasure of hearing the group voice rise and fall in harmony. The power of that moment, of when the collective truly joined, was transformational. The music joined us at a primal level and crumbled barriers. So it is with Sisters Singing. Imagine yourself sitting in front of a large fire, the flames dancing and leaping in front of you. First you are alone, seeking warmth and comfort from the fire in front of you. Then you become aware of a gathering of women that surrounds you. Wise and compassionate, these women begin to weave their stories, truths learned deep in their souls, and the sharing of the truths is so honest and genuine and free, you can't help but bask in it, soaking it all in. Some truths are spoken, some are not, but all are shared. This is the power of women sharing their life stories. This is the power of listening to those stories. The collection --Becca Taylor, Story Circle Book Reviews, February 18, 2009
Sisters Singing is at once contemplative and celebrational with over one hundred women joining together to shed light on the inner workings of the female soul. Each piece in Sisters Singing builds upon the previous, urging the reader to turn the page and stumble upon the next treasure. And every single time I was even more excited to encounter the next. My review copy has traveled, literally, thousands of miles with me now. The corners are banged up, the spine is scratched, and there are so many flags and markers you can barely see the edge of the page. But that's a bit like our own life stories, isn't it? Traveled, worn down, memorized, but still waiting to be opened for the truth that lies within. --Becca Taylor, Story Circle Book Reviews, February 18, 2009
As I read Sisters Singing I felt my soul change. In the midst of so much planetary uncertainty I suddenly felt safe. I felt reassured. I felt peace welling up and spreading out. If you read Sisters Singing, I predict that you too will find yourself flipping back to the biographies every few pages out of gratitude and praise for such full-throated, woman-generated spiritual vision. These Sisters sing forth a world-changing wisdom. May their fire ignite our fire. May we too experience our 'long-silenced, stifled, rusted voice become a cry, a wail, a growl, then a full roar.' --Brian Swimme, author of The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos
Recently, I received a copy of Sisters Singing for book review. Without expectations, I browsed the plethora of poems and art included in the volume and found myself enveloped by a choir of women's voices. My spirits were lifted and hope re-engaged, which is odd, because I'm only nominally spiritual and I didn't think I'd quite quaffed all the hope I'd been laying by over the years. More sustenance was found in the biographical notes of the more than 130 contributors. If you want an idea of how women artists are actively working for peace and prosperity in the world, read this book. And read the biographical profiles at the end too. There's hope in the world. --Chris Watson, Book Briefs, Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 30, 2008
This magical book is a well of blessings. Sit beside it, let down your bucket. Open it anywhere and you will hear their voices. Your sisters are singing, praying, murmuring stories, telling us, in a thousand ways, what we most need to know: that we belong to each other and to the living Earth. --Joanna Macy, author World as Lover, World as Self
Sisters Singing is at once contemplative and celebrational with over one hundred women joining together to shed light on the inner workings of the female soul. The title of the book truly speaks to me. I had the immense fortune of listening to Susan Lincoln, musician and founder of the Hilde Girls women's spirit song circles, speak and sing at the 2008 Stories from the Heart conference in Austin... Dozens of timid, uncertain voices merged into one strong group-voice that coursed through each of us. It was as if, all of one mind, we stopped focusing on our individual voices and how we sounded, and sang for the pleasure of hearing the group voice rise and fall in harmony. The power of that moment, of when the collective truly joined, was transformational. The music joined us at a primal level and crumbled barriers. So it is with Sisters Singing. Imagine yourself sitting in front of a large fire, the flames dancing and leaping in front of you. First you are alone, seeking warmth and comfort from the fire in front of you. Then you become aware of a gathering of women that surrounds you. Wise and compassionate, these women begin to weave their stories, truths learned deep in their souls, and the sharing of the truths is so honest and genuine and free, you can't help but bask in it, soaking it all in. Some truths are spoken, some are not, but all are shared. This is the power of women sharing their life stories. This is the power of listening to those stories. The collection --Becca Taylor, Story Circle Book Reviews, February 18, 2009
Sisters Singing is at once contemplative and celebrational with over one hundred women joining together to shed light on the inner workings of the female soul. Each piece in Sisters Singing builds upon the previous, urging the reader to turn the page and stumble upon the next treasure. And every single time I was even more excited to encounter the next. My review copy has traveled, literally, thousands of miles with me now. The corners are banged up, the spine is scratched, and there are so many flags and markers you can barely see the edge of the page. But that's a bit like our own life stories, isn't it? Traveled, worn down, memorized, but still waiting to be opened for the truth that lies within. --Becca Taylor, Story Circle Book Reviews, February 18, 2009
As I read Sisters Singing I felt my soul change. In the midst of so much planetary uncertainty I suddenly felt safe. I felt reassured. I felt peace welling up and spreading out. If you read Sisters Singing, I predict that you too will find yourself flipping back to the biographies every few pages out of gratitude and praise for such full-throated, woman-generated spiritual vision. These Sisters sing forth a world-changing wisdom. May their fire ignite our fire. May we too experience our 'long-silenced, stifled, rusted voice become a cry, a wail, a growl, then a full roar.' --Brian Swimme, author of The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos
About the Author
Carolyn Brigit Flynn's poems and essays have appeared in literary journals and anthologies nationwide, including Calyx: A Journal of Art and Literature by Women, The Pedestal Magazine, Porter Gulch Review, Black Buzzard Review, Intimate Kisses: The Poetry of Sexual Pleasure, Inside Grief: Death, Loss and Bereavement and New to North America. She is the editor of The New Story: Creation Myths for Our Times, an anthology of prose and poetry. Carolyn teaches writing groups, and facilitates writing retreats in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in Ireland.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tommy Lightfoot Garrett and Canyon News Loved Sisters Singing,
By Jason Crawford "Jason Crawford" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women (Paperback)
STUDIO CITY--"Sisters Singing" is one of the most uplifting books in the history of literature. It's a compilation of blessings, prayers, art, songs, poetry and sacred stories of modern day women. The book, which was edited by Carolyn Brigit Flynn, was something that was given to me as a gift to read over the Memorial Day holiday. It did come with a lot of hype and praise. Acclaimed author Maya Angelou writes, "I intend to keep `Sisters Singing' in arm's reach for at least the next year. Congratulations on this fine work."
It goes without saying, if Maya Angelou is a fan of your literary work, you are doing something right. These wonderful women absolutely did do something right. Putting this book together gives the read a portal through strength, faith and hope. The women who coordinated this project are inspiring in their own right. But their writings and literary contributions only solidify their stature within the literary community. Book authors can tell you that people can be brutal. They can hack up your work, call it bad and have not even seen it. It comes with the territory. People are simply unaware of what hard work it takes to make a book a dream, write it and then publish it. So I have great praise for the women involved in this project. Deena Metzger, author of new poetry collection "Ruin and Beauty," and several novels and works of non-fiction, wrote the foreword for "Sisters Singing." "This joint poetry reading/music concert will be a living prayer," says Metzger, "a real embodiment of women's spiritual lives as articulated in this beautiful book." "Sisters Singing" weaves and intertwines many visions of some of the most talented and spiritual women in the world and compiles it in chapter form but breaks all the rules and constraints in order to make the book so interesting, you cannot put it down. I told someone when I was reading it, I didn't find anything boring, but if the reader isn't quite interested in one poem, prose or song, a prayer in the next chapter will get them on their knees with hands folded together. It's one of the most inspiring pieces of literature that I've ever read in my life. A book written by uncommon women of uncommon beauty, and is the result of a four-year collaboration of people who were guided by poet and essayist Carolyn Brigit Flynn, who is the book's editor. This book is like a dewy morning in the spring. You want to get it in your hands and devour it before the dew and mist are gone and the heat and stress of the day encompasses your life. It is both inspiring as well as uplifting. Flynn managed to bring all the stories, poems, songs and prayers together in a readable fashion but also very organized so that the book is something anyone can read and read you should. Though it's written and edited by women, men should not be intimidated by this publication. It's very enlightening for the reader no matter whether you are a man or woman. It is inspiring to young women, I am sure. But it is equally as enjoyable to me, a man as it would be for anyone who took time to read this wonderful book. Many of the book's contributors are local to our region. Carmen Menendez lives in Sherman Oaks, Reem Hammad in Studio City and Deborah Edler Brown lives in the West LA region of the city.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sisters Singing,
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This review is from: Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women (Paperback)
A collection of Sacred poems, story, images and songs beautifully put together. I haven't finished yet, been savoring. Also gave one to a friend as a gift.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wisdom for women of all ages,
This review is from: Sisters Singing: Blessings, Prayers, Art, Songs, Poetry and Sacred Stories by Women (Paperback)
Sisters Singing is at once contemplative and celebrational with over one hundred women joining together to shed light on the inner workings of the female soul. The title of the book truly speaks to me. I had the immense fortune of listening to Susan Lincoln, musician and founder of the Hilde Girls women's spirit song circles, speak and sing at the 2008 Stories from the Heart conference in Austin. By the time Susan joined the dozens of attendees, we had all been together, writing and sharing and learning, for an entire weekend. We weren't strangers, but many of us weren't yet bonded either. Susan taught the group several chants phrase by phrase. Soon, dozens of timid, uncertain voices merged into one strong group-voice that coursed through each of us. It was as if, all of one mind, we stopped focusing on our individual voices and how we sounded, and sang for the pleasure of hearing the group voice rise and fall in harmony. The power of that moment, of when the collective truly joined, was transformational. The music joined us at a primal level and crumbled barriers.
So it is with Sisters Singing. Imagine yourself sitting in front of a large fire, the flames dancing and leaping in front of you. First you are alone, seeking warmth and comfort from the fire in front of you. Then you become aware of a gathering of women that surrounds you. Wise and compassionate, these women begin to weave their stories, truths learned deep in their souls, and the sharing of the truths is so honest and genuine and free, you can't help but bask in it, soaking it all in. Some truths are spoken, some are not, but all are shared. This is the power of women sharing their life stories. This is the power of listening to those stories. The collection is edited with such care and love that I can't find a single fault with the anthology. Photos and artwork enhance the topic of the adjoining written word. Each piece builds upon the previous, urging the reader to turn the page and stumble upon the next treasure. Since I was given the book as a reviewer, I was determined to read it through from front to back. Instead, I was compelled to flip the pages until something caught my eye. I'd read one poem and eagerly scan until I found another story or illustration. And every single time I was even more excited to encounter the next. My review copy has traveled, literally, thousands of miles with me now. The corners are banged up, the spine is scratched, and there are so many flags and markers you can barely see the edge of the page. But that's a bit like our own life stories, isn't it? Traveled, worn down, memorized, but still waiting to be opened for the truth that lies within. by Becca Taylor for Story Circle Book Reviews reviewing books by, for, and about women
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Sisters Singing, Madre Santísima, Mother Earth, Earth Mother, Deena Metzger, Miriam Chaya, Sacred Time, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, Linda Serrato, New York, Mother of God, Great Mother, Nancy Grace, Carolyn Davis Rudolph Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
roses bless Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sisters Singing, Madre Santísima, Mother Earth, Earth Mother, Deena Metzger, Miriam Chaya, Sacred Time, Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, Linda Serrato, New York, Mother of God, Great Mother, Nancy Grace, Carolyn Davis Rudolph Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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