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Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World

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Urgent Message From Mother: Gather The Women, Save The World

This is a very, very important book that anyone who cares about the endangered state of the USA and the world must read, male or female.

In Crawford, Mother Cindy Sheehan has changed the balance here in the US. It's because she is speaking as a mother. This book is an inspiring strategy book, a historic compendium of how women have used the feminine archetype and women's ways to heal society, to rescue cultures from world. Consider as powerful and profound and take it to heart.

Jean Shinoda Bolen is dead on right when she says that we need to gather the women to save the world, I'm a guy, and I'm certain that it is male or masculine energy that is screwing things up here.

Bolen presents, in many different ways, examples, evidence and proof of how women do things differently and how that different approach is desperately needed now. It's not that men can't do what is needed. Men CAN do it too, but they have to embrace the approaches that women use, the reactions and strategies that women use to react to stress, to trouble, to war, because the way women responds is more nurturing, more healing, more likely to build community rather than competition, more likely to create synergy.

I discovered this book because I came to the conclusion that the right wing in the USA and fundamentalists throughout the world are engaged in a huge backlash and war against both women, women's right and the feminine archetype. I concluded that their reaction is a last dying paroxysm of resistance to a trend that is inevitable-that women regain the rights and privileges they had thousands of years ago, before agriculture and the hierarchical culture and slavery it produced appeared-when goddesses and priestesses were common and when women shared in leading society.

Having also studied George Lakoff's books, including Don't Think of An Elephant, Moral Politics and Metaphors We Live By (which I read in the 1980's) I concluded that Lakoff's model, which has led to him becoming a "framing" guru for Democratic leaders, could benefit by adding a mythic, feminine archetype perspective. When he talks about nurturing parent and strict parent cultures and families, he could also be talking about masculine archetype and feminine archetype families and cultures.

Jean Shinoda Bolen's new book provides a conceptualization of ways to think about language, interventions, cultural phenomena, and change strategies that have the potential to be just as powerful as Lakoffs. She's not talking about framing, but she is offering a different way to approach the same problems. Any reader of Lakoff's Don't Think of An Elephant should find this book rewarding, empowering, enlightening and energizing, with a plethora of ideas of how to take action and go the next step to make a difference.

This is a book every woman who cares about politics and change should read and every man who can handle dealing with embracing the feminine will love.

"...The urgent message from Mother Earth and the archetypal feminine is to gather the women and save the world, because leaving it up to the men is going badly, and will be catastrophic. The premise on which men rule the world is religion, with monotheism the form of religion that is bringing us to the brink." - From the book

According to author Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., the legacy of patriarchal history is competition, domination and control. Patriarchal religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam are hierarchical in nature, sanctioning war against each other and claiming divine superiority and favoritism. Patriarchy revels in the humiliation of enemies and amassing bigger and badder toys-nuclear missiles being the epitome-while women, children, and the planet suffer from male egos run wild.

Bolen, a psychiatrist and Jungian analyst, steps into the role of mother bear in her newest book Urgent Messages from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World-declaring, "Enough is enough!"

Invoking the archetypes of Mother and sister/Artemis, Bolen rings the alarm bell as Earth heads towards certain disaster. Unless women rise up, empower others, and lend their voice, she asserts, the vulnerable will continue to pay the price for patriarchal values.

Citing numerous sociological and psychological studies, Bolen shows how-in general-women and men think, behave, and communicate quite differently. For example, stress triggers the "flight or fight" response in men, resulting in isolation and aggression. Women, however, react to stressful conditions with a "tend and befriend" response. Females seek social contact and support, as well as protect and nurture their young. Adrenaline and testosterone promote the "flight or fight" response, while estrogen and oxytocin promotes calm, relaxation, and maternal feelings.

Because of hormonal differences, most women find it stress reducing to admit a mistake or discuss a problem. For them, such problem solving generates ideas, support, and possible resources. For most men, however, there is a hierarchal structure of one-up or one-down. Beginning in the schoolyard, boys learn that asking questions or looking "weak" begets derision, humiliation, and exclusion. Interestingly, this is why men often don't ask for directions when lost. Projected on the global scale, however, these differences are even more obvious. Women tend to seek compromise and consensus, pursuing what is best for all people-especially the vulnerable. Men, however, often seek to dominate, conquer, and "be right"-with grave consequences.

Using biblical examples like Cain and Abel and the Great Flood, Bolen paints a chilling portrait of what happens when patriarchal spirituality perpetuates unquestioned. She writes:

"Through a psychological lens, the image of the Lord is of a controlling father who overreacts and justifies what he did by blaming the children for bringing it on themselves. Living with an authoritarian father, children learn never to question anything and to accept his rules and punishment."

When God takes the role of authoritarian father-with males made in his image-women are devalued as belonging to an inferior gender. In fact, the women and children suffer the most from fundamentalist religions who stress male dominance, conquest, and moral, spiritual superiority. Discrimination, genital mutilation, and domestic violence are just a few forms of suffering caused by this kind authoritarianism.

With humor, candor, and compelling anecdotes-as well as various scientific studies-Bolen establishes the differences between patriarchy and its opposite, egalitarianism. She traces the effects of established patriarchal beliefs and attitudes on societies and individuals, including how the erasure of the feminine face of God has contributed to violence, war, and poverty. Affirming that women in general have qualities needed for the surviving and thriving of the human family and the planet, Bolen points to two antidotes:

1. The visible power of women together

2. The invisible power of women's circles

Building on previous books such as The Millionth Circle, Bolen offers gripping historical, cultural, and theological insights about the Sacred Feminine as well as practical advice for bringing the feminine principle into consciousness. It is not too late to change direction, helping to heal Mother Earth, our human family, and ourselves:

"It is time to `gather the women'-for only when women are *strong together* can women be fiercely protective of what we love. Only then, will children be safe and peace a real possibility."

Considering the mess the planet and its inhabitants are in, what do we have to lose by promoting, engaging, and honoring the feminine principle?

Jean Shinoda's latest books is a must read by every women who knows in her heart she is tired of the conflict, anger, violence, abuse and warfare in our world; this book is for everyone who knows this can be a nurturing, sharing and cooperative world. Millions and millions of astute women, the world over, are sensing they have power and influence and can use it the way women intuitively know how: in communicative groups where feelings and ideas are shared, shaped, mutually agreed upon and then implemented--creatively. Read this book, find some women to gather with, and the next steps will come to you quite naturally.

This book is a clarion call to every woman (and man) who cares about creating a sustainable, peaceful and harmonious planet.

"Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World" is filled with inspiring strategies and uplifting stories of historical and contemporary women who have created shifts in the patriarchy status quo -- average women who have "circled together" and supported one another to create positive change in the world. Why does this work? Dr. Bolen provides us with scientific evidence and many examples of how women think and do things differently than men. She outlines in detail how women can be the driving force to save the world and clearly articulates why there is now an urgency to use our innate power as women to create the change that is so desperately needed.

I was deeply inspired by this empowering book. It is definitely time to "Gather the Women" and bring our planet into balance. We can easily start on that sacred journey by reading this book, circling the women, and taking action!

I read Dr Bolen's book over a few days, rather than racing through it, trying to digest each of its vignettes, and realizing how on-target her summation is: We must gather the women!

I was also surprised by the coincidence -- and I'm beginning to doubt that was all it was -- that I read it only a week after finishing Xanna Vinson's "The Song of an Emerald Dove." It tells the same story from a different perspective, and as fiction. But both of these women are telling every one of us that it is time that we paid attention to the cries of Mother Earth and the cries within our own souls that there simply must be a better way to run a planet!

Dr. Bolen doesn't pull any punches. She sums up so much more than we had ever imagined was going on around us and does it without nagging or harping. She just tells the story. We need to make some changes. The people that she tells us about seemed to take action against unbelievable odds, but they had an inner faith and a calling. The story she tells reads well and never lags. The parts are all quotable at dinner, lunch, or on the Metro. Talk it up.

Buy them both. Read them together. Then get up, get out, and get our act together!

There has never been a more auspicious time for such a book.

I am connecting with like-minded powerful women via www.mercarina.com WHEN (Women's Human Rights and Empowerment Network) WIN (Women's Irish Network)www.marineconnection.org all whom I belong to and all are on the same wavelength whether it be through Arts Education Business Medicine Healing Politics we can all contribute and make a difference and help Men understand that integration can work and power and money are not the essence of life but love and light are. Accountability and Action are key motivators. Women are joining forces every moment every day. Ancient beliefs are coming forward to remind us who we are as we are part of Mother Earth.

Author Bolen's 1999 book, The Millioneth Circle, generated a new way for women to become activists from within their own circles. This book continues that important work.

Several well-known women are quoted as saying, and I paraphrase here: If Jean says "Gather the women, I'll be there...."

MOTHER here is Mother Earth, who puts out a call for women to become strong women.

Dr. Bolen shows that when women worth together worldwide, we can shift from the path of domination and violence that threatens us to a better world, that we don't have our masculinity to prove. Women can be the savior of the Earth.

The concept of "gather the women" evokes all kinds of emotions. It is for women whose identity is not tied to their relationships with men--they have a strong sense of sisterhood.

Following on the well-fought, well-earned world of changing influences of the women's right to vote (suffragette movement) and the women's movement in the '60s, according to Dr. Bolen, is women preparing to move toward piece.

Peace, as the author explains, is both small and huge in scope: stopping violence in families, at schools, our streets and workplace to terrorism and war.

Her earlier Millioneth Circle concept is a metaphor for the circle that, added to the rest, brings about a critical mass that would bring about new ideas.

The book ends with a discussion guide and Circle Experiences as well as resources. Here chapters say it all:

- Mother's Day

- Mother Earth/Mother Goddess

- Monotheism/Doing Without Mother

- Mother's Day

- Mother Earth/Mother Goddess

- Monotheism/Doing Without Mother

- Mother Needs You!

- Antidote 1: The Visible Power of Women Together

- Antidote 2: The Invisible Power of Women's Circles

- Anything We Love Can Be Saved

When you read about what women have accomplished, you'll wonder what your role is, because we all have a role in saving Mother EARTH.

Armchair Interviews says this is a very personal book, asking women to get involved.

We are bombarded with news about the terrible condition of our mother earth because of the destructive behavior of humans. This book states excellent examples of hope and supports many organizations working together to improve life on our beautiful planet.

I wonder if it may be possible for all of us, women and men, all beings, in one way or another, to work together to heal the Earth? There are some wonderful thoughts and ideas here. However, I find that whenever its an "us" against "them" premise, divisions, alienation and blame not unity or healing occur. I am in complete agreement that our global community and the Earth are in danger. I am hopeful we can all work together, with out marginalizing anyone, male or female, one culture or faith or another, to heal our divisions and bring peace to the world. Its everyone's work, responsibility and oppurtunity to step out side their comfort zone to do this work, especially with those we feel are contributing to the problems. No one is distincly to blame for all that has occured, each of us plays a part and this is our greatest strength in finding a way to peace, it empowers each of us to make a difference. As life long activist, I have come to understand we each bear responsibility and compassion for our actions and toward the actions of others. Lets get to work and create a world where war and intolerance and blame will be no more, it will take each of us.

This book does not share anything new for me as this is part of my work with Women. I am using the book as a spring board in providing another group/gathering for Women on a drop-in basis using the principles of this book. I believe, like the book that it is important as a way of Women connecting with Women with the intention of shifting the energy on this planet and supporting one another. Shifting the energy and saving the plant ends up being a win/win for all of us including the conscientious men in our lives. I want other Women to know about this book in order to shift their awareness and this book will do just that!! Buy it......share it with other Women (and some men).