Woman Awake: Women Practicing Buddhism [Paperback]

Christina Feldman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

Traditionally women are socialized to embrace values based on conformity, passivity, and surrender of the self, which can eventually contribute to feelings of low self-worth and powerlessness. Using the central tenets and practices of Buddhism, Woman Awake offers readers an opportunity to break out of negative belief systems and move toward increased self-acceptance, strength, and vitality.

Through a thoughtful selection of exercises and reflections, readers are guided to expand their awareness of life and its connectedness to all things, as well as their own dignity and place within the universe. For those women new to Buddhist meditation, Christina Feldman offers sensitive and valuable guidelines on breathing and relaxation, using an approach that encourages readers to overcome their social conditioning and appreciate their own qualities in new and significant ways.

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Rodmell Press; 2nd edition (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930485069
• ISBN-13: 978-1930485068
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth your while, July 9, 2006

By 

Carrie C. Pagonas (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woman Awake: Women Practicing Buddhism (Paperback)

I think this book is inspirational and beautifully written. In response to the previous review, I've studied Mahayana Buddhism for two years now and did not find that Christina Feldman contraditcted any of these teachings in her writing. While I agree she may make some generalized statements, at the same time, I think her writing is guided by some very positive and meaningful intentions: to empower, enlighten, and enliven women- all without having to put down or take anything away from the world of men. She attempts to show women a path that exists outside of the societal norms and gender roles so many feel compelled to comply with. I think it's a great book and definitely worth reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars Much needed balance to the patriarchal dominance in Buddhism, December 28, 2011

By 

Frank J. Boccio "judekaruna" (Eugene, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woman Awake: Women Practicing Buddhism (Paperback)

I cannot help but think it not a coincidence that of the three reviews, the negative is by a man. So, as a man, I felt moved to respond.

This is an excellent book that I've suggested or given to over a dozen women in my life (students, friends and even a female zen buddhist teacher I thought too dominated by her male teacher). Too much of Buddhism denigrates women, desire, the body and family/social relationships. What is often overlooked is that when desire is made the enemy, a whole system of estrangement arises. We hear of the disparagement of "the worldly" over and against the "man of the way," and the body - the seat of desire itself - is also devalued. Not coincidentally, wherever we see this devaluation of the body, women as a group are oppressed. But Christina Feldman, in Woman Awake asks, "What is this worldly life - so easily dismissed - composed of? Bonding and caring for one another, generating life, directing and creating our social and political lives with sensitivity and wisdom, and rejoicing and despairing with others - this is the worldly life that is held in contempt... To withdraw from the world is life denying and a negation of the essence of spirituality, which is to end pain. Passive negation and withdrawal degenerate into rejection and denial."

Men and women need to hear what Feldman has to say. Many men (especially those with vested interest in the entrenched power dynamics of institutional buddhism) won't like it.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arise, Sleeping Beauty!, October 1, 2005

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woman Awake: Women Practicing Buddhism (Paperback)

Rebeccasreads highly recommends WOMAN AWAKE as a book to be relished daily, in small doses, like the very best of delicacies - mindfully, thoughtfully, carefully, & yes, joyously -- first class sustenance for the mind & spirit.