The Tao of Womanhood: Ten Lessons for Power and Peace (Audio Cassette)

by Diane Dreher (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Although Dreher often combines obvious statements with sappy prose, e.g., "As you trace the patterns in these pages, you'll find yourself in some of them," her soothing book will give the reader many good ideas and helpful hints about balancing her life. What sets this book apart from other self-help efforts is the combination of Eastern and Western ideas. An instructor in literature and creative writing at Santa Clara University and author of The Tao of Inner Peace (HarperCollins, 1991), Dreher uses terms from the Tao such as misogi ("rituals of order"), ahisma ("compassion"), yohaku ("contemplation"), and musubi ("honoring your own energies with those around you") to clarify her ideas. She follows each chapter with practical pointers for greater power and peace, ways to take action using the ideas presented. For instance, to develop courage, Dreher suggests that the reader study the life of a woman she admires by reading a biography about her and answering a list of questions. Both informative and encouraging, these pointers are probably the most useful aspect of this book. With a helpful glossary of terms; recommended for public libraries.ABarbara O'Hara, Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
The Tao te Ching, reputedly by the Chinese sage Lao-tzu, is one of the great spiritual books of all time. Most translations into English use the masculine generic, making it seem as though only males were intended to benefit from its wisdom. Thus one welcome aspect of Dreher's book is the recasting of Taoist thought into language directed at or inclusive of women. Dreher's adaptations are direct and lyrical: "Treasure this knowledge: / The woman of Tao / Wears common clothing / And precious jade / Close to the heart." But she also expands upon the insights provided, fleshing them out with her own grounded, mature philosophy. As a self-help book that affirms women's right (and obligation) to help themselves into greater serenity and agency, this is one of the best and most thoughtful of such books in several years. Patricia Monaghan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audio Literature (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787117374
• ISBN-13: 978-0787117375
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,407,986 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational guide for balancing your life., November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao of Womanhood: Ten Lessons for Power and Peace (Hardcover)

Draws upon the Tao Te Ching and the practice of aikido to illustrate a balanced approach to life. Includes chapters on transforming challenge and conflict into harmony, respecting the natural cycles of life, and overcoming feelings of powerlessness in order to find a more active, powerful approach to life. I've been curious about the martial arts and really enjoyed the parallels the author makes between spiritual growth and aikido. Gave me a new perspective on the issue of balance.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow I miss this book, January 13, 2002

By	Ula (chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Womanhood: Ten Lessons for Power and Peace (Paperback)

This is a wonderful, wonderful book. I'm not quite sure what else to say about it since it has been so long since I last read it. It was a book highly conducive to midnight epiphanies, and really helped frame my search for an effective way to live and understand my life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this!, June 23, 2009

By	C. Jackson "CJ" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tao of Womanhood: Ten Lessons for Power and Peace (Paperback)

I bought this some time ago, and I've read it & re-read it. I would highly recommend this to women who are looking for some life balance. The lessons of power and peace are wonderful and thought-provoking. I've given this as gifts to family & friends after reading it.