Friday, July 12, 2013

Weekend Reading: The Dance of the Dissident Daughter


The Dance of the Dissident Daughter


“Despite the growing disenchantment women experience in the early stages of awakening, the idea of existing beyond the patriarchal institution of faith, of withdrawing our external projection of God onto the church, is almost always unfathomable. We believe if we sail out on the spiritual ocean beyond a certain point we will fall off the edge of the known world into a void. We think there’s nothing beyond the edge. No real spirituality, no salvation, no community, no divine substance. We cannot see that the voyage will lead us to whole new continents of depth and meaning.” –p.48

“An uneasy reaction to the word Goddess is common among women. Thousands of years of repression, hostility, and conditioning against the Divine Mother have made a deep impression on us.” –p.72

“I knew that despite how unthinkable and forbidden it was, I needed to move beyond religion in a patriarchal institution. That may not be true for every woman. But for me it was crucial to my spiritual maturity and growth. At that moment I took sole responsibility for my spiritual life.” –p.81

What I love so much about this book is how perfectly she captures and describes my own stages of spiritual evolution. And I found myself revisiting my own spiritual experience, and understanding it in an even deeper way than I did at the time, as she so eloquently describes her own experience.

I highly recommend it, and if you do read it, I'd love to know what you think.


Have a great weekend!


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 
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that's perfect for you because it's based on
who you are at the core?
Take the Mystic Quiz and discover the mystic within
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10 comments:

  1. Love this book! Read it a few years ago in Book Club! God, Goddess, All that there is, many blessings to you for a great post!

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    1. Awww! Thanks, Georgia!! Many blessings to you, too.

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  2. Hmmm...as a non-practicing Catholic, this might just be a book that I have to read. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Mary Anne, it's a good one!! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I had never felt myself as spiritual, but as I grow older I am heading in that direction. This sounds like an interesting book - although I did not grow up in the Christian tradition, the tradition I was exposed to is quite patriarchal and I was turned off to it at an early age. This is a totally different direction.

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    1. You're right, it is a definite turn away from patriarchy! If you do read it, I'd love to know if it speaks to you even though you aren't from a Christian background.

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  4. Looks like a good book...enjoy your reading weekend!

    ~Lorelai
    Life With Lorelai

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  5. It is sad that women are uneasy are the mention of the Goddess. I enjoyed your review. I may read this.

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    1. Hi Cheryl! I agree, it is sad. Thanks!! I do recommend it and if you read it, I'd love to hear what you think about it.

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Thanks so much for coming to visit and sharing your thoughts! Let me know where you are and I'll come say hello at your place next.

By the way, I know that sometimes my readers disagree with what I say here and I wanted to let you know that not only is it okay with me if you happen to as well, but you also are welcome to tell me so, as long as you do so kindly.

Have a great day!
~Jeanine