WomanSoul

"This is an unusual and exciting book which fills a significant vacuum in spirituality literature. WomanSoul will inspire and guide all women to higher levels of awareness of their spirituality, creativity, and intuition. It is a reflection on the various stages and concerns that women face in the choice to grow in spirituality. Men too can benefit from this book as it opens the human soul and aspirations to careful and optimistic analysis with action plans to assist. I recommend this book without reservation and am certain it will soon be a classic in the field." -- (Rev.) Samuel M. Natale, D. Phil. (Oxon.) "There are countless books on women's spirituality, but this one does a rare thing: it allowed me to look at the subject anew. WomanSoul charts the spiritual journey of women from many races and creeds: Protestants and Pagans, Tibetan Buddhists and Jews. It includes African Americans, Sufis, Native Americans, Filipinos and white North Americans. But what struck me as new and wondrous was a broadening of the whole notion of spirituality. WomanSoul includes the journeys of a women scientist who finds spirituality in science itself; it includes agnostics as well as believers and it understands spirituality broadly--as the deepening of connections in the process of becoming whole." -- Margot Adler, Author, Drawing Down the Moon and Heretic's Heart. "WomanSoul is an innovative, and yet much needed look into the journey of women's spirituality, their lives and their beliefs. The material offers an in depth perspective into how women are spiritual beings not only now but throughout history, the roles that they play in being spiritual and how this intersects with various cultural beliefs and ethnicities. In sum, WomanSoul itself is vibrant, creative and affirming, as are the stories and women included in it." -- Florence L. Denmark, Ph.D., Former President of American Psychological Association, Robert S. Pace Distinguished Research Professor Pace University "WomanSoul is a fascinating collection of essays that give voice to the often unconscious spiritual worldview of various communities. It is important for the mental health practice community to incorporate knowledge about these issues. Also critical is the need for this knowledge to be disseminated to those educators and researchers interested in understanding the systems of meaning that exist at this particular time in various communities in our society. This major contribution promotes understanding of this very important aspect of the identities of those with whom we work. Drs Rayburn and Comas-Diaz have compiled perspectives from over 20 contributors, many of whom are scientists, who provide history of women and spirituality, the healing power of spiritual expression, a view into individual journeys, and applications to mental health practice. It is a superb discourse of the multiple and varied views of women's spirituality." -- Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, Past President, APA Divisions 35 and 17 "Carole Rayburn and Lillian Comas-Diaz are spiritual women who have unlocked the mystery of how our womanliness and spirituality can open many doors to our soul. This is a must-read book for everyone who knows the power of the spirit in women!" -- Gail E. Wyatt, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior Director "The voices in WomanSoul shine soft and caring light on women's spiritual, psychological, and pragmatic selves, reminding us of the requirements to weave in and out of realities that often are not women-centered. Gentleness and patience come through the detailed descriptions of hurtful and even traumatic circumstances." -- Patricia Arredondo, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor, Counseling Psychology

It cuts across ethnic identities, culture, and a multitude of spiritual experiences, such as Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, Goddess, Native American, and Agnosticism.

As women tend to experience sacredness in a gender-specific manner, they frequently place more emphasis on spirituality than on religiousness.

As a path of meaning seeking, healing, and transformation, spirituality is becoming more prominent in our society. Historically, women have been the custodians of their families' spiritual domain. This book advances the concept of Woman Soul, a gender-specific way of embracing spirituality. WomanSoul discusses the personal and professional impact of spirituality in the lives of women from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. It examines the psychological, multicultural, and personal expressions of female spirituality. More specifically, the essays collected here look at the impact of women's spirituality on identity, healing, and transformation across the lifecourse. WomanSoul focuses on how females express spirituality from their diverse backgrounds and situated realities. It cuts across ethnic identities, culture, and a multitude of spiritual experiences, such as Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, Goddess, Native American, and Agnosticism. As women tend to experience sacredness in a gender-specific manner, they frequently place more emphasis on spirituality than on religiousness. Seen as a freeing force by most women, spirituality is most often perceived to be more gender-fair, culturally liberating, and less restrictive than many religious denominations. Both informative and inspirational, WomanSoul is written by psychologists who understand the implications of spirituality on the lives of women and the people around them.