Product Description

A collection of intimate, heartfelt conversations with women spiritual teachers who live and look like ordinary people. This is the feminine half of the spiritual journey--bringing it down to earth and embracing all of what it means to be human. These real life stories show by practical example what it means to be fully awake and fully engaged, to meet the world without resistance--even and especially when it's not easy--whether it's death, divorce or illness. The invitation is explicit..."if these ordinary women be fully awake and fully human, why not me, why not you? And why not now?"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #220146 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 260 pages

Review
Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom will become a milestone in female spirituality. Not only does it recount the fascinating and intimate stories of twelve "ordinary" women in their search for peace and self knowledge, the author engages the reader with her own quest for truth through her integrity, vulnerability and courage. Beautifully written with captivating honesty, this unique book will become an inspiration for both men and women alike, also looking for the essence of who they truly are. -- Paula Marvelly, author of Teachers of One

In the past 30 years women have emerged into the forefront of the spiritual life in the West, and the interviews in this book reflect a new generation of clear-eyed women teachers and sages. Stephan Bodian, author of the best-selling Meditation for Dummies, former editor of Yoga Journal This will become a milestone in female spirituality. Not only does it recount the fascinating and intimate stories of twelve 'ordinary' women in their search for peace and self knowledge, the author engages the reader with her own quest through her integrity, vulnerability and courage. Beautifully written with captivating honesty, this unique book will become an inspiration for both men and women alike, also looking for the essence of who they truly are. Paula Marvelly, author of Teachers of One, Living Advaita Have you ever wanted to have coffee with your therapist or spiritual teacher? Have you ever wanted to ask questions like, "What happens when you're really pissed off?" This book is like that. Except better, because Rita Marie Robinson always seems to know just the right question to ask to make the whole journey utterly, magnificently human. Plus, her own journey in writing the book is equally fascinating, and she spins that yarn for you as both a wonderful writer and your close friend. Simply put, "Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom" is one of those books to savor, underline like crazy, and then age with gracefully until its dog-eared pages no longer need to remind you that you're already Home. Raphael Cushnir, author of How Now: 100 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment This is a book that gives us the permission to be ourselves, the simple wonder of whom we really are. Here are clues to the great human mystery, the secret that is within each of us waiting to be lived. There is nothing to search for, just the challenge to be awake, to be present in each ordinary, extraordinary moment. Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee Ph.D., Sufi teacher and author of Awakening the World It is with tremendous enthusiasm that I recommend this book to you. It is an exquisite pointer to the vast field of women who have realized the highest spiritual truths and are speaking out to bring their wisdom to the table so that we may benefit from their labors of love. Rita Marie Robinson is a gifted writer. This is a visionary book to be cherished for the intimate glimpses it provides us into the lives of women who point the way to how we can live a life of enlightened living in the midst of ordinary circumstances. Richard C. Miller, PhD, author of Yoga Nidra. Just under the radar, a profound shift is happening in human consciousness. More and more people are waking up from the trance of separation, realizing their essential Oneness. Even more important, we are seeing an unprecedented shift in how that awakening is being embodied: for the first time we are witnessing a spirituality that is a balance of the divine masculine and feminine: embodied, heartful, interconnected and profoundly honest. This book is a vibrant living testimony of this new spirituality: it is a celebration of the return of the Goddess. Rita Marie Robinson has done us all a great service: she has given a voice to the hope for a saner and more balanced humanity. This is essential reading. Arjuna Ardagh, author of The Translucent Revolution, Founder of the Living Essence Foundation.

It is with tremendous enthusiasm that I recommend this book to you. It is an exquisite pointer to the vast field of women who have realized the highest spiritual truths and are speaking out to bring their wisdom to the table so that we may benefit from their labors of love. Rita Marie Robinson is a gifted writer. This is a visionary book to be cherished for the intimate glimpses it provides us into the lives of women who point the way to how we can live a life of enlightened living in the midst of ordinary circumstances. -- Richard C. Miller PhD, author of Yoga Nidra

One of those books to savor, underline like crazy, and then age with gracefully until its dog-eared pages no longer need to remind you that you're already Home. -- Raphael Cushnir, author of How Now: 100 Ways to Celebrate the Present Moment

This is a book that gives us the permission to be ourselves, thesimple wonder of whom we really are. Here are clues to the great human mystery, the secret that is within each of us waiting to be lived. There is nothing to search for, just the challenge to be awake, to be present in each ordinary, extraordinary moment. -- Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee Ph.D., Sufi teacher and author of Awakening the World

About the Author
Like many of her generation, Rita Marie Robinson has been on a lifelong search. Innocently looking outside of herself for the answer, she explored many paths--from the occult to shamanism to Buddhism and New Thought Churches. Her work interests were equally eclectic--she worked as a radio journalist, in real estate sales and development, and finally as a psychotherapist. She received her Masters Degree in 1995 from Pacifica Graduate Institute, known for its archetypal and soul-centered approach to counseling. After the death of her husband in 1994, Rita trained as a Hospice volunteer and in Compassionate Care of the Dying with Joan Halifax. Rita has lived and worked in Santa Barbara, Santa Fe and Telluride, Colorado where she currently lives on a peaceful mountaintop with her husband, dog, and big garden.

Customer Reviews

Remembering to Remember
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Reading about these "Ordinary Women, (with) Extraordinary Wisdom," their journeys to, and since "awakening," was inspiring and full of valuable reminders in integrating ageless spiritual wisdom, and living in awareness moment to moment. It is as if each woman's unique and enchanting song summons us to "remember to remember" who we are, and live from there. I particularly loved how the author incorporates her own reflections, insights, and growth process throughout the interviews.

An Invitation to Celebrate the Mystery...
Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Wisdom celebrates the ancient wisdom inherent in the feminine face of awakening. Each chapter expresses the radiance of it's inhabitant in a personal, sacred and richly divine celebration of the truth in "being infinite love". Any page can be opened at any time and a pouring of ancient wisdom can be lapped up in the remembering that we are all "one" in this possibility of awakening to our extraordinary selves. Beautifully written from the heart of inquiry. A keeper for the bedside table. I am truly grateful for this companion of recognition.

Spiritual Awakening Described in It's Most Welcoming Feminine Way
The author, Rita Marie Robinson, in her quest for understanding, has written, beautifully, about the passage she interprets as the direct path. This is spiritual awakening, described in its most welcoming, feminine way.

Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom is a series of interviews, led by Rita Marie Robinson, with twelve remarkable women who have become spiritual teachers (friends as they prefer to be called) through their own emergence into enlightenment or recognition. An unexpected notion is that these women live in our world and among us. Each one's path is unique. Each moves beyond the personal "story" and explains the sameness within all, that which is truly us and only waits to be revealed. Though each teacher's portal to arrive there is distinctive in style, "there" is the same transcendent place to reach within each of us. This is what the interviews assure. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the book promises that there is no lengthy and arduous technique to master; no circuitous route. This peace, mystery, love, intelligence, consciousness, presence, whatever the reader may choose to call it, is available right here, right now. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Reading Ordinary Women Extraordinary Wisdom is nourishing and satisfying like being in satsang, a practice often mentioned by the women. Satsang, a Sanskrit word, means "being together in truth". An interpretation of this is a meeting of hearts facilitated by the teacher. The authentic, candid interviews that Rita Marie Robinson leads are compelling. The reader muses about Rita's own recognition, as the author's loveliness oozes between the lines. While reading this text, one drifts into one's own inquiry an invitation the reader can't help but accept. This book is a highly recommended read for a truly pleasant, demystifying and enlightening venture into the feminine model of awakening.