Divine Duality
Divine Duality, The Power of Reconciliation between Women and Men, introduces a new arena of healing work between men and women called “Gender Equity and Reconciliation.” This revolutionary approach addresses the ancient wounds that underlie social and cultural norms to create a possibility of lasting and positive change in the sometimes explosive and powerful arena of gender relations. Setting a carefully designed context of mutual compassion, safety, forgiveness, and appreciation of the sacredness of life, the women and men of a group or institution who participate in Gender Equity and Reconciliation are empowered to jointly confront the realities of gender oppression and conditioning—and break through them to discover new dimensions of mutual trust, inspiration, and vibrant collaboration between the sexes.
Divine Duality presents over 15 years of developmental work with hundreds of pioneering women and men in the United States, Australia, Croatia, India, and South Africa. No other book or body of work addresses this subject with the breadth of experience, depth of insight, and proven results presented here. The diverse stories and insights illuminate the tragic impact of sexual and gender conditioning in cultures and institutions across the globe, with examples ranging from family and social contexts to corporations, government, academia, military, professional, and religious organizations. Divine Duality reveals the tremendous power for transformation that is unleashed when the deeper roots of gender are tapped, and it highlights remarkable healing moments and experiences of ecstatic communion of masculine and feminine—pointing the way toward unprecedented harmony and reconciliation and between men and women.
Endorsements
Divine Duality is an extraordinary and groundbreaking book. Written in a beautiful style and with unusual clarity, it . . . holds great promise as a way to alleviating the enormous suffering [caused by] the profound crisis in relations between men and women in today’s world. ~ Stanislav Grof, MD, author of Psychology of the Future
That rarest of books—it challenges and changes your mind, only after it penetrates your heart. ~ Peter Rutter, MD, Jungian psychiatrist, author of Sex in the Forbidden Zone
Divine Duality shows that we can leave behind the war of the sexes, and heal ourselves and our world. This inspiring and practical book is an important contribution to partnership and peace. ~Rianne Eisler, author of The Chalice and the Blade
Women Healing Women
Echoing the spirit of Mother Teresa of Calcutta,
the work of Sr. Lucy Kurien and the Maher Project,
which honors all religions, is capturing the attention of the world
Women Healing Women: A Model of Hope for Oppressed Women Everywhere is the true story of the Maher ashram, a remarkable home for battered women and children near Pune, India. Founded in 1997, the project has provided refuge to more than 1350 women, half of whom would have likely been murdered, committed suicide, or starved to death were it not for this project. Maher is an interfaith community that profoundly honors all religions and strongly repudiates caste distinctions-making it a rare beacon of light that shines new hope upon some of the most intractable problems in India, and around the world.
Much has been written on the plight of women in Indian society, but Women Healing Women is rare in presenting an effective practical response to the appalling injustices. Home to some 100 women and 400 children, Maher offers compelling testimony to the power of women in community to overcome some of the most egregious social conditions on Earth. Female staff are formerly-battered women who took refuge at Maher and were healed and transformed to become highly effective healers and care-givers for the incoming battered women. Women Healing Women offers stirring inspiration and practical hope not only for women in India, but for oppressed women and children across the globe. The book is written in a concise narrative style, making for an easy and compelling read.
Endorsements
This lovingly written book is an inspiring and beautiful story of the practical love of the oppressed, destitute, and downtrodden of India. It raises searching questions . . . for those serving in countries suffering from centuries of abuse of the poor.
~ Fr. Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind / Open Heart
This book brought tears to my eyes and rejoicing to my soul. The inspired Maher project brings practical and spiritual healing to discarded and destitute women, restoring them to dignity and security.
~ Ashley Judd, Actress, Board member of Population Services International
A heartrending yet inspiring account of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. … It is a wake up call for us all.
~ Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Tibetan Buddhist nun highlighted in Cave in the Snow by Vicki Mackenzie