Urgent Message From Mother

Where to start in describing Urgent Message From Mother? This book has lots of historically recent facts; the whens, wheres and hows of women - in grassroots groupings - making HUGE differences. Part inspiration and encouragement, part fact and teaching, part how-to planning guide, it's a call to unity and peace-making, a declaration of the right to Peace - for children everywhere!

This book touches me personally. I hear the news about war - and more war - and imagine my dear grand-daughter living in a war-torn country. What precious parts of herself would she have to shut down just to sleep at night? How would the trauma affect her for the rest of her life?

When I watch the news (which I rarely do), I see my grand-daughter's face superimposed on the faces of the children who are using their strength to survive (not live) in the unnatural drama of war.

I cannot tell myself that these children deserve less than my grand-daughter. I cannot tell myself that they do not matter. Or that some ideology (or worse, some financial gain) is more important than their lives - and the quality of their lives. They are my grand-children too. We are all family!

Though the book is subtitled: "Gather the Women, Save the World", it does not disparage men. Bolen says: "This is not about replacing patriarchy with matriarchy".

It does speak of differences between men and women, and says that men have had the power to make (or stop) war for long enough - that it is time for balance - for women not "allied" with patriarchy - "mother" women to take a stand.

Jean Shinoda Bolen quotes a definition of "mother/motherhood" from Indian spiritual leader, Amma: "It is not restricted to women who have given birth; it is a principle inherent in both women and men. It is an attitude of the mind. It is love---and that love is the very breath of life".

Bolen says:

She says that differences found (in UCLA research) between men and women, in reaction to stress, include the fact that women

Bolen states:

The traits and intelligences of both men and women need to be part of the decisions affecting our future. As Bolen states: "Until women are really involved in what goes on in the world, essential information and crucial concerns are not brought to the table".

Bolen says:

Bolen offers a 3-chapter section, which she says is to

In the first of three chapters, "The Visible Power of Women", Bolen lists and describes these "antidotes". They give a feeling of hope - of belief that we can bring about change.

There are also resources listed, including the peacexpeace.org. ,which I joined. After reading the facts presented by Bolen, you may wish to join a group, or begin your own circle of "mothers".

In Urgent Message From Mother, Bolen notes:

She then informs us that:

This is information that cannot be ignored, especially in light of this finding that Bolen reports:

Early in the book, Bolen told information about a historical proclamation that I did not know:

You can read the heart-stirring, original Mother's Day Proclamation, calling for women to get involved to bring peace by clicking on either of the links above.

This book continues that call - and prescribes gathering in circles "...with a spiritual center". Quoting from the book:

Jean Shinoda Bolen reminds us of the necessity of finding ways - other than war- for settling our differences. She offers ideas on bringing women's ("mother's") hearts into discussions about our future. There are other options.