Standing By Trees, Women, And Girls with Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.

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Trees are our essential partners in life on this planet. Not only are they indispensable to our wellbeing, they are sacred. Bolen's thwarted efforts to save a magnificent Monterey Pine tree in her yard from those who wanted to have a better view moved her to look at the anatomy and physiology of trees as well as the archetypal and sacred symbols they represent. Bolen also makes the connection between the oppression of women and girls and the devastation of forests by man. Bolen believes, "If this world was a good place for children and women it would be a hugely different world." She encourages us to find the cause that has our name on it. According to Bolen, we can do this by applying the following criteria: 1) does it have personal meaning for us? 2) is it fun? And, 3) is it motivated by love? Of the third one she says, "Sometimes it looks like outrage, because what you love is being cut down, or trashed. But the motivation is that you love the principle, or the person, or the animal, or the life, or the planet, or the idea. You are motivated by love, not by revenge, not by ego, not by the kinds of things that diminish you, as you travel the path. This is a path with heart." (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. is a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, and an internationally known speaker. She is a former board member of the Ms. Foundation, an advocate for a 5th UN World Conference on Women, a convener of the Millionth Circle Initiative, as well as a permanent representative to the UN representing the NGO, Pathways to Peace.

She's the author of many books, including:

• Goddesses in Everywoman: Powerful Archetypes in Women's Lives (Harper Paperbacks 2004)
• Crones Don't Whine: Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women (Red Wheel/Weiser 2003)
• The Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and The World--The Essential Guide to Women's Circles (Conari Press 1999)
• Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World (Conari Press 2008)
• Like a Tree: How Trees, Women, and Tree People Can Save the Planet (Conari Press 2010)
• Artemis: The Indomitable Spirit in Everywoman (Conari Press 2014)
• The Tao of Psychology: Synchronicity and the Self (reissued HarperSanFrancisco 2005)
• Close to the Bone: Life-Threatening Illness as a Soul Journey (Conari Press 2007)

To learn more about Jean Shinoda Bolen go to www.jeanbolen.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• How Easter Island is a metaphor for our planet
• What is the ecology of a tree and how does it support all life on the planet
• What is the mystical quality of trees
• Who is the nature-deprived generation
• What are the different priorities women bring to the peace table
• What is the vision for a UN-sponsored 5th World Conference on Women (5WCW)
• What are the three criteria that help us recognize the cause that has our name on it

Host: Justine Willis Toms     Interview Date: 1/26/2011       Program Number: 3395

Music Playlist

From Album: Journey Between
Artist: Baka Beyond
1998 Rykodisc #HNCD 1415

Opening Essay: Track 05 Cotu
Music Break 1: Track 04 Konti
Music Break 2: Track 06 Lands End
Music Break 3: Track 08 Queen of Ngorongoro