Wagner’s Ring Cycle In Our Lives with Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D.

MP3

Jean Bolen describes a new psychological perspective of woman based on “People experience a myth as the truth, in metaphor form, for themselves,” says psychiatrist and author Jean Bolen. Her book, Ring of Power, describes the truths that Wagner’s great mythical Ring cycle of operas shows us about personal family situations and world politics. The parallels are fascinating and compelling—we see the abandoned child, the authoritarian father and the disempowered mother. We see the psychology of power and those who use and abuse it—how, in Bolen’s words, “We settle for power when we are not loved.” The question for our time, now that we are nearing the end of the era of patriarchy (symbolized by Valhalla in the Ring cycle) is: What will we create instead? Bolen is also the author of Goddesses in Everywoman (Harper & Row 1983) and Gods in Everyman: A New Psychology of Men’s Lives and Loves (Harper & Row 1989).(hosted by Michael Toms and 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 

Host: Michael Toms and Justine Willis Toms   Interview Date: 8/12/1992   Program Number: 2347