The Return Of The Mother

Adapted from a series of lectures on the historical basis and current resurgence of the sacred feminine, given by Andrew Harvey at the California Institute of Integral Studies in Spring 1994, The Return of the Mother is a profound journey into the heart of the Divine Mother. In this comprehensive and groundbreaking work, mystical scholar Andrew Harvey unearths traces of the sacred feminine in major world religions—Hinduism, Islam (Sufism), Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity—and in aboriginal and indigenous wisdom traditions. Harvey presents a scathing critique of the patriarchal distortions in religious history and doctrine that have obscured full knowledge of the Divine Mother, and shows how to reintegrate this vital aspect into the spiritual consciousness of humankind. The Return of the Mother offers a radical new perspective, balancing the historical overemphasis on transcendence by honoring the immanence of the divine in passionate engagement in the world. Only by cultivating a direct, respectful relationship with the transformative power of the sacred feminine can we alter our disastrous attitude of dissociation from nature, the body, sexuality, and the details of human life, and generate the energy and compassion needed to reverse the course of destruction we have set the planet—and all of life—hurtling toward. In lively question-and-answer sections, Harvey further illuminates these vital issues and takes a strong stand against our dependence on “gurus” and “masters,” proposing instead an egalitarian model of spiritual community based on intimate groups of mutually supportive guides and friends. The Return of the Mother is an eloquent and passionate call for all of us to rediscover and reclaim an authentic and empowering relationship to the divine, and recreate a sacred life-in-the-world.

From Koren Zailckas, author of the iconic memoir SMASHED: an electrifying debut novel about a family being torn apart by the woman who claims to love them most Josephine Hurst has her family under control. With two beautiful daughters, a brilliantly intelligent son, a tech-guru of a husband, and a historical landmark home, her life is picture perfect. But living in this matriarch’s determinedly cheerful, yet subtly controlling domain hasn’t been easy for her family, and when her oldest daughter, Rose, runs off with a mysterious boyfriend, Josephine tightens her grip, gradually turning her flawless home into a darker sort of prison. Resentful of her sister’s newfound freedom, Violet turns to eastern philosophy, hallucinogenic drugs, and extreme fasting, eventually landing herself in a psych ward. Meanwhile, her brother, Will, recently diagnosed with Asperger's, shrinks further into a world of self-doubt. Their father, Douglas, finds resolve in the bottom of a bottle—an addict craving his own chance to escape. Josephine struggles to maintain the family’s impeccable façade, but when a violent incident leads to a visit from child protective services, the truth about the Hursts might finally be revealed. Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content

Longlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize A New York Times Notable Book A Library Journal Best Book of 2021 A “marvelous…superbly effective” (The New Yorker) debut novel about a young woman coming of age with a dazzling yet damaged mother who lived and loved in extremes. Met by rave reviews in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and more, this stunning translation of Violaine Huisman’s “witty, immersive autofiction showcases a Parisian childhood with a charismatic, depressed parent” (Oprah Daily). Beautiful and magnetic, Catherine, a.k.a. “Maman,” smokes too much, drives too fast, laughs too hard, and loves too extravagantly, and her daughter Violaine wouldn’t have it any other way. But when Maman is hospitalized after a third divorce and a breakdown, everything changes. Even as Violaine and her sister long for their mother’s return, once she’s back Maman’s violent mood swings and flagrant disregard for personal boundaries soon turn their home into an emotional landmine. As the story of Catherine’s own traumatic childhood and adolescence unfolds, the pieces come together to form an indelible portrait of a mother as irresistible as she is impossible, as triumphant as she is transgressive. With spectacular ferocity of language, a streak of dark humor, and stunning emotional bravery, The Book of Mother is an exquisitely wrought story of a mother’s dizzying heights and devastating lows, and a daughter who must hold her memory close in order to surrender, and finally move on.

Syler explains how she learned to chuck perfection for practicality, offering sage advice and tips on navigating different obstacles while offering real wisdom about mothering that is tempered with humor and warmth.

The ultimate guide to conception, birth, and everything in between Unlike those other bossy, tell-you-what-to-do pregnancy books, this funny, entertaining guide presents expectant parents with all the facts they need to know about conception, birth, and everything in between. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of this favorite guide to pregnancy and birth, this new edition is easier-to-use, fully updated, and has a fresh and appealing new design. The Mother of All Pregnancy Books features a friendly, fresh, and fun approach to the greatest adventure life has to offer. Based on the best advice from over 100 parents and a panel of experts, it is packed with tons of nuts-and-bolts information and presents expectant parents with all the facts on such perennial hot topics as pain relief during labor, episiotomy, and circumcision, and empowering expectant parents to make informed personal choices. A complete guide to how it may feel—both physically and emotionally - to be pregnant "The Pregnancy Roadmap:" a week-by-week; month-by-month; and trimester-by-trimester overview of the key pregnancy milestones Pregnancy Q&As Baby Gear 101 Your postpartum body The truth about "pregnancy brain" If you're looking for the inside scoop on what it's really like to have a baby, you've come to the right place.

A group of elderly women who call themselves 'The Great Council of the Grandmothers' appeared to the author as she was walking her dog. These wise women-who represent all cultures and races of humanity-revealed to her their mission: "Earth has suffered too long from an excess of yang and insufficient yin. We have come to correct this." Desperate times call for something new. As humans stand at the edge of the precipice, the winds of change blasting our backs, the universe throws us a lifeline. Help has appeared in the form of wise old women, the Great Council of the Grandmothers. "The present imbalance of energy on Earth has placed all life in danger," the Grandmothers declare. "It is time to return to balance, and for this, women must lead. Women must be empowered. This is why we have come." The Grandmothers have come at this crucial time to awaken the presence of the deep feminine, to bring men and women and all life back into harmony. A Call to Power is the story of the author's encounters with these wise women and the powerful and important message that they bring.

"A fast-paced and gripping exploration of a mother's love. A powerful affecting novel."—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence and One Breath Away How Far Will a Mother Go to Find Her Daughter? Michelle Mason can't remember that day, that drive, that horrible crash that killed the young man in her car. All she knows is she's being held responsible, and her daughter is missing. Despite a shaky marriage, a threatening lawsuit, and troubling flashbacks pressing in on her, Michelle throws herself into searching. Her daughter in the one person who might know what really happened that day, but the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of those closest to her, even herself. As her search hurtles toward a shattering revelation, Michelle must face the biggest challenge of her life. A poignant story of the unshakable bond between mother and child, What a Mother Knows is about finding the truth that can set love free. "Her characters are so real...They'll stick with you long after the book ends."—Hope Edelman, Motherless Daughters "A poignant, powerful novel."—Jillian Medoff, bestselling author of I Couldn't Love You More and Hunger Point