Ever Widening Circles and Mystical Moments is a long-awaited memoir by Jean Shinoda Bolen MD that invites readers to journey through a life interwoven with personal experiences and historical events. The book begins with Bolen's childhood, marked by her Japanese American family's forced relocation from California following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This experience—along with her early eye surgery and frequent moves to different states and schools where she was perceived as an “exotic other”—deeply impacted Bolen's worldview and led her to pursue a career as an author, activist, psychiatrist, and Jungian analyst.
Throughout the memoir, Bolen examines the archetypes, synchronicities, and mystical moments that guided her life choices, including her decision to pursue medicine, her evolving relationship with spirituality, her work as a Jungian whistleblower and leader in the women's spirituality movement, and advocacy for circle gatherings as part of The Millionth Circle initiative. She candidly shares her personal challenges, including her brother's struggles after a birth injury, the complexities of her marriage, and her son's battle with neurofibromatosis. Bolen emphasizes the importance of finding meaning in life even amidst adversity. She encourages readers to embrace their authentic purpose, using her own experiences to illustrate the significance of love, gratitude, and the power of collective action.
Table of Contents
Preface
Section 1 - Chapters 1-9
Eye Surgery, World War II, Many Moves, Promises to God
Chapter 1 Above the Clouds – Depth Perception
Chapter 2 My Parents – Pearl Harbor – the Evacuation
Chapter 3 Wartime – Living in Many Places
Chapter 4 From the Farm to the City
Chapter 5 End of World War II – Sky Mother
Chapter 6 Initiations
Chapter 7 My Brother – My Parents’ Grief
Chapter 8 High School Protester
Chapter 9 Gratitude – Promises to God
Section 2 - Chapters 10-13
Medical School, Finding My Calling, Family Crisis, Grief
Chapter 10 Medical School
Chapter 11 Began Residency – Found My Calling
Chapter 12 Family Crisis
Chapter 13 Back to Residency – Bottled Up Grief
Section 3 - Chapters 14-19
Marriage, Private Practice, Magazine, Motherhood, Jungian Institute
Chapter 14 Thanksgiving – Marriage – Feminism
Chapter 15 Psychic Magazine – Psychic People
Chapter 16 Initiation – Giving Birth
Chapter 17 Private Practice – UCSF Faculty – ERA – Jungian Institute
Chapter 18 Becoming a Jungian Analyst
Chapter 19 Becoming a Jungian Whistle-Blower 1
Section 4 - Chapters 20-24
Women’s Spirituality, Activist, Solo, Mother & Son
Chapter 20 Pulling Together – Growing Apart
Chapter 21 Women’s Spirituality – Goddess
Chapter 22 Solo Journey – Hestia
Chapter 23 Doctor-Mother and Son
Section 5 - Chapters 24-27
Pilgrimage, Travel, Mysticism
Chapter 24 Pilgrimage – Heart Center/Chakra
Chapter 25 Feathered Pipe – Greece – Peru
Chapter 26 Home – Four Corners – Labyrinth
Chapter 27 Andy’s Message – Close to the Bone
Section 6 - Chapters 28-32
Liminal Circles, Spiritual Activism, Author, Cancer
Chapter 28 Those on the Other Side – Soul Friends
Chapter 29 Author-Activist – Millionth Circle
Chapter 30 Birthing Books – Breast Cancer
Chapter 31 Return of Cancer – My Dog – My Only Grandchild
Chapter 32 Honors & Recognition in Who’s Who
Chapter 33 Wondering: “What Next?”…
Epilogue
Index ASIN: 168503540X VSKU: GBV.168503540X.A Condition: Acceptable Author/Artist:Bolen MD, Jean Shinoda Binding: Paperback Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown. Condition Notes: This book is in acceptable condition and may have highlighting and or writing throughout. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo, dust jacket may be damaged or missing. Book may show internal and or external wear on spine or cover and may be slightly skewed or have creased pages. This is a used book so codes may be invalid or accompanying media may be missing. May be an Ex library book with stickers and stamps.
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