A Woman's Book of Life: The Biology, Psychology, and Spirituality of the Feminine Life Cycle

by Joan Borysenko

A biologist and psychologist from Harvard Medical School examines the link between mind, body, and spirit in women, and shows how females can increase their levels of health and well-being, and explore the power present in each stage of life. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Spirituality, Health, Feminism, Womens, Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 1996

About the author

This distinguished pioneer in integrative medicine is a world-renowned expert in the mind/body connection.

Reviews

[Dirty Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I read it when I was heavily into some psycho/physical connecting, and she was the first author I read that was New Age without sounding spaced out. I especially got a lot out of her chapters on the stages of a woman's life she refers to as The Guardian, and I used much of that for inspirational imagery in the dance classes I was teaching at the time. I'm going to have to read it again, now that I'm in a different life stage than my first reading.

[Marianne Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is because of the stage I am in the woman's book of life (Healing & Balance) that I found this book so enlightening and meaningful. I loved how our lives as female was broken down to 7 year increments to discuss the physical, spiritual, and emotional changes and gifts we experience. It was enlightening to read this book while keeping in mind that I feel my life is out of balance right now and I'm yearning to find empowerment and strength in myself and my life. I also read the book as a mother of two daughters and a only daughter of a strong woman. The book is one I would recommend to all women to read to gain insight into yourself and how your life changes as we physically and spiritually age.

[Hedwige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book (for women at least!)

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that should be read by every woman. It is scientific, psychological and philosophical as well as having spiritual elements. It is very easy to read, she is extremely grounded and believes in mind/body health but at the same time, dismisses some of the more woo-woo opinions of people who feel that if you have done everything "right" you shouldn't get sick. Although self care and maintenance and attitude is important, disease is also disease and you can't always control it so others' criticism, or self-blame is negative is harmful. She explains all the phases of a female's life from birth to death, biological, social and mental development and offers good advice as well. Highly recommended.

[Jordan Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even thought this book is 25 years old, I enjoyed the read + insight it provided.

[Harriett Milnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I say I read it, but only read parts. Borysenko divides a woman's life into 7 year segments and I read the last two segments that apply to me. Well done. Candice, thanks for the recommendation.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was way less hippie than I anticipated when I first put it on my queue many years ago. She uses the small, but compelling existing research to expand on existing gender theories and posit some of her own.

I'm glad I waited until now to read her book as I get nearer to middle-aged and so much of her book spoke to me. I loved it. It brings me hope for my future and gives me strength to continue doing what I love to do now.

There were a couple of times that I felt like she took a few liberties, but that is pretty par for this type of book. She had a really great resources section that I wish was updated. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the cycles of womanhood.

[KarnagesMistress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty years out, the biological sections of this book are still a revelation. At 38, I needed to know these things about myself, but no one else was telling me! When she speaks more of the psycho-spiritual aspects of womanhood, particularly those post-menopause, however, well, she is an upper-middle-class Baby Boomer extrovert. As part of Paul Fussell's "category X" (See Class: A Guide Through the American Status System), born into Generation X, and an introvert, she lost me on the psycho-spiritual aspects of those later years. Still, this book should be required reading for any non-Prole (See Fussell, again) woman.

[Kelly Salasin]

This book marked a pivotal point in my thinking about myself and divinity.

[Martha Seddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little outdated by now but the psychology and spirituallity info is still relevant and spot on.

[Angel Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the female life cycle and has a section corresponding for every seven years. Each 7 year chapter goes over the theme that normally goes through such as the physical/ hormonal changes, the psychological challenges, drives and relationships. Not much was new for me at this point as I've quite familiar with a woman's 'blood mysteries'. But for a younger opened minded women, this would be very insightful and helpful with information about future stages all girls/women go through. Easy to read and understand. My favorite part was when she talked about mitochondria DNA and how unique and powerful a woman's is, and the special way it moves through generations, only via the Mother's Line. She notes that the sperm does contain (limited) MT DNA, but it is there only to propel the sperm forward and once it reaches an egg, the egg absorbs the nucleus and discards the rest including the male/sperm mitochondria, so only the female/woman can pass on that particular DNA.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read sections of this book about 25 years ago. Now that I have completed more of these 7 year cycles I thought I would try to make it through the whole book. I would say that perhaps the book hasn’t aged particularly well and on the whole it speaks only to wealthy / upper middle class white women who have spent most of their lives in academia as the author has.

[Gabriela Mejia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that this book was very enlightening about how women are constantly changing and growing in a male-dominated society but it does include a lot of science and research which can make it hard to read at times.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book from the teenager to the very old woman. It is magnificent and so very uplifting for the reader. Men should read it also, if they want to get to understand women.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as a reference book.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a validating and empowering look at each stage of life

[krwawiśnia · Rating 5 out of 5]

bardzo ważna książka dla każdej kobiety do przeczytania; napakowana wiedzą

[Kathy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when it was first published and was so impressed that a woman actually had written a book for women! At the time so many "female" books I found were about women as good wives and home-makers. Joan Borysenko wrote FOR woman, what they go through and what to expect in life. I still treasure my book. However, on a sad side note: Years later I did feel badly when she and her husband quietly divorced.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This breaks down the cycles of a woman's life into seven year periods and talks about what goes on in each cycle- from a biological, psychological and spiritual point of view. It had some good stuff, but the section on my period, I didn't find that helpful!

[Lisa]

Takes you through the seven-year stages in a woman's life from 0-84 and beyond. It is a textbook style of writing which can be dry, but it was interesting reading the "Ages 49-56: A Mindful Approach to Menopause" through "Ages 77-84 and beyond: Recapitulating Our Lives"

[Cws]

305.4

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, drawing nice narratives and examples while still getting scientific. I'd recommend for anyone trying to figure out females at any point in their life cycle.

[Merrell]

sheds so much light on the different life stages (i don't feel so crazy!)

[Aryne Hornsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, and although there are always exceptions and not every person can be categorized, it does offer a realistic look at how women change and what kind of experiences they share.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

all women should read this one

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is 20 years old and vague.

[J Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This large volume looks at the different stages of a woman's life. It looks at the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of a woman's life.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enthält interessante Aspekte. Ich werde mir auf jeden Fall nochmal "Heidi" von Johanna Spyri vornehmen.

[Brenda Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that shows us how our mind, body, and spirit are intertwined in a loop. Essential read for women seeking to maximize their personal well being.

[Sara Loves to Read]

I read parts of this.