El millonésimo círculo

by Jean Shinoda Bolen

El millonésimo círculo –extrapolado del mito de “el centésimo mono”– se basa en una hipótesis sencilla y cuyo mecanismo es posible aprehender de forma intuitiva e inmediata: cuando un número crítico de personas cambia su modo de pensar y de comportarse, la cultura lo hace también y comienza una nueva era. Este libro propone nada menos que la posibilidad de que los círculos de mujeres puedan acelerar el cambio de la humanidad a una era post-patriarcal. Mediante la exposición de una serie de principios sobre cómo formar un círculo, con quién, y de cómo resolver potenciales conflictos, la doctora Bolen proporciona las herramientas y la inspiración necesarias para que las mujeres creen nuevos círculos o transformen aquéllos ya existentes en vehículos de cambio social, cultural y psicoespiritual. El millonésimo círculo es un libro accesible, afianzador, y destinado a convertirse en la biblia de los grupos de mujeres de todo el mundo.

Genres: Nonfiction, Womens, Spirituality, Feminism, Psychology, Poetry, Womens Studies

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 1999

About the author

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M. D. is a psychiatrist, Jungian analyst, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and recipient of the Institute for Health and Healing’s "Pioneers in Art, Science, and the Soul of Healing Award". She is a former board member of the Ms. Foundation for Women.

Reviews

[J.V. Connors · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Millionth Circle explores the concept of meeting circles, where no one is the head or leader, but all are guided by a 'center', a shared purpose, that evolves through discussions. The idea is that traditional power hierarchies exclude, dominate and repress discussions, and that we need to learn to interact as equals.
As a group psychologist, I am amazed how much of the essentials are covered in this tiny book. In short, lyrical chapters she covers positive communication, domination of group time, confidentiality, group safety, passive-aggressiveness and dealing with unresolvable conflicts. Every difficulty is a chance to work on healing and to challenge ourselves to do better.
This book is promoted as a guide to women's circles, but I think it would be equally valuable to men who want to try a different way of coming together and to challenge traditional hierarchies. Both men and women have been wounded by bullying and abuse, as well as by our society's dog eat dog climate, so we all could benefit from examining our patterns.
Bolen says that she was inspired by the concept of "The Hundredth Monkey", where when something happens enough that a critical mass is reached, then everyone changes. Small groups / circles are a way to challenge and change our society's abusive ways, so I encourage us all to rediscover their power and add to this forward movement!

[Lynette Hague · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book before approx. 6 years ago. I wanted to read it again because I remembered something in the book that might apply to a current situation. I found that several chapters were very insightful to my current situation and would recommend it to anyone who is involved with a group of women.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete game changer. Bolen, the Jungian psychiatrist, is a genius and her tiny book has the power to make a difference!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I want to join a women’s circle.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains an important idea -- the idea that social change can be sparked at the relationship level; and that it's possible to consciously create circles of women who are interested in building those kinds of relationships and sending out ripples of change into the wider culture.

The problem is that this book is very, very thin on content. The book's central idea could have been conveyed much more effectively as a blog post or a magazine article -- and with a whole lot less repetition.

I really wanted to like this book (it was recommended to me by a friend about a decade ago and it's languished on my bookshelf ever since), but, in the end, I didn't.

[Ledif Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acabo de leer este libro. Me lo devoré en un solo día y tengo unas ganas enormes de formar un círculo de mujeres ya mismo en mi ciudad.
Es un libro poderoso, repleto de amor, de verdad y de mucha esperanza.
Soy una fiel creyente de que las mujeres somos quienes tenemos la capacidad y el don divino para cambiar el mundo y convertirlo en un lugar mejor.
Este libro cambia vidas y es clave para que nosotras cambiemos el mundo.
Te invito a que lo leas YA!!!.

[Pupak Haghighi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Shinoda Bolen's insight and passion is a joy to take in. I enjoyed reading her book, especially in conjunction with Abdullah Ocalan's book on 'Liberating Life, Woman's Revolution.' I thought both books have much in common and are communicating a very similar message. I wholeheartedly recommend Jean to read Ocalan's book and Ocalan to read this book <3

[Debbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the women in a book group I am in suggested this book and author. The power of female friendships has been clear to me most of my life. The power of women’s circles is also familiar but how it is laid out in this work helps to formalize it. The rules set forth are excellent guides and I saw the strengths and weaknesses of various groups I am or have been affiliated. I do believe that women need other women to share their journey and when they come together they can help change the world. Thought provoking.

[Anabel Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guía breve y amena para comprender la esencia de un círculo de mujeres (en base a la experiencia de la autora, que no es poca): cómo construirlo, mantenerlo y, si fuese necesario, cerrarlo. Me ha gustado mucho la lectura. Se lo recomendaría a todas aquellas personas (mujeres y hombres) con inquietud por conocerse más a sí mism@s a través de los círculos y poner su granito de arena para cambiar nuestro entorno.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, in two sittings… thinking about women and being in community with one another. Wonder if book group sometimes serves a bit of this ritual and connection but would need to be more intentional re purpose and effort. Really liked the quote from black Wlk at the end and thing there is much to be said about circing up, etc.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the suggestion of the leader of a group I attend. Interesting concept that I understand in the realm of possibilities. But the practical side of me doesn't understand how such a group could be formed in reality. But I am thinking about it and wish it could be true.

[Samanta Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro muy cortito pero poderoso acerca de la importancia de crear círculos de mujeres, espacios de encuentro, de sanación. Ideal si quieres empezar a hacer tu propio círculo, ya que contiene algunas pautas para animarte a hacerlo

[Brande · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is subject to change as my ability to implement improves.

[Autumn (Triquetra Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer on women's circles. Lots of inspiration here!

[Mileidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and motivating.

[Edna Maldonado De Régules · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Un círculo digno de confianza tiene un centro espiritual, un respeto hacia los límites y una poderosa capacidad de transformar a las mujeres que lo constituyen."

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief introduction into a potentially powerful concept, changing the world, one women's circle at a time.

[Sherry Cassedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A return to Jean Shinoda Bolen's wisdom never disappoints. Blending practical of circle process with images and teaching of the larger intention.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, practical, inspiring thin volume. I look forward to pressing this into heavy service.

[✨Arline✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super easy & quick read. Lots to think about and put into practice.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile

[Metz Montero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si un número decisivo de personas transforman su comportamiento y actitud, la cultura se transformará en su totalidad.

[Asela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfecto como un círculo.

[Diana Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro corto pero con mucha profundidad y herramientas para crear círculos de mujeres que ayuden a transformar al mundo entero y a entender los rituales y la importancia de unirnos en círculos

[Caleb Haycox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow attempt to provide any original concepts. Has no academic legitimancies past the premace that humans are social creatures.

[Mira Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

“no existe tal cosa como ‘era, es y siempre será’ en los asuntos humanos”

[Nicole Alagenio]

picked up this book randomly on a bookstore bc it was on sale. it's a short book and talks about something i usually do not read about. sometimes we need a random book to broaden our perspective...

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy práctico para comprender desde un inicio qué son los círculos de mujeres y cómo implementarlos.

[Teru · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a sort of positive concept, in that it's reach is to replace what doesn't work in the lives of females with a support base that aspires towards mass change, individual uplift and across the board sustained equality. Where I have an issue or what I find scary is that placed in the wrong untrained hands and less than sensitive circle, it can be used as in "outing" someone of sorts, of personalized things that they were maybe not at a point to group share. If they seek peer support and that is why they are there, they would not be in a strong enough mind to go against the group request. The listening of others revealing personal " hidden truths" becomes a true "tightrope of intervention" and you pray that the women are not on an island and that someone doesn't loose their glasses. Once or if, you are deemed uncomfortable to your group for any reason, you can be asked to leave from the circle. The circle where you have revealed and placed your deepest personal hidden secrets unto the women who now own them. ...If that were to happen how do you retain any true feelings of inner good grace with what once constituted all your closest friends. Do you request a sepuku sword? You become the awkward banished outsider who's secrets and fragilities are commoditized. I have just spewed a very worst case scenario ( in my mind. only speaking for my thoughts) BUT, BUT, if it IS a good circle of her strongest and dearest, friends with times of good and the bad proven and still there for each other, still tight friendships no matter the facing storms, and the women truly will have the other one's highest interest, it could prove a wonderful safety net for the feminine. A personal gift made richer through affirmation and it's good works. Basically it's a double edged sword - only as strong and effective as the women and their integrity and intention's comprising. I like the idea of like minded feminine strength in numbers to accomplish a positive goal more than the wiccan fem thing.

[Kelly Salasin]

Makes me even keener on sharing women's circles...