Millionth Circle: How to Change Ourselves and the World: The Essential Guide to Women's Circles

by Jean Shinoda Bolen

A combination of vision and how-to, The Millionth Circle is the most activist work to date of Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, a writer, analyst, and teacher who has long been a leader in the women's empowerment movement. Written in poetic language that invites the readers to use intuition and draw upon their psychological and spiritual insights, The Millionth Circle will be the tool and inspiration women can use to create new circles or deepen and transform existing circles into vehicles of societal and psychospiritual change.

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

87 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 · 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...

[Natalia Zurdo · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I have ever read.

[Claudio Yáñez Valenzuela · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

¡Qué breve y poderoso libro! Poético y combativo, especialmente importante en épocas de retroceso como las que estamos viviendo.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

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