A Deeper Wisdom: The 12 Steps from a Woman's Perspective

by Patricia Lynn Reilly

A Deeper Wisdom is for all women whether or not they've ever set foot in a recovery meeting. We've all wrestled with habits of thought and behavior that did not support the life we wanted. ADW's life-practice transforms self-criticism into self-compassion and the suffering that fuels habit-energy into joy.

“I am a woman whose life was transformed – maybe even saved – by the 12 steps. I have always bristled against the male-focused language of a program that showed me how to live again, but I have always loved the spiritual principles that underlay the words. With Patricia Lynn Reilly’s work, I am finally able to lean fully into a set of steps that align more deeply with my concept of the divine feminine, the force that has guided me in my personal recovery for more than three decades. Today, my own work is devoted to reminding women that they need to be supported to find and follow individualized pathways and patchworks of recovery, which can of course include the 12 steps. I am beyond excited to introduce women in our worldwide women’s recovery movement to the 12 step philosophy via the beautiful and empowering framework that is A Deeper Wisdom: The 12 Steps from a Women’s Perspective.”
-Dawn Nickel, PhD, Founder, SHE RECOVERS® Foundation

158 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this one after reading All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert and struggling a bit with the language of 12 step recovery that permeates the final part of the book. So, I remembered I had this book that reframes the 12 steps from a women’s perspective and includes goddess/divine feminine language. Anyway, it is very good and has a lot to relate to whether you are “working the steps” or in recovery or not. Would definitely recommend for people looking for an alternate approach to 12 step work. Lots of gems of insight within.

[CJD · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author gracefully weaves together wisdom from numerous spiritual traditions that will help any woman on a healing journey whether from addiction or other adverse life experience. I bought this for a niece who is continuing her recovery from alcoholism. When snow prevented delivery for Christmas, I scanned through the first few pages. Surprised by the beautiful writing and the broadly-relevant message, I returned to the beginning and read it cover to cover. At the end, I was rewarded by a list of other books by this author. I will read more of this author's work!
I'm not recovering from any addiction and the feminist view point didn't initially resonate with me. My alcoholic parents were not the norm – my father was the gently one who lived in fear of my unpredictably violent and abusive mother. I plowed through a career refusing to acknowledge the adverse effects of childhood. At the age of 65, I finally gave in and sought help.
Being still on a healing journey, this book brought to life the adage, “there are no coincidences.” The wisdom and affirmation/meditation practices in this book are exactly what I needed at this stage in my healing journey. The benefits I've received from this book are invaluable! I highly recommend this book and this author!

[LisaBeth Lent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is now out of print, but it needs to be available again! I don’t know why the author stopped publication. It’s tragic, really. This book helped me so much to navigate the 12 step world with sanity and sense.

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really helpful for me in maintaining my sobriety. Am definately keeping this one in my personal library as I know I will be returning to it and giving it a re-read for sure!