More Praise for
The Woman's Book of Spirit
“If you loved Simple Abundance, you will savor this book. These beautiful and wise meditations help us all nurture and live from our hearts. Only then can we turn outward to replenish the world's wellspring with much needed compassion, tolerance, and love.”
—Susan Skog, author of Embracing Our Essence: Spiritual Conversations with Prominent Women
“With a finely tuned heart and the power of well-crafted words, Sue Patton Thoele opens a door to the often hidden treasures of the sacred. Treasures which impregnate the nitty-gritty of a woman's life.”
—Paula Payne Hardin, author of Love after Love and What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?
“Sue Patton Thoele's books have been part of my daily spiritual practice for years. Reading The Woman's Book of Spirit provides a generous portion of spiritual nourishment to everyday life. The passages are offered with great respect and loving kindness from a wise and experienced traveler on the spiritual journey.”
—Vimala McClure, author of The Tao of Motherhood and AWoman's Guide to Tantra Yoga
Other Books in the Series
The Woman's Book of Courage
The Woman's Book of Confidence
This edition published in 2006 by Conari Press, and imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
With offices at
500 Third Street, Suite 230
San Francisco, CA 94107
Copyright © 1997 by Sue Patton Thoele.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.
Cover Design: Leigh Wells
Cover illustration: Rae Ecklund
Author photo: Paige Eden Thoele
ISBN: 978-1-57324-264-6
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thoele, Sue Patton.
The woman's book of spirit: meditations for the thirsty soul / Sue Patton Thoele.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-57324-264-6 (trade paper: alk. paper)
1. Women—Religious life. 2. Meditations. I. Title.
BL625.7.T46 1997
291.4'32'082—dc21
97–3912
Printed in the United States of America
RRD
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter
So vast is the nature of spirit that the energies
which flow into it can never fill it, nor those
which flow from it exhaust it.
Dedication
To my beloved and beautiful mother, Virginia, who loved me well in life and loves me still after death. “Mother, your questing soul inspired my spiritual exploration. Thank you!”
With unending gratitude to my spiritual mother, Annabelle, whose wisdom, light, and love have guided me from my very first spiritual babysteps.
Contents
Nourishment for the Soul's Journey
Introduction: Gathering at the Well
Paying Attention to Your Soul's Garden
Keeping Anger Moist and Movable
Accepting Love from the Beloved