Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Aging does not have to be dreaded but can be, in fact, an amazing and wonderful adventure. Old age is a ripening, a harvest and potentially the most satisfying stage of our whole lives. The elderwoman has an important social role to play, at any level she chooses. Since our most pressing social imperative is that we learn to dwell more lightly and cooperatively on the earth, the natural 'lightening' of the aging process makes the elderwoman and ideal leader/expert in the art of what is now called 'downshifting', i.e. the conscious choice of a simple lifestyle. This is an interactive book, inviting the readers to reflect on their own experiences as they read. It includes self-help exercises drawn from the author's many years of experience as a workshop leader, and carries a wealth of useful resource material. The book draws on developmental and Jungian psychology, ecopsychology, deep ecology, spirituality and eco-feminist philosophy. Yet, it is written in a clear, jargon-free language which renders it accessible to all, regardless of educational standard, colour, race, belief system, socioeconomic level or sexual persuasion.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a Menopause Life Coach I recommend this book highly - it should be compulsory reading for every woman approaching fifty. The standard view of life after the menopause is very negative: Marian Van Eyk McCain's book is an antidote to this.
"Elderwoman" shows the third age of woman in such a positive light that you actively want the menopause to start so that you can get your feet on the path that leads to this new adventure which involves changes both outwardly and inwardly.
"Elderwoman" shows the third age of woman in such a positive light that you actively want the menopause to start so that you can get your feet on the path that leads to this new adventure which involves changes both outwardly and inwardly.
One of the key elements in the elderwoman stage of life is simplicity and Marian practises what she preaches in her approach to the content of the book and the way in which it is written. Marian's style is gentle without being wishy-washy. She combines her distilled wisdom with apposite anecdotes. The body of the book is structured around the four elements - earth, air, fire and water. These are linked to the concepts of "belonging...lightness and freedom...passion...fluidity". As her exploration of each area unfolds, so the principles or qualities of the elderwoman are revealed. Whilst many of them lead to contentment, do not be lulled into thinking that an elderwoman does nothing all day but smile, stroke her cat and reminisce: the elderwoman, as Marian describes her, is alive mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The final section of the book is about balancing these qualities within yourself and also within the world in which you live. This book answers the question, "What is it like to be old?" and shows you that age is a rich experience with as much, if not more, freedom than youth. For an elderwoman "All need to dissemble is now gone. She can be her true self".
Once you have read this book, you'll forget all about HRT. Order two copies - one for yourself and one for your friends to borrow.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In a society which seems increasingly to view age as something to be denied or conquered, especially for women, this book is a breath of fresh air.
Perhaps it might help to say what the book is not: it isn't a medical advisory, nor does it tell us how to dress and make-up to look younger.
Instead, it's a roadmap to ways in which we can approach getting older as a wonderful adventure in all kinds of positive ways, to live passionately and make a real contribution in ways that matter to us.
It's littered with fragments of glorious poetry, storytelling, and enchanting exercises in discovery (for example the Raisin Meditation on page 96, which is both sensuous and spiritual).
The book's structure borrows the four elements:
Earth - our relationships with land, home, community and other living creatures.
Air - travelling lightly through life.
Fire - personal and political passions, courage.
Water - fluidity and change on the journey.
This book is a life-changer, and that's not an accolade I bestow lightly. It will both challenge and comfort women in mid-life and later.
Perhaps it might help to say what the book is not: it isn't a medical advisory, nor does it tell us how to dress and make-up to look younger.
Instead, it's a roadmap to ways in which we can approach getting older as a wonderful adventure in all kinds of positive ways, to live passionately and make a real contribution in ways that matter to us.
It's littered with fragments of glorious poetry, storytelling, and enchanting exercises in discovery (for example the Raisin Meditation on page 96, which is both sensuous and spiritual).
The book's structure borrows the four elements:
Earth - our relationships with land, home, community and other living creatures.
Air - travelling lightly through life.
Fire - personal and political passions, courage.
Water - fluidity and change on the journey.
This book is a life-changer, and that's not an accolade I bestow lightly. It will both challenge and comfort women in mid-life and later.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an Interfaith Minister and spiritual teacher, but more importantly, as a woman, I found this book a complete delight.
The reward of elderhood, Van Eyk McCain writes, is "the ultimate spiritual transformation". Honouring the soul, she says, is one of the most significant things the elderwoman can do.
It seems that the autumn of a woman's life is certainly a time of change and loss,and there are also possibilities for adaptation, acceptance and finding delight in simple things of the spirit. This may well be part of the onward journey, with many more things to be discovered. It's an encouraging thought.
Time becomes more precious, better spent and well enjoyed. Change can be powerful both in the new way elderwomen live their lives and also in the way younger women perceive that. Elderwoman is a fabulous guide, not only for women over 50, but for all women.
It is also a call for older women to remember their innate wisdom, reclaim their "quiet, inner heroism" and to live with joy. This book addresses issues that woman don't usually talk about - read it and talk!
The reward of elderhood, Van Eyk McCain writes, is "the ultimate spiritual transformation". Honouring the soul, she says, is one of the most significant things the elderwoman can do.
It seems that the autumn of a woman's life is certainly a time of change and loss,and there are also possibilities for adaptation, acceptance and finding delight in simple things of the spirit. This may well be part of the onward journey, with many more things to be discovered. It's an encouraging thought.
Time becomes more precious, better spent and well enjoyed. Change can be powerful both in the new way elderwomen live their lives and also in the way younger women perceive that. Elderwoman is a fabulous guide, not only for women over 50, but for all women.
It is also a call for older women to remember their innate wisdom, reclaim their "quiet, inner heroism" and to live with joy. This book addresses issues that woman don't usually talk about - read it and talk!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful book for women of all ages
I have the first edition of this book and find myself reading it again every couple of years. The negative review by "Alice" really surprises me. In fact, it confuses me. Read more
Published 9 months ago by S Keeton
A celebration of life's third stage!
I read this wonderful book a year ago and have returned to it often since then.
As has been said, it's not a medical or look young forever book. Read more
As has been said, it's not a medical or look young forever book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by East coast
a disappointing and dull read
This was one of the most boring and longwinded books on the subject that I have read. Talk about preparing for death. Taking decrepitude lying down. Read more
Published 22 months ago by alice
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Complementary Medicine > Holism
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Health Issues > Aging
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Psychology & Psychiatry
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Women's Health & Lifestyle
- Books > Mind, Body & Spirit > Thought & Practice > Disciplines & Techniques
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Psychology Textbooks
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Women's Studies
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
