Published in New Women, New Church, newsletter of Women’s Ordination Conference, Winter 2007

By Kaye Ashe

The third wave of the feminist movement has transformed the way that women understand ourselves and our relationship to the Divine, to others, and to the earth that sustains us.  We have been reclaiming ourselves and our past, all the while gaining courage from our foremothers to create a world in which dominance, control, and violence will give way to equality, mutuality, and peace.

The work of freeing ourselves and all from violence and injustice is, however, far from having been accomplished.  That’s where Traveling with the Turtle comes into play. The authors, well-versed in the literature of feminism and nonviolence, invite us to come together in circles to draw sustenance from our spiritual moorings; heal wounds; join in rituals; and hone our peace-making skills.  The turtle is a good companion on this journey, the authors explain, because it symbolizes women’s wisdom, strength, and power to create new life.

The book provides thirteen sessions.  Two introductory sessions explore women’s spirituality as a force for nonviolent peacemaking.   Subsequent sessions invite women to connect with their personal power and to use it to effect personal and social transformation.   

The beauty of this book is that it brings together between two covers so many resources: short, provocative readings; guided meditations; rituals; and various exercises and life practice—all designed to foster integrity, compassion, and wholeness.  The authors suggest in detail how facilitators can prepare for each session; they outline materials needed, and suggest the timing for each item on the agenda. So, the book is not only inspiring, it is eminently practical as well. Participants needn’t worry that time will be consumed in pointless chatter, and facilitators needn’t worry about dreaming up the kind of environment and activities that make for a smooth and productive small group process.

Further help is provided for facilitators in the form of eleven pages of “Facilitation Guidelines” with hints on how to create a safe and productive environment, and to encourage everyone’s participation. While information and resources are provided in detail, it is expected that groups will adapt the process to their own gifts and needs.  Finally, the authors provide three pages of resources:  books as well as hotlines, coalitions, and websites focusing on domestic violence and violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.

I strongly recommend this book to women who are serious about the spiritual quest and who want to counter the violence that plagues our homes, our neighborhoods, and our world by cultivating peace and loving-kindness.    

Kaye Ashe, O.P. resides in Berkeley and is the author of The Feminization of the Church?