In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer

Jan Richardson's new book of blessings is just that: a blessing to be treasured! I have shared and gifted this prayer book to my covenant group, affinity group of women, and friends--including men. It is gently thought provoking and an inspirational tending of the soul, so much so I picked up a journal to write along with the daily reflections of this gifted writer. My favorite places reside in her beautiful blessings of woven words, her "smithcraft" gift to all who read and journey into the sanctuary of pages and of women. With questions to ponder at times, Jan invites us to address the "thresholds" in life, to reflect on the lives of saintly women, and to enter into a sacred conversation with God and with one another as we celebrate stories of others and our own and wander back to the sacred texts of long ago. Indeed this is another treasured work of immeasurable blessings!

I have been working on this book since February 2012. I will read it for days in a row and then set it down, only to pick it up weeks later. I find the book thought provoking, and inspirational on so many levels. I enjoy the diversity of women, the topic presentation, the prayer. This is a very good book for wandering thought and reflections.

This is a delightful book, sure to become dog-eared in no time on my shelf. Actually, it has never made it to the shelf, but surfs around from coffee table to bedside table, bristling with sticky notes flagging things I want to share with someone, or copy into my journal or sketchbook. The structure of this book is perfect for someone who doesn't have large swaths of free time to devote to reading. Each chapter consists of dozens of little readings, maybe a page or so long, and each reading concludes with a short blessing. These blessings are like beautiful gems, waiting along the path to be discovered, picked up, taken with you, until your pockets are so full of them that you have to start giving them away to other people. I'm planning to give this book to several people as a gift in the coming year.

Jan starts with Eve and asks the readers to think about the story "without the lens of interpretation that has defined the story of the fall, an explanation of how sin entered the world." She invites the readers - as women - to trace their own lines of longings, their own reaching, and taking, and tasting, and then travel with Eve to the path that offered her sustenance, thereby finding that which will sustain. This book was a God-gift to me at a time when I needed to seek solitude, walk into my own desert and find peace in the loneliness. At every turn of the page, every new daily reading, I gained insight into who God is, and into who I am becoming. I cannot recommend this book to everyone, but to those who seek a deep spiritual experience, Jan Richardson's book is beautiful!

Spiritually deep, yet accessible to my understanding, contemplation.

I bought this book in hopes of hearing a feminine voice in the search for Spirit, and I have not been disappointed. Jan Richardson shares her personal stories interwoven with "what if" musings on women in our biblical and religious history, filling in their stories and connecting them with our own searching. The readings are short (I spend about 10 minutes reading and contemplating), ending with a blessing after each, and if done once daily the book will take you through six months of study. It will stay on my shelf when I'm done, as I'm sure I'll come back to it in later years.

Excellent pick for a book group to use. Every chapter is rich with poetry, stories, prayers and reflections on different aspects of the woman or group featured. We found many ways to focus our discussions. Sometimes we related the content of a chapter to our life experience. Sometimes we used the poetry in contemplative prayer. Sometimes we explored some insight provoked by a story or essay. It led us into deep discussions for many weeks.

This is one of the best books for reflection, introspection and contemplation that I have come across in years. Richardson's wisdom is shared in an inspirational and empowering way, and covers extensive research on centuries of women who have much to tell is in the here and now. It was given to me as a birthday gift, and has blessed me daily as I contemplate its message (it is suggested that it be used as daily devotional, but I can never read just one entry!). I ordered a dozen copies of this book to give as Christmas gifts and I plan to order more.

Jan Richardson's books are SO wise, contemplative, and inspiring - such deep wisdom, and beautiful writing which offers uplifting poetry and prayer.

I loved this book. Worth a re-read. Beautifully written with profound blessings.

excellent product and speedy delivery

Been looking for a book like this for a long time. Pity there are no English origin 'prayer' 'thought provoking' books especially for women's spiritual experience. I'll may be have to write one!