Formats Book Description Release Date: April 3, 1998 The bestselling author of Goddesses in Every Woman sheds light on the experiences of the seriously ill, and shows how facing mortality can be a life-transforming process. Patients, their caretakers, and their loved ones will all reap tremendous benefits from this spiritual but pragmatic book. The bestselling author of Goddesses in Every Woman sheds light on the experiences of the seriously ill, and shows how facing mortality can be a life-transforming process. Patients, their caretakers, and their loved ones will all reap tremendous benefits from this spiritual but pragmatic book. Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly The crisis brought on by a serious or disastrous illness is the concern of this richly probing essay by a Jungian analyst and medical doctor. Although various diseases are touched on, cancer?especially as it affects women?is Bolen's focus. Yet far from being a grim tract, this book is a kind of metaphysical how-to filled with hope, second chances and sound guidance. But from the very first "initiation story" the author narrates for us?the myth of the abduction to the underworld of Persephone, an ancient Greek emblem of spring, vitality, rebirth?Bolen makes clear that there are dark and dangerous realms to traverse to learn how to help make oneself well and whole again. In her view, there is no mind/body split, no dichotomy between psyche and soma: the mind is everywhere in the body and affects physiological outcomes. While the book's Jungian tone will keep some readers away