The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman's Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine―A Personal Story of Spiritual Awakening and Healing

The memoir, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, details the powerful faith journey taken by Sue Monk Kidd, who begins by questioning the status quo of patriarchy that is embedded in most Christian traditions. However, when the misogynist forces rear their ugly head to menace her teenage daughter, the overwhelming emotions as mother tigress kicks in. Monk takes us on her seven year quest of discovery, and the process evolves in precise movements. We travel through her experiences of Awakening, Initiation, Grounding, and Empowerment, all the while celebrating her awareness of the Divine Feminine, and reclaiming Her as our own along the way. For those of you who are not familiar with this feminine expression of God, The Divine Sophia emerges in the Hebrew Scriptures as Ruach ~ Shekhinah ~ Chokmah, translated as the Breath of God, the Presence of God, and the Wisdom of God, all of which have been with God since the beginning of Creation. This feminine aspect of God, which would have been well-known by the ancient Jews, Jesus and his followers, and those in the early Christian movement, was diminished to the point of non-existence in theology and doctrine of the Orthodox Church. The great thinkers of the early Church could not reconcile the greatness of the Holy Spirit/Divine Wisdom with the inferior, insignificant, weak idea of anything related to the Feminine. However, these feminine names for God represent an inclusive view of God, the possibility of what God “is”. By reflecting on the Divine Sophia as the Holy Spirit, we could begin to deconstruct our terminology, our language of God, to highlight and define the holy feminine within the Trinity. We could begin the process of reclaiming Sophia as a divine symbol, acknowledging the feminine in God in addition to the masculine, how God and the Christ and the Holy Spirit are both male/female, all of the same substance, representing all of humanity. The Holy Spirit is probably the most difficult concept for people to grasp, and can be uncomfortable for those that prefer all-male terminology for God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. However, this establishes the basis for reclaiming ourselves, reflecting on women’s stories of wisdom and spirituality within our Traditions, and encouraging us to explore the divine in our lives today. Overall, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter is an essential read for anyone who questions whether women can image God or the rightful place of women in our faith. Historians, theologians, archaeologists, and feminist scholars alike, all attest to this most basic of assumptions: women were present in all forms and all places: as apostles, disciples, deacons, leaders of house churches, teachers and evangelists. We have the information to redirect the conversation and make substantial changes in the education of our congregations and schools, changes within the clergy and the laity, which includes women in authority and decision-making positions in every aspect of the Church.

"The Dance of the Dissident Daughter" is a remarkable read. It tells the story of Ms. Kidd's journey of transformation, as she witnesses a conversation being held as her daughter is kneeling in a store. A conversation between two men who state, "Women belong on their knees". This statement triggered a response that made her look inside of herself and search for what was missing. In her search, she finds her voice and she finds herself in the feminine: A place of belonging. Her journey reveals her truth, authenticity, courage, and circumspect to fully fine the meaning of feminine spirituality. Kidd states, " I'd been an unconscious victim before my awakening began". Discovering her truth was wakening from victimization and it made it possible for her to move beyond it. Naomi Wolf states, "Women are not natural victims, but they sure are victimized". We come into a world that has already labeled us inferior. We have come into a world that continues to perpetuate a tradition that devalues, diminishes, rejects, and limits women and the feminine. Kidd dispels this. I have nothing but good things to say about the book. I truly recommend this book because I can see myself evolving into a new authentic me. No longer i am willing to accept what has been mandated for me and I have chosen the path to follow my path to my spiritual feminine and authentic me.

A deeply spiritual, extremely well-written book that I loved, learned from and related to on so many levels. Kidd’s message has never been more important. There is an epidemic of loneliness and anxiety in America today. Who ever heard of an epidemic being something other than an illness? Still, research shows it’s true. And Kidd’s shining a light on the beauty of sisterhood was such a great reminder of how to overcome that. Because feeling “heard” helps us heal. Encourages us to manifest the destiny we crave. It was brilliant how the author brought the “mother” into her story, initially clothed in the Virgin Mary. How she came in the backdoor with her message instead of a lecture. That being, how pushing down fear and hurt is the surest way to have them fester into a lifetime of bitterness. And how she provided directions for overcoming. Showed how the “mother” resides in all of us, and if you search for her, you step into your power. All of us can reach for brave and become a “New and Better Self.” The only way to fail to give up. Gloria Squitiro: A first lady of Kanas City and author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery—YOU, Too! can OVERCOME ANXIETY and live a bigger more carefree life—Become a New and Better You! #YayWomenWriters!

“Dance of the Dissident Daughter” by Sue Monk Kidd is a deeply personal exploration of the author’s own spiritual journey and feminist awakening. The book follows Kidd’s quest to recover the Sacred Feminine not only in patriarchal religion, but also deep within herself. Themes of naming, giving voice, and sharing story run throughout the memoir. As Kidd notes, “to name is to define and shape reality” (49) and yet, “women’s tongues are often silenced when [they] dare to speak [their] anger, truths, and visions' ' (71). Therefore, Kidd’s very acts of naming, giving voice, and sharing her spiritual memoir can be seen as subversive to the dominant patriarchal culture. Additionally, through scholarly inquiry, Kidd invites the voices of other women (both historical and contemporary) to dialogue. These prominent women’s voices that for too long have “been excluded from creating symbol and myth” (61) by the dominant patriarchal culture are now recognized as an important and integral part of “the meaning-making process that explains and interprets reality” (61). In critique, Kidd is writing from a place of privilege that she never fully acknowledges in her memoir. And, while Kidd’s narrative is powerful, it is often insular. Early in the book Kidd insists that all women, when they reach a certain age and have certain experiences will go through an awakening (19). Then, through the next several chapters of the book, Kidd proceeds to tell women how they should respond to the awakening and what should be done to allow for full self-actualization. This can become a danger as Kidd begins to paint her own personal experience as normative. Kidd critiques men for “nam[ing] the world, God, sacred reality, and even women from their own masculine perspective and experience and then calling it a universal experience” (49). Yet, Kidd does the same when she fails to acknowledge that women’s struggles with religion and patriarchy are multifaceted and varied. It isn’t until the second to last chapter in the book when discussing ways to move forward that Kidd finally acknowledges that “each woman must do what her heart tells her.” (224) Despite its faults, I still find “Dance of the Dissident Daughter” to make a valuable contribution to the discourse on feminism and spirituality. In reading Kidd’s story, I found myself reflecting on my own relationships with religion, gender and power. I feel empowered to think about my own role, as a woman, in naming and giving voice to the Sacred Feminine. As Kidd says sometimes we “need to hear other women’s stories in order to see and embrace [our] own” (201).

Snake medicine is the power of transmutation. It is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. This willingness to experience is extremely courageous, as it brings into question many if not all of the "things that we know". It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation, and that those things which might be experienced or regarded as poison (both physicaly and spititualy) can be integrated and transmuted if one has the proper state of mind. This medicine teaches you on a personal level that you are a universal being. Through accepting all aspects of your life, you can bring about the transmutation of the fire medicine. This fire energy, when functioning on the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation, and physical vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation, resolution, and dreams. On the mental plane, it becomes intellect, power, charisma, and leadership. When Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane, it becomes wisdom, understandig, wholeness, and connection to the Divine. This is heavy magic, but remember, magic is no more than a change in consciousness. Sue Monk Kidd appears to be well on her way to acheiving her personal goal of becoming a whole and healthy being. What astounds me is that she put it down in writing for the whole world to see and let the change in the course of her life happen both privately and publicly. We should all have such courage.

An absorbing read about a devout Christian who questions her church’s and indeed Christianity’s treatment of women through dogma, biblical teaching and practices through the centuries.

I found Ms. Kidd's writing to be clean and lyrical, as always. Her entry into a search for the sacred feminine was interesting and poignant...she watched a couple of white, middle class men of her age ogling and remarking on her 13 yo daughter's sexuality as based on her physical position (kneeling) in a crude manner. I loved the imagery she used to evoke the feeling: one of the men was wearing an Izod shirt and the alligator on his shirt was emblematic of his cretinous behavior. From there Ms. Kidd followed a path familiar to many who have traveled it: disgust, anger, disbelief, astonishment, search for an excuse, search for a replacement, forays into mysticism of many types...She ably researches history of religions and susses out the suppressed feminine role in Christianity. That part of the book is informative. Kidd's own attempt to find a replacement eventually founders. Ultimately, Kidd "returns home" to Christianity because (reading between the lines) it feels comfortable and comforting and there are good people in the church. I found that conclusion very realistic. Many people need religion in their lives, and she was authentic about her need for that faith. She basically revised her denomination/method of worship to accommodate her awakening. In all, this was a mediocre retelling of what might have been an interesting journey, made less fascinating by the author's ... nervousness about the topic. Ultimately Ms. Kidd reverts to

I bought this book because I began a spiritual awakening of my own about a year ago. I firmly believe in the power of story as a way for us to relate our own experience to that of others--from that we learn, we cope, we identify, we grow. Regardless of where our journey takes us, there are vital milestones we can share with each other. That is what Kidd's book is to me. The author shares a deeply personal and spiritual journey. Kidd discovers that her Christian life is not fulfilling, so she embraces the Feminine Divine. Kidd's story provides the same opportunity for enlightenment regardless of whether you choose a Christian or non-Christian path. This hope, that women find their inner strength and beauty, and then spread that strength and beauty, can be moving and life-changing for anyone, if you are ready and open to the experience. One thing I appreciate about Kidd's book is that she doesn't tell you what's right and what's wrong. She challenges you to empower yourself to seek your own truth, to seek your own feminine balance. I agree with another reviewer that she sometimes makes some sweeping generalizations. And, although I identified with many aspects of her story, I did find that her focus on feminine oppression was a bit much for me. I have purchased this book as a gift for all of my closest girlfriends. I hope they capture half as much peace and meaning from Kidd's words as I did. My personal journey is not the same as Kidd's, but I am grateful for the light she has shed on the path.

I've written about this book in my review of Travelling with pomegranates as I found them both exceptionally good to read. and, if you enjoy one, treat yourself to the other - and also Sue Monk Kidd's novels. In the dance of the dissident daughter the author describes in quite amazing detail and depth her journey from patriarchal thinking to immersion in the Divine \Mother. She is both a profoundly spiritual and human writer and I thoroughly recommend her boooks, including her novels.

I was very excited to read this book given that I grew up in a very similar environment to the author - A traditional Christian church and community that oppresses women and men through the gender roles it places on them, and a family that I still struggle with. I was excited to read her story and see the feminist influences she drew on to support her writing or illustrate her experiences. However, I could not relate well to the author and I often found her huge revelations to be "matter-of-fact", and I sometimes even felt a bit bored that her journey was progressing so slowly. I wonder if this may be because "my feminist awakening" happened when I was a young child and I have since become well-read in critical feminist theory. Therefore I would recommend this book to people who are at the earlier stages of their journey, or just curious or asking questions.

I found a physical copy of this book in my thrifting adventures, and immediately went to Amazon to purchase the ebook version after only reading the introduction. The author answers the very questions I had recently been seeking. Was I guided by Spirit to find this book? I believe so. For any woman who struggles with the church’s pervasive message of a woman’s ’place’ of sitting in deference to men, this book guides the reader to validate her own divine feminism.

I first stumbled on Sue Monk Kidd when I read one of her novels. This book is a spiritual journey of the author herself. Her search for spiritual enlightenment. I found so much of it ring true in my experience. Well presented. A spirit guide to finding one's internal strength as a woman without spewing anger and condemnation at the patriarchy.

This book is well written and sets out to challenge the reader, if they have not already gone down that road, to examine the patriarchy dominant in much of the US and the UK especially in Christian churches. Her story reminded me of my own although her route through the sacred feminine took a different turn than mine which led me into Celtic Christianity. Her last chapter on empowerment is vital to the whole story. Still relevant today although written 20 years ago