253 Quotes by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Writing, real writing, should leave a small sweet bruise somewhere on the writer . . . and on the reader.

To be ourselves causes us to be exiled by many others, and yet to comply with what others want causes us to be exiled from ourselves.

Asking the proper question is the central act of transformation!

The psyches and souls of women also have their own cycles and seasons of doing and solitude, running and staying, being involved and being removed, questing and resting, creating and incubating, being of the world and returning to the soul-place.

Ritual is one of the ways in which humans put their lives in perspective, whether it be Purim, Advent, or drawing down the moon. Ritual calls together the shades and specters in people's lives, sorts them out, puts them to rest.

All that you are seeking is also seeking you. If you lie still, sit still, it will find you. It has been waiting for you a long time.

Artfulness is not simple entertainment, especially during upheaval, unleashing creative life is sacred duty.

A Prayer Refuse to fall down If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down. If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven, and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven only you. It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear. The one who says nothing good came of this, is not yet listening.

Anytime we feed soul, it guarantees increase.