About The Book

"Return of the Yin: A Tale of Peace and Hope for a Troubled World" is part fable and part visionary glimpse of a world transformed by love.

The first half of the book is written like a fairy tale or fable, telling the story of a princess persecuted by a world without love.

The second half brings us to the present day and a woman who has a vision for a world, communities and businesses that operate out of a fundamental desire to create love in the world.

The idea of returning the "yin" to the world means to bring balance where there is an unbalance. In Wolverton’s view, today's business world contains an abundance of yang energy that can translate to driving forward without regard for the damage done to humans, animals and the Earth.

In a yang industry, employees work long hours, sacrifice family, and give up vacation time because that is the nature of the business.

Yin industries, however, restore balance in business by incorporating yin qualities such as compassion, justice, nurturing, loving kindness and receptiveness.

In the book "Return of the Yin," the female characters learn how love is their highest value, then return to their homes with their new value system, influencing positive change in their businesses and communities.

Some changes described in the book include children's centers in companies where boys and girls are invited to creative meetings or can sit with their parents as they work, allowing mothers to choose a career without worrying about child care. Productivity soars and relationships between parents and children improve dramatically.

Although the term "yin industries" was coined by Wolverton for her book, she points to a real-life example where yin exists in a successful modern-day business. She had the opportunity to tour the Clif Bar company in Berkeley, California which produces the popular Clif Bar energy bar.

Company owner Gary Erickson told how a few years ago he had an opportunity to sell the company for an amount that would make him a rich man for the rest of his life. He almost did it, making his decision at the last possible moment. He decided he could not sell out.

Says Wolverton, "The Clif Bar company is dedicated to providing a quality product while providing a supportive, nurturing environment to employees and practicing environmentally sustainable practices. Their wellness program includes a workout room which employees can use during company hours, a meditation room, child care facilities, a massage therapist. Plus they have a corporate ecologist to make sure the company's footprint on the Earth is as small as possible."

Clif Bar, Inc. was selected to Inc. magazine's list of fastest-growing private companies four years in a row, and Health magazine named it the "Healthiest Company for Women to Work in the United States" thwarting the argument that a yin industry cannot be successful.

By developing and cultivating yin industries, Wolverton believes that growth in business will be more sustainable, diverse and nourishing to communities and the world.

Read an excerpt of the book

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