Through the Lens of the Feminine Wisdom Teachings with Mirabai Starr

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The Wisdom Traditions and rituals of women mystics have been woefully neglected in both literature and in practice in most of the world’s religions. Starr shows us that feminine mystical experience with its emphasis on the value of relationships, feelings, and mutual empowerment over individual success can guide us through these turbulent times. Tune in to this deeply informative tour of our holy connection to mother earth, divine mystery, God the Mother, and the many female saints both present and historic. When asked how she reconciles her pursuit of many spiritual paths, she responds by pointing out that she follows the nectar found in many wisdom traditions rather than the dogma. She tells us this wisdom is primarily a feminine mystical experience. She doesn’t mean it is gender specific, the feminine resides in both men and women. Starr points to what is important: “The primary practice is about learning to be present with things as they are and there are spiritual technologies available to us across the spiritual traditions that help us to cultivate that depth of heartful presence in everything we do.” (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Mirabai Starr has taught philosophy and world religions at the University of New Mexico, Taos, for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and the interspiritual dialogue. She’s a certified bereavement counselor and travels the world speaking and giving workshops on contemplative practice and the teachings of the mystics.

Mirabai Starr is the author and editor of many books including:

• Dark Night of the Soul  (Riverhead 2003)
• The Interior Castle: St. Teresa of Avila (Riverhead 2004)
• Devotion, Prayers & Living Wisdom (Sounds True 2008), six-volume series of translations of the writings and poetry of six Christian mystics:
  • Saint John of the Cross (Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom)
  • Saint Michael the Archangel (Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom)
  • Saint Francis of Assisi (Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom)
  • Hildegard of Bingen (Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom)
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe (Devotions, Prayers, and Living Wisdom)
  • Saint Teresa of Avila (Devotions, Prayers & Living Wisdom)
• God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Monkfish 2012)
• Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics (Sounds True 2018)

To learn more about the work of Mirabai Starr go to www.mirabaistarr.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• What are the differences as expressed in feminine and masculine spiritualty
• What is the nuance idea of nondualism and how are some practitioners becoming rigid in their practice
• How spirituality can be experienced as body-centered
• Why there is no expiration date for grief
• What was Mirabai’s spiritual opening at an ashram in India led by the successor of Neem Karoli Baba
• Why the deeply felt pursuit of many spiritual paths does not make us a spiritual dilettante
• What are the three jewels of spiritual expression
• How the practice of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, is part of the feminine wisdom teachings
• Why the next Messiah is the spiritual community and not an individual
• How true feminine wisdom does not set up victims and perpetrators
• How feminine wisdom opens to the pain of the world
• What is the lesson taught by Christine Cleveland teaching misbehaving boys in a Christian school
• What is householder yoga
• What is Starr’s advice about giving advice especially when it comes to bereavement and grief
• How the masculine and feminine are not gender specific
  

Host: Justine Willis Toms   Interview Date: 4/9/2019   Program Number: 3672

Music Included

From Album:  O Eterne Deus
Artist: Vajra Voices
Music & Arts CD-1291 (2016)

Opening Essay: Track 01 Vajra Voices & Shira Kammen - Bingen Quia Ergo Femina
Music Break 1: Track 02 Karen Clark, Shira Kammen - Bingen O Quam Magnum Miraculum Est
Music Break 2: Track 03 Karen Clark Vajra Voices - Bingen Ave Generosa
Music Break 3: Track 04 Karen Clark Vajra Voices - Bingen O Frondens Virga