A Holy Mother

Photos copied from a book (see below for ordering information). Holy Mother.

Sri Sarada Devi (a modern Madonna)

Spiritual partner and wife of Ramakrishna

Being a woman or man has a list of challenges. As I look at compassion and forgiveness at new levels, I still see the world wide challenges for a woman objectified as a sex object, child bearer, house attendant, and the list continues. What is the root of the feminine nature and when was it held with respect, healthy adoration, and purity as a vessel for birthing mankind? Has there been someone who exemplifies this?

As women in the modern age, most of these points are compromised and become bargaining chips for survival or keeping some level of safety, security, or personal space. No doubt, there is a lot of disturbance in the outer world, but was there someone who could walk the talk at some point—a modern Madonna? Shri Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother, appears to fill this role. She was married to Ramakrishna, served him, and following his passing, her spiritual capacity blossomed to support the growing evolution of the Ramakrishna’s Order, as well as her own spiritual community. She viewed all the people of the world as her children. Simple, but what a clear and uncomplicated way to remove yet another point of separation. Ramakrishna was unique in his devotion to the spiritual Mother and the Holy Mother throughout his lifetime and walked the talk through his respect for the women of his time. Shri Sarada Devi was considered a ground breaker for her encouragement of women’s education and an unwillingness to follow caste, color, or global separation while serving or speaking with disciples.

Not unlike learning the origins of the caste system or the early civilization in India, the spiritual relationship between husband and wife was quite beautiful. The husband was to share his knowledge and teachings of spirituality with his wife, and she used these teachings as a householder, mother, and more to intertwine a spiritual energy into her daily life so it became less mechanical. The relationship  itself was based on respect, support, and healthy devotion. Just knowing about this pure archetype has allowed me to shift a big stone in my “Let go” sack. Men have a lot to overcome in their egos and the world is paying a price for this. Of course there are exceptions. Women have often had to escalate their egos to survive.

The debriding system of deepening is stunning. I had read about her before, but this time, I am so deeply touched that I could weep just looking at her photos and contemplating the birth, pain, and beauty of humanity. For the first time I have some true sense of what is being a woman and not what the outer world has constructed. Pranam Gurudev for loaning me this book.

Early support and advisor for the Ramakrishna Order

Mother to all of humanity

Ramakrishna

Happy Thanksgiving!

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