I would like to share with you a deeply inspirational book, The Power of Shakti: 18 Pathways to Ignite the Energy of the Divine Woman, by Padma Aon Prakasha. I highly recommend it for those of us who wish to lay aside all of the myths and cultural limitations and intense pain that surrounds the feminine, and embrace our power as women.

It does not exclude men, however. As a man, Padma Aon Prakasha writes with a brilliance that is all inclusive. In order to be balanced, a man must embrace his feminine side. He can do this simply for himself (which in turn, helps all humankind), or he can enter into the intimate dance that happens when he assists his partner to find herself, or himself, whichever the case may be. No "body", no soul that is alive on this planet, is excluded from the energy of Shakti.

We are female, and we are male, in a glorious explosion of diversity and exhuberance!!

I am particularly moved by a portion of it that I will make reference to here. As we move along in our discovery of ourselves, we enter deeper and deeper into what it means to be female, and what the symbolism that surrounds the female parts has to reveal. It is sensual, sexual and spiritual all at once. It can be unnerving to those of us who have spent a lifetime resisting the embrace of our femininity. We resist because it seems more acceptable to be seen as strong and capable (translation: be a smaller version of a man), as able to work and compete and "to run with the big dogs," (these being men), and to embrace our intellectual, analytical side (the yang, or male aspect of the psyche) to the neglect of our yin, or softer, feminine side.

Conversely, we have accepted a version of the female that does in no way threaten the potency of a "real" man, the way most of the world still embodies him. Even though we have "come a long way, baby," we still see the frivolous, narcissistic, shoe hugging woman who is frightened of her own shadow as what society accepts, and so we strive to invent ourselves in that image.

Those of us who step up to the plate, showing up as our authentic selves - strong and resilient, assertive and independent are sometimes considered tomboys, or give much more degrading labels, even by those of our own sex. The most challenging aspect of life for a strong female is to find a counterpart that can accept and celebrate her as the Goddess that she is. Thank God for a genuinely strong partner when you find one! I do every day!

Reality is that we still have a long way to go in order for the entire world to embrace the Divine Woman. What we need is prayer and tireless striving to bring as much light onto the planet as each one of us possibly can, and to gather and combine our energies so as to raise the vibration of the Mother exponentially.

As you progress deeper into the book, you enter what has been termed as the "Seventh Gate."  The Seventh Gate is the infinite well of Divine Consciousness, and the Holy Grail where "everything stops and revels in the deep silence before creation." One of the female contributors to the book writes:

"This is the divine secret that has been lost to humanity and has resulted in their intense separation. If all could accept, hear, and practice this knowledge, all would feel themselves pulled along towards God on this ever upward spinning spiral of giving and receiving. This beautiful journey is the key to your homecoming, and yet you are the one's who chose not only to ignore it, but to forget it was ever possible. (TA)"

What I have highlighted above is the most wonderful way of describing our need to return to God that I have ever read in my life! No-one has put it more eloquently! The upward spinning spiral of giving and receiving is something we all can visualize and has been part of many cultures' spiritual practices. My artist friend, Maggie, uses the spiral in this manner in her paintings, and when you see her work you cannot help but be moved, as they are Divinely inspired.

Meditation, as in all aspects of inner work, is the key. The retreat that is within is the most profound, the homecoming the most joyful, and the silence within its hallowed halls deeply sacred.

Inspiration for my newest song came from reading this book. It is called. . . .tenderize. . . .and is a call to everyone who hears it that NOW is the time for selfless compassion for yourself, for kindness as you work through all of your errors and missteps, and to chose to look on yourself in the mirror with tender eyes. It is giving yourself that "soft place to fall" that Dr. Phil so eloquently speaks of.

Tenderize your life. Listen to the negative talk with which you bludgeon yourself each day. Express gratitude for your ability to discern what is good for you, and take it to your heart.  Listen appreciatively and discern what is not serving you, and let that go with love.

Do not give self depreciation any more of your time or energy. You, your spirit, your very life!!! is precious and Divine. Send yourself some love. Send yourself a whole lot of love. And you will begin to free the power of the Divine Woman in you.

Its time . . . . to tenderize
To look on her with tender eyes
To know that she's a lady
And to give that lady . . . . Love
song by PDT


luv ya . . . .