Emerging Paradigms, The Divine Feminine and Learning to Love the Bear

Last updated on: July 29, 2014 at 3:06 pm by Women of Spirit and Faith

Emerging Paradigms, The Divine Feminine and Learning to Love the Bear 2014-07-29T15:06:52+00:00 Women of Spirit and Faith

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As I scan the horizon in search of religious trends and emerging spirituality, I see a huge wave of change that can be summarized in one sentence: The Divine Feminine is on the rise… and that’s a good thing! The wisdom of the Divine Feminine may be the only compass that can lead us through these times.

The past few weeks have been a real challenge for those of us working to build cooperation, collaboration, unity and enlightenment on this planet. We have been bombarded by dark news of conflict and violence, separation and hatred, ‘us’ and ‘them’. I am reminded of an old Russian proverb shared by a friend years ago: If you ask a bear to dance, you have to be willing to dance until the bear is ready to sit down. I see humanity growing a bit weary and discouraged as we are required to endure yet another round of our dance with an old bear named Patriarchy in our quest for planetary transformation. The bear clings frantically to old patterns and ways of doing things, holding on tightly to the familiar and fighting back fiercely as new paradigms emerge.

At the same time, I am amazed at how quickly transformation is happening. I know so many people working in creative ways to build a world of compassion, cooperation and sustainability; their bright lights connect to create powerful new constellations of hope. I see how the Divine is guiding and nurturing this amazing hive of evolving humanity and am awed every day to witness miracles both large and small. On a deeply personal level, I experience more love and enjoy more profoundly authentic relationships. My intuition is growing stronger and my faith in the Divine Feminine keeps me sane and grounded as I embrace the paradox of these times.

The Divine Feminine embodies wholeness and invites me to celebrate both the darkness and the light. She offers me a safe sacred space where I can rest when I am weary and discouraged. She teaches me to dance with wild abandon as a form of prayer. She whispers words of hope and encouragement when I admit that I don’t know the answers; in fact, Her miracles seem to show up most often when I surrender to ‘not knowing’. She invites me to remember that the Earth is sacred, that I need to live in balance with all of the natural world. She asks me to re-member the truth of who I am.

I hear the messages of the Divine Feminine everywhere.

I hear Her name spoken by both men and women, young and old, from all faith traditions and religions.

I hear Her voice rising up at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, United Religions Initiative, at hundreds of circles and gatherings on several different continents.

I hear Her voice rising up as more women speak out, bringing their voices and wisdom to leadership on this planet – even at risk of their lives.

I heard Her voice as a young indigenous woman shared this vision in 2013:

She is walking on a road with a group of women when they encounter a very large wounded bear. The bear is howling, angry and frantic with pain and the women are terrified they will be killed. The young woman hears the voice of the Mother telling her “Love the bear”. She gently approaches the bear, speaking words of love and wraps her arms around him. The bear relaxes in her arms and tells her that he knows he will soon die. He instructs her to take his pelt and to use it to heal the world.

I am still learning to love the bear… and I trust that Divine Mother will love me even as I struggle.

Kathe Schaaf is a founding member of Women of Spirit and Faith, organized in 2010 with the intention of exploring, nurturing and celebrating women’s spiritual leadership. She is one of the editors of Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership: Where Grace Meets Power, an anthology of women’s wisdom.

and Spiritual Evolution

Consciousness

Previous Post

July 21, 2014

Lifting the veil: Is the Time Now?

Next Post

July 30, 2014 The Veil

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 28-day meditation challenge A new world Alchemy: Occupy Your Sacred Self Ancestors and Spiritual Evolution Consciousness Ending violence against women Holiday season: quiet time or chaos? How has She blessed you in 2011? inter-being. Interfaith Invitation to blog: What does a world transformed by the Divine Feminine look like? Sounds like? Taste like? Smell like? Living the Divine Feminine Mother Work Mothers and mothering On Feminine Ground Owning Our Wisdom Parliament of Worlds Religions Personal rituals or practices that keep you in touch with the Divine Feminine Reclaiming the heart of our humanity Reflections on WSF retreat Sacred Love Stepping Stones on the Spiritual Path The next generation Tugging at your heart Uncategorized Videos: women of spirit and faith What are you longing for? What are you noticing? What are your dreams/intuitions telling you? What gets stirred up in you when you hear the words "War on Women"? What happens when women lead? What is "the Divine Feminine"? What is the Devine Fem calling you to do? What wants to Emerge? When we act as the Divine Feminine... Who inspires you? Why I am a... Women of Spirit and Faith

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2015 October 2015 August 2015 July 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz