Waking up to a peaceful morning, my attention was drawn to the following excerpt from Jamie Sams' book, The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers: Your Sacred Path to Discovering the Gifts, Talents, and Abilities of the Feminine Through the Ancient Teachings of the Sisterhood. Realising that it had in fact been some 15 years since I read this book, and considering that I am currently in the process of formulating community based "Sister Circles", the synchronicity of things brought a smile to my face. Synchronicity? Or maybe it is the way of the Goddess, the Sacred She, working Her subtle ways yet again.
This "Legacy of Women" that Jamie writes about in the following excerpt is one of the underlying factors that I believe women need the opportunity to come together and spend time with other women. It does not necessary need to be a spiritual exchange for even belonging to seemingly mundane organisations such as the Country Women's Association, the Lioness Club (version of the Lions Club which is for women) or even a local gardening group offer women the opportunity to experience the much needed sense of "sisterhood". (Just as our brothers have been gathering in "men's clubs/sheds", Masonic lodges, Lions/Rotary clubs, and the like for many centuries that enable a sense of "brotherhood").
It may take a while to find a women's group, Red Tent or Sister Circle that you feel comfortable with as there are many variations that each gathering of women can be run. However, if reading what Jamie Sams writes about the "legacy of women" registers a cord with you, then I would encourage you to consider seeking out such a group that will comfortably offer you that invaluable sense of "sisterhood". And if you are not able to find one that meets all your needs, then maybe even consider forming such a gathering yourself (ways on how to do this will be covered later).
"Legacy of Women" by Jamie Sams
As women, we are continually writing the history of the Legacy of Women. We cannot point a finger at men or each other without owning the pain of past generations who forgot how to give or teach human compassion. Our own family trees are filled with teaching situations and with tragic examples that may have blinded our own Ancestors to the values of truth as it is found in love. Now, the destiny of wholeness of the human race falls to the Sisterhood because all things are born of woman.
"When each woman honours her Self, more raw, creative energy is available to be used by the whole to effect changes in the way humankind reacts to life. When women are no longer lost, asking others to tell them what they should do or how they should live, there will be great changes in our world. This is not to say that the friendships and bonds of women are not to be used; on the contrary, the support of other women who have walked the same path is paramount. This kind of support is based on truth and delivered with caring-without projections or judging another. That kind of support is healthy and productive, when other women create a safe place in which to share personal thoughts and offer alternatives in a respectful way. The sisterhood always supports every woman who is willing to surmount her own challenges in order to grow.
"The Legacy of Woman does not have to include the former hurts that have set woman against woman, women against men, or caused women to destroy themselves through sabotage….there is no need to get involved with the high drama and pettiness that has kept us from achieving human harmony when we are busy working on becoming our personal visions.
"Self-esteem is reclaimed when the feminine principle of nurturing the Self is practiced, instead of expecting our sense of wholeness to come from our relationship to another person. When we care enough for ourselves to take the time we need to give to the Self, we will feel complete."
As women, we are continually writing the history of the Legacy of Women. We cannot point a finger at men or each other without owning the pain of past generations who forgot how to give or teach human compassion. Our own family trees are filled with teaching situations and with tragic examples that may have blinded our own Ancestors to the values of truth as it is found in love. Now, the destiny of wholeness of the human race falls to the Sisterhood because all things are born of woman.
"When each woman honours her Self, more raw, creative energy is available to be used by the whole to effect changes in the way humankind reacts to life. When women are no longer lost, asking others to tell them what they should do or how they should live, there will be great changes in our world. This is not to say that the friendships and bonds of women are not to be used; on the contrary, the support of other women who have walked the same path is paramount. This kind of support is based on truth and delivered with caring-without projections or judging another. That kind of support is healthy and productive, when other women create a safe place in which to share personal thoughts and offer alternatives in a respectful way. The sisterhood always supports every woman who is willing to surmount her own challenges in order to grow.
"Self-esteem is reclaimed when the feminine principle of nurturing the Self is practiced, instead of expecting our sense of wholeness to come from our relationship to another person. When we care enough for ourselves to take the time we need to give to the Self, we will feel complete."
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