“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”
—Kofi Annan, 7th UN Secretary General
Last week my mother came to visit me in Colorado. After years of having ‘mother issues,’ I was able to see her for who she was and enjoy manyof her positive attributes.It left me pondering some of the other female relationships in my life, sisterhood, and the role of women in our society.
Many women, myself included, have sustained their share of abuse from men. It is easy to look at what’s going on in the world and point a finger at the masculine abuse of power. Certainly the #MeToo movement has been a potent catalyst for change. However, at some point I decided to turn that finger around and look at how I myself might be culpable, in not having always treated my fellow sisters with respect.
Through my enculturation, I have been socially conditioned to view women as being somehow inferior to men. Early on this played itself out in the schoolyard as boys took over the playground, and into my adolescence as I found myself disrespecting my mother in ways I would never have considered doing to my father. Later, in group dynamics and my professional life, I would often witness my female friends deferring to their male counterparts. As an adult I have both betrayed my girlfriends’ trust and have been betrayed. I have not been immune to jealousy with regard to my fellow sisters. It has been fascinating and humbling to see the effects of my conditioning.
When I was in LA experiencing a thriving career, I respected my work. Yet there were still some aspects of myself that were out in the cold and seeking to be embraced. Around that time, my relationship, living situation and career all dissolved within a month. The shattered pieces were eventually loved up and hugged back into greater wholeness, but I wouldn’t have been able to get through this time with out the guidance of some older, wiser, loving women. It was an immense gift to be enveloped by this mature support system.
Being so touched by what unfolded, it wasn’t long afterward that I began to hold women’s groups that focused on aspects of the divine feminine. These groups gave me an opportunity to connect with women on a more personal level and to honor the innate brilliance and divinity in all women.
With greater awareness much has changed. As a young adult I made amends with my mother and now honor and appreciate her presence in my life. I became aware of my own inclinations to yield to men. And now it is an absolute joy to celebrate the successes of my powerful female friends. It’s no surprise that I now find myself being called to offer all-women events. In these safe and strong feminine containers, the potential for healing, transformation and connection is immense.
Please join me in growing this community of sacred sisterhood! I’ll be in the Denver area June 8th, and I’m putting together a weekend to soak in the sisterhood during the weekend of August 25th and 26th in Crestone. Email jyoti@igniteyourinnerflame.comfor details.
“We must be that light of love that seals the bond and unique beauty of our sisterhood.” Bindu
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