I am Representing for Spirituality, Mimosas, and An Empire State of Mind

Recently I joked with a girlfriend that I don’t see women like me in spiritual communities.
For the record I am a Black American woman who’s over 35 years old. I am not a vegan. I love expensive shoes and high-end hotels. I don’t want to go to Bali or Costa Rica to do yoga. I’d however be down to do a food and wine tour in Italy. In between courses we could discuss how to find the sacred in everyday activities like cooking and sharing meals with others. I curse, often. I also blast rap music as I drive my luxury car. BTW, I wear my hair natural but that’s subject to change. I haven’t experienced any emotional or physical trauma. All I can cop to is run of the mill family dysfunction and a divorce that didn’t involve any sordid details.
All of that said...I am a deeply spiritual person who has an active relationship with God. I see signs; believe in miracles; and feel the presence of spirits. I see the Law of Attraction as rooted in religious and mystical texts that essentially say, “Ask and it shall be given.” I feel the energy that emanates from crystals and I usually carry one or two in my pocket or handbag. I cast runes and use oracle cards. I am a student of traditional African religions, Black American folk magic and mythology. I’ve learned how to sit still and meditate so that I could hear what God was trying to tell me. I’ve been a seeker of spiritual truth since I was in middle school.
For me spirituality is not about attaining enlightenment, it’s a process to eliminate all of the mental BS that we’ve learned that makes us believe that we’re separate from God. In our separateness we believe that we are unworthy of receiving our divine inheritance. Spirituality coaxes you into trusting your intuition, which is your personal pathway to Source. By initiating and strengthening that connection, you have the ability to manifest better relationships, more prosperity and improved health. Rather than being a victim of circumstance, you can become a conscious co-creator of your life.
Unfortunately, there are millions of women like me, of all ethnicities, who aren’t participating in spiritual communities. There’s a sense that we may be seen as too materialistic and not sufficiently evolved. We eat meat and enjoy wine as well sugary desserts. It’s not a crazy assumption. I attended a few gatherings and while everyone was nice, I didn’t feel totally accepted. The underlying message was that I needed to denounce my diet and lifestyle to get on the “right” spiritual path. Consequently, I walked my self-discovery journey alone, aside from the indirect mentoring I received from Black American, Caribbean, African, Latina and White women spiritual teachers, healers, astrologers, brujas and tarot readers who I stumbled upon in books and online. These aren’t the big name gurus everyone knows. Ironically (or maybe not) most of these women curse like sailors, reference pop culture, talk openly about sex and they love to eat. Most important, none of these traits diminish their spiritual gravitas. These women allowed me to see that there are different ways for women to walk their faith.
Women who feel as I did, who are unsupported on their spiritual journeys are missing out on being part of communities that see and values them, “as is”. As the comedian Kevin Hart said, “No person succeeds alone. Success is a community effort.” Spiritual isolation leaves us without the guidance, feedback, and accountability that really nurtures and sustains growth. Additionally, when spiritual women operate in isolation they can’t be groomed to lead their own tribes or groups.
I am not throwing shade at the established spiritual circles because they serve particular audiences. My only gripe is that they do a better job of crediting the cultures and teachers, often women of color and indigenous women, who inform their work. What is apparent however is that their reflections of spirituality are incomplete. Moreover, their brand of spirituality can feel restrictive, especially to women who come from cultures where the sacred and the profane co-exist as part of the human experience. I feel that these are some of the reasons why I got the call to teach, write and speak about spirituality. My job is to expand the dialogue and the experience of spirituality to include more women.
In truth, since I didn’t see women like myself visible, much less front and center of spiritual communities, I found it difficult to envision myself as a leader. Despite my knowledge and personal experience of spiritual transformation, I questioned my ability to be a credible teacher. I was waiting for some outside validation and was afraid to heed the call. I felt like a fraud. I wasn’t deep enough. I felt like the song, What I am by Edie Brickell and The New Bohemians, “I know what I know. If you know what I mean.” My shit worked for me but would it be valuable to other women? The call however didn’t go away; it actually got louder with each month that I dragged my feet. I decided to ask for guidance. I asked God what message exactly was my imperfect ass being told to spread, and to whom?
No trumpets sounded nor did I have any immediate revelations. Then one day sitting outdoors at a local Starbucks everything became crystal clear. The things about myself that I had seen as liabilities were the exact reasons I was chosen to teach. I am the person women who feel like spiritual outsiders need to hear so that they foster their own relationships with Source. I am a vessel to widen the audience and birth more wise women, priestesses, healers, soul warriors and sacred mothers. I am a testament that you can be yourself, whoever that is, and connect to God’s love, abundance, protection and guidance. My unique background, experiences and perspectives which includes being a former attorney and author make me the chosen one.
I took the title Soul Catalyst™ because by showing up in this new role I also encourage other women to unchain their spirits. My intention is that my example gives them the courage to consciously choose love over fear so that they can live from their truest selves. My message helps them to know that they are “enough” and deserve the best in life because God sees them in their perfection. Like rap artist Jay-Z, a fellow Brooklynite said, “I am a “way show-er” — -helping women to craft their own brands of spirituality that propel the evolution of their souls.
That’s where I am right now. Each day I am being guided to the next step. The only criteria is that I do what I love and act from divine intention and this will mean serving women who resonate with what I have to offer. If you like your spirituality presented with a mimosa and an Empire State of Mind, you’re likely part of my tribe.
Yvonne Bynoe, the Soul Catalyst ™ is completing her forthcoming book Spark Your Revolution: How to Light a Fire Under Your Ass To Create a Richer, More Satisfying Life and developing my first online class and weekend retreat in Fall, 2017.
