Mother Divine

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conversationswithnoone

5 min readMay 16, 2018

Mothers, Mother Earth, Mother Divine

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day in the US and last Thursday was Mother’s Day in Mexico where I happened to be located. And the celebrations of motherhood and parenthood, but motherhood, in particular, nipped at my heels as the day went by. And of course, the Universe being who She is decided that I needed to not just see the celebrations but to have them poured into my consciousness through those little holes called ears. So the Universe decided to put the Devi Prayer into my Spotify playlist … just for good measure.

While I’m walking the streets of this lovely town in Mexico the Devi Prayer, which is a hymn to the Divine Mother was playing in my ears. It found itself into me on many occasions even though I was not actively looking for this particular hymn. I guess that’s how it kinda goes. When the student needs something, the Universe as a teacher will present the lesson. It’s just our job to be open enough to listen and accept the gift.

This particular hymn is to the Divine Mother. To Mother Earth. But in reality, it is a hymn to all mothers. In fact, it is a hymn to all parents and to all divine spirits that have touched us, have molded and crafted our character, who love us with the ferocity of a mother, and support our journey, from the Sun, to Mother Earth, to all those that have come before us, and all those that touch us now.

My mother passed away a few years back. So giving thanks to her has to come from my heart since I can’t reach out to her during this lifetime. The recognition of that hit me hard. The thanks and reverence that we owe those who not only are still in our lives but who have since moved on. Those people whose love still molds our spirit, whose voices we still hear in the back of our heads even though their words are quiet now.

Today while getting settled back from my trip, I found this oil painting painted by mother in 1961. Three years before I was born some 56 years ago when my mother was 23 years old. It’s full of life and spirit and the essence of a young girl from a Latin country (she was born in Uruguay). And it reminded me of the true spirit of my mother.

Since today was Mother’s Day in Mexico, the kids in the class I teach were creating cards for their mom’s. Everyone was creating a card to give to their mom. Everyone except Miguel. Miguel is a quiet sweetheart of a kid. He’s happy, and fun, and smiley. He’s 7 years old. And his mother passed away last year from cancer. So he’s writing a card to his mom up in heaven and him and his sister are going to take it to where his mom is buried and give it to her there.

Of course, as I turned into a puddle upon hearing that, I realized that I should pay attention to all the people and spirits I am thankful for. The ones that are still with me as well as the ones that have passed. Because things change so quickly and as in Miguel’s situation, and although I had my mom for many years of my adult life, she is now gone, the people in our lives ebb and flow. Sometimes they are by our sides, and at others, they are not. So giving thanks, every chance you get. Living in gratitude and not taking anyone’s presence for granted is what it’s all about.

So here’s my question: “Who could you listen to this hymn for?” Who in your life are you grateful for? Who has been with you and crafted your character with you? Who has loved you with the ferocity of a … mom? Give thanks to those people. Be truly grateful in your heart. Express it. Don’t let a moment go by without really feeling their depth. From mom’s to Mother Earth to everyone who has touched you.

See you on the wire

— Steven Cardinale

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— — — Hymn to the Divine Mother Translation — — -

The Divine Mother is everywhere.

She is in everything.

She is the Divine Essence that lives within all beings.

Her domain is the field of life, for she gives

to all beings the sustenance that is needed for life.

Her beauty lives in the natural world,

and spans the universes in all their splendor.

She has been called by many names,

for all traditions recognize Her.

Into each consciousness, the knowledge is given

of the sacredness of life.

This sacredness IS the Mother.

She is the holy generator of the physical world,

joined to the heart and soul of every living thing.

All of the Earth is one with Her.

All beings of the Earth owe their life to Her,

for she is the Mother of all, the One who bestows

all gifts of life.

Her gifts come to the deserving and to the

non-deserving alike, for the sun does not choose

upon whom to shine.

She is the source of Divine blessing, the part

of the Oneness that bestows the graces that fill life.

We have not seen Her because her being is

cloaked in silence.

She emerges now as part of the Oneness where

she has always resided, blessing all, giving to all.

All who bow before Her are sustained by the life

within them.

All who honor Her are sustained by life’s gifts

both within themselves and beyond.

The purpose of existence is to join with Life that lives

in all dimensions and all realms of being.

It is the Mother that creates this evolving,

this unfolding journey,

for she is the fabric of Time itself,

the means by which all things grow.

She is the template for life that exists within Her —

the substance and form of all that shall ever come to be.

May all be blessed by the blessings of the

Divine Oneness.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Sanskrit “Devi Prayer” from “108 Sacred Names of Mother Divine” by Craig Pruess and Ananda:

Ma Amba Lalitha Devi

Parashakti Sundari