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Women of Power and Grace: Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time
The deeds miracles and teachings of these nine will be an inspiration to those who seek the deepest most powerful forms of spirituality. the book includes many of their teachings in their own words with special emphasis on the women of India who teach the sublime nondual Vedanta philosophy-one of the greatest philosophical achievements in the history of human thought. The stories of these spiritual champions of the highest order will excite the reader with the possibility of his or her own direct God-Realization the fullness of Divine Love Bliss Peace Freedom and Power.
- GenresSpiritualityNonfiction
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 26, 2022
A beautiful, powerful and inspiring book. A beacon of Light. 🙏
March 4, 2010
Loved reading about these women.
June 28, 2012
Amazing and inspirational women that not only smashed the mold of what is expected and acceptable, they pushed the boundaries into the realm of near impossibility.
Read
July 25, 2012This book always points me back home to my heart whenever I am in pain or lost.
August 31, 2017
Incredible stories of female luminaries that can inspire us all!
June 24, 2016
Writing about a series of female “saints” from different time periods and religious traditions is a challenging task. The variety of lifestyles and teachings (or lack thereof) coupled with the variability of information available makes composing an integrated book difficult. In Women of Power and Grace, Timothy Conway might have employed an editor to make the profiles a bit more homogenous, specifically by cutting down on the number of certain of the women’s teachings to reveal their philosophies more succinctly, to make the women’s profiles more consistent. Also, it might have made more sense to put the appended chapter on miracles towards the beginning. My rating for this book is 3.5 stars, but I upgraded to 4 because of the author’s intent to uplift readers by presenting inspirational true-life characters.
The following women are profiled, including photos or illustrations of each:
Mother Frances Cabrini (1850 – 1917): An Italian Roman Catholic by birth, she went to NYC to uplift impoverished immigrants, arriving without promised funds or place to stay. Using considerable ingenuity, she went on to establish hospitals, orphanages, and convents throughout the US and the world, as well as encouraging preservation of Italian language and culture throughout the Italian diaspora.
Therese Neumann (1898 – 1962): A Roman Catholic from Bavaria, West Germany, Therese was known for her stigmata and transcending of suffering. She was clairvoyant and interceded to heal others, often generating so-called miracle cures.
Pelagia Ivanonva (1809 – 1884): A Russian Eastern Orthodox Christian, known as a “holy fool,” or someone “intoxicated by God’s love” to the point of apparent insanity. Disowned by her family, she was eventually welcomed into a Diveyevo convent, where her clairvoyance, prophetic, and healing skills helped her community.
Mother Maria Skobstova (1891 – 1945): A Russian Orthodox Socialist intellectual, she was married twice and had three children, one out of wedlock. Before and during the Russian Revolution, she published political poetry to resist the Bolsheviks. Later, she helped Russian immigrants in France both materially and spiritually. When Hitler took Paris, she publicly defied him, posting bills calling him insane. Although martyred by the Nazis, she kept a cheerful attitude till the end.
Hazrat Babajan ( ? – 1931): Born an Afghani Muslim princess, she fled from marriage and material wealth across the Khyber Pass to India, where she became a Sufi renunciate, living in poverty, meditating, and singing devotional songs. During her long life, she traveled throughout India, giving advice and healing to followers. Mystic Meher Baba, known for his aphorism, “Don’t worry, be happy,” was her devotee and initiate.
Anandamayi Ma (1896 – 1982): A Hindu from East Bengal, she is known as the “guru of gurus,” as so many spiritual leaders came to her for blessings. Married at age 13, she honored her husband in the traditional subservient Hindu way, even as he became her devotee when her spiritual powers became obvious. She embodied bliss, peace, and total immersion in All-That-Is, and seekers flocked to her as she traveled throughout India giving blessings and initiations. She embodied complete joy and many miracles are associated with her.
Anasuya Devi (1923 – 1985): Considered odd and impertinent by her family, this Southern Indian Hindu woman was spiritually possessed in bliss from an early age, yet direct and practical in her speech. She married a man of lower class, had three children, and was a classically submissive Hindu wife. Yet devotees came to her for spiritual advice and initiation. She is unusual in teaching that both bad and good behaviors and personality traits are infused by the One (God), so no path is inherently good or evil.
Syama Mataji (b. 1916): A Hindu born in northern India, Syama married at age 11 and had several children, one of whom survived. Pressured by her in-laws for more children, she sought the blessing from a fancifully named local swami, 108 Sri Baba Radha Swamiji Majaraj, who assigned her the impossible task of chanting a long mantra 100,000 times a day. When she succeeded—in addition to her daily wifely duties—she became spiritually enlightened and more interested in spiritual practice than family life. Surviving many beatings, she escaped to wander throughout India, composing and singing devotional songs, doing charitable work, and performing miracles in many communities.
Mata Amritanandamayi (b. 1953): born a Hindu in Southern India, her extended family made her their servant because of her dark skin. She did her work joyfully despite insults and beatings, chanting mantras and singing devotional songs that she composed, until she became spiritually enlightened. Her beautiful voice and concern for others in combination with her shining God-identified presence drew devotees despite her family’s objections. She healed the sick, inspired the hopeless, established orphanages, hospitals, and ashrams, and worked miracles. Nowadays she travels throughout the world, giving hugs, healing, both spiritual and worldly advice—and often chocolate kisses—to all.
What is most interesting is that these women overcame their difficulties by being completely immersed in God-spirit, yet were humble about their own personal power. They all had the ability to accept what is and faith in the powers that be to take care of the future. Many suffered with health issues throughout their lives, yet focused upon uplifting others rather than their own challenges. Whether or not their teachings resonate with a particular reader—personally I’m not looking for a spiritual teacher—reading about these lives can uplift readers enough to approach their own challenges with more ease.
Anyone, especially female, who likes unusual biographies will enjoy this book. Spiritual seekers will find much to contemplate. Those looking for inspiration in their own lives through examining nontraditional life histories of others will want to give this book a whirl.
The following women are profiled, including photos or illustrations of each:
Mother Frances Cabrini (1850 – 1917): An Italian Roman Catholic by birth, she went to NYC to uplift impoverished immigrants, arriving without promised funds or place to stay. Using considerable ingenuity, she went on to establish hospitals, orphanages, and convents throughout the US and the world, as well as encouraging preservation of Italian language and culture throughout the Italian diaspora.
Therese Neumann (1898 – 1962): A Roman Catholic from Bavaria, West Germany, Therese was known for her stigmata and transcending of suffering. She was clairvoyant and interceded to heal others, often generating so-called miracle cures.
Pelagia Ivanonva (1809 – 1884): A Russian Eastern Orthodox Christian, known as a “holy fool,” or someone “intoxicated by God’s love” to the point of apparent insanity. Disowned by her family, she was eventually welcomed into a Diveyevo convent, where her clairvoyance, prophetic, and healing skills helped her community.
Mother Maria Skobstova (1891 – 1945): A Russian Orthodox Socialist intellectual, she was married twice and had three children, one out of wedlock. Before and during the Russian Revolution, she published political poetry to resist the Bolsheviks. Later, she helped Russian immigrants in France both materially and spiritually. When Hitler took Paris, she publicly defied him, posting bills calling him insane. Although martyred by the Nazis, she kept a cheerful attitude till the end.
Hazrat Babajan ( ? – 1931): Born an Afghani Muslim princess, she fled from marriage and material wealth across the Khyber Pass to India, where she became a Sufi renunciate, living in poverty, meditating, and singing devotional songs. During her long life, she traveled throughout India, giving advice and healing to followers. Mystic Meher Baba, known for his aphorism, “Don’t worry, be happy,” was her devotee and initiate.
Anandamayi Ma (1896 – 1982): A Hindu from East Bengal, she is known as the “guru of gurus,” as so many spiritual leaders came to her for blessings. Married at age 13, she honored her husband in the traditional subservient Hindu way, even as he became her devotee when her spiritual powers became obvious. She embodied bliss, peace, and total immersion in All-That-Is, and seekers flocked to her as she traveled throughout India giving blessings and initiations. She embodied complete joy and many miracles are associated with her.
Anasuya Devi (1923 – 1985): Considered odd and impertinent by her family, this Southern Indian Hindu woman was spiritually possessed in bliss from an early age, yet direct and practical in her speech. She married a man of lower class, had three children, and was a classically submissive Hindu wife. Yet devotees came to her for spiritual advice and initiation. She is unusual in teaching that both bad and good behaviors and personality traits are infused by the One (God), so no path is inherently good or evil.
Syama Mataji (b. 1916): A Hindu born in northern India, Syama married at age 11 and had several children, one of whom survived. Pressured by her in-laws for more children, she sought the blessing from a fancifully named local swami, 108 Sri Baba Radha Swamiji Majaraj, who assigned her the impossible task of chanting a long mantra 100,000 times a day. When she succeeded—in addition to her daily wifely duties—she became spiritually enlightened and more interested in spiritual practice than family life. Surviving many beatings, she escaped to wander throughout India, composing and singing devotional songs, doing charitable work, and performing miracles in many communities.
Mata Amritanandamayi (b. 1953): born a Hindu in Southern India, her extended family made her their servant because of her dark skin. She did her work joyfully despite insults and beatings, chanting mantras and singing devotional songs that she composed, until she became spiritually enlightened. Her beautiful voice and concern for others in combination with her shining God-identified presence drew devotees despite her family’s objections. She healed the sick, inspired the hopeless, established orphanages, hospitals, and ashrams, and worked miracles. Nowadays she travels throughout the world, giving hugs, healing, both spiritual and worldly advice—and often chocolate kisses—to all.
What is most interesting is that these women overcame their difficulties by being completely immersed in God-spirit, yet were humble about their own personal power. They all had the ability to accept what is and faith in the powers that be to take care of the future. Many suffered with health issues throughout their lives, yet focused upon uplifting others rather than their own challenges. Whether or not their teachings resonate with a particular reader—personally I’m not looking for a spiritual teacher—reading about these lives can uplift readers enough to approach their own challenges with more ease.
Anyone, especially female, who likes unusual biographies will enjoy this book. Spiritual seekers will find much to contemplate. Those looking for inspiration in their own lives through examining nontraditional life histories of others will want to give this book a whirl.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews