GURU PURNIMA: JAYASHRI MA

This year Guru Purnima is on American Independence Day, July 4th, the day Americans declared their independence from the Brits. Indians and Americans have that in common: they were colonies of Great Britain. In both countries we cherish our civil liberties. Teachers have been an important profession in both nations. Both countries have great religious diversity.

A guru is a spiritual teacher or master. Your mother was your first guru, so we all have had a female guru in our lives. A guru can also be a teacher on any subject who has great knowledge of a topic or experiences. An animal, plant or a tree can also teach you just like a human guru can how to be a better human being. Think about your cat or dog who has great love for you. They can teach you about unconditional love. Being in nature can teach you great respect for Mother Earth. Krishna said that trees were great sentient beings and that they give so much to humanity. They provide oxygen, shade, fruits, bark, herbs, medicines and more.

India has a history of female gurus, even though many people do have a male guru. Linda Johnsen, a great female American Hindu scholar, has written a book entitled, " Daughters of the Goddess." It is one of the most well known books on female gurus. Her publisher is Yes Publications located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The other great book on female gurus is "The Graceful Guru, " edited by Karen Pechilis. It is a collection of articles and scholarly writing on female gurus written by eight women and one enlightened man. The book's focus is on female gurus in India and the United States. All the authors are professors of religion. Some know about history and various languages, including Hindi and Sanskrit. Oxford University is the publisher who publishes worldwide at several different locations and offices, including New York. The introduction is extensive on the topic of female gurus. The "Vedas" has 27 female authors who were female sages. A female sage is called a Rishika. You can also use the term Rishi or philosopher. There are number of modern female gurus of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Today I will feature a female guru who lives in India in West Bengal, which is part of modern day Bangladesh. India at one time was a great empire, which included modern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir, Bhutan, Nepal and many of the modern day republics with the suffix "stan," such as Tajikistan and others. Hinduism is the most ancient spiritual tradition of humanity. Women were educated in those ancient times and became teachers and sages. Being a philosopher was an option women had in very few nations of the world. India was a country who encouraged women to study scriptures and holy texts in Vedic times.

Jayashri Ma is a school teacher who lives in an apartment. Her activities as a female guru are very secret because of the influence of the Communists in this state. Religion and spirituality are not encouraged and are looked down upon by these leaders. She would be fired if they knew of her role as a female guru. She is not connected with an ashram and is self supporting. She has disciples and is a Shakta tantrika practitioner who worships the Divine Mother. She is thought to be an incarnation of a form of the goddess, Kali, called Adya Shakti Kali. She gives blessings, heals and is a prophet who can predict the future. She is considered to be a medium who channels words of that form of Kali. Her own guru was Sudin Mitra, who was an associate of her father, who was a deputy magistrate and also a tantra practitioner.

At the age of 13 she experienced trances and was a seer who experienced visits from this form of Kali, Adya Shakti. At the age of 17 to 18 her guru instructed her in spiritual practices connected with the goddess. She eventually moved to the Birshum District where she contracted dysentery, a disease which has effected her since that time. She decided to stay in this district after her father's death. This is where she teaches primary school to children who are five to nine years old. The Hiudu saints Ramakrishna, Mira Bai, Annada Thakur and Trailanga Swami speak through her while she is in her trances. Her guru died several years ago, but she feels that he is always near her.

Shaktas are valued for their visions and trances. This form of Hinduism supports the philosophy of no castes and equality of members. They emphasize mysticism and bhakti. Bhakti is mystical devotion or love. She is single and a celibate Shatka tantrika and bhakta. She has only traveled in India and speaks little English. Bengali is her native language. Several of her devotees do speak English and other languages however. People know of her through word of mouth.

She is just one of the many female gurus worldwide. Some of my male friends have female gurus. I would like to honor my own guru, Pandit Munelal Mahajah, who now lives in Florida with his wife, Naveeta, and their two daughters. He originally came from Trinidad, but traveled worldwide until now. You will find him on face book and he produces books, CD's, DVD's and live stream videos. He is a superb singer and teacher. My Qigong master is Chunyi Lin who came originally from China. His family was persecuted by the Chinese Communists during the Cultural Revolution. He came to this country to teach English to Chinese Americans and eventually he set up his healing practice and the Spring Forest Qigong School. They both went through a lot to become the masters they are today. Both are great human beings and have changed my life for the better in many ways. I hope all is well with you today. Happy Guru Purnima!

IAI SHRI MA! JAI SHRI GURU! JAI SHRI KNOWLEDGE!

Radhapriestess