Women Mystics

Part of the spiritual process for any of us is looking to models for inspiration and guidance. Within traditional religious settings, it has often been harder for women to find these models. It is in that spirit that I occasionally profile historical women mystics from all different religious backgrounds.

Multiple Traditions:

Pythias, Priestesses, Beguines and Tantrikas – In Celebration of Women’s History Month

Quotes from Women Mystics of All Faiths

Islamic/Sufi:

Rabia Basri – Islamic Sufi Mystic

Umm ‘Abdallah – 9th Century Sufi Dreamer

Jewish:

Maiden of Ludmir – Jewish Hasidic Rebbe

Taoist:

Sun Buer – Taoist Immortal Sister and Poet

Hindu:

Mirabai – Hindu Devotee and Poet

              Sarada Devi – The Role of Tradition

Christian:

The Desert Mothers: First Christian Women Ascetics

Joan of Arc – Warrior and Mystic

Margery Kempe – Medieval Christian Mother and Mystic

Clare of Assisi

Jarena Lee – 19th Century African American Preacher

Buddhist:

Quan Am Thi Kinh – Vietnamese Buddhist Monastic

Sukhasiddhi – Tibetan Buddhist Dakini

Mugai Nyobai – First Woman to Head a Zen Order (BellaOnline Buddhism site)

Pajapati – Buddha’s Stepmother and First Buddhist Nun (Bellaonline Buddhism site)

Yeshe Tsogyal – Tibetan Princess and Buddhist Master (Bellaonline Buddhism site)

Machig Labdron – Founder of Chod (Bellaonline Buddhism site)

Jomo Memo – 13th Century Tibetan ‘Terton’ (Bellaonline Buddhism site)

Western Mysticism

Helena Blavatsky – Mother of New Age Thought

Healing Traditions

Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, Hawaiian Healer