Mirabai Starr: Naked with the Beloved
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Tami Simon speaks with Mirabai Starr, author of God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and the inspiring translation of Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross. With Sounds True, she has created a series of books highlighting many famous mystical figures including Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Teresa of Avila. In this episode, Tami speaks with Mirabai about interspirituality (practicing within many faith traditions simultaneously), the connection between grief and longing, the dark night of the soul in the modern world, and the experience of “being naked with the beloved, unknowing.” (61 minutes)
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Thank you for bringing this amazing woman into my life. This interview was refreshing and challenging. I’ve occasionally felt a twinge of unease about all that I think I understand, Mirabai has enlightened me to where that unease might be from. Being enlightened can mean gaining light but it also can mean losing the armor of spiritual platitudes. I know I don’t want to be stripped the way Mirabai was though.
Comment by Rich — May 23, 2012 @ 9:54 pm
Thank you Tami and Mirabai for this beautiful dialogue. Truth from the soul is a priceless gem. More of us are wanting to speak and connect from the heart in this naked way. The people that I am drawn to listen to seem to draw wisdom from more than one faiths. Like them, this is my experience too! Can you imagine the impact these insights are making on people listening to them from all across the world? I would like to believe that one of impact is unconditional love. God Bless.
Comment by Salma — May 25, 2012 @ 8:05 pm
The tears fall from my eyes in recognition and resonance. The meeting of these women, in exactly this way and this moment, is the opening of a new portal. I am touched and humbled.
Thank you~
Comment by Leslie — May 25, 2012 @ 8:12 pm
Thought provoking discussion. Thank you.
Comment by Matt — May 25, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
I, too, lost a 14-year old daughter to death. I can relate to the stripped empty longing that is grief and the decision to seek the love of Source/Beloved to fill that anguished void. Grieving parents seem to find me–i am honored to hear their stories, yes! Thank you also for “permission” to be an interspiritualist. I prefer to refer to it as “spiritual flexibility.” Thank you for a tender, evocative conversation. I could feel the energy that Mirabi spoke of, Tami!
Comment by Carrie — May 26, 2012 @ 9:10 pm
She looks sad, and she didn’t sound present. She sounded like she is still grieving.
Comment by Rebecca — May 27, 2012 @ 5:31 pm
It was quite an experience, Mirabai… Your words and spiritual journey resonate so profoundly with my heart, I can hardly express to what extent! I feel completely taken over by a powerful presence… Thank you both for such a high quality of sustaining conversation. Namaste!
Comment by Sidonie Grace — May 30, 2012 @ 1:42 am
THANK YOU, Mirabai, for bringing words to concepts I haven’t been able to articulate for myself. This one interview brings together so many disparate parts of my journey, including my experience with grief. What a gift. Thank you for sharing your voice.
Comment by Kathy F. — May 30, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
This was truly inspiring. I feel blessed witnessing this wonderful exchange.
Comment by Allan — June 6, 2012 @ 8:03 pm
A few thoughts;
• Steven Levine found that we never completely shake off the religion of our childhood no matter how hard we might try.
• My primary teacher taught us that we should respectfully have darshan with saints, sages, and siddhas of all traditions AND if we want to hit the source of pure water we need to dig one deep well instead of many shallow ones.
• I have heard of instances where people like Eckhart Tolle were catapulted to That by unbearable trauma and stuck There.
• Sorry for your loss Mirabai. My prayers go for you and your daughter.
Comment by Stanley — June 13, 2012 @ 12:34 pm