Throughout my life I have had many identities. As a kid growing up in Texas I understood myself to be Mexican and Catholic. There were other ways of identifying myself and my family, but there wasn’t as much attention paid
“When the soul wants to experience something, she throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it.” I love this quote by Meister Eckhart, because it so eloquently describes the need for invoking new self-visions—and the
In this modern culture of individualism, it is precious and rare to meet individuals who have managed to break free from who they are taught to be and cross over into true ingenuity, true possibility, true creativity and freedom. Rama
“The thing you are most afraid to write. Write that.” —Nayyirah Waheed, Salt Let me start by saying, I used to judge women who said they had postpartum depression. Maybe it was because the few stories I had heard were
Bisexual. The first time I ever heard that word I was in 9th grade history class. I remember my entire body suddenly … listening. I looked down at my bare legs and the sandals I was wearing, taking in that
Women ask me nearly every day if I have children. They ask not because I am a 38-year-old woman living in the Midwest, which frankly would be motivation enough for most inquirers. They ask because I am a midwife. I
I found Sara Avant Stover’s work during a dark time in my life, having just been diagnosed with high-risk HPV (pre-cervical cancer). I had been following her for about a year when I decided that she was the real deal
I long to be a mother. I am a mother. I had an abortion. I experienced my abortion as an urgent, terrifying, and often beautiful initiation into the power of the feminine. As a woman free and whole unto myself,
Many memoirs have covered the terrain of grief, but Nora McInerny Purmort’s does so with more sass, swearing, and style than most. For a book that chronicles the author’s experience losing her husband, father, and unborn baby all within two
I started taking piano lessons from Debbie Jo Traynor when I was 9 years old. We had just moved to Bismarck, North Dakota, and Debbie went to the church where my dad was a Lutheran pastor. I was drawn to
My brain is in that mushy, fresh-out-of-ceremony state: I just spent four nights dancing under the full moon with 200 women from all over the world as a part of an ancient Mexica rite. We fasted, we prayed, we sang
I am writing to you about girls & sex. I am writing about my first orgasm: that when I was 14 I slid the curved handle of a butter knife inside, and coming was a revelation of warming steel. I
As I round the corner of my 39th week of pregnancy and realize that I’ve spent more than eight months in this unique and ever-changing state, I’m struck by just how much I’ve learned. Aside from all the books and
I was mesmerized the first time I heard Indu Arora speak about yoga and Ayurveda. She came across like a caring friend, with her cheerful demeanor and colorful clothes. But she was also a sorceress with her words, synthesizing deep
Women—and moms especially—are typically excellent at giving to the people they love but could use a little extra practice in receiving. As a mom, you give an abundant amount of time, energy, love, sustenance, safety, and more to your kids and perhaps
When I was a junior in high school, I wanted to pierce my nose, and I had my parents’ support. I talked for months about the possibility, slowly convincing myself that a jeweled stud was just what I needed. When
For her junior prom, my daughter Katie selected a persimmon-colored, silky, draping, hugging dress. This launched a rather protracted discussion about—yes—underwear. "So," I casually commented one day, "when do you have some time so we can run out and
My fingers slide through the soft waves of my mother’s charcoal grey hair and she leans into my touch. I know her head by heart, and I massage her scalp before lightly scraping my nails over the sensitive skin. When
I grew up in a household with a strong male (my father) who was abusive and dominated my mother. He had the power. She was powerless. This made a huge impact on me as a child, and I knew early
Dear Anne, I’ve been a fan of yours for years, and your writings have helped sustain me in my own life journey. So I was confused to see your recent tweets making disparaging remarks about Caitlyn Jenner and her gender
The making of love, like the dance of destruction, wields force and yields surrender. On the grounds of such hallowed paradox sits a temple in which the goddess reigns. She resides in the vibrancy of space, the intimacy of aloneness,
The theme for this month's Practice Series is LISTENING. The intention of this practice is to listen to others with heart awareness. Not only does this allow more compassion, it also allows us to hear people in sometimes surprising new
Dear Sister, Have you wrestled with the idea of feminism: what it really is and if it is even necessary anymore? As a woman who grew up in the '60s and lived through several waves of feminism, I want to share
Have you ever been scrolling through your Facebook feed when you suddenly run across a violent news story, or sitting in a public place when you see on TV that people were killed in a bombing somewhere? What did you feel
A couple of years ago I had a wake-up call. I suddenly became aware that although I thought I valued commitment, I had really been living my life as though I valued freedom more. I realized I had never truly
I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. There’s always so much to get done. Why don’t others help? Why don’t you help? My life feels so heavy and hard. These are the words I
Suzanne Sterling has recorded five solo albums and performed in front of thousands of people. She has a powerful, passionate voice that seems to channel some fierce goddess. She’s the kind of person you’d expect to be comfortable with her
