Wild Mercy

With Wild Mercy, Mirabai Starr shares the subversive wisdom and fierce compassion of the feminine mystic across cultural boundaries and throughout history. From saints and sages, to goddesses and archetypal energies, to contemporary teachers and seekers—you'll meet women who blazed a path that will illuminate your own. Each chapter explores a different facet of feminine mysticism through a tapestry of teachings, reflections, and stories, along with a practice for integrating the chapter's themes into your own life. As you journey through this book, you'll explore: taking refuge in contemplative practice with St. Teresa of Avila and the Shekinah; longing, embodiment, and union as the heart of feminine spiritual practice with the Hindu poet Mirabai and Mary Magdalene; and your relationship with the Earth, motherhood in all its forms, and a loving call to action alongside Gaia and Ix Chel. You'll also learn about community and the web of life with Indra, the Beguines, and female prophets throughout history; wild, playful, and compassionate mercy with Tara and Kuan Yin; and finding joy in creativity and the arts with Saraswati and Chiyo-ni; and gain more inspiration from archetypal goddesses and amazing women past and present—Julian of Norwich, the Sufi saint Rabia, Pachamama, Sophia, Old Spider Woman, Hildegard of Bingen, and more.