Mary Daly
I've been saddened by the passing of the great philosopher, theologian and radical feminist Mary Daly. I once had the privilege of hearing her speak and she galvanized the audience years ago in Boston. Each time I read one of her books or articles she invited me to look at life from a completely different point. She had, I believe three Doctorates, two in theology and one in philosophy!
There's a quote from an article she wrote for The New Yorker that really speaks to me:
"Especially important was a startling communication from a clover blossom one summer day when I was about 14. It said with utmost simplicity, 'I am.'"
She also blew my mind one day when she wrote that the word "sin" derives from an Indo-European root verb "es" which means "to be."
So whenever we feel (I think she meant this specifically for women) that we are sinning, we actually might be just be-ing and doing what our hearts wants us to do. I know that for me as a woman raised in a very conservative Catholic environment, I often felt like I was sinning when I would go against what tradition expected of me. And looking back I was actually attuning to a bigger energy trying to be who I was meant to be.
Like that clover blossom, trying to say to the world and myself, "I am."
Rest in Peace!
Thank you for this entry -- especially your description of us as we make resolutions; how insightful!
So glad your trip to Maui was great. I remember my last trip there - 16 years ago, before yoga, in transition (from San Diego to Salt Lake), and pretty closed to new stuff. We did the road to Hana, but I never saw it as you were able to see and describe it. Maybe I'll get another opportunity to remedy that.
Your friend, Leslie
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