This week we are celebrating Eid-al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid” which is a holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God. This is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Towards the end of the Hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide) the pilgrims descend from Mount Arafat to the Valley of Mina. This is when Eid-al-Adha occurs. It is approximately 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan.
By sacrificing an animal such as a cow, ram or camel, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, the meat is divided into thirds. One-third is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes the willingness to give up things that are of benefit or close to the heart, in order to follow Allah’s commands; and it reinforces the ties of friendship and the idea of helping those who are in need. It also reinforces the idea of “oneness” in the community.
If we take a look at the meaning of the word sacrifice in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, we find the following definition:

Main Entry: sac•ri•fice
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrificium, from sacr-, sacer + facere to make — more at do
Date: 13th century
1 : an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially: the killing of a victim on an altar
2 : something offered in sacrifice
3 a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else b : something given up or lost <the sacrifices made by parents>
Eid al-Adha is a fitting time to consider what all of us are asked to sacrifice. Sacrifice does not necessarily have to be the sacrifice of an animal. In fact, check out the third definition above…the “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else”. Consider the idea that what we are asked to sacrifice is something that is in the way of our spiritual progress and growth.
As women spiritual leaders our time is constantly filled. It could be activities such as our ministry, healing, or helping others in our community. It could be singing, sleeping, running errands. However, even if we are relaxing, our time is filled with something. Even when we think it is filled with nothing it is filled with our knowledge, it could be filled with our thoughts, it could be filled with our feelings, concerns, or worries.
Now, in order for something new, of a higher energy to come in, another thing of a lower energy needs to be released. If you have a cup full of water, but what you really want is hot tea, then you will have to “sacrifice” the water in order to receive the hot tea. More dramatically, a trapeze artist at the circus must let go of one trapeze in order to latch on to the next one.
How do you know what it is you need to sacrifice? In order to properly determine what needs to be let go of, you must have a clearly defined set of values. Every decision should be weighed against your value system. We are never asked to sacrifice something that matches our values for something that is not in accordance with our values.
So, what things, people, activities, or beliefs in your life do you need to let go of in order to get closer to the Divine, to your spiritual nature? Are you holding on to old beliefs of unworthiness or the belief that money is evil? Are you holding onto activities that are not moving you towards your calling or purpose? Perhaps you need to sacrifice some activities that are draining you or are not in alignment with your values. Have you said “yes” to too many requests for your time? Maybe some of your relationships are not healthy and supportive for you? Do you need to sacrifice a relationship for the greater good of your health, well-being and growth?
Consider if now is the time to take stock of what is holding you back and make a sacrifice to your higher good so that you can freely move forward in your work, serving the purpose and mission you are divinely guided to fulfill.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, energy healer, mother and entrepreneur.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download—as our GIFT to you—the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling.

To women of Spirit everywhere:

The Parliament of the World’s Religions
is fast approaching …
Melbourne, Australia ~ December 3-9, 2009.

You are invited to be part of this perfect opportunity
to raise awareness about the Sacred Feminine,
to empower women as spiritual leaders
and to weave connections in service of the greater good.

There are several events lined up at the Parliament which will explore and honor the Sacred Feminine:

~Breaking Through Patriarchy:
New Visions for Women of Faith
~A Creative Exploration of the Sacred Feminine
~The Divine Feminine

Women everywhere
are invited to join
in this stream of feminine energy,
both at the Parliament in Melbourne
and in communities around the world.

For those attending the Parliament in Melbourne
~ Attend and promote the cluster of Sacred Feminine events
~ Offer your gift of song, dance or poetry at ‘A Creative Exploration of the Sacred Feminine’
~ Help us build energy and awareness about women’s leadership
~ Build relationships and community along our way

For those unable to attend
~ Join the Global Moment of Connection wherever you are
~ Create local events and gatherings
~ Contribute to the Sacred Feminine Ribbon Mandala

For detailed information
about all of these opportunities,
visit our blog:

http://WomenAtTheParliament.blogspot.com.

We look forward to weaving with you.

Anne Fitzgerald
Kathe Schaaf
Meredith Tenney
www.WomensSpiritCouncil.org

WOMEN SPIRITUAL LEADERS, do you often feel like the many armed Hindu Goddesses, especially this time of the year?  Can you identify with…

Durga, the fierce multi-armed warrior/mother/protector goddess who rides on a tiger or a lion?

Sati, the ancient loving wife goddess?

Umar, the ancient mountain goddess?

Parvati, the loving wife/mother goddess?

And, of course, Kali, the usually naked, blood thirsty and wild haired goddess?

The point being, there exist many aspects of us, as women with many roles… so much so that we can easily relate to the “multi armed” aspect of these goddesses.  As spiritual women who need help and support and often are in need of information to effectively run our ministries, our practices, and our personal lives, we often feel like the many armed goddess, especially in this busy holiday season soon upon us.  Multi-tasking and keeping “all the balls in the air” is something that just comes naturally to us… or does it?

Is there a place within you that longs for the peace, meaning, and true celebration that this season is meant to engender?  Let’s have a look into the life of a modern, “reformed”, multi-armed goddess, our woman spiritual leader:

•    She is committed to her mission that she was inspired to support, so she carves out the time each day to “go apart”, to be present, to listen to guidance, and to study in the tradition to which she is committed
•    She is organized and in control of her life
•    She has support, emotionally and physically, in order to run her practice
•    She asks for, and plans for, help as soon as she realizes she needs it
•    She takes care of herself first because, in doing so, she can best take care of those she serves
•    She allows time during the day for laughter, fun, and breaks, even if they are brief, so that she may be effective in her work
•    She works at doing her best to stay “neutral” in environments with people who usually have great needs and often throw off negativity
•    She surrounds herself with people who are loving and supportive in order that she may minister to those who need her

• She makes decisions quickly after she has gleaned all of the information she needs
• She has the business systems and team, if necessary, that support a religious community, or a holistic or spiritual practice in place, and she has control over it/them and has a semblance of knowledge as to its health
• She prioritizes regarding her practice, and has the knowledge and the willingness to make it profitable and self sustaining
• She has few worries regarding her personal life and her finances
• She experiences abundance and prosperity through the use of spiritual and business principles
• She is aware of her thoughts and feelings, and is an effective leader

O.K., now that we have a picture of our “ideal”, it is easy to see where we need to amend our lives and the way we do business.  Well, what does this have to do with the holiday season, kicking off with the American tradition, Thanksgiving?

If we would simply adapt perhaps just one or two of the actions above, it may just make this holiday season a little easier to navigate.  In starting with the first, being committed to your mission and why you chose to serve as you do, the decisions you need to make regarding how you celebrate Thanksgiving may be easier.

I challenge you, as we consider what we are grateful for, to look seriously at the list above, and promise to put into practice at least two of the principles.  I guarantee that, if you do, you will be less like the multi armed goddess and more like the women spiritual leader who is thankful that she made the commitment to her calling.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

This article was written by Rev. Ruth Reiner, an ordained Inter Faith minister, spiritual counselor, coach, nurse, former wife, mother, grandmother and entrepreneur.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download—as our GIFT to you—the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling.