A few nights ago, under the moonlight and surrounded by winds that threatened to unleash a powerful storm, I received a poem from a dear friend and mentor, someone who has become the father I wish I’d had, despite the distance between us—he lives all the way in Canada.
Where The Mind Is Without Fear
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
We first connected through our shared interest in spirituality and the feminine divine, during a lecture he gave years ago on Mary Magdalene and the sacred feminine. This friend, now in his mid-seventies, is a well-known historian and professor emeritus of religious studies. Throughout his life, he has been a steadfast advocate for the feminine, a true warrior for Sophia and for women everywhere. The world needs more men like him—those who aren’t afraid to speak up for women, for equality, and for the suppressed goddess who, although erased from history and religion, still resides in the deepest parts of our souls.
This friend has witnessed my struggles firsthand; he supported my application for a Master’s degree and will soon welcome me as a guest lecturer in his winter course on the history of magic and the occult. He has seen me at my best, often attending my lectures, and at my worst. This summer, I endured a deep betrayal—one of many over the years—this time by my own father. For those wondering, I don’t have “daddy issues.” I spent years in therapy, and eventually, I studied psychology in an attempt to understand my parents and the events that shaped my life. This journey is why I’ve mostly kept to myself, finding family in the world and its animals. I’ve dedicated much of my life to wildlife conservation, including work with marine life, volunteering and speaking for shark research associations, supporting groups like Sea Shepherd and Surfers for Cetaceans, and working closely with cetaceans. The ocean, deeply connected to the goddess and embodying the sacred union, is the source of all life.
This poem was sent to me because, despite the betrayals I’ve faced (also a few on this site), including the profound loss of my father—who is now, in essence, is dead to me—I continue on my path without fear. When you’ve lost everything, fear becomes irrelevant. The last few days, particularly this summer, have been incredibly challenging for me. I have experienced a total destruction that, while leading to resurrection, is undeniably painful.
For anyone struggling today, I want to extend a heartfelt hug and share this beautiful poem with you. I hope it inspires you to overcome whatever obstacles you may be facing, just as it has given me strength in my darkest moments. You can find more information about the poem in the link provided.
https://allpoetry.com/where-the-mind-is-without-fear
Elayne (Sophia Unveiled)
Wooooooow elayne!! That poem was absolutely amazing and freeing to think of a place that could exist like that.
I’m so sorry to hear of your troubles and turmoil and betrayal. Sometimes, sadly, the world is a hurtful ugly place
Leslie, thank you so much for that really heartfelt message!
The world and life can be challenging at times but I also know there is great beauty. I will keep getting up and dusting myself off every time I get knocked down, some days one deals with that better than others; this is balance and being human.
I am definitely a free spirit…even if not totally “free” yet, but counting down the days from my “Château d’If” as I break all my shackles, one by one…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4aNTKlGo6c
Today I had a GREAT VICTORY of something that had been weighing on me the last 5 months, and beginning to taste “resurrection”; aptly so in this year of the dragon connected to resurrection in numerology (2024 = 8) but also to enlightenment. The dragon (my Chinese horoscope also) is really the coiled serpent with “wings” that lies dormant in our “root chakra” and that becomes a dragon following a Kundalini Awakening, always bringing enlightenment…and resurrection.
World…I am almost back 😉 Thank you Leslie for the wonderful comment and may the rest of the year be kind to you x
I reach out to you… One having fought a domestic enemy and later abroad serving my country part of the war on terror… Both left physical and emotional scars for ever imbedded in my body and mind …This is my burden to bear with my head held high and a full heart…
Gino, thank you for sharing that. My friend Tom’s poem must have brought a lot of memories back…I am sorry friend (sending you a virtual hug) but sometimes we do need to let that wild God out…even if no one is looking for it and let him sit at our table. Women too (the wild wolf) thank you so much for this comment…I appreciate you sharing. Wishing you a great Sunday and week ahead, please do stay around and read my blog, I will be live on audio chat on Wednesdays at 9 pm ET. Your thoughts are appreciated. See also poem and blog post below
https://abfheaven.com/sometimes-a-wild-god/#more-473543
Thank You!
My story is different but the basics are the same! And I shared this with you just so you know you’re not alone!
Respect my friend!
Gino