Episode 55: Beyond the Surface, Spiritual Wounds Part 2 The Gender Wound

A few months ago, as I was listening to the ALSSI podcast, Episode 113, I determined a spiritual wound that I have experienced personally and I believe we have collectively as conservative faith communities. Susan Hinkley and Cynthia Winward interview guest Kathryn Knight Sonntag author of The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother. In the preface of the book, Kathryn shares the following “I believe asking questions and exploring possibilities are indispensable ways to show love and reverence for revealed truth.” I couldn't agree more. On page 13, she says “My experiences and study led me to see that we have a Mother wound in our theology. This theological phenomenon is a collective wound that has affected our ability to perceive the need for the Mother as individuals. Just as unexamined pain, be it feelings of unworthiness, abandonment or anger, can keep us from a clear perspective of what’s happening inside and outside of us, our unacknowledged wound caused by separation from our spiritual Mother likewise obscures our vision of ourselves and the divine." She continues, “The ramifications of what it means to be separated from our Mother are yet to be fully uncovered and understood.” This last statement really stood out to me. I have discovered that for me in my journey, an extension of this “mother wound” is a gender wound. We have short changed ourselves and our appreciation for humanity in all its diversity by not allowing or at least encouraging deeper discussion and exploration about the divine feminine. This hurts all ways of gender expression. I’m of the opinion that this great divide in our understanding of gender is one of the ramifications of what it means to be separated from our Mother that Kathryn mentions. -Meagan Skidmore Other BTSOD Episodes mentioned in this current one: There is room in my castle Parts 1 & 2, with Elizabeth Bingham Thomas, PhD candidate Episode 40 and Episode 41 Doubt is what helps us refine belief Parts 1 & 2, with Bro. Tom Christofferson Episode 43 and Episode 44 Article by Edward Kruk: Spiritual Wounding and Affliction: Facilitating Spiritual Transformation in Social Justice Work (https://www.academia.edu/5035012/Spiritual_Wounding_and_Affliction_Facilitating_Spiritual_Transformation_in_Social_Justice_Work) ____________________________ The ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond the Shadow of Doubt⁠™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast is a proud member of the Dialogue Podcast Network found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DialogueJournal.com/podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Part of the Dialogue Journal, the Dialogue Podcast Network was founded by Eugene England, a Mormon writer, teacher and scholar. “My faith encourages my curiosity and awe,” Gene wrote in the very first issue of the journal. “It thrusts me out into relationship with all creation” and “encourages me to enter into dialogue.” My hope is that this podcast is an extension of his vision. Hopeful Spaces is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dallas Hope Charities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ component of Hopeful Discussions, which is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA. Hopeful Spaces is a monthly parent support group facilitated by Meagan Skidmore Coaching. To join Hopeful Spaces is free; send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chc@dallashopecharities.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are ready to get the care and attention you deserve through 1:1 coaching I invite you to reach out. Send an email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@meaganskidmorecoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠meaganskidmorecoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; subscribe to get my free Pronouns 101 guide & download my free 20+ page LGBTQ+ Resource Guide for families. Please help the podcast grow by following, leaving a 5 star review on Spotify or Apple podcasts and sharing with friends. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to enter the PODCAST GIVEAWAY by Aug 31, 2023- I’ve extended it an extra month! Share it with a friend; if your friend's name is drawn you BOTH WIN.