Sri Daya Mata

In 1931, young Faye Wright, who would later be known as Sri Daya Mata, heard Swami Paramahansa Yogananda speak at a lecture in her hometown, Salt Lake City, and was drawn to his message. A year later, she became his first American monastic disciple and was given the Sanskrit name Daya Mata, "Mother of Compassion" ('Sri' is a title of respect meaning 'holy' or 'revered'). Daya Mata spent more than 20 years with Yogananda receiving personal instruction and assisting him in the spiritual and humanitarian work of the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), which he founded to spread his Kriya Yoga teachings (universal truths that underlie all religions, importance of daily meditation and of loving God). Yogananda passed away in 1951 and Sri Daya Mata became the third president of SRF, overseeing its work - operation of its temples, retreats, and meditation centers; publishing activities; a worldwide prayer circle; and international lecture tours - and serving as 'Spiritual Mother' to its thousands of members around the world. According to Margaret Wolff, "What is most remarkable about her is not that she is one of the first women in modern times to lead a worldwide religious movement, or how rapidly the work spread under her direction, but that she remains immersed in a deep love for God that permeates every aspect and moment of her life."

The passages and questions below are offered as a starting point for discussion, and are simply listed in sequential order as they appear in the book.

• Page 227 [Daya Mata] "The Bible says, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God ... and all these things shall be added unto you.' When I first came into the ashram, I took those words from the scriptures and gave one hundred percent of myself to proving they were true. How else would I know for certain whether something does or doesn't work unless I proved it for myself? When I made that effort, I found the answers I was seeking." [Wolff] But of course, I think to myself, as she says this. It's like proving a scientific theory. Later on the train ride home, her words circle round my head like a seraphim - until it occurs to me that what Daya Mata actually proved to herself was not 'just' that the kingdom of God is the consummate source of supply and demand but that it is accessible. This insight does three things within me, almost simultaneously: It causes a formidable blip on the internal screen of my consciousness, as her accomplishment is quite beyond my ability to cognize. It elicits a voracious desire to have a deeper relationship with God. Then finally, it fills me with peace as I rest in the possibility that awaits anyone who makes the effort she has made.
  • Sri Daya Mata is a spiritual leader who is familiar with the texts of the major world religions. I found myself intrigued by her dedication to proving the Bible quote true, given my formerly agnostic perspective that if I can't see it or experience it, it must not exist. In contrast, her perspective was "God is there for me to experience. I just need to dedicate myself to the effort." Talk about acting on faith! What has been your personal approach?
  • Sri Daya Mata's experience inspires the possibility in Margaret Wolff that, with effort, the kingdom of God is accessible. What response does that elicit in you? Have you had your own experience of this? What either facilitates or holds you back from experiencing it?
• Page 227 [Wolff] Earlier you spoke about finding a constructive way to serve. Serving others is something women are naturally drawn to. Yet sometimes, in the joy or self-validation serving brings, we neglect our own needs or we feel guilty or selfish if we do something for ourselves. Can you speak about this? [Daya Mata] "Ultimately, anything God wants you to do does not mean neglect of self; it fosters the development or expansion of your true Self, your soul. You cannot remove the mote from someone else's eye until you know how to remove it from your own. Sometimes you need to be 'spiritually selfish' - to take time for yourself, to nourish your soul. I've found that life is a balance of nurturing myself in meditation, then giving of myself in joyous service to others."
• This is such a powerful lesson that I learned through my yoga therapy training, and yet I find that old habits die hard and I need to consciously commit to my self-care every day. What is your personal perspective on self-care? What are your personal actions on self-care?
• What has been your experience when you are, by Sri Daya Mata's definition, 'spiritually selfish'?
  
• Page 233 "Once we [Leopold Stokowski, world renowned conductor and Sri Daya Mata] were talking about the teachings and he said, 'You know, I have such admiration for Paramahansaji. He combines in perfect balance the qualities of a man and of a woman. That is what I want to develop in myself.' I thought how true that is. When one draws close to God, one reflects all of His qualities. There is a blending of compassion and wisdom, feeling and reason. It's one of the things that draws us to great souls for it represents the balance each of us is meant to achieve."
• In Eastern spirituality, personal modern-day experiences of 'great souls' who embody "compassion and wisdom, feeling and reason" abound. Jesus is an obvious Western example of this. Can you think of someone from modern-day Western spiritual traditions that embodies this?
• Have you had a personal encounter with a great soul? What struck you the most when you had that encounter? What has stayed with you?
• Do you feel that striving for this balance within yourself will bring you closer to God?
• Was there a particular passage that made you stop and either consider or appreciate?