There are many organizations sprouting up all over the world dedicated to empowering women to be educated, be financially self-sufficient, have effective maternal health-care, and live a life of dignity and respect.
Many powerful women such as Hillary Clinton, Bianca Jagger, and Eve Ensler are taking a strong stand to stop the violence still being perpetrated on many women around the world today. When one looks into the issue, the statistics are truly shocking.
Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day, an organization to end violence against women, recently organized a global movement called One Billion Rising “to break through the patriarchal wall of oppression and denial, to transform the mindset that has normalized violence, to finally make violence against women unacceptable.”
One Billion Rising was held on February 14, 2013, mobilizing women and men all over the world who support this goal to get together and DANCE. Events were held in 207 countries, in schools, homes, offices, and parks with a collective mood of joy and celebration. It was called “The Biggest Mass Global Action To End Violence Against Women & Girls In The History Of Humankind.” Another of their stated victories was “Generated the best collection of worldwide dance videos ever!”
What is real empowerment for women?
Realizing one’s full potential is true empowerment. A young girl who got pregnant at age 13 said it best after she learned to meditate, “ I had a lot of problems in my life and Transcendental Meditation came into my life and gave me this open door into something I never knew I would be.” [i]
After learning to meditate, she experienced that her power, peace, and potential lie inside. By tapping into that field of silence—her deepest, truest, purest nature—from where anything is possible, she was able to start taking control of the direction of her life.
Another girl, who was rescued by the organization “Children of the Night,” said about learning meditation,
“It sounded really cool but I did not think I could do it. Before I started TM I had a really negative energy, but that was just because I felt like I had to have that mentality to protect myself. I had to have that vibe to tell people watch out, don’t mess with me. I had to have that vibe to survive. The first time I did [Transcendental Meditation], it was the most calming experience I had in my whole life…. Pretty soon I started to feel way calmer and I started to become more relaxed and less looking over my shoulder … and felt like my happiness rose to high altitudes… I felt like a human!”
Doesn’t every young girl and woman deserve to feel, at the very least, like a human being? Women simply want to be respected, not to feel like a dry empty well devoid of a soul. Experiencing the essence of who we are at the core of our being allows us to become alive again, fully present to the possibilities that are inside.
We just need to tap the silence within and like One Billion Rising, joy, love, power, and creativity will rise through our being, making us feel whole and capable of a life worth living. That inner silence will spring forth, empowering us to accomplish our dreams—allowing us to contribute maximum to our families, our creative and work endeavors, and supporting us in lifting society and our nations to the heights of a new time for humanity.
We must speak out to help women around the world who are victims of violence and suppression, but we also must give them, in addition to proper education and health care, a means to get rid of the post-traumatic stress caused by the violence that has been perpetrated against them. We must give them a scientifically proven technique to develop their full mental potential so they can rise to become the cream and pride of their countries. We must give them fulfillment within.
Real change begins from within.
Please comment below to share your perspective on this important issue.
Health and Happiness,
Ann
[i] David Lynch Foundation video, at 4:33.
