Famous quote by Bede Griffiths

"I think the Mother is gradually revealing itself to me and taking over. But it is not the Mother alone. It is the Mother and the Father, the male and the female, sort of gradually having their marriage"

About this Quote

Bede Griffiths' reflection explores the unfolding realization of an inner spiritual union between opposing but complementary forces often termed as the Mother and the Father, or the feminine and masculine principles. Rather than adhering strictly to gendered archetypes, Griffiths indicates a more profound metaphysical experience, wherein these principles symbolize the yin and yang aspects of existence, the receptive, nurturing, intuitive (Mother) and the active, directive, reasoned (Father) energies.

He suggests a process, not an immediate event, in which these energies are gradually revealing themselves within his consciousness. The phrase “taking over” hints at a transformative shift where these archetypal forces do not just exist conceptually, but become governing realities in his inner life. The Mother, as receiver and nurturer, might refer to a deepening sense of compassion, creativity, or connection to the divine source, often associated with earth and body. Yet, Griffiths resists a one-sided experience. The presence of the Father brings balance: structure, coherence, and the drive towards transcendence and order.

The "marriage" of these energies represents the sacred union, a motif found in many mystical traditions, where full integration is the goal of spiritual as well as psychological growth. This marriage is not just a simple joining, but a dynamic interplay and reconciliation of opposites, creating a state that transcends duality. Such integration can result in greater wholeness, harmony, and awareness, reflecting the notion that true spiritual maturity arises only when the inner masculine and feminine are united in creative dialogue within the individual.

Griffiths’ insight draws from both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, the Christian mystical embrace of God as both transcendent father and nurturing mother, and the Hindu understanding of the union of Shakti and Shiva. His journey represents the universal path toward inner equilibrium, suggesting that enlightenment is less about abandoning polarity and more about their harmonious union.

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About the Author

United Kingdom Flag This quote is written / told by Bede Griffiths between December 17, 1906 and May 13, 1993. He/she was a famous Clergyman from United Kingdom. The author also have 8 other quotes.
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