Women and Menopause

1/1993

Ba'ba', can you explain menopause, what happens, how to go smoothly through this period? Do we need to take any artificial hormones to balance the lack of female hormones? Does Menopause influence the female spirituality and how that period in woman's life can work in her advantage? Can you elaborate on this?

     My girl, there are three points to remember. First is that during menopause there is a hormonal shift, body is adjusting to a new physiological position. So, during menopause a woman  must have some physical support, some psychic support and some spiritual support. Then she can pass this transitional period with ease.  So, woman in menopause will face - she will first have physical support. She should seek  medical assistance  if she notices excess difficulty either in moods  or physical problems. Now what type of physical support? Those types which will assist her to gain maximum balance with minimum disruption.  Hormone' s change. It is possible they may diminish suddenly and  become disturb. So, if this occurs , some balance must be sought. Hormones may be taken or natural substance, or homeopathic treatment. All can be effective. Bu if  a significant imbalance occurs , then medical assistance should be gotten.

     Now, as for the effect on mind,  again the body  affects the mental process  and  in woman, physical health. Physical process affects  psychic process . She may become depressed or have other temporary  moods adjustments. This is normal. But, again if it is in excess, some medical assistance should be gotten. This can come in homeopathic treatment, or hormonal treatment. These problems can be cured, there is no need to suffer. For many women excess disturbance doesn't occur, and this transitional period is relatively simple. For those women, no treatment is required. Hormones should not be taken  unless there is disturbance. If no disturbance occurs,, no hormones should be taken.

     Now, regarding the spiritual aspect, this  period is one of maximum productivity.  In this phase, women's physiology is altering, her psyche is also affected, but spiritually she is in the time of maturation. For many women this  stage brings a kind of maturity . This maturity is the culmination  of  a good and healthy life. So a woman might feel  growth in her spiritual understanding, she may have a sense of a personal maturity.  If she is a sadhaka, this is an excellent time for more extended spiritual practices. Hormones may shift, moods may shift, but  still the development  is proper  for spiritual awakening.  So, these are good years for sadhana. Often times, the children are grown and the family burdens somewhat less. This also enhance this opportunity for sadhana. But in psychic sphere, woman has matured  and thus is prepared for greater spiritual focus. So, in these years maximum sadhana should be done. Is it not?  It is an opportune time to establish oneself in the Dharma of a human being,  in the path of righteousness through maximum spiritual practice. A woman at this stage is often freed from many previous burdens, she should take the opportunity and utilize it. Hormonal shifts may or may not disturb her, but either way sadhana will progress quickly  at this stage. That is all.