maenad“raving ones;” a female follower of the orgiastic cult of the Greco-Roman god Dionysus/Bacchus; a frenzied woman. Reaching ecstasy through dancing, intoxication with wine, and the rituals of their god, the maenads celebrated their wild – and sometimes violent – rites in the forest. [from Greek: , mainádes] Also: Bassarids, Bacchae, Bacchantes.
magnum opus“great work;” a large and important work of art, music, or literature, especially one regarded as the most important work of an artist or writer. [Latin]
mahalothank you, thanks, gratitude, regards, or respects. [Hawaiian]
maithunasexual union in a ritual context. In the Tantric sexual rite, woman and man join physically while viewing each other as the deities Shakti and Shiva. As a kind of Tantric Eucharist, it includes five elements/ingredients. [Sanskrit: ] Also: mithuna, mithunam.
manapower, force of nature, spiritual energy and also healing power which can exist in places, objects and persons. [Hawaiian, Austronesian languages]
mandala “circle,” “arch,” “section;” concentric symbolic representation of Kosmic forces in two- or three-dimensional form. Used in Tantric ritual and meditation to focus consciousness, this cosmogram encloses space for mystical purposes. Mandalas may be painted, drawn, made of colored sand or rice, or constructed in metal or even of mortar and other building materials. [Sanskrit: ]
mantrapower sound-syllable(s), mystical phrase, or name for the Divine. Continuous repetition of mantras is used to focus the mind in meditation or to control/channel sexual energy in Tantric ritual. [Sanskrit: ] Also: mantram
Mars Roman God of War, with origins as an agricultural deity embodying fertility as well as death. Because the military was important in the Roman Empire, Mars was widely worshipped to ensure victory in battle. He was son of Jupiter and Juno and fathered Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome (thus making him the “father” of the Roman people). His totem animals are the dog and the vulture, scavengers of the battlefield. He had a long-running love affair with Venus, Goddess of Love. [Latin: Mārs, Martis] Also: Ares.
Symbol of the Masculine and Mars (god, planet, & other associations)
—Marsfourth planet from Sol (our sun). It is a terrestrial planet with a prevalence of iron oxide. It is seen and known as the Red Planet.
matriarchy social organization in which a family, clan, or government is controlled by a woman or a group of mothers, and inheritance is matrilineal (tracing through the mother’s line). Government by women over women and men is usually referred to as gynocracy, gyneocracy, or gynarchy. Most anthropologists assert there is little evidence of complete matriarchies or gynocracies in history; instead, there were partnership societies.
matrifocalmatricentric. Matrifocal refers to families, societies, or cultures with women-centered kinship networks. The focus is on the mother and her children, with the father intermittently present, absent, or being secondary in importance; this is due sometimes to the unknown paternity of the father but undeniable maternity of the mother.
matrikas “the Mothers;” early Vedic goddesses; creation syllables. As Hindu goddesses, they were seen as a personification of the seven stars of the Pleiades star system. In Tantric philosophy, the 50 letters of the Devanagari alphabet, as sounds, vibrations, or images, are considered to represent the subtle forms of the Matrika goddesses. Letters combine to make syllables, which make words, which make sentences. It is believed that the power of mantra derives from the fact that the letters of the alphabet are in fact forms of the Goddess. [Sanskrit: ; mātṝkās]
matrilineal tracing lineage through the mother and her ancestors. A social system in which family name, title, inheritance of property, and clan membership is based on the “mother line.” Common in ancient cultures, it is in contrast to the modern patrilineal system in which family name passes from father to son.
mayaIn Hinduism and Buddhism: illusion, sleep, unfathomable plan, subjective reality, ignorance, distortion. Vedantic interpretations: what is not absolute truth, what must be seen through (“the veil that must be pierced”) to attain moksha (liberation). [Sanskrit: , māyā]
— Māyā:the principal deity that manifests, perpetuates, and governs the illusion and dream of duality in the phenomenal Universe.
— Māyā:the name of the mother of the Buddha.
— Maya:Mesoamerican indigenous people inhabiting southeast Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The Mayan civilization, which reached its height around 300-900 CE, is known for its accomplishments in writing, mathematics, astronomy, urban architecture (such as pyramids), the visual arts, and the calendar. The Mayan civilization covered a third of Mesoamerica, from southeastern Mexico to northern Central America. After 170 years of wars of conquest by the Spanish, the last Mayan city fell in 1697. Today the Mayan people refer to themselves by ethnicity and language: for example, the Quiche Maya in the Guatemalan highlands or the Yucatec Maya in the Yucatán Peninsula. [Maya]
Melissae“honey bees;” priestesses of Greek Earth Goddess, Demeter. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered how to use honey, and shared this knowledge with others. She named the bees. The Melissae were the nymphs who served as nurses to the infant Zeus (king of the gods) and fed him honey; as well as the initiates serving in the Mysteries of Demeter. It was believed that the bee symbolized the soul, and that the Melissae communicated with souls. [Greek: ]
memean idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. Examples include melodies, fads, fashions, slang, morals, symbols, behaviors, and learned skills, which may evolve or become refined as they pass from one person to another. Integral Spiral Dynamics proposes the “values meme” (vMEME) which structures the thinking, value systems, political forms, and world views of entire civilizations. Values memes encode assumptions about how everything works, and the rationale for decisions people make. Each meme circumscribes a fundamental frame of reference and has its own paradigm by which to test reality. In this book, “meme” is used to refer to a “values meme;” for example, the “mythic meme” will mean the set of cultural assumptions and actions that keep mythic behavior alive in people or their societies.
mesa“table.” An elevated area of land with a flat top and steep sides (in the American Southwest). [Spanish]
– mesa:a medicine bundle containing ceremonial items (in the Andean Q’ero indigenous tradition). [Spanish]
miamy, mine [Spanish, Italian]
misogyny hatred or mistrust of women or girls. Misogyny can be manifested in numerous ways, including sexual discrimination, hostility, male supremacist ideas, belittling of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women.
Mitakuye oyasin “All my relations” ; Native American prayer affirming the interconnectedness of all life. It translates as, “All my relatives,” or “We are all related” [Lakota]
mokshaliberation, salvation. According to Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu philosophy, release from samsara (worldly suffering) and karma (destiny determined by one’s actions) of mortal, ordinary existence is attained through disidentifying with the body and the temporary things of the material world. When people realize their true Self (divine identity), they can experience the freedom of nirvana (perfect state of happiness and peace). [Sanskrit: ] Also: mokṣa.
moltomuch, very, greatly, strongly; a lot [Italian]
monomythquest undertaken by a mythical hero. Known as the Hero’s Journey, it is a common template for tales of a hero who goes on an adventure, and in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then comes home changed or transformed, to the benefit of his/her community.
Naruto Mudrā
by Schlum142857
motorinomoped; scooter; lightweight motorized bicycle with a low-power gasoline engine. [Italian]
mudra“seal sign;” ritual gesture of the hands used to focus energy, transmit meaning or teachings,
connect outer actions with spiritual realities, or affirm protection. Mudras can be seen in yogic practice and traditional dance, as well as in statues of Buddhist/Hindu deities. [Sanskrit]
Muhammad“praiseworthy;” the main religious figure in Islam. Considered to be the last “Holy Prophet,” Muhammad is revered by Muslilms as the one who brought the true messages of the monotheistic faith of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. He was born in 570 CE in Mecca (current Saudi Arabia). His teachings are recorded in the Quran. [Arabic: Muḥammad ibn Abd Allāh] Also: Mohammed
nadi“tube,” “vessel,” “vein;” energy channel through which passes prana/chi (life force) to be distributed throughout the body. [Sanskrit: नाडी]
naga“serpent;” serpentine dragon; mythological semidivine being, a cobra with a human face, often a guardian of water.[Sanskrit: ]
naga babasaddhu (wandering ascetic) from the sect of naked saddhus who carry symbolic weapons (such as the trident, symbol of Shiva) and devote their lives to spiritual practice. [Sanskrit]
namastespoken greeting of gratitude or respect. It means, “I bow to the Divine in you,” and is accompanied by the gesture of palms together (fingers pointing up) at the heart chakra, closing the eyes, and bowing the head. In India and elsewhere in South Asia, simply the gesture alone conveys the message without saying the word. [Sanskrit: ] Also: Namaskar, Namaskaram.
nanite microscopic electromechanical device; nanorobot.
negro black [Spanish]
Neolithiclast phase of the Stone Age. The developments of this cultural period (9000-6000 BCE in the Middle East, 4000-2400 BCE in Europe) include the development of agriculture, domestication of animals, manufacture of pottery and textiles, and the use of polished stone and flint tools and weapons.
neo Tantramodern, Western interpretation of traditional Hindu or Buddhist Tantra, with emphasis on the sexual practices; sacred sexuality; tantric sex. Also: neotantra.
nigredoblackness; putrefaction; decomposition. In alchemy, the first step in the process of finding the Philosopher’s Stone was to cleanse or cook all the ingredients into a uniform black matter. In Jungian psychology, nigredo is the Shadow, or the Dark Night of the Soul, when the hidden parts of oneself are revealed. In spiritual seeking, the nigredo is the breaking-down process of the ego, so that the seeker may encounter the obstacles to spiritual growth. [Latin]
nirvanasupreme state of eternal bliss, free from suffering; self-realization into a divine state; deathlessness. According to several Asian religions, devoted spiritual practice can result in Buddhahood (Buddhist) or union with Brahman (Hindu). This transcendent state leaves behind the grasping, suffering, desire, karma, and sense of self of samsara (bodily existence). Unlike the Heaven (a place) of monotheistic religions, nirvana is a realization. [Sanskrit: ]
nomenclaturea set of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art
noospheresphere of human consciousness and mental activity; realm of human thought, culture, and knowledge; self-reflective Universe. Popularized in the 1920’s by philosopher Teilhard de Chardin, the noosphere is the next evolutionary step after the development of the geosphere (inanimate matter) and the biosphere (biological life). Also: noösphere
nuestro/nuestraour [Spanish]
nympha mythological spirit of Nature in the shape of a nubile young woman; sprite, sylph. Associated with or sometimes personifying a feature of Nature, Greek and Roman mythology described nymphs of water, land, plants, the Underworld, and the celestial realm. Unlike the restricted wives and daughters of the Greek polis, nymphs were free sexually and loved to dance and sing. They typically accompanied the gods Dionysus, Pan, Hermes, and the goddess Artemis. [from Greek: , nýmphē]
ompower syllable; the Supreme Mantra. Chanted in Hindu and Buddhist religious practice, om is considered the most comprehensive and honored symbol (whether written or vocalized) and serves to unify the practitioner with the vibration of the Kosmos, as well as benefitting the endocrine system of the body. [Sanskrit: ] Also: Aum, Ohm.
Osirisancient Egyptian god of agriculture, Nature’s cycles, transition and regeneration (the archetype of the Dying and Resurrecting God). As Lord of the Underworld, he judged the souls of the dead. In myth, he was considered to be the eldest son of the earth god Geb (or the sun-god Ra) and the sky goddess Nut, the companion (brother/husband) of Isis, and the father of Horus. He and Isis brought the arts of civilization to people. [Greek: Ὄσιρις; Egyptian: Asar, Yasar, Ausar, Ausir, Usire, Ausare]
Ausar in Egyptian hieroglyphs:
ouroboros“tail-devouring snake;” ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. The archetypal, mystical symbol may appear as a circle, oval, or figure 8. It is said to depict the cyclic Nature of the Universe: creation out of destruction, Life out of Death. Other meanings include infinity; the unity of all things; complementarity of polarities; renewal and resurrection; eternal return; the union of the conscious (outward) and unconscious (inward) mind; the transcendence of duality. [from Greek: ] Also: uroboros
PachamamaAndean goddess of the Earth; Mother Earth; Mother Nature. Fertility and the care of all life are her domains. [Quechua, Aymara] Also: Mama Pacha
Pagan person with a polytheistic/indigenous (in contrast to monotheistic/civilized) belief system, marked by a belief in many deities, Earth-centered spirituality, and a descending orientation (this-worldly – the body and its senses – Nature, and immanence).
pagodamulti-story Buddhist or Hindu sacred building, memorial, or shrine found in eastern Asia. The roofs stick out on each floor and often curve up. [Tamil; Portuguese; Chinese: , Pa-Ko-Ta]
Paleolithic AgeEarly Stone Age. The era is considered to be from about 2.5 million to 20,000 years ago. During this long span of time, archaeologists note that humans evolved from Homo habilis (who fashioned simple stone tools) to Homo sapiens (who hunted and gathered, lived in clans, used tools, produced art, and developed ritual). The climate during this era fluctuated between glacial and interglacial periods. Also: Palaeolithic
paqarina female nature spirit who is the guardian of one’s birthplace (counterpart of the masculine itu apu); most prominent feminine aspect of the natural geography. Caves, volcanic craters, springs, and lagoons are also considered “places of emergence,” i.e., openings in spacetime believed to be an entry and exit point between worlds. [Quechua] Also: pacarina.
paqo shaman/mystic/healer/medicine person/wisdom keeper of the Andean indigenous tradition. In order to treat soul illness, the paqo may use plant and animal medicines, healing stones, or rituals. In Q’ero cosmology, the paqo works for right relationship between humans, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and the nature spirits. [Quechua] Also: paq’o. See also: chacana
patrilinealinheriting or tracing ancestral descent through the paternal line; the father’s lineage.
passeggiata stroll, walk, hike. The evening passeggiata is usually around a piazza (plaza), to greet neighbors and catch up on the latest gossip [Italian]
patriarchy“rule of the father;” social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan, family, or tribe, the legal dependence of wives and children, and patrilineal hierarchy (descent and inheritance traced through the male line).
– The Patriarchy often refers to the past 6000 years of male rule and privilege, during which women as well as “feminine” values have been excluded or suppressed.
peccadillo“little sin;” small, relatively unimportant offense or sin; a minor mistake in sexual behavior. [Spanish]
pecorino aged hard cheese made from sheep’s milk [Italian]
PeleHawaiian goddess of the volcano, fire, lightning, wind, and dance. As spirit of the volcano, she is both a creator and a destroyer (via lava flows, pyroclastic explosions, and molten fountains of lava). Of Polynesian origin, she is honored as creatress of the Hawaiian islands, where people to this
day give her offerings, particularly at her “home” in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the shield volcano Kīlauea. [Hawaiian] Also: Tutu Pele.
pennepasta in the shape of short tubes [Italian]
Phi ; Phi, letter of the Greek alphabet that stands for the numeric value 1.618033... ; symbol representing the golden ratio; aesthetically pleasing proportioning within geometry, art, architecture, music, plants, the human body, many animals, and the planets of the solar system.
= phi (lower case “p”) is 0.6180339887, the reciprocal of Phi and also Phi minus 1. Depending on which way an equation, angle, or relationship is being worked determines if or are used, but both figure the golden ratio. [Greek: ] Also: golden number, golden proportion, divine proportion. See also: Golden Mean; Fibonacci sequence.
phowa“change of place;” a kind of yoga that cultivates the ability to transfer one’s consciousness to a pure buddha-paradise. Through mantras and meditation, the phowa practitioner gets prepared for death. [Tibetan: འཕོ་བ་]
physiospherethe material world consisting of inanimate matter; matter and energy. In Integral philosophy, Ken Wilber divides the Kosmos into four domains, each one emerging from the previous one: physiosphere, biosphere, noosphere and theosphere. In the physiosphere, the four elements – Water (H2O), Earth (minerals, soil), Air (gases, such as O2), and Fire (energy) – may be seen as the physical substrate from which life emerges.
piazza town square, plaza [Italian]
picadoresbullfighters on horseback who lance the bull’s neck muscles to weaken the bull before the cape-wielding matador kills the bull with a sword. [Spanish]
pingala“tawny (brown),” “golden,” “solar;” one of the main nadis (energy channels) that directs chi/prana/life force through the chakras along the centerline of the body. The pingala is associated with the right nostril, left brain (logic), and Masculine Principle. [Sanskrit: ] See also: / Contrast with: ida
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