Distinguishing fact from fiction about Mary has to be our starting point if we are to come to know her. This module guides a potted tour of what we know and don't know about Mary in a quest to understand a little about her. Who was she? What do we know for sure, and what is assumed or invented? What was her role during her earthly lifetime, as well as now? What can we discern about her character, her beliefs, and her teachings? What have different faith traditions, including outside of Christianity, have to say about her? And do any of the portrayals of Mary in contemporary culture come close to the authentic Mary? Considering controversies, myths and beliefs, we set out to find the answer and what this might teach us about our own seeking after the truth.

Mary is unambiguously identified only a handful of times in the New Testament, but what is said about her reveals much about her. We look at each mention, as well as some less certain references to a character who may have been her, to discern what we can learn about her. We also question why so little is said about her, and whether this points to someone who had a far greater role to play in the gospel stories than is recorded. We also consider Mary’s contact with angels, her possible “dark night of the soul,” and her recognising the voice of Jesus in the context of her perceiving beyond the physical realm, resonating with the power that’s within her. In turn, we consider the nature of our own spiritual perception and how this might be sharpened.

Much interest in Mary has arisen since the discovery of what are considered as Gnostic texts and other early writings that mention her but that aren’t accepted as being definitive by the main church authorities. In this extensive module, we turn to nine such writings, through which mystical teachings about Mary relevant for any spiritual seeker begin to be revealed. We consider especially the interpretations Mary has of such teachings, which offer wisdom that we might integrate into our own lives. We see her emerging as a deeply wise leader whom we might seek to emulate, and as one who shows us what it means to be in spiritual union with others and with The Divine.

One Gnostic writing, The Gospel of Mary, especially relates to her, albeit it is badly damaged, with sections still missing. The gospel presents Mary as the only one of Jesus’ followers who truly understood the gnosis of his teaching. This puts her in conflict with other disciples, however she emerges as an individual who was destined to lead, teach and challenge. The module explores each episode described in the gospel, questioning what’s actually involved in becoming “freed from the world”–in other words, the nature of various temptations that Mary shows us we have to overcome in order to be truly “saved” or come to nirvana. Following mention of a lengthy vision that Mary partially describes in the text, we consider what trust we might put in and how we might invite dreams and lucid moments as a way of gaining spiritual insight.

In this module we consider the meaning and nature of archetypes, both those that may be stored in what the psychologist Carl Jung called the collective unconscious, and those which may be divine or supernatural models of “ways to be.” We explore several archetypal roles that Mary appears to have played, and consider which may be relevant for us to draw upon in charting our own growth and path toward wholeness. We also briefly consider the archetypes presented by Jesus, the Virgin Mary and other Bible characters (that may also be seen in other traditions under different guises).

We start to form a new view of Mary’s role when we consider this in the context of its cosmic significance, that is, in God or the Cosmos’ unfolding plan. This takes us into the realm of the mystical–that which can’t be intellectualised, and which involves revelation of divine insight. In this module, we consider several mystical roles that Mary may have played, most of which echo what’s found in other cultures and faith traditions. We’ll look at the significance and possible relevance for our own enrichment in seeing Mary’s role as one who can open the lower chakras, is an anointer, a goddess and Black Madonna. We’ll explore what’s meant by the concept of the Divine Feminine, and question how both Mary and we might merge into the notion of “the Christ.”

In this module we take stock of what we understand Mary’s interpretation of the mystery teachings of Jesus and the nature of the “Kingdom of Heaven” to be. We’ll see how what she teaches and demonstrates may be very informative for strengthening our own quest for truth and meaning in our spiritual journeys. We’ll consider the importance of challenges such as transcending the ego and overcoming powerful influences that keep our souls from becoming pure, and reflect upon the teaching of most Indic faiths (and hinted at by Mary), that our soul may remain bound through many lifetimes until we overcome these. 

Mary is sometimes called “the apostles’ apostle.” From what we now know about her, she could appropriately also be called “the disciples’ disciple.” No other disciple demonstrates such commitment, courage and unconditional loyalty, with the possible exception of the Virgin Mary. Mary stays with Jesus at the cross, coming first to the tomb, and keeps her faith when all others around her are despairing. She never waivers in seeking to follow after the truth. We might then see her as being a perfect model of discipleship, one who we might be wise to emulate. In this module, we consider what we might see in Mary as a role model for spiritual wholeness. We’ll consider the true nature of needs such as forgiving others, showing humility and being able to hear with “ears of the heart.” In short, we’ll outline a mini-curriculum for modelling a spiritual seeker who has overcome her own trials and is ready to be at one with her Lord beyond the limitations of being in a physical body.

How can we connect with Mary, know her, relate to her, see her as a God-Woman, an intercessor and one we might honour? How can Mary, now in her divine form, help us relate to God? Might we indeed approach her, and meet her, in the same way that we might approach God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary or any of our favourite saints? Can she teach us, lead us, be our example or answer our prayers in the way that directly appealing to God can do? Can Mary directly speak to us? This module explores these and other questions as we open up ourselves to really meeting Mary.

Mary’s example chimes with what we find outside of Christian and Baha’i texts, as different avatars, and through the various, mystical roles, beliefs and role model example that she represents. Here, we consider how Mary’s place in a wisdom or what’s called the perennial tradition (seeing the same truths taught in different faiths) may strengthen what we’ve learned about her, and inspire us to act on the teachings and example of the Mary who we’ve come to know.