Lisa Schrader: Awakening Shakti

1. What is your passion or purpose you are being called to bring into action right now?

To support women in standing in their full divine feminine power so they can more fully give their creative gifts to the world. I call that divine feminine power, “Shakti” which means “life force energy” in the sacred sexual teachings of Tantra. It is the energy of love, sensuality and the sacredness of the goddess herself. As women come to know their Shakti, or authentic feminine energy, they naturally become more attractive and radiant. This is true “sustainable” energy for women that can help them fuel their contributions in the world, improve relationships, create more balance and infuse life with more joy.

2. What were the motivating factors or defining moments that inspired you to get involved and share your passion?

I had a very successful high tech marketing career that left me burned out by the time I was 30. I began to see that I was running so much of my masculine energy of doing, planning, controlling, pushing, striving and “making things happen,” that I was not only exhausting myself, I was eroding my marriage, losing my passion, and becoming sexually disinterested. As I began to reclaim my own Shakti, my own divine feminine energy and explore ancient Tantric practices of sacred sexuality, passion returned. My marriage and connection with my husband improved. Everything in my life changed. By a supreme act of grace, I was asked to be on Oprah to speak about Tantra. It became clear to me that spreading this message and sharing these Shakti practices with women was my passion and mission in life.

3. What is your mantra or favorite quote you refer to when you seek inspiration or hope and why?

Marianne Williamson’s quote; it’s a long one but i love it and it continually inspires me because it’s a call to action and it reminds me that this isn’t so much a “doing” but a “being.” I think as women we “do” too much when what we need to learn is to BE this light, this radiance and let it do more of the “heavy lifting” for us. It will attract to us what’s wanted. I think we need to learn more how to “let it in” vs. “make it happen.”

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

3. Tell us about a moment recently when you were standing in your full power and purpose?

I have a workshop that I do for teen girls on safe sex and honoring themselves and their goddess body. I recently had 28 seventh and eighth grade girls in sacred circle talking openly, asking questions and celebrating sisterhood. This was a profound moment for me: seeing these maidens coming into their power, setting boundaries and claiming their beauty. Knowing that giving young girls the right information and the permission to speak their truth at this age can possibly make all the difference in them making decisions that can profoundly alter the course of their lives. I find that awesome and very exciting–very proud to be a part of that process.

5. Why is the work you are doing so important for everyday women?

Because I believe it’s women and the awakening feminine quality in men, that has the biggest impact in turning the world around right now. Men, women and the planet as a whole is suffering the effects of “hyper-masculinity.” And I see women burning themselves out, cutting themselves off from their bodies and sexuality and that’s not the way. I believe the way is not to deny our femininity, our softness and our sexual potency in favor of our masculine energy–just the opposite! I believe by harnessing our sensual energy and divine feminine radiance, we can move mountains. This is the Shakti that brings life force back to the body. The earth is hungry for it. We don’t need more women running around being masculine; we need more women bringing their inner Queen into right relationship with their inner King.

6. Why is it so important for women to participate in an event like the Passion into Action Conference?

Because we become what we see. Inside of a conference like this of powerful women, we find models for new ways of embodied feminine power. We learn new ideas. Women as nurturers and keepers of community, absolutely must connect, share, hug, and share their hearts with other like-minded women. It’s how we flourish. It’s how we change the world.

7. What are you hoping will be the biggest take-aways for women both at the Passion into Action Conference and your workshop?

Inspiration to me means “in spirit.” I hope that women come to know themselves as the divine beings of light that they are. I hope they come away with new ideas on how to embrace their bodies, their sensuality and sexuality. That they feel empowered to claim their sensuality not just for their own joy and fulfillment but as a model for embodied feminine on the planet. That they use that Shakti to fuel their creative contributions to the world.

8. What is your message to women around the world?

Your Shakti, your divine feminine life force energy, is your birthright and a gift to the world. It is the love, spirit and sensual energy of the goddess running through your veins. As a mother, lover and leader with awakened Shakti power, you exude a kind of radiance that transforms the atmosphere around you and brings healing to the planet as a whole. And that is worth celebrating!