Pioneer Women of Vedanta - Mary Archana Tamraz

1948-

Mary Archana Tamraz

Raised as a Catholic from childhood on an Iowa farm, Mary met her spiritual teacher in the early 1970's. Swami Shraddhananda Maharaj, the head of the Vedanta Society of Sacramento, California for over thirty-five years, gave her the name, Archana. At Maharaj's request, Mary served on the Vedanta Society Board of Directors as treasurer for twelve years, studied Sanskrit and participates in the Vedanta choir. She is inspired by pilgrimage to places associated with the Master, Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda.

She is a founding member of the Sri Sarada Mahila Samiti of Northern California, a nonprofit religious corporation classified as a public charity of the State of California and established in 2002. Now retired from salaried work, Mary dedicates the skills and knowledge gained through her personal and professional life to the efforts of the Sri Sarada Mahila Samiti as a spiritual practice. She coordinates Samiti retreats and workshops with visiting sannyasinis of India and the West. She also writes occasional articles for publication including "The Olema Women's Retreat House: A Tribute to Swami Vivekananda"; "Dig and You will Find"; and "Lady Liberty and the Vivekananda Rock Memorial".

Mary's formal education included the completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, German and Forensics; and the Master of Arts in Interpersonal Communications and Group Dynamics from the University of the Pacific; as well as the Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.

A professional career of 25 years included serving as Corporate Director of Education, Conference Planner, University and community college professor, and leadership consultant. Mary taught Public Speaking and Group Communication. With a deepening recognition of the need to weave education, professional life, and direct experience, she designed and facilitated a college series titled, Her Story Unfolds- Reclaiming the Goddess: Stories, Myths, and Sacred Images in World Cultures; and Women Sages, Saints and Mystics: Life Stories, Teachings and Prayers. She also offered community workshops, Whispers of the Soul: Reflections on the Spiritual Journey through Storytelling, Poetry, Music, and Sacred Art.

Mary states, "I am especially grateful to Swami Vivekananda and his chief Western woman disciple Sister Nivedita. Her letters and writings bring Swamiji's universal message close to my heart. In The Master as I Saw Him, Nivedita writes, "In India the word 'Mother' was for ever on his lips. He spoke of Her, as we of one deeply familiar in the household life. He was constantly preoccupied with Her. ...'And mind!, Swamiji told me, 'Make Her listen to you, when you say it! None of that cringing to Mother! Remember!'"

"Although Swami Vivekananda spent only five of his short 39 years of life traveling and speaking throughout the West, the Vedanta Societies of Europe, Canada and the United States lend continuity to his work. During the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893, Swamiji commented, 'I have to thank you in America for the great attempt you are making to break down the barriers of this little world of ours and hope that, in the future, the Lord will help you to accomplish your purpose.' Sister Nivedita writes further, "Our Master... regarded the Order to which he belonged as one whose lot was cast for all time with the cause of Woman and the People.... 'Never forget!, he said, 'the word is, Woman and the People!'"

"It seems to me that America's Statue of Lady Liberty is a symbol of hope for humanity and the ideals of democracy. Swami Vivekananda's Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari depicts that great messenger of spiritual freedom. Both are inextricably linked. Each is an expression of tremendous personal struggle, self-sacrifice and hope for pilgrims of all nations. Over the years, each time I have seen Swamiji and Mother at Kanyakumari, as also Lady Liberty in New York, it has been a deeply moving experience. Upon my first return from Europe in 1967, our family walked up the stairs inside of the statue and we peered out over the New York Harbor through spaces in her crown! I continue to feel Lady Liberty's living presence as Mother of us all and pray that America shall one day truly bear fruit to the seeds sown here by Swami Vivekananda."

Watch this inspiring talk by Archana "Western Women Devoted to Swamiji.”

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