Henry Adams once said “a teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops.” I feel fortunate to have had many wonderful teachers on my spiritual path. My first teacher, Mrs. Trish Sanders, was never my formal classroom teacher, but became one of the most influential people in my life.

A gardener in every setting, she planted the seeds for everything I have done since high school. Mrs. Sanders was, in so many ways, the living embodiment of Goddess Kushmanda, one of my favorite goddesses I wrote about in my second book, The Way of the Goddess. Kushmanda is the mother of the universe, who birthed the whole universe through her heartfelt laughter. Mrs. Sanders was known for her legendary laughter, and was like a mother to so many of us.

An hour after she left her body, on June 3rd, 2023, the fourth day of the goddess festival of Navratri (when we evoke Goddess Kushmanda), per my 10-day cycles of practice, I spoke into the universe in our Circle of Life community that I intended to do whatever I can, as an instrument, to pay forward what Mrs. Sanders gave me (and so many others), which was the opportunity to liberate my voice, in service of Truth and healing. Two weeks later, I received a call from one of our Advisors, Michael, with an invitation to create my own hybrid publishing and public relations agency, bringing to life the spiritual power of words, to fulfill this essential part of my soul’s purpose.

-Ananta Ripa Ajmera, Founder, SoulWisdom Press & PR