Madria Olga was a priestess and teacher of Filianism in the 1990s, though she did not use this term but used the original of "Madrianism". As such, she also uses the term "Madrian" instead of Filianist.
This would likely be a letter or pamphlet she would send out to interested potential students, or those curious about the faith. It remains a good introduction to Filianism.
It may seem confusing or frustrating that Rosa Madriana should appear under so many different names and designations, but please bear with us in this. We prefer not to use the word 'religion' as it has too much of the sense of something separate from the main course of life, yet religion it is. Not just another religion or a religion, but Religion in the sense of the Truth from which all forms of religious truth originate, without the distortions of historical circumstances. We cannot call it any '-ism' because the very meaning of that suffix implies a crystallisation on the mental level. This is something we need always to guard against: The Truth is a clear and pure fountain and it must not crystallise-become solid and brittle-even on the earthly level where this tendency is pronounced.
Essentially to be a Madrian is to give oneself wholly and absolutely to Dea and to live in Her Truth, Her Light and according to Her laws and teachings. In many respects, one could even say fundamentally, these are not different from the main patriarchal religions. This is because in several patriarchal religions there has been direct inspiration and revelation from the Divine. And surely we can see there is only one Deity, the one Eternal, Almighty One Who has no equal, Who has created the world and the universe. Thus there is no contention nor animosity between us and believers of all kinds; we only state the Truth which has been obscured and in some cases distorted.
We invite you to examine in depth this Truth, to listen carefully to what the Divine is making known and available to you. It is only by giving this the attention it deserves-for there is nothing more important in the world-by perusing the texts and meditating on them, by praying for guidance, by listening to the 'invitation' of an Awakened or Initiated one in Her Name, only thus will you be able to make a true and wise choice. There is nothing to fear; you will lose nothing of the essential truth of your present beliefs, only be shown what errors there are. If you feel a lack of faith and belief as such, then as long as you make at least one small effort, She will renew your heart.
To live according to the Truth is not so much something that is judged or determined by external practices, but what matters is the inward part. A Madrian prays regularly every day, holds fasts and enjoys feasts, values the home, can be married or celibate, can live communally, singly or as a couple. But above all a Madrian should put into practice at every and any moment what Dea lays down as our path, out of a sincere and transformed heart, remembering continually that she or he is a child of Dea.
This is the quiet, humble way, yet it necessitates boldness, courage, fortitude, perseverance and piety, amongst other virtues. It is the way of joy and peace and gentleness, and it is not at all easy. It can be as steep as you can manage or wish it to be, wholly in obedience to the Great Mother. It can be your cradle in which you find comfort and security; it can be your riverbed, a safe and sure course for you to follow in a world that will do its best to lead you astray, fritter away the water of your life, lead you on by the nose and make you follow first one way, then another with nothing but hedonism and cynicism and emptiness to feed your soul.
When you feel your soul is hungry for its true nourishment, turn to Dea and She will take care of you.
You will undoubtedly find echoes of all or any of the major religions or belief-systems in these texts and the feeling may arise that you have heard this before. This is so because the Truth cannot be appropriated by one group or sect and 'belongs' to any true seeker. However, on closer study you shall find important differences which will have great significance for your spiritual progress.
We also point out that the Madrian Faith has existed for thousands and tens of thousands, and even millions of years, and is not a modern-day or 'New Age' cult of any sort. It is not something that has been put together from ancient texts, or from some academic source by someone looking into the past and piecing together a coherent system for the modern age. Indeed, nothing is truer than the saying 'there is nothing new under the sun.' The Truth cannot be made less rigorous, less awesome, less demanding to fit in with the modern mentality which has become used to putting comfort and convenience first, a utilitarian way of thinking that does not want to let go of materialism but rather bends religion to meet its own needs. This is why there are the present-day religions which make so much use of the word 'new'. It is true that some aspects of existing patriarchal religions have outserved their time and are in the process of decaying and cannot be resurrected, but the spirituality of their great masters is not invalid and never will be. These are the perennial things of spiritual life which hold for all time. If one does away with them, one may indeed have something 'new', but spiritual it will not necessarily be.
It is impossible to give more than a glimpse of something as profound as the Way of Truth which leads us back to our true home in the state of union with the Divine in such a short pamphlet. All we can do is pick out the most salient points and invite you to further discussion and opportunity to learn more which you are always welcome to do. There are many more aspects which have not been touched on here, and it is all too easy to make incorrect assumptions unknowingly, so do find out what it really is.
The Madrian way is not a way of forgetting, of falling asleep, an easy option, of being brainwashed or coerced-your free will is central.
The Madrian Way is a true spiritual way, of awakening to the Light.
It is your soul's true desire.