Madria Olga, late priestess of Madrianism (what Filianism was originally called), also wrote an essay on her philosophy of life in relation to the Madrian faith. It is helpful for learning about how one functions within the framework of the faith. Note-she also uses the name 'Inanna' for the Daughter.
These notes are offered as a guide to, primarily, the Teachings of the Daughter, but also they include guidance on some of the basic codes a Madrian to follow. The Teachings, as well as the Book, and more precisely, the Crystal Tablet, give those who follow the Goddess obediently all guidance necessary for all aspects of our daily lives.
It is the outstanding feature of the holy texts that they are simply put and easy to understand; what the Goddess wishes us to know is is very clear, there is no ambiguity or equivocation. Yet at the same time, it is authoritative guidance; it is an invitation, lovingly expressed, for us to obey, to take up the advice and follow it. We are not dictated to nor hectored, nor threatened. She is the only One Who may command, Who has the true authority in the world, but She speaks to us like the gentle, tender and loving Mother that She is. The Daughter knows we have free wil, and this is respected at all times; it is our choice what we take up, what we comprehend, what we adopt into our daily living.
We do need to think deeply on each sentence, to study and contemplate the texts for ourselves, time and time again, and so these notes are given as something to start you on this process. They cannot cover all possibilities and eventualities; that is the joy of living each day in a spiritual way, discovering new vistas and new perspectives. It is up to you, how much you make this your way of life; how much of the stultifying clutter of the materialistic society you are prepared to throw out and replace it with the pure and sweet breath of the Spirit. It will require courage, honour and fortitude; a lifetime's work for the soul. But this wealth you will be able to take with you after death.
So the key words for the noble life are:
Emptied of ego and pride, we are able to let the Spirit fill us. Unassuming, not boasting, when we are empty we may be filled, but when we are full of ourselves in the wrong way, we are not with the Spirit.
Love is gentle, but firm, forgiving but not weak, tender as a mother's love and unashamed to show itself.
Love has no anger, no animosity, no rancour, no violence. We may have great differences with others, seemingly insurmountable chasms between those who shun the ways of gentleness, but we must not turn on them with disgust or contempt or hatred. Mildness is difficult, it is not weak.
If we want to be noble, we have to learn to control the mind, the emotions and the body. This also brings about grace and beauty. We need to control our speech-our words should certainly not include profanities, swearing or obscenities. Perhaps you already find these repugnant. They are now commonplace around us and it is difficult to go through one day without having to hear one form at least from one source or another (unless you live like a hermit!). This merely shows how lowered and degraded our western society has become. It is even considered quite acceptable to use obscene words; for some people it is quite admirable to use "strong language"-it is not deemed "foul" language.
As Inanna tells us this is not the stiff holding of oneself with pride at having status or a role in the world, but a deeper, inner feeling of self-worth and self-love. This core love of oneself as a creature and child of the Goddess means we do not allow others to treat us as less and we can then extend love and respect to others.
We show respect and courtesy with words and attitude. So it is not a superficial politeness which is not based in love. We should have respect not only for those close to us but for everyone we meet by relating to them and treating them with love that is centred in the Spirit, which recognises that each person is a child of the Goddess. Sadly modern society requires us to drop such courtesies as respectful ways of addressing each other, but if we remember the inward attitude we may continue what should be custom.
This includes materially giving to charity or to anyone who needs it. Also hospitality-we may look to other cultures to see wonderful examples of this to inspire us. Then there is the generosity of heart which means being forgiving, giving people the benefit of the doubt and so on.
Now all this is balanced by love of truth-
People are often reluctant to adopt these qualities for fear of being seen as weak, ineffectual, naive or easily manipulated. There is no doubt you will go against the grain of what is around you very often; anyone with principles will do that. But one has to look beyond the momentary to what is lasting and there will always be those who appreciate the good qualities.
Love of truth gives you strength, fortitude, courage. This is assertiveness at its strongest because it is based in the authority of the Spirit, not the false self. It is love of truth that does not stand by cruelty or injustice mutely, that does not let a friend continue on a wrong path unchallenged, that does not comply with one's consciense tells one is unethical or immoral.
And also balanced by the Golden Mean-this is also known as the middle path between two extremes, so that one quality is not carried to an extreme where it becomes distorted and ceases to be a virtue. We let wisdom guide us in exercising the virtues so that we do not become over-zealous; how much harm has come about through a wrong zeal, too much passion; righteousness becomes a rigid, intolerant self-righteousness and before we know it we are looking at others with scorn and contempt, pride takes over and all the good is lost. Or else a necessary self-denial turns to asceticism without joy. And the one thing the virtues do give you is joy to overflowing.