Ludie Jane Benzel

CARBONDALE -- Ludie Jane Stuart Nichols Miller Benzel passed from this world at 3:22 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. By her close friends, Jane was better known as "Madhulika," her spiritual name.

She was born July 30, 1917, in Ravenden, Ark., and lived in Blytheville, Ark., where she raised her children.

Spanning the course of her life, she was a homemaker, mother, an active community member, a beautician, businesswoman and an adventurer. Most importantly, however, she is remembered as a powerful spiritual presence.

Madhulika raised two daughters, Nan Gannon of Dallas and Karen Miller of Carbondale.

Karen preceded her in death. Her granddaughter, Charlotte Gannon, lives in Dallas. Madhulika's brother, William Bates Stuart, and sister, Myrtle Wolff, are both deceased.

Madhulika was a devoted, yogic practitioner of meditation, prayer and chanting, and in 1969, she became one of the very first western members of Ananda Marga and a student of P.R. Sarkar (Shrii Shrii Anandamurti). Her spiritual practice would continue and guide her throughout her life.

Madhulika was a luminous character who her friends and admirers regarded as a "living saint." She was the subject of the 2010 documentary film, "Standing on the Promises," by Andrea Loetscher and Danielle Konings that told the story of her spiritual journey. Although Madhulika chose to live in Carbondale, she inspired and was loved by many around the world.

Mother and friend to all, she never discriminated against any person, nor ever had a bad word to say about anyone. She shined like a beacon on a hill. She was effulgent, free to live, and her unencumbered expression of love and wisdom poured forth on all who were blessed to know her. She will be greatly missed, yet her memory will live on to guide and serve her friends and family, who both celebrate her life and mourn the passing of this extraordinary soul. In her parting words, "Baba Nam Kevalam," love is all there is.