On Ujima we discussed proverbs from the "African Openings To the Tree Of Life", and the one that gave me the most problems came to life when I reflected on it during Ujamaa. Ujamaa is about harnessing those personal resources so that we can build that life that we want. I want go into it you can listen to some of my past podcast, or checkout some of the videos for Ujamaa to get a grasp of what I mean. While harnessing my resources for another project, the thought of the proverb echoed in my mind. I pushed the thought back and got focused on my present project. But the proverb kept coming to the surface like a fisherman's bobber. I could not recall the proverb, but I could remember some key words that kept ringing, prostrate, awaken, suffering, and horizon. So I took a few minutes and began to google and that is when the answers came rushing in. Before I get into it, I want to share the link from last night's Tribal Quotes . Listen in and share your comments about this and all of the proverbs. Here is the quote:
"The Chapter Of The Head-Rest, which is to be placed under the head of the
Osiris Ani, whose word is truth. Awake out of thy sufferings, O thou who liest
prostrate! Awake thou! Thy head is in the horizon." Book of coming forth by day
Now the word that stuck out to me as we began to move into Nia was "awaken". To awaken means to become conscious, or aware of what is around you. Family, for me a light went on. I mean my mind went crazy with thoughts and possibilities. What is purpose without consciousness, it is dead, asleep, powerless. Purpose without consciousness is like eyes without sight, or ears without hearing. The key to purpose is for the user of Nia to be awake, or conscious. Let's go back to the proverb and use it to illustrate the point. This particular verse was placed under the head of the deceased during the burial ritual of the ancient Kemites. This verse is a spell meant to remind the deceased of who they are or better yet who they can become. Now the first word directed at the deceased is "Awaken", and they are asked to come out of their suffering. Now let me share what ran through my mind when I read this verse again. The dead are unconscious and because of their unconsciousness they suffer. It is a state of consciousness that frees or imprisons them. Being conscious is nothing but being awake, and alert to the world around you, but most people are not aware, or awake. They are sleeping walking, and because they are in a state of unconsciousness, or semiconscious they suffer. Now the next question is why are they suffering? They suffer because they are not aware or alert enough to see other possibilities beyond suffering. They are made to lay prostrate before their suffering. To lay prostrate means to cast oneself face down on the ground in submission, another part of the definition states that a person is reduced to helplessness. When we cut to the chase we have a unconscious person trapped and imprisoned by their suffering, unaware of who they are or even where they are. Now let's connect this to the principle of the day (Nia). Nia is simply "the reason that something exist or is done, made, used, etc.," Now Nia is like a flame, and fuel that it burns is you. We know that fuel is not enough to get a fire burning, we need the oxygen and that is what consciousness is to Nia (purpose). Nia needs consciousness to ignite within you. Many of us have Nia, but we lack the crucial ingredient. We are trapped and lying prostrate to our suffering. We have been conquered and made to feel helpless before our suffering, because we are dead, or unconscious. Not let's look at what it means to be conscious," to be aware of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.." In order for Nia to be active in our life we have to become aware of our own existence, what we feel, what we think, the world we live in, and most importantly our personal power. All these things have been removed from us and replaced with a sense of helplessness. Hence our Nia lies dormant in us unable to burn.
This is a call to consciousness so that we can ignite ourselves and burn through life. When one is conscious a communication can be made with the Universe, and you can now begin to receive messages that in an unconscious state you could not notice. The world does not change when you become aware, your view of the world changes. The obstacles that were there are still present you just are able to look at them from a new perspective, you are now able to receive the messages that your Creator and your ancestors are sending you. You are able to shift your view of suffering and see the opportunity that is before you. You stand up from your prostrate position and see that which you feared has no real power over you. In fact you have the power, you just was not able to see it because you were sleep/dead/unconscious. Wake up Fam watch the video and leave a comment.
Peace & 1hunid years.
To be continued......
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