Greetings
A few days ago, I received a text message from my friend, Carol. It was short and sad.
“Elder Malidoma has transitioned,” she said. The newsletter she forwarded from his office provided more details. “Elder Malidoma completed his most recent initiation today. What an inspiration he will always be — Living His Medicine.”
Like millions around the world, I was caught off guard — shocked.
Brother Malidoma held many titles during his time on earth: African shaman, medicine man, diviner, healer, author, teacher, friend, grandson, son, father, husband, elder.
I was blessed to meet Malidoma several times at spiritual workshops in California, and I once had a long conversation with him in private, at his office, which at one time was located about 15 minutes from my home in Oakland.
Thankfully, I still have the audio recording of our time together, and I plan to share the interview with you one day soon.
Malidoma is the author of the books Of Water and Spirit, The Healing Wisdom of Africa and Ritual: Power and Community.
Of Water and Spirit is, without question, one of my favorite books of all time. Before Malidoma appeared on the literary scene, most books on African spiritual traditions were written by scholars and were difficult for the average person to connect with.
Malidoma gave us a glimpse of an incredible world, something magical, mystical and transformational — an indigenous wisdom all of humanity can benefit from — an ancient wisdom the earth still needs at this time. A world we can all aspire to live in.
“I’m here in the West to tell the world about my people in any way I can. My elders are convinced the West is as endangered as the indigenous cultures it decimated in the name of colonialism. There is no doubt that, at this time in history, the west is suffering from a great sickness of the soul,” he says in Water and Spirit.
“The West’s progressive turning away from functioning spiritual values; its total disregard for the environment and the protection of natural resources, the violence of inner cities with their problems of drugs, poverty and crime, spiraling unemployment and growing intolerance of people of color and the values of other cultures — all of these trends, if left unchecked, will eventually bring about a terrible self-destruction. In the face of all this global chaos the only hope is self-transformation,” says Malidoma in Water and Spirit.
Even in his passing Malidoma has profound lessons to teach us: 1. How to walk in our purpose. 2. How to fully live in this moment. 3. How to live with courage. 4. How to serve from the heart.
While many of us have been touched by Malidoma’s amazing journey — we don’t always grasp the tremendous sacrifices he made to fulfill his life’s purpose.
This is a man who was kidnapped as a child by Jesuit priests in Burkina Faso and was brainwashed to accept Christianity and the ways of the West.
Fifteen years later, Malidoma managed to escape and returned to his tribe where he learned the indigenous wisdom of his ancestors and proceeded to teach it the world.
Even near the end, as Malidoma faced his own mortality, “he was adamant that he would continue to meet with his students in person for as long as he was able and he did so. Elder Malidoma moved forward as the warrior that he is as he faced many unknown territories,” says the newsletter from his office.
I hope Malidoma’s courage inspires you in some way.
You’re likely to face some kind of adversity as you attempt to serve others and live your purpose too. It’s not a mistake — it’s part of your divine assignment. Know that your challenges will make you stronger, and that your ancestors will be there to support you.
I’ll miss Malidoma just like countless others who had a chance to connect with his spirit.
The mission continues, however, and I know he’s probably smiling as he guides us from above.
James Weeks
Author Meditations Across The King’s River