by James Weeks | Sep 14, 2014 | Blog
“A blessing is the state of the soul,” says African shaman, Malidoma Some, in this You Tube speech.
Malidoma Some
“People tend to see blessings as meaning prosperity. You have to disconnect these two things. Blessing does not necessarily mean prosperity. Blessing is a state of the soul. A place in which the person’s psyche sits in comfort,” Malidoma explains.
I’m grateful for Malidoma’s wisdom…
If you’re not familiar with Malidoma Some, be sure to check his classic book, “Of Water And The Spirit: Ritual, Magic and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman.” Malidoma is also the author of “The Healing Wisdom of Africa” and “Ritual, Power, Healing and Community.”
“Of Water and The Spirit” wasn’t the first book I read on African spirituality…
But it was the first book that I read that made our traditions sound fun, magical. Before Malidoma, most books on African spirituality were dry and scholarly. Sure, they spoke to the head but seldom the heart – at least in my opinion.
By contrast, “Water and The Spirit,” was riveting, poignant – an unforgettable saga of the triumph of the African spirit and the will of the ancestors against all odds.
Even though my own path led me into the Yoruba spiritual traditions, I’ve always been fascinated by Malidoma Some and Dagara culture. (You can read one of my articles here).
But back to what Malidoma says about “blessings being a state of the soul”.
I love it…
Why? Because it’s too easy to become blinded by the allure of materialism. It’s also easy to get swept up into the drama of others.
And if you tune into the news these days, you’re bound to get swept into even more drama – drama that has nothing to do with you. Drama beyond your control.
So you’ve got to ground yourself spiritually and emotionally or you’re not going to make it; you’ve got to take time out to nurture yourself.
Yes, the all-consuming fight for more financial stability is important but what about emotional stability, spiritual stability, relationship stability? How are you doing in those areas?
As you reflect on your own life, what is the current state of your soul? What do you feel is missing and why? How well do you feel connected to your own Spirit? Your ancestors and your loved ones? Your culture? Your path? What do you feel called to do? Are you doing it?
While you reflect on these questions, here are some other quotes from Malidoma’s lecture that I would like to share…
“The Gods are underground and the only way we can make the world above better is to go down underground and listen to the Gods.” – Malidoma Some.
“Relationship with Spirit has no nationality. The world is a country for all of us.” – Malidoma Some.
“A wasteful culture like this (America) has no right to claim itself the head of the Free World.” – Malidoma Some
“We can’t come here because we have reached a middle class status and this qualifies us to go into the woods and do something slightly different from what we normally do. We have to come here because we are worrying. Because we are seeking a new sense of home. A place where grandchildren can be reconnected with grandfathers. A place where adolescents can be allowed to remember. And finally, a place where we can call community.” – Malidoma Some
Now over to you…
What are your thoughts? I welcome comments so please feel free to let me know what you’re thinking and feeling.
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Blessings,
James Weeks
Producer/Across The King’s River
by James Weeks | Aug 21, 2014 | Blog
Walter Turner
It’s a popular radio show hosted by Walter Turner on KPFA, and you can listen to it by clicking here.
It was an honor to be on Walter’s show again. He’s a spiritual, intellectual and cultural beacon as well as a community activist too!
I was struck by something he said before the show began…
I overheard Walter saying how he learned valuable lessons during tragic periods in his life. So I made it a point to share this insight during our interview.
Sometimes we miss out on the lessons we’re supposed to learn because we’re so overwhelmed by the pain, so embarrassed by our failure.
It doesn’t have to be this way; it SHOULD NOT be this way…
Rather than run from your troubles or hide behind them, why not make your mess your message? That’s what Ishita Gupta advises her clients to do.
Ishita Gupta
Ishita is somewhat of a rock star in the business consulting world. She’s also a popular writer/publisher. (You can learn more about her at IshitaGupta.com)
She often shares strategies for confidence building in her newsletters, because let’s face it…
One needs a ton of confidence these days!
Not only to try to bring light back into this crazy world, but to listen to your Spirit, live your best life and leave a brilliant legacy while doing it.
Ishita has learned to bare her soul and wants you to get comfortable doing it too. The most powerful story on earth is your own, she says. And for all you know, the world is ready to hear it.
“Most people are afraid to tell their story,” she says. “They think no one cares. But how far from the truth. When you make your mess your message and be REAL about triumphs and failures, people want to support you.”
What about you? What do you think? How much of your soul are you willing to bare? Are you in or out?
I’m in……
And lately I’ve coined a new expression. “There’s gold in the garbage.”
Instead of tossing out your troubles as “garbage,” I suggest you take a closer look. There might be nuggets of gold buried inside.
But you must learn the true value of gold first!
Blessings,
James Weeks
Producer/Across The King’s River
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by James Weeks | Aug 18, 2014 | Blog
Baba Afolabi Epega
He came in my dreams, the way ancestors often do, because that’s when we’re most receptive.
Baba Epega didn’t stay long.
I guess he had other things to do in the Other World. After all, an Awo’s (diviner’s) work is never done – not even on the Other Side.
Baba Epega was a world authority on Ifa; he was the co-author of the book, “The Sacred Ifa Oracle.” Baba was also a mentor to many, including myself, up until his passing in 2006.
And I can still hear Baba’s laughter and booming voice as he taught me the basics of divination.
In the dream, the other night, Baba was teaching me songs for the orisas.
Oddly enough, I don’t think Baba visited me by dream merely because he wanted to talk to me. After all, we had tons of conversations on earth.
I believe Baba wanted to talk to YOU!
For those who never had the privilege of meeting Baba, this is what I sense his Spirit is trying to say to you right now.
Listen carefully and take notes cause Baba’s a very busy man.
1. Be totally dedicated to what your spirit is calling you to do. No excuses.
2. When will love come into your life? When you learn to love yourself. When you have more self-respect.
3. Change your character if you expect to see changes in your life.
4. Be patient in all things! If you can’t follow ants, you can’t follow Ifa.
5. Study! Study! Study!
6. Don’t forget the ancestors. You’re nothing without the ancestors.
7. Sacrifice is important. There’s no way you can succeed without sacrifice.
8. The truth never changes; it never dies. The truth will always prevail.
9. The purpose of divination is to make you think; to give you alternatives.
10. Do not fear death; death is not the end; it is an obligation of life.
Blessings,
P.S. (To hear some brief audio clips of my old conversations with Baba Epega, visit this link:)
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James Weeks
Producer/Across The King’s River
by James Weeks | Aug 14, 2014 | Blog
Like the rest of the world I was shocked by the tragic passing of Robin Williams…
In a culture that worships fame, money and success, it’s easy to lose sight of two facts: money doesn’t buy happiness and never will; money doesn’t always buy mental health.
“Williams’ death is a wake-up call – depression is no laughing matter,” says Eve Meyer, executive director of the San Francisco Suicide Prevention.
Here’s the reality: wealthy people commit suicide at roughly the same rate as poor people.
Yet the myth that wealth equals happiness persists; it’s the image that Hollywood projects to the world.
During my last trip to Nigeria in 2008, it bothered me that my little African brothers would spend countless hours around the T.V. watching Hollywood blockbusters and MTV. They seem to think streets in the U.S. are paved with gold.
I tried to tell them that most folks in the U.S. don’t live that way and the vast majority in this country are either struggling or broke. They didn’t listen. They couldn’t listen. They chose to believe what they wanted to believe.
On some level, we all choose to believe what we want to believe, despite evidence to the contrary. Because most of us don’t have access to wealth, we tend to think money is the magic answer to all our problems.
Those who have money must be “living it up” – ballin’, we think.
Clearly, Mr. Williams wasn’t living it up. He wasn’t ballin’ either.
His tragic passing puts the issue of mental illness and depression in sharper focus. Even though middle-aged white men are at greater risk for suicide than the rest of us, we need to pay closer attention to mental illness in our own communities too.
The reality is that depression is closer to home than we would like to admit…
No one is immune to depression. We all have family members or friends that struggle with it at one time or another, for one reason or another.
“It is important to learn and understand that each of us is capable of saving someone else’s life. Each of us who has felt invisible pain of any kind is an especially important force for saving the life of another person, who may save the life of yet another person in the future,” says Eve Meyer, executive director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention.
For me, the passing of this comedic genius is yet another reminder to focus on what really matters because the size of your bank account and fame do not.
But how you feel on the inside does.
Blessings
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James Weeks
Producer, Across the King’s River.
by James Weeks | Aug 5, 2014 | Blog
Hershaba and KC Hallet
I recently brought two souls together in a wedding ceremony on the beach.
It was a new beginning for them, but it was also a new beginning for me because it was my very first wedding ceremony as an Ifa priest.
They felt honored and I felt honored!
Invoking the ancestors
As I spoke to friends and family of the couple gathered in a semi-circle in the sand, the inspiration for my talk came from the sea.
To me, the sea represents new life and the journey into the unknown.
And anytime you follow love you’re venturing into the unknown…
Can’t love anyone or anything from a safe place and expect to get somewhere.
You’ve got to take some risks.
And this brings me to you! Are you taking risks or are you playing it safe?
If you’re playing it safe, how is that working for you? Are you happy?
I’m not merely talking about relationships, I’m talking about connecting with what you love or who you love in a powerful way that makes you feel alive again.
Bob Marley sang: “Who feels it, knows it.” 
It’s true. When you’re in the love zone no one has to tell you. You know; you feel.
And it’s contagious! I was in a love zone as I performed that wedding ceremony! I’m still glowing!
If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself what inspires you or who inspires you these days and move in that direction.
Don’t think about it; FEEL what your soul is saying.
Inspiration is the voice of Spirit speaking to you. Listen to that voice. Follow the love and surrender to the force.
Something powerful awaits you in the unknown!
Blessings!
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James Weeks
Producer/Across The King’s River
