The Truth of Illusion - a lesson from Rastafari

One of the most powerful things about Rastafari is the commitment to maintaining very few illusions about the world: all the glitter of traditions like mindless Christmas decorations and the glamor of Cooperate Jobs are painfully burned to ashes, pierced by the Truth underlying it all.

Rastas unapologetically spoke out against systemized deception way before it was cool to do so. For example, before the health and wellness industry was popularized in the west, which group of people were the original "clean eaters" who were scorned, laughed at, ridiculed and pitied for not eating meat and experiencing the pleasures of fast food? Who spoke up about the healing potential of cannabis even if it meant being beaten and jailed? Universal law dictates that truth will always be revealed, and always, always shine above any illusion disguising it, regardless of what the consequence may be. Rastas have quite literally been our defenders of so much of the Truth of our time. 

Now, if I am to be true to this topic I must also speak up about the illusions that exist even within our beloved Rastafarian tradition. For example, as defenders of equality for all, Rasta women still face discrimination especially among our elders. Even today, Rasta women are not really allowed to enter the tabernacle of the Nyabinghi order or play drums and must cover their heads, justified by the illusion that women do not hold an equal, rightful place in that spiritual gathering. 

So you see, as human beings we habitually attach ourselves to these conscious and unconscious illusions that can ultimately be dangerously dehumanizing. 

In our own lives we create illusions for ourselves almost as a defense mechanism against the truth that can sometimes be painful, unpleasant or undesirable. We maintain an illusion about a relationship even when we KNOW what it really is and what it isn't. We maintain the illusion of content for our work even when we feel completely dead inside. We put on a deceptive appearance to be perceived by others in a desired way. With an illusion, we can trick ourselves into anything. We can justify everything. But what walks into bed at the end of the day? The Truth. And the funny thing is, if we are the least bit conscious about our thoughts, feelings and actions we are completely aware that we are indeed tricking our own selves.

The less illusions we maintain about ourselves and the world around us, the easier life will become. 

Because when WHAT IS is just that, "What is", we can move forward with so much more clarity, knowing, confidence and commitment to creating the Truth we actually want to see for our lives. 

A life lived from a place of authenticity is the most liberating of all.

So know this...

Every moment is an opportunity to see what is really there. Approach the truth, do not avoid it. It really will set you free, set us free. 

The journey continues...

P.S. Have you taken the Bastyr Univeristy Cannbis Survey? The information you provide will help inform physicians, researchers, policy-makers, and patients about the potential risks and/or benefits of Cannabis as a therapeutic or recreational agent. 

More info here:
http://www.bastyr.edu/research/studies/survey-cannabis-use
Link to survey here:
https://redcap.bastyr.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=aZ6iQG

Love,

Kimani