Openness and emotional duality

As spring is blessing us with all her peaceful beauty, life is sweeter than honey. Flowers are blooming, opening to keep life alive. It is not just about beautiful colors. It is about survival and procreation.   Flowers beautifully represent our emotional duality and desire to be open.  Openness is crucial to our crystallized intelligence. According to Wikipedia, Crystallized intelligence is described as a person's depth and breadth of general knowledge, vocabulary, and the ability to reason using words and numbers. It is the product of educational and cultural experience in interaction with fluid intelligence.

I definitively love spring because it encourages everyone to open up. It is a peaceful time to reflect about life.  Open can be synonym to naïve. However, naivety in children blesses them with a profound openness that adults tend to envy.  Even the naïve flower after opening up to release her scent to attract insects, she will close back to conserve resources at night. She will not waste her delicate perfume and will compete with others flowers to attract wandering insects. So openness does not always equate to credulity. 

Duality is the essence of life. Our terrestrial, emotional and moral lives are all about duality. Openness is a personal approach to life. In my opinion it gives a better chance to reach balance. We are trained to appreciate all natural dualities such male and female, light and dark, and positive and negative. 

However, we are scared to embrace our emotional duality while secretly praying for neutrality.

In high school, I start liking physics when we did learn about Newton’s law of action-reaction. “The mutual forces of action and reaction between two bodies are equal, opposite and collinear”. It made sense; life is a succession of actions-reactions.  Ironically, I became aware of the multitude of reactions for my actions. Nevertheless, I realized that being aware did not prevent me from being open. Later in college, teachers always preached the famous “think outside the box”. After years of formatting fluid reasoning, openness was required to solve problems from the “box”. I realized that “my box” was diverse, eclectic and messy. So for me the “think outside the box” meant “open your box”. Openness did allow me accept my emotional dualities. Of course being blessed with many spring, helped me mature. Time is a blessing. Enjoy your spring, live and love your dear life.

Peace…

The Drowned Book: Ecstatic and Earthy Reflections of Bahauddin, the Father of Rumi

I bought this book to learn more about  Sufi and Rumi. I never took the time to read it. My friend is reading it  and he recommended me to start reading it.  It seems easy to read. Besides, I do love poetry. However, it seems that I am not ready for more reflections at this time, so I am postponing my reading. I did flip through the commentary at the end of the book, to stop on a page 140 quoting a love poem from Etheridge Knight. Whom I did not know before!!! 

"Belly Song" by Etheridge Knight in The Essential Etheridge Knight

and I and I/must admit

that the sea in me

has fallen/ in love

with the sea in you

"Although a popular Islamic mystic who remains important to many Sufi sects, Bahauddin is known to the West primarily as the father of the thirteenth-century poet Rumi, interest in whose work has been revived by Coleman Barks' translations. Reminiscent of Sei Shonagon's Pillow Book, Bahauddin's writing in The Drowned Book is a miscellany that shows Bahauddin jumping from gardening tips to meditations on Qur'anic verses to quasi-erotic explorations of the Sufi's efforts to find unity with God. Readers unfamiliar with Islamic history and Sufi practice will wish the translators had included more explanatory commentary, but the translation itself is engaging and colloquial. The bits of Bahauddin's poetry included (e.g., "Why say autumn is the end of loving? / For us there will be another spring") are a far cry from Rumi's, but Bahauddin's prose reflects the mystical core of Sufi faith and constitutes an excellent example of nonpoetic Sufi writing. Readers interested in the Sufism behind Rumi's poems will find much to enjoy here. 

“La canción del bongó-Song of the Bongo Drum” by Nicolás Guillén

From a really interesting paper by Monika Kaup :"Our America" That Is Not One: Transnational Black Atlantic Disclosures in Nicolás Guillén and Langston Hughes.

La canción del bongó-Song of the Bongo Drum”, from Sóngoro consongo by  Nicolás Guillén

Esta es la canci´on del bong´o:
–Aqu´ı el que m´as fino sea,
responde, si llamo yo.
Unos dicen: Ahora mismo,
otros dicen: All´a voy.
Pero mi repique bronco,
pero mi profunda voz,
convoca al negro y al blanco,
que bailen el mismo son,
cueripardos y almiprietos
m´as de sangre que de sol,
pues quien por fuera no es noche,
por dentro ya oscureci´o.
Aqu´ı el que m´as fino sea,
responde, si llamo yo.
(Obra po´etica 104)

This is the song of the bong´o:
Here even blueblood
answers if I call.
Some answer, “Right now!”
Others say, “On my way!”
But my hoarse rejoinder,
deep bass voice,
calls both black and white
to dance the same son.
Brown of skin or brown of soul
more from blood than sun,
those who are not night outside
get darker deep within.
Here even blueblood
answers if I call.
(trans. Hughes and Carruthers, Cuba Libre 81)

Same Moonlight for our Dreams

Finding the flow

According to Wikipedia, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi once said "Repression is not the way to virtue. When people restrain themselves out of fear, their lives are by necessity diminished. Only through freely chosen discipline can life be enjoyed and still kept within the bounds of reason.” This is probably a reason why many New Year’s resolutions never come true. It is easy said than done.

However, I am in love Csikszentmihalyi’s notion of flow.  It is defined as “a state of concentration or complete absorption with the activity at hand and the situation. The idea of flow is identical to the feeling of being in the zone or in the groove. This is a feeling everyone has at times, characterized by a feeling of great absorption, engagement, fulfillment, and skill—and during which temporal concerns (time, food, ego-self, etc.) are typically ignored. According to Csíkszentmihályi, flow is completely focused motivation…It is a single-minded immersion and represents perhaps the ultimate in harnessing the emotions in the service of performing and learning. In flow the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand. To be caught in the ennui of depression or the agitation of anxiety is to be barred from flow. The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture, while performing a task. ”

This sense of complete peace of mind in our everyday lives is challenging. However, once you get the feeling it is amazing. Sports used to give me that “in the zone” feeling. As a teen, drawing and writing “dark poetry” defined pure flow. Mathematics also was all about the flow. You must completely concentrate and be motivated to get it. Hobbies lead to the “in the zone” bliss. Of course, spirituality and meditation offer the flow state.  

Such flow is beyond blissful contentment or fulfillment. It cannot be programmed, forced or given. It just happens anytime and anywhere. Today, I am navigating through life adjusting my pace. My flow is within my soul. And I can feel it. I guess that the flow state is a gift of being in the present. The flow state is to live alive. It requires confidence, focus and balance. Even our global community is in flow of Oneness, one family, one Earth.

Let’s feel the flow. My last Happy 2011 to you!!!

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson.

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration(1910s to 1970s) by Isabel Wilkerson. I saw her interview on the PBS. Like she says, it is a classic American story. She interviewed hundreds and chosen three people from different decades and regions. I love how she presents this great migration as “immigrants in their own country”. Wilkerson emphasized on the distinction of “Emigrants with an E because they were actually leaving one place for another place that they hoped would be better”. The author is powerful and the message can reach out to all classes, races, and cultures. She offers a comprehensive story about leaving the South. In my opinion, it is a deep exploration of the immigrant mind. It is not just a classic American story because we can all related to the need of better education for our children and freedom. I love the subtility about the migration itself. People did not want to become “somebody”. They had modest goals. They had the will, the determination that made them go beyond.  The migrations were about rights not the desire of power. She also pointed out that these migrants were usually married couples, or families. And they always send money back home for the relatives. It is the immigrant mind. It is that bitter sweet silence struggle between the will, the conscience and the heart. Professor Isabel Wilkerson did a great job. It is a brilliant epic story that exposes this part of history. I am buying this book! I am sure it will be a stunning painting with all the flavor of soul, blues and jazz.
Same Moonlight for our Dreams
THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS by Isabel Wilkerson (SNEAK PEEK)

Beyond the dreams: Marion Jones

Beyond a lifetime commitment to thrive, she made the wrong choices, cheated and lied like the rest of us. I wanted her to win in Sydney. Yes I did cry when she won the 100 and 200 meters. She was the ideal “big sister” model. Her work, dedication and commitment did inspire me.  And yes… I did cry when she admitted doping. I did lose my ideal “big sister”. However, the images of her tears made me realized that beyond the dreams there is life. No matter how much we want to accomplish our dreams, life is real. It is as real as blood, sweat, money, loss, lies, deception, pain, fear, shame, and tears. I needed to have a fairytale ending; I wanted her to be clean and proud. I needed one thing to be the way it should regardless of reality.Her confession made me grow up.

In 2007, she confessed about doping from September to July 2000. She was a mother of two.  I was a mother too.Her tears made me realized that beyond the dream of glorious victories in the Olympia, she was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, and a mother.  I felt her pain, her shame and her fear for her family. I am happy that her teammates in relay have their medals back. I am amazed and proud that Marion Jones is coming back in the WNBA. This 34 years rookie is showing us that when you fall way down, you must stand up. It is life.It is real. It is the ideal way to reach our dreams and peace.

Thank you Marion Jones! You inspired me, and you are still inspiring me! And let us not forget that she won gold medals in 1997 in Athens!!!  Even Homer in the Iliad said “It is not possible to fight beyond your strength, even if you strive.” Let us be gentle and compassionate with ourselves. Let us forgive because life is hard enough…Let us be, beyond our glorious dreams of victories because life is “the real”Olympia.

Same Moonlight for our dreams.

The Nearness of You by Branford Marsalis

Please take this sublime song as gift for my 100^th post.
Thank you very much. I wish all your precious dreams come true.
When words can't take us where we need to go, our dreams take us where we belong.

Thank you again and many blessings to you all.

Same moonlight for our dreams…

Slow, Slow(Run, Run Run) by Ayo

Her Poetry is pure and real. This song inspires me.I guess I need to change and I got to find myself.I am going slow. And it is all good! Ayo says it better than I do..Here it is ...

I got to free my mind I got chase my Soul I got to be myself I got to find my glow 
Things are getting strange guess I need a change
But I can't run away no I can't escape
I got to face myself got to free my mind
I got to chase my Soul get back my glow
I got to go
Yes I got to
I got to run run run run run run
Run for my Soul
I better go go go go go go
Making sure I go slow slow

Bukut, sacred woods ritual of passage in Senegal

        According to an article from Au fait Maroc , sixteen villages in Casamance, Senegal went back to the ritual of passage-Bukut (Initiation in Diola) in the sacred hoods. In Africa, these initiations have been coming back. However this time, the young generations threatened the elders to go somewhere else for the initiation. It shows that in this new millennium, many among us have the need to go back and take the time required to grow. It shows that traditions are transmitted beyond or despite the trends.
      The youngest of the novices was five years old and the oldest was sixty years old!! Lucky all of them were already circumcised at hospitals. All the novices went to acquire the wisdom of being, loyalty, responsibility and solidarity. They went in the sacred wood guided by elders and came out as heroes. They consciously made the transition from childhood to manhood with the support of their families and communities.
       I believed that we all have memorable rites of passage. Many of mine involved planes, airports, new continents, new countries, new cities, new smells, new tastes, new languages, new music,…..and a child. Well, the Bukut ritual is here to stay. Regardless of our origins, we will go thorough “sacred woods” in the school of life. And hopefully we will gain the wisdom of being, loyalty, responsibility, and solidarity.

Book of the week: The Autobiography Of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and collaboration of Alex Haley.

Here few quotes from the introduction by M.S.Handler that set the atmosphere of the book:“Malcom’s attitude was that of a man who had reached a crossroads in his life and was making a choice under an inner compulsion. A wistful smile illuminated his countenance from time to time_ a smile that said many things…I sensed that Malcom was not confident he would succeed in escaping from the shadowy world which had held him in thrall.” “It was always a strange and moving experience to walk with Malcom in Harlem. It always seemed to me that their affection for Malcom was inspired by the fact that although he had become a national figure, he was still a man of the people who, they felt, would never betray them."

So far my favorite part is that Malcom had a garden when he was a child. His mother gave him a little plot. He narrated how grateful and proud he was. “I loved it and took care of it well…And sometimes… I would lie down on my back ...and I would gaze up in the blue sky at the clouds moving and think all kinds of things.”I love this part because I had a little plot when I was a child. My mother did let me grow carrots and lettuces. I was ecstatic each time we ate my vegetables. It was priceless. My dirt was my most precious possession. Life, death, and time made more sense with a garden. I had to keep bugs away to protect my plants and they had to feed their colonies. Even the rabbits were not  cute anymore when they ate all my carrots.It was silent but colorful lessons about life through gardening. I did learn that you can dream and enjoy everything. But at the end  if you do not work you do not eat.

To conclude I will use Plato’s quote.“Apply yourself both now and in the next life. Without effort, you cannot be prosperous. Though the land be good, You cannot have an abundant crop without cultivation.”

Happy Friday to you!

Book of the week: Women, Race and Class by Angela Davis

In this book, Angela Davis offered a perspective on feminism as the intersection of race, gender, and class. With my Afropolitanism; race, gender, and class are definitively in the mix. I am also looking for a book on African feminism. Growing up my mother used to remind me that western feminism was not mine. Her fear was that her only daughter will remain a tomboy for the rest of her life. I did respect and enjoy everything my mother did teach me. I did learn how to cook, serve, host and be a respectful African lady. In the meantime, I played sports from rugby to basket ball, never wore girly clothes, and skateboarded my way out of adolescence. As a foreigner trying to find my way, it was difficult to accept my womanhood with race, and class issues.  Angela Davis message is about unity. She underlines the necessity for women, regardless of race, to work together. Once again thank you all ladies for being such great friends, sisters, mothers, and women. And thank you dear mother for your patience.

International Creativity and Innovation Day is April 21.

Well I never knew about this one! It is tomorrow! So we still have time to be creative and innovate. It did start in 2002; communities in over 46 countries encourage their creative spirit from April 15 to April 21. It begins on Leonardo da Vinci’s Birthday. One slogan, I did find is “Imagine the world united through its creativity; where everyone takes a moment, a day, or the week to generate new ideas to create a brighter future wherever they are.” My plea is for a better, creative, innovative education. In order to created a sort of union. Creativity is an excellent approach. Here a great article on education, 21st-Century Skills: Evidence, Relevance, and Effectiveness by Scott Aronowitz. The opening quote is “The 21st century isn't coming; it's already here.... Public schools must prepare our young people to understand and address global issues, and educators must re-examine their teaching strategies and curriculum so that all students can thrive in this global and interdependent society. Dennis Van Roekel, president, National Education Association, April 2010”.

 School undeniably recreates and highlights the inequalities so creating a better education addressing global issues might help better the world. Then may be the students will be better citizens. And they may have a better stewardship of our global community. Let’s not forget that even our renaissance man, Leornada da Vinci himself, had teachers some moons ago. They exposed him to a vast diversity of techniques and approaches which help him unleash his creative genius. In conclusion I will use an African proverb"It takes a village to raise a child."Until next time be creative because it is about creating ourselves.

Everlasting Renaissance

           According to Zora Neale Hurston, an author and anthropologist who was part of the Harlem Renaissance, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” I believe it is true. It is a perpetual personal quest. We all have an ongoing secret battle. In the midst of years, our childhood shapes our adulthood, many years are continuous questions, and some years are delightful answers. And we are blessed with unexpected joy and magic.

I always loved the term renaissance. In middle school a rebirth seems so poetic. A conscious effort to be something else seems so brave and daring. In high school renaissance was a necessity because society needs cultural movement, new intellectual pursuits, and artistic development in the diversity. My view on renaissance with my cultural identity was a mix an African, Caribbean, European, and of course African American’s renaissance. At that time, all I knew from the African American Renaissance was coming from James brown, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Michael Jordan, NBA, movies, music and Tupac Amaru Shaku of course! Honestly, it was a burst of questioning and I was devouring books in search of answers.

Life is about creating yourself, it is not about finding yourself.  We are who we are. But we choose what we want to be in life. That is why I believe in life being an everlasting Renaissance. I did read about Buddhist, the Bible, and the Quran. One day, I will read the Torah. A Muslim scholar Mahmoud Ayoub stated that "The goal of true jihad is to attain a harmony between (submission), (faith), and  (righteous living).” And Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, said “What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.”

In my opinion, religions support life as an everlasting renaissance. In my everlasting renaissance, I appreciate the answers not always gracefully but I do. I respect our elders even more because lifestyles have changed but the wisdom from years is still the same. We all strive for high ideals and fight personal struggles. Everlasting Renaissance is a struggle that we all face regardless of religions, beliefs, and origins.