Greetings everyone!
I am a young black male who has been attracted to the ideas of Rastafari since I began listening to reggae music many years ago.
I am a very spiritual person. I had some direct spiritual experiences a few years back which forever changed my life. I was initially drawn to Eastern contemplative practices such as Buddhism and Hinduism, and though I still study Kashmir Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta (non-dual sects of Hinduism) and find them profound in their knowledge, I find that my not being of Indian descent creates a sort of barrier between me and the tradition itself. Lately I have been seeking a path which integrates a sense of my African heritage/identity/culture with contemplative practices, meditation, and a non-dual understanding of God. Naturally I found myself drawn back to Rastafari and have been engaged in a lot of research on the subject. I love that Rastafari synthesizes a radical socio-political analysis with African identity and spirituality...for me it seems like the perfect outlet, but I'm struggling with a few things so I have some questions for the members here.
In the past year or two I have been involved with radical environmental organizing and most recently have been drawn into the struggle for black liberation. I am coming to see how dominant power structures weave a common thread in all struggles, that the fights for a clean and healthy environment are the same as the fight for racial equality, the same as the feminist struggle for women, the same fight the labor unions are engaged in etc...It is my belief that to truly challenge capitalism in an effective way, a movement must exist which addresses the intersectional nature of struggle; and it is unfortunate that many of these power structures (internalized racism, patriarchy, class elitism) bleed into movements in divisive ways. I am currently reading a book about the history of the Rastafari movement and the role that women have played, and though things have improved significantly over the years I think Rastafari is a perfect example of a powerful movement which was hampered down by its adherence to Western ideals of patriarchy and suppression of women. It seems counter-intuitive to me that a liberation movement would hinge its beliefs on concepts that are central to the power structures in which said movement is claiming to be fighting against (eg Rastafari vs capitalism/Western society).
I've also read a lot of things about the nature of Haile Selassie, Pan-Africanism, Marcus Garvey, etc...that once again ties into the problematic narrative of capitalism and colonialism. For one, I think of the obvious example of Selassie as a dominating male figure, an unelected emperor, ruler of the people. I think of Shashamane and how when Selassie granted the Rastas 500 acres of land, the surrounding peasant class paid the price and ultimately protested the "occupation". Eventually Selassie was ousted by opposing forces, and Ethiopia is now run by a supposed people's government.
Anyways...with some of this historical context in mind I have these questions:
Is it possible to practice Rastafari without believing in the literal interpretation of Selassie as God incarnate? I believe in the spiritual power and potency inherent in myth/allegory and can see a lot of value in the worship of Selassie--which I don't inherently disagree with. But can I worship Selassie as a political figure who, though flawed, represented ideals of black autonomy from colonial forces? I could see myself 'worshipping' H.I.M in this way, but not as an incarnate of God. I have a hard time bowing to someone who echoed the larger structures of imperialism in our world...I mean H.I.M stands for His Imperial Majesty, and to me that is hard to comes to term with considering Rastafari is ultimately opposed to imperialism and what it has done to black people worldwide.
Is it possible to worship God/Jah as an androgynous figure? I do not see God as male or female, and this is where I would like to integrate my understanding of Eastern philosophy with that of Rastafari. God is ultimately impossible to conceptualize or frame, and one can only come to understand God through direct experience. The Word is a necessary vehicle of course, but it is ultimately just a human construct to frame the Unknowable.
Is it possible to be a Rasta without accepting the ideas of pan-Africanism and Garvey? I see Garvey as an important historical figure and I see the 'return to Africa' movement as an important period for black self-determination, but ultimately I do not think that migrating to Zion is the solution. If the black people of the Western nations were to flock to Africa, the local populations (who are greatly impoverished) would have to deal with this massive occupation and appropriation of their land by outsiders. I think the idea, as a metaphor/allegory is beautiful and I see it as integral to the Rastafari belief, but it is possible to integrate this understanding without a literal application of it?
And finally, but less political in nature, I wanted to ask in what ways is Rastafari open to integrating other belief systems? I see religion as a vehicle for liberation and understanding, it doesn't really matter what vehicle you choose so long as it works for you and your needs. So is it all possible to take my spiritual understanding of mind, nature, and cosmos from Hinduism and supplement it with the socio-political paradigm of Rastafari? I of course have an interest in the Bible/Ible and refer to most religions for insight, but is it acceptable to combine my understanding of God in the Bible with that of The Supreme/Shiva in Kashmir Shaivism?
Thanks so much...sorry for the lengthy read. I'm looking forward to hearing the knowledge of the members here. :)
God Bless
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