Always Questions...
My name is Will and I am a white male from New York. Recently I've been traveling to California, Hawaii, Carribean to see how other people live. I came to one general conclusion; there is something terribly wrong with this world. I've been doing some soul searching and some outward observing of my sorroundings and culture. There are many things that I wish to be changed, the most important is the hatred and evils this world is grasping onto as if they were necessary. I feel motivated to show people that borders and boundaries do not have to exist, that although challenging, there is no reason regardless of creed color or race that love can be a concept that we can all grasp onto. In fact, we are all in this journey together, but yet we are so seperate. I feel alone, lost, confused. I don't believe in religion, but the spirituality of the individual, and the sharing of my findings with my fellow man; to help them find their way as so many helped me. I am going to get my masters in English/Education and teach what I have learned as an obligation I feel under the premise of Jah Love. Although it is new to me, I really believe in the message, but I'm not sure if I understand the rest. I am willing to give it a chance, but if I just believe in one love and the lifestyle of rasta, and not sure about the history of it because it seems more geared towards africans than whites (I do believe in Jah as one god), am I exempt from teaching the Rasta message. Am I not a rasta? My heart is as pure as I allow it to be, but I need help. It hurts me everyday the world is like this, and I want to fix it everyday. I'm trying to figure out how, I figured a good step would be to talk to someone that can put to words the concepts I feel.
I hope you respond to this message, it is extremely important for me in this rough patch of my life to know there are people that are still PURE OF HEART. I feel myself slipping into the darkness of normal day acceptance of hatred, I need to sorround myself with good people before I'm lost.
I turn to you for hope,
Thank you,
Jah Love
Will
Rasta
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Greendread
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:24 pm
Re: Rasta
hi will i dont believe you are lost. you seem like someone that is on the right path. i think it would be hard to fix everything that is wrong, but one can motivate or do something that gives inspiration to others, and for me that thing is Reggae music. I was born in California and i am of Mexican Descent and Reggae has been a part of my entire life. so i believe Rasta is a positiive way that includes all of the human race.
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DreadController
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:50 pm
Re: Rasta
difficult one 
yes, i think "am i a rasta?" is a question that bothers many people around the world ..
i wouldn't call myself rasta, because there are some concepts i can't get along with, eg. i don't praise selassi as god or reborn christ, i respect him as a blessed & wise man tho .. neither do i believe in repatriation as a physical or mental return to africa (to put it short).
on the other hand, these points aren't clearly defined somewhere, and might not even be a reason not to be rasta.
but, in the end one wan't be judged according to how one calles him/herself, but according to what one is doing.
Don't put the world on your shoulders, the only place you can change is yourself .. Jah WILL guide you.
wish you presence, love & strenght
yes, i think "am i a rasta?" is a question that bothers many people around the world ..
i wouldn't call myself rasta, because there are some concepts i can't get along with, eg. i don't praise selassi as god or reborn christ, i respect him as a blessed & wise man tho .. neither do i believe in repatriation as a physical or mental return to africa (to put it short).
on the other hand, these points aren't clearly defined somewhere, and might not even be a reason not to be rasta.
but, in the end one wan't be judged according to how one calles him/herself, but according to what one is doing.
Don't put the world on your shoulders, the only place you can change is yourself .. Jah WILL guide you.
wish you presence, love & strenght
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Will
Re: Rasta
I appreciate the response. I'm just really trying to surround myself with people with this lifestlye or viewpoint. I just moved back from Cali to NY. It's hard here for me to get into this culture (i lived here almost my whole life except recently). I am also a guitarist (a bad guitarist) and love Reggae as well. However, that culture is hard to find here. Do you know how to connect with people with this belief. I believe one of us can do good, but I think it takes us to get together to really understand the lifestyle we choosen. I feel crazy even saying this stuff, like I belong in a cult or something, but I figured we are all in this together, why go at it alone.
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DreadController
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:50 pm
Re: Rasta
Yes, i'm just beginning to really understand the power of community myself .. "For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Don't know how the reggae scene is in the USA/NY .. but there are always some concious people at dances here, or at reggae festivals. NY is big enough that there should even be some organisations like the Twelve Tribes of Isreal (which seems to be consisted of nice people without exceptions, as far as i had the opportunity to experience :d) ..
Don't know how the reggae scene is in the USA/NY .. but there are always some concious people at dances here, or at reggae festivals. NY is big enough that there should even be some organisations like the Twelve Tribes of Isreal (which seems to be consisted of nice people without exceptions, as far as i had the opportunity to experience :d) ..
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Will
Re: Rasta
That quote is amazing. Where is it from? I think I need to educate myself more on the concepts of Rastafarianism. "If you think there is nothing left to learn, then you are truly ignorant."
Also, I will look to see if that group (or others like it) exist in NY. Thank you dread controller.
When people like I and I get together, hope has a chance of living on in a world so far from it's mark.
May Jah Bless You for many years.
Will
P.S.-- You said the U.S., If it's not to invasive, I was wondering what country are you from?
Also, I will look to see if that group (or others like it) exist in NY. Thank you dread controller.
When people like I and I get together, hope has a chance of living on in a world so far from it's mark.
May Jah Bless You for many years.
Will
P.S.-- You said the U.S., If it's not to invasive, I was wondering what country are you from?
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DreadController
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:50 pm
Re: Rasta
Ups, interesting typo, Twelve Tribes of Israel and not Isreal, of course
Quote is Matthew 18:20, Bible .. good book actually :d
Blessings from Germany.
Quote is Matthew 18:20, Bible .. good book actually :d
Blessings from Germany.
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super ape
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:11 pm
Re: Rasta
i am not a rastafarian but also do live empathetically within many of its concepts (does that make sense?).
3 of the most important philosophies that i have taken away are, paraprhased in my own understanding:
1) you are god/the divine-we are god-god is all of us- god is love-we are love-we are the divine, cherish what you are and your spirit will open up the world to you-share this knowledge with those around you if you choose...
2) the "system/babylon" is just the opposite of what is important in this world while we are here. if you understand this, then you have no reason to want to be a part of this system that THEY have imposed upon us. it can be very easy, to a certain extent, to refuse this system.
3) the above is all transferred and utilized in how/why you live your life. it is up to you to live by these philosophies and take whatever learnings you gain along the way to heart.
you will find there are many, many people out there who think like you- rasta, buddhist, etc...you will find each other. even if you don't aggressively seek these people out- just share your thoughts and kind heart with those who you meet and the connections will happen.
at least that has been my experience, and i hope this helps you find what you are looking for.
keep in mind that we will more than likely always be learning and searching, whether it be for nirvana, love, understanding, etc...and that is what makes it all so great and fascinating.
big love up
ape
3 of the most important philosophies that i have taken away are, paraprhased in my own understanding:
1) you are god/the divine-we are god-god is all of us- god is love-we are love-we are the divine, cherish what you are and your spirit will open up the world to you-share this knowledge with those around you if you choose...
2) the "system/babylon" is just the opposite of what is important in this world while we are here. if you understand this, then you have no reason to want to be a part of this system that THEY have imposed upon us. it can be very easy, to a certain extent, to refuse this system.
3) the above is all transferred and utilized in how/why you live your life. it is up to you to live by these philosophies and take whatever learnings you gain along the way to heart.
you will find there are many, many people out there who think like you- rasta, buddhist, etc...you will find each other. even if you don't aggressively seek these people out- just share your thoughts and kind heart with those who you meet and the connections will happen.
at least that has been my experience, and i hope this helps you find what you are looking for.
keep in mind that we will more than likely always be learning and searching, whether it be for nirvana, love, understanding, etc...and that is what makes it all so great and fascinating.
big love up
ape
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Will
Re: Rasta
Super Ape,
I address this message specifically to you. Thank you! Thank you for showing me that although the world, this "babylon," this man made creation hasn't consumed everyone (isn't the focal point of everyones goals), and that love, and good, no matter how little exist, will always be so strong. Thank you for reminding me why life is worth living, and I know you don't know me, but that's what makes it that much more honest in my eyes. You opened your ideas to a stranger, one who was looking for answers, and you helped. Love is my religion, we are all in this life together, good or bad, we all need eachother to get through, the only thing I can hope for is to quote "be that change I want to see in the world." That is my vow to Jah;
One more thing I wanted to know. Even if I'm not rasta, I call that force, that love that binds everyone together, all of us good or bad Jah. It just feels, well right, natural, I feel comfortable in hard times by saying prayers to Jah. Is it wrong even if I don't necessarily believe in the whole Mount Zion, Hallie Salliese (sorry if I spelt this incorrectly) to still believe in Jah? (My definition of Jah is that god that everyone prays too, whether you call him Yahwah or Almighty)And that I believe more in the Rasta lifestyle. I guess i'm asking aswell, if I try my best to live rasta, but don't grasp the religion portion of it, is that offensive, even though it helps me.
Thanks again,
Jah Blessings
Will
P.S.
And thank you all for making mine a little easier at a very rough time.
I address this message specifically to you. Thank you! Thank you for showing me that although the world, this "babylon," this man made creation hasn't consumed everyone (isn't the focal point of everyones goals), and that love, and good, no matter how little exist, will always be so strong. Thank you for reminding me why life is worth living, and I know you don't know me, but that's what makes it that much more honest in my eyes. You opened your ideas to a stranger, one who was looking for answers, and you helped. Love is my religion, we are all in this life together, good or bad, we all need eachother to get through, the only thing I can hope for is to quote "be that change I want to see in the world." That is my vow to Jah;
One more thing I wanted to know. Even if I'm not rasta, I call that force, that love that binds everyone together, all of us good or bad Jah. It just feels, well right, natural, I feel comfortable in hard times by saying prayers to Jah. Is it wrong even if I don't necessarily believe in the whole Mount Zion, Hallie Salliese (sorry if I spelt this incorrectly) to still believe in Jah? (My definition of Jah is that god that everyone prays too, whether you call him Yahwah or Almighty)And that I believe more in the Rasta lifestyle. I guess i'm asking aswell, if I try my best to live rasta, but don't grasp the religion portion of it, is that offensive, even though it helps me.
Thanks again,
Jah Blessings
Will
P.S.
And thank you all for making mine a little easier at a very rough time.