Author: William Ross

The Personalization of Spiritual Development…

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Each, and every day, individuals are bombarded with advertisements for services that are geared towards assisting them with their spiritual development. Whether it be as subtle as a number that corresponds with a biblical passage printed on the bottom of a fast-food cup, a bumper sticker referencing the religion the driver subscribes to, a billboard that hoovers over them as they wait in traffic, or an infomercial on the importance of religion; “guides” are vying for the attention of each, and every individual that passes. 

Through correspondence with individuals representing a wide range of demographics, ethnicities, and socioeconomic conditions, I have come to question the effectiveness in spiritual development caused by the abundance of availability presented by spiritual services. I have arrived at this thought because my experience has shown me that many of the services available seek to inspire the individual to conform to their school of thought. The end result is not spiritual development but rather spiritual mimicking. Individuals are not encouraged to grow in their understanding of spirituality and become experts in how it manifests in their world. Rather, they are encouraged – and in many cases, expected – to become experts in complacency. 

I stand strong with the conviction that the “cookie-cutting” approach to spiritual practice and religious worship are detrimental to the individual’s connection with all that guides them spiritually and the ability for them to be comforted by said guides.

Do not allow anyone to simply usher you into a procession of congregates. Instead remember that you are the gate keeper of your path and you determine who you allow on it, the role they will play, and the length of their stay. Both Spirit and the Universe will provide opportunities, instances, and occasions; but your essence, your consciousness, your Ori, will determine how those opportunities, instances, and occasions are realized and utilized.

Luz, Amor, y Àsę.

©Dr William Q Ross 2017

#asheintl #oseifa #spiritualgrowthanddevelopment #personalizationofspirituality

Maternal Energy 2017…

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Luz, Amor, y Àsę.

 

Today, on behalf of Ashé International, Incorporated, I would like to not only recognize the Mothers of the world for the love that they give, the sacrifices that they make, and the victories that they ensure; I would also like to recognize and celebrate the maternal energy that permeates through our society and fills so many regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or family composition. Today, I invite you all to join me in recognizing the fact that no one model can house the depth of this maternal energy that so many are celebrating today.

 

Delving into the embrace of Orisha Yemaya, She reminds me that as the depths of the ocean will never fully be known, nor will her reach ever be limited. She reminds me that she is present in our communal mothers, the mother who has lost her children, the mother who cannot give birth, the individual who sacrifices for others as if they were of their own blood…. She reminds me that She does not need to provide me with every example of how Her nurturing nature fills the needs of all who accept Her cleansing potency. She reminds me that the shore does not seek to understand how the ocean’s embrace will come to fruition, it simply accepts the waves.

 

Delving into the embrace of Orisha Yemaya, She reminds me that the greatest way to honor this, and every other energy, that guides, protects, nurtures, encourages, and repairs us, is to ensure that we never allow ourselves to be convinced that one day is all that is needed to say “thank you”. Instead, our thanks should be daily for the source of all this energy never limits us to one day.

 

To the mothers who have been courted by exhaustion as they sacrifice to ensure the needs of their family are met… 

 

To the mothers who find themselves behind the wall….

 

To the mothers who struggle with the examples of motherhood that raised them but now serve as positive and powerful examples of how to raise our future…

 

To the mothers of each, and every, revolution…

 

To the mothers who embrace us through the winds because their love was too big to be limited by mortality….

 

To all mothers: We see you. We thank you. We celebrate you.

 

©Dr William Q Ross 2017

 

#asheintl #happymothersday #maternalenergy #yemaya #mama #mom #maferefunyemaya

 

Puerto Rican Day Parade 2017

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On Sunday, June 11, a young Puerto Rican child will stand on Fifth Avenue in New York City dressed from head to toe in Puerto Rican paraphernalia. Even their face will be painted with a Puerto Rican flag as their small hands feverishly wave the flag that on that day, possibly more than any other day of the year, is a symbol of pride and a commander of emotion.

As the child looks to the adults around them screaming and shouting, a profound emotion will fill their very essence. This unprecedented occurrence will be coupled with images of scantily clad women and rambunctious men. Somehow, at some point, the flag of Puerto Rico will become a bandana, a bikini top, and several other unfathomable items. The child will continue to bask in the warmth created by this emotion that will fill every inch of their body. Their adrenaline will soar as it is fueled by the screams and shouts of the crowd.

“Boricua!!” the child will shout, “Wepa!!”

The beauty that is this child growing with pride in who he/she is, is truly inspiring… but there is a catch.

When the fever of this day is over, how will the pride be nourished? Will it be with the truth and history of our culture and traditions? Will it be with explanations of our Indigenous, African, and Spanish roots? Will it be with the installation of values and morals that have their foundation in the preservation of family and respect? Will the remaining 364 days be filled with as much pride as today?

When the fever of the day is over, will it be nourished in such a way that the child grows to be a strong Boricua who contributes in a positive way to society? Or will the child grow with only the aspirations of being a thug who feels that if he waves his flag on Fifth Avenue once a year and screams out “Boricua”, showing his communal sisters that he respects them by invading their personal space, he will be not only displaying but also living up to Puerto Rican Pride?

On June 11, 2017, the aesthetics of our existence will display their commercial potency. However, this potency does not translate into the progress of the people whose backs have been beaten for the financial well-being of those who define wealth in only dollars and cents.

On June 11, 2017, the Puerto Rican community will either come together and reiterate the fact that we will no longer be taken advantage of, or we will come together to show that we happily accept distractions rooted in the celebration of our culture, but which have evolved to exploitations of our existence.

On June 11, 2017, we will either dance to the tune of complacency or rally around the remix of our revolution.

Luz, Amor, y Àsę.

©Dr William Q Ross 2017