Purification is a Process
– 4 min read
By Giziribtah Debasah
How many times have you heard someone say purification of mind, body, and spirit? What does this really mean? What is the goal? How, why, and when do you do this? How often is it necessary? Is it necessary?
The English language is quite tricky and allows us to say whatever we want and mean whatever we feel, giving us the false hope that the audience understands what we are striving to express. So when we say purification of mind, body, and spirit, this can mean a thousand different things to a hundred different people. But let us imagine that anyone who thinks of the concept of purification is contemplating some sort of cleansing process of getting rid of impeding impurities, filth, dirtiness, corruption, waste, or blockages. This cleansing process should lead to benefits such as healing, harmonization, wholeness, unification, love, connectivity, within oneself and one's surroundings. We can further imagine that purification is also a process. It is not a one-stop shop where you do a few things once and then you are finished.
So, suppose we can agree that purification is a cleansing process and the goal is to clean the mind, the body, and the spirit. In that case, we should be able to agree that this is something that is profoundly intense and requires guidance by professionals in that field. Even if we wanted to be street sweepers, we would need some instructional training for such a seemingly simple task. In the modern world, we typically believe that we can figure anything out on our own by exploring the internet, seeking the countless self-help options, and asking those around us.
I don't know about you, but following the recent presidential election here in the so-called United States of America, I found many of those around me completely elated or devastatingly distraught by the outcome. Most recognize that the United States is founded on the basis of divisiveness, which indicates some deep purification processes are warranted in America if being united was ever a goal. How can a country claim to be united when its foundation reveals that 95% of the native population was exterminated just a few hundred years ago? Some American leaders claim unity but now demand immediate and massive deportation of immigrants who they themselves were during those times of usurpation. The leaders of this country even prefer to send massive amounts of resources and weapons to others to exterminate anyone deemed unworthy of life based on twisted ideas of purification. Again, the English language is quite tricky. If we are talking about purification in English, this can mean anything that you want it to mean.
Here in the Kebtah community, our founding forefather, Neb Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, made it clear that purification and cleansing begin with the self. It is easy to point at another's dirtiness, but only when one is ready to deal with one's own dirtiness and corruption can one even consider a path of elevation. "Corruption flows downhill" is a common mantra that is echoed by our founding fathers. "Change the world by changing yourself" is a mantra that is easier said than done because change is one of the hardest things to do for a human being in a world of chaos.
We pray that more and more human beings are awakening to the reality of the intensity of the situations that humanity faces in our desperate need for purification. It is not just here in the United States, but the cancers that are gnawing at the fabric of human existence require everyone, including the healers, purifiers, wisdom keepers, priests, medicine women, shamans, and pathfinders, to also wake up to these realities to see the true state of our existence.
The authentic purification process that is needed must be sought and demands a focused effort within every one of us. No one is exempt, no one gets a free pass, no one is free from the journey of the purification process.
We are continuously learning that the processes of purification are ongoing and increasingly more intense as the journey ominously reveals. One must often revisit the cleansing in the many places that were not fully addressed. But at each step, cleaning the heart is always a focal point. If one has a dirty heart, there is no chance of evolving, no matter how many rituals, ceremonies, experiences, herbal baths, offerings, cleansing agents that one can use.
I was recently in a cleansing ceremony with a high priest of Ankhkasta Natural Healing here in Chicago, who guided us in collecting some common elements that were readily found in nature, such as dead leaves and a large rock. After gathering these items, he explained further that harmonizing with nature is key to purification and evolution. His next instruction was to 'go call your mother' and apologize to her, show her your love and appreciation. Harmonizing with the one that gave you life is vitally important to be in harmony with nature; it requires the purity of heart, starting with your mother. The purification that came with that seemingly simple gesture that most had never been guided to consider allowed the rest of the ceremony to flow like melted butter. It opened the way for the purification process to begin.
So every attempt at cleansing, purifying, or elevating begins in the heart. We would love for you to explore these types of cleansing experiences with us. The wisdom, guidance, and care that is shared can help you on your purification journey and can be as deep, rich, and rewarding as you are willing to take it because it begins and ends with you and your efforts. Let Kebtah and ANH guide you into Dogon cultural traditions, and you may see how deep the rabbit hole goes.
