THE WAY OF REASON

[Negus Amlak]

THE WAY OF REASON
The way of reason is not unique to Rastafari but is probably true that Rastafari consciously practice the philosophy of REASON more than most people. Reason is an essential part of growth and development of Rastafari. It is a part and parcel of everything we do. Taking it one step further, REASON has grown into a part of our religious practices. To sit and REASON in the mind of Rastafari, is almost as important as worshiping the creator. REASON is a gift from JAH.

There is no limit to the things we can REASON out, but it is not as easy or simple as we would think. There are also rules to be observed during the process of REASONING with another brethren or daughter; know of what you speak, say what you mean and respect the thoughts of others. There are certain things one might say to an individual but would not say to a group. One must know when to apply the power of REASON. This comes with experience.

The language we use is very carefully chosen for several reasons. As Rastafari, we observe the power of words and sound. We are keenly aware of each man’s tone of voice and choice of words as he speaks and we are extremely critical of our women. We do not usually allow women in our circle of REASONING, for we have traditionally disregarded our women’s ability to REASON things out. We see our women as being too emotional to fully engage in the art of REASONING.

This perception is wrong of course. If we truly used our power of REASON, we would clearly see that we have not given our women the chance to prove themselves. We must use this power to take our way of life to the highest possible point that we could take it. What are we striving for is righteousness, and the power of REASON can take us there. However, we must be wise in our thoughts, fair in our words, moderate in our actions and strong in our deeds. We must never speak words for which we have no REASON.

Careful and considerate examination of every and anything we come in contact with; this is the objective of this REASONING, for there can be no limits placed on the practice of REASON.

[Sistren Ty]

Haile I,

**This perception is wrong of course. If we truly used our power of REASON, we would clearly see that we have not given our women the chance to prove themselves. We must use this power to take our way of life to the highest possible point that we could take it. What are we striving for is righteousness, and the power of REASON can take us there.**

Well stated honerebel Ras Amlak!!!
I have always felt that if wisdom is a she(Proverbs), surely InI must incline our ear to "her" as well... being that man and wombman were irated in equal measure. Jah irated wombman because He deemed InI necessary. It is wombman that was chosen as the vessel to carry life, so surely what I as wombman has to say should carry significance. I am happy to ear Rastaman say such a thing, because there are many who feel de I should be seen, and not heard. In I ipinion if I was not to be heard den why did Jah gift I with voice?,seen.
May resonin pon dis topic itinue farward, and provoke thought.~selah

[Hailemah Amhara SolomonTimelessI]

Certainly, Bredren Amlak, this is indeed a timely post, choice topic, launching from this forum as fertile soil for this reasoning. InI was raised with 5 older sistren, of whom de only one being I, would openly reason with I Baba(Father) on many topics from politics to religon. Having never experienced a dampening of I voice and expressiveness, it is foreign to me to dwell on the lack of opportunity to reason. Certainly in the balance of the flow of life, there is reason to justify the male and female interaction necesitating stimulating Itributions from the mystical union of minds. Like bread and water it is the necessary balance of the intellectual dance of reasoning. If de wombman, like Mama Empress Menen, ambassadress of good wifery and excemplarily efficent in fine works is to be held up as a pattern for all Rastafari wombmen, then indeed it is more than evident that we,sistren, are to be valued as equally equiped for fair reasoning.
Raspect and honour, Idren, for the stimulus of this post!
Be wisely Guided and Highly Blessed,
Sis Hailemah~TimelessI

[Thundah Fayah]

Ises, One will never over the power that wombman is carry, ini should remember that the are the teachers, the are first teacher of the youths, every great leader is from HER mama Afrika. truelly to consider it that way ini will sight the contribution wombman got in the nation. even ini can remember the great work that Empress Menen did on her own.
blessed love, Reasoning is power. so lets ini inity with power.

[EmpressNyah]

Humbly agreed upon Bless-ed Brother Negus Amlak…

The ability to ‘reason’ is what differentiates InI (man and womban) from other living beings (animals). Our capability to think, examine, evaluate, etc. and furthermore to explore these thoughts with other idren through ‘reasoning’ is how InI learn and better I-selves and opinions – whether or not InI take into consideration the other person’s ‘argument’, or viewpoints.

In terms of the ‘rules’ associated with reasoning… knowing of what you speak, saying what you mean, and respecting the thoughts of others… so very true that this comes with experience – I would like to add also that it comes automatically with having common sense – or simply being aware. Aware of vibes – physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally – for all things are multi-dimensional, and therefore must be analyzed holistically.

So now, InI can agree that the practice of ‘reasoning’ is a central practice within RastafarI… just as is the mindset of upholding ‘equal rights and justice’. I then ask this, “Is the disregard of women in such relevant and critical practices - such as reasoning, within the movement of RastafarI going against the very philosophies of the movement itself?” The same reverence that RastafarI bredrin give to Empress Menen should be given to RastafarI sistren as well. It is Her Majesty who was crowned on the same day as His Majesty – against all odds and traditions. It is also Her Majesty who spoke in His Majesty’s absences to the people, and who was known for her kindness and charity – characteristics that are typically feminine qualities, evoked by ‘EMOTION’ – consequently the very ‘reason’ women are excluded from reasoning circles. In my personal perspective, I feel that it is for this very ‘reason’ that women SHOULD be included in reasoning circles, for it is what men ‘typically’ lack – and furthermore, reasonings are more efficient and well-rounded, when all aspects are considered.

I speak not from a hardcore 'women's lib' standpoint, for I truly believe in a divine order, and that man and woman have their 'places' when it comes to building the foundation of civilization - the family. InI already know JAH did not create man and man, nor woman and woman - but man and woman. Just as JAH has provided InI with the ability to 'reason', JAH has provided man with his male characteristics and womban with her female characteristics... and united as one, man and woman compliment and complete each other. How then, can man efficiently reason without womban? ...fire without the flame...

From a different point of view now, I can say that the inequality of men and women is a cultural phenomenon that is evident in all societies. There are few cultures that see women as equal to men, or who practice matriarchy altogether. With respect to RastafarI, I raise the question: Is this a ‘learned’ behaviour (which coincidentally Brother Muta Baruka speaks of in one of the I’s video posts)? ...be it from the Bible or from generations of European influences and ideologies. This in itself is a strong reason why InI should fight against the practice of the disregard of womban with respect to reasoning.

“…sometimes it is also the wombman to blame as she knows she has a voice, yet she is somewhat afraid to use it in case she is criticized” – with all due RASpect, would it be the womban to blame, or the ones who would criticize her? I think in these instances, InI have to revert back to Bro. Negus Amlak’s rules of reasoning – and these issues would be irrelevant.

Having said all this, I also feel that there are many – both man and woman – who should not participate in reasoning simply because they do not follow the unwritten rules that have been stated in the initial post. I don’t think it is a matter of ‘sex’ – but a matter of consciousness and awareness... whether InI know in our minds and feel in our hearts what InI are reasoning about.

Give thanks Bro. Negus for this thought provoking discussion...

Itinual Love and Itection...
EmpressNyah

[EmpressNyah]

Humbly agreed upon Sis I Am... I think maybe that it is the way that so many of InI are used to... like the I has said, though... sistren may be afraid of criticism if she raises her voice and opinions...

It also depends on the situation... as Bro Amlak has pointed out, one may feel comfortable to say something in one situation, but not in another... I think that InI as woman are intuitively 'aware' of who InI can be open to discussion with... and InI are also more 'picky' with those we share are thoughts with. So in bigger groups, it is highly probable that the 'mix' of individuals gathered doesn't 'suit' her tastes for her to share her thoughts and opinions.

I know for Iself, I am the one that sometimes is 'afraid to use I voice' when gathered in larger, non-intimate circles - as the I said... maybe it is a fear of being criticized or challenged - and judged by those who don't know me personally... in addition to being 'too emotional' and the fear of becoming to emotionally involved in the discussion... I really don't know what it is but know that now, times are changing.

The change in mindset of most bless-ed RastafarI men and forums such as these - by the grace of the Most High Jah - has given InI a voice... where InI can speak to groups larger than InI can even fathom we are speaking to... lol...

More Itinual Love...
Nyah

[ima real mckoy]

greetings rastafari,i sound is this,reason nuh have no begining an it nuh have no ending, it nuh specialise inna gender, whether it be woman, man,animal, the trees yu name it,, nature, reason nuh carry no limits.alright mek I reason bout life an di things that life teach I, yu si dis woman ting, it a forward from di bible, di bible no really recongnise woman, an if it even mention woman it is something bad example: "lots wife turn a pillow of salt or eve mek adam eat de fruit.but life nuh teach i dat, it teach i say is a man and a woman, life teach i de balance,man, woman and child,it teach i say a woman an man a ireator fi di earth it show i dat everyday life inna circulation,life nuh have nuh end,suh i as a rasta woman caan live from di bible.a next reason i wan touch is JAH,alright i know sey it forward from bi bible, but what it mean, when rasta sey JAH, a who di i dem a refer to,alright, some will say Haile Selassie I, but di i dem nuh tink dat if HIM did want ones call him JAH dem woulda affi grown him JAH Rastafari, jus like how dem haffi crown Empress Menen on coronation day.he was crowned Kings of Kings, Lords of Lords conquering lion of the tribe of Judah, since as Jah forward from di bible, mek rasta leave it gi di christian dem wid it. i ites is dat it is a negative energy .yu si when rasta talk bout Jah and God, right deh.is where dem start to drain di woman energy,dem no mention bout nuh jahness nor no goddess. life teach i say a woman carry di womniverse,an I nuh si how god an jah can balance dis. suh di bible jus denounce i..woman fi always a look to mother earth for guidance, mek life be di i dem teacher,an it caan happen without papa di life wata

[Empress Zita]

Bless Up the Wombin ... More Strength!
"African civilization in its potential magnitude must be able to command fortitude, patience, tolerance and diligence. To sustain us in all our tasks we count on the women of Africa. Without their relentless vigilance no aspect of our responsibilities can be attained. Women’s role has never been so demanding, and you can be proud to answer this call for the betterment and future of mankind.
"
~H.I.M Haile Selassie I

"I'm glad you've seen the part played by our women in our movement, the world had never seen such a magnificent spectacle. They were as brave as our men. You have no idea how what they did and suffered increased my faith in our people. The awakening of our women has helped mightily to awaken India. We cannot achieve freedom without them.
"
~Mahatma Gandhi

"Obviously war is one of the major problems which bring disaster on the life of mankind. Inspite of the differences of color, race, creed or religion between women in this world, they all hate war, because the fruit of wars is nothing but disaster. War exterminates their beloved husbands, their brothers and their children. It destroys and eliminates their families. We would like to bring to the attention of all women of the world that it is their duty to voice and express solidarity against such acts.
"
~Empress Menen

"The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace.

The denial of such equality
perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world's population
and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations.
There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified.

Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of
human endeavour will the moral and phychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge.
"
~The Universal House of Justice, Baha'i World Centre.


"When sleeping women wake, mountains will move"
~old Chinese proverb

[bongo shasha]

Greetings to InI,give thanks King Negus,onto the Most High InI ''God and King and his Royal Lioness Queen MennenI of IthioAfrica.
Nuff love, and Raspect, to one and all and all wisdom,knowledge and overstantanding due onto ''HIM''.
That's why Jah said;no man or wombman can't deal with''Him''you got to have a hearth of a lion to stand in-front Jah,Jah counsel no weak hearth can prosper,that why InI Love His Majesty teaching, because is not something, ones and ones think they can altar or change''it is what it is. Reality is for those that accept,the truth; and the truth always sustain the possibility of reasoning,that lead back to reality and truth,therefore freedom,peace and love is always the result of reasoning,because reason is justify by truth,not ways or emotions.
The Iniverse can also be overstand simple by simplicity of reasoning.
Reasoning, is also a great contribution for the formulation of the human dignity and worth.
That's why man, has a great and unique advantage over all other creatures,because of the power of reasoning with a higher will,just like His God and King.
Reasoning; the method of knowing truth and the period of enlightenment,or the age of rationalism.
Reasoning,it makes InI overstand,that man has a rational will,which enables him to make and carry out plans,on the other scale animals ,they declared,are slaves of their emotions,when an animal is afraid of something,it tries to escape from it,when an animal is angry ,it fights.
However, men can figure out the best course of action,when they are afraid,angry,or in trouble.In addition they can make themselves do the right thing,instead of doing what seem easier or appealing. InI know, that everything in the iniverse, behaves according to a few simple laws,that should be reason out and change,because only reason ''yields necessary,or Iniversal truths.That's why only the Fire from the Rasta wombman can quench the Rastaman thirst.''THAT'S WHY THE WORLD MOAN AND CRY FE THE FYAH FOR THE PURIFICATION AND THE HEALING OF THE NATION.
Ratas is forward ever,backward never,let them come, if them a come ,on a free will,but by any other mean,tey come fe take over or prove.
Everything and answer in in the wise Mind of the King and Queen.Therefore the word is'' InI.''
May Jah Rastafari,King Selassie,Empress Mennen and all the Great Spirits in truth Itec and free up InI from all physical and spiritual bondage, the wolf in wolf in sheep clothing,cannot hide or escape from this Great Judgment.
Blessed love Rastafari

[Ras Irie Child]

give thanks for this post Kasha Heru. this is so necessary to overstand. i love your itribution to this topic. ini needed to hear this and will iditate on it further. give thanks for the repost. so true.

[Perfect Balance]

Bless! just a reflection on this, as I move ever further toward self realization, I over that reasoning is essential as the inner I and inner truth are revealed through deductive reasoning with idrens, this replaces any doctrines or rules of men as we share our insights and develope a collective conciousness amonst ourselves-hence why ras can KNOW and not merely BELIEVE. it confirms iditations and brings them to the realm of manifestation, so yes I, give thanks for reasoning!

[Ras Jamaal]

RASTAFARI LIVES!

Gives thanks for the post Iyah,
It is haile to see the I define InI Oral Tradition of Reasoning in this way.
It is a part of InI identity, that InI dont often define in the written form, because of the nature
of the Gathering.
This form of Overstanding, derived from Reasoning, is African in every facet.

Iman think the cause of the Disrespect shown to InI Queens is the result of
these Theological freaks on the Pulpits of Babylon, who have made Woman the
object of degradation, and also the originator of sin, through the Creation STORY.

InI have to take an honest account of what InI study, and realise alot of PERCEPTION
has already been force-fed to InI through indoctrination by the perverted doctrines of Roman
Catholicism, and the Patriarchal system which excludes the Wombman from Union with Man.
In some of InI culture the Wombman is the personification of virtues such as Truth, Justice, Righteousness, and Reciprocity.

What do InI say of those that use the Power of REASON for wicked intentions, or to incite Disagreement?
Some ones use the experience and Wise-mind that they gain from reason to alienate ones,
rightly or wrongly, to suit their own purposes.
Thats why I think its important that the I said:
'we must be wise in our thoughts, fair in our words, moderate in our actions, and strong in our deeds'

HAILE SELASSIE I IDANCE AND ITECTION

[Nyah I Conscious]

Blessed Love!!!!!
Raspect!!!!!
truth(of unconditional love) is the food that feed I n I soul
taking I Home to Zion
setting I free wid Ivery heartbeat
I n I give Iternal thanks as I n I know I AM in the Presence(and the presence) of Ivinity
none can sever Jah bond
none can downstroy Jah love and truth
for He AND She love and reign foreva - whithin
and nowhere is He AND SHe not
so resistance (to Jah truth&love) and fear, denial, blame and rejection (of His&Her blessings) are futile&unreasonable, all I can do, in honesty, in reasoning, is give Praises and acknowledge that which is
in humblestanding
when I an I realize this, I n I Am at peace and in harmony
then I an I know I am in the space where I can reason from
so I give thanks for the Blessed love and Truth I feel and know here
Sellaise n Menen guide I, love I know I and neva reject I
and i n I know all that is untrue will fall away as the illusion it is
leaving Jah's freeing truth to stand in shining victory
forIva more
Love Yah!!!!! Yesus Yes us
oneness