About This Book:

Helminski was the first woman to publish an English translation of the Qur’an and has built a career out of reprinting classic Sufi materials. This collection of primary sources casts a spotlight on the roles women have played in Sufi history: because Sufism sheds hierarchical and social distinctions in favor of a total consummation with the Beloved (Allah), women have always held an important position, says Helminski.

The collection opens with early writings about Sufi women, most of which were written by men, and some of which have only recently been made available in English. Here we learn of Rabi’a al-’Adawiyya, an eighth-century saint about whom many legends were composed, and the ninth-century healer Lady Nafisa, who was renowned for her Qur’anic knowledge and whose tomb is still a sacred destination for spiritual pilgrims of many religious traditions.

Helminski goes on to offer writings by and about Sufi women up to the present day, including poetry (Rumi has some competition!), folklore, prayers, songs and journal entries. Helminski does a fine job of introducing each subject, placing each shaykha (female teacher) in her historical context and explaining why she should be remembered. Some of the contemporary women are particularly interesting, such as Russian-born Sufi author Irina Tweedie, who describes her gradual path toward Sufism. This collection of women’s voices is a rich and varied resource for understanding women of “The Way.”

Book Review:

I am amazed at how women’s spiritual lives from the past keep resurfacing to inspire us today. In Women of Sufism, Helminski has selected stories, dreams, prayers and visions of female saints through the ages, from the time of the first Sufi women in the seventh century through to the present day. The stories span the many regions of the world where Sufism has been practised, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

The mystic women documented in this anthology weave their spiritual knowledge into their family life, their household tasks, daily actions, and even into their carpets and wall hangings. They are strong in their devotion and let nothing deter them from their personal connection with the Beloved. The stories give a sense of the importance and acceptance of women as teachers.

The titles of the chapters are themselves intriguing and give a glimpse of what the stories hold: A Jewel of Knowledge, The Enraptured Ones, My Soul is a Woman, Mother Love and The Fragrance of Prayer are just a few.

The book contains many short, penetrating stories about Rabi’a al-Adawiyya, an eighth-century mystic. In the chapter A Doorkeeper of the Heart, one of my favourite tales illustrates how Rabi’a’s saintliness did not depend on showiness: “One day Hasan of Basra saw Rabi’a down by the riverside. He came and sat beside her, spread his prayer-rug on the surface of the water, and said, ‘Come sit with me and pray.’ ‘Do you really have to sell yourself in the market of this world to the consumers of the next?’ said Rabi’a. Then she unrolled her own prayer-rug in thin air and sat on it. ‘What you can do fish can do, Hasan, and what I did any fly can do. Our real work is beyond the work of fish and flies.’”

It is clear from the care people took to write down their dreams that they were important to the Sufis as instruments of the teachings. In this tradition, dreams are considered spiritual realities, often bearing glad tidings and providing a route through which God can communicate with devotees. The chapter Hidden Ways contains the dreams of at-Tirmidhi’s wife, which he recorded in his autobiography. The inner link was so strong between husband and wife that she would dream teaching dreams for him.

In another chapter, modern-day scholar Michaela Ozelsel documents her experience of a traditional solitary retreat. Isolated in a small apartment in Istanbul with enough supplies to last forty days, she describes how inner peace unfolded and a “polishing of the heart” occurred.

Women of Sufism is a great resource for understanding women’s ongoing search for the Divine. “It is becoming strongly clear that there will continue to be more and more stories of women of Spirit to shareas women in the current era rediscover their rightful role as equal partners on the spiritual path as well as in the world of daily human duties.” It is very important that we open to the spiritual knowledge, intelligence and vision of the feminine at this time in history.

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“The Lord giveth and Lord taketh away.” Job 1:21

“Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” Job 2:10

The Job mysteries encourage the initiate to master “Self,” pierce through the veil of illusion and gain active use of the seven divine cosmic principles. Within the scope of the physical components of the earthly experience, the life process as a system of initiation, urges the adept to first learn two universal principles that begins the chrysalis process of higher self fulfillment. These two principles are as follows: 1) the principle of rhythm and 2) the principle of polarity.

The mastery of these two universal and cosmic principles increases the growth potential of the initiate that undergoes the journey of the Job mysteries. Once completely understood, life as an initiation process begins to make more sense and the initiate then begins to seek greater challenges for greater enlightenment and psycho-spiritual mastery.

The life process can be symbolically observed from the standpoint of a swinging pendulum. If life were to be dissected and manipulated with the understanding that chaos has an origin of order, the initiate could then learn to utilize the seven universal and cosmic principles against one another to produce more definite outcomes in the chaotic expression termed life.

As stated earlier, the life process if viewed as a pendulum swinging in equal measurements to the left and then to the right, one could then grasp the sequences of human existence. This represents the principle of rhythm. This principle states that if the pendulum swings to the left, then it ultimately has to come back to the right in equal distance and in equal time.

The next principle to be mastered is the principle of polarity. This principle teaches that if there is a positive, then there has to be a polar opposite: the negative. Combined, these principles (polarity and rhythm) teach that both good (positive) and evil exist and “will” be experienced in the Rhythms of Time. This principle dictates that the pendulum that swings to the left of negativity has to eventually swing to the right of positivity with equal distance, equal momentum and in equal time. With this understanding of the universal and cosmic principles, the initiate quickly learns that God (Allah) is not the blame for destruction, calamity, the fall of nations, economic hardship and health deficiencies. It is not God, but the universal order of physical existence that has to obey the cosmic and universal principles that govern man and other creations on the Plane of Assiah (plane of manifestation).

Once the adept begins to process these principles and make them a part of their intricate being, thus the mastery of polarity and rhythm, the initiate then moves toward the understanding of the principle cause and effect and subsequently the other four principles that government existence on the Plane of Assiah. Combine these three principles and the concept of Karma begins to take shape.

The ills of life are not personal as man is not singled out by God (Allah). Man in his state of natural growth, must learn to utilize the universal principles for his/her benefit as he/she learns to master self, his/her environment, his/her mind, his/her emotions and his /her vibrational self. Then M.A.N. will learn to be a governor instead of the one being governed.

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-Zothyrius Ali El

Book Description:

“It is offered not as a textbook nor as a scientific discussion, but merely as reading entertainment founded on the life history, social struggle, and customs of a little-known people.”–From the Preface

C. A. Weslager’sDelaware’s Forgotten Folk chronicles the history of the Nanticoke Indians and the Cheswold Moors, from John Smith’s first encounter with the Nanticokes along the Kuskakarawaok River in 1608, to the struggles faced by these uniquely multiracial communities amid the racial and social tensions of mid-twentieth-century America. It explores the legend surrounding the origin of the two distinct but intricately intertwined groups, focusing on how their uncommon racial heritage–white, black, and Native American–shaped their identity within society and how their traditional culture retained its significance into their present.

Weslager’s demonstrated command of available information and his familiarity with the people themselves bespeak his deep respect for the Moor and Nanticoke communities. What began as a curious inquiry into the overlooked peoples of the Delaware River Valley developed into an attentive and thoughtful study of a distinct group of people struggling to remain a cultural community in the face of modern opposition. Originally published in 1943,Delaware’s Forgotten Folk endures as one of the fundamental volumes on understanding the life and history of the Nanticoke and Moor peoples.

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“The Moors organised that wonderful kingdom of Cordova, which was the marvel of the Middle Ages, and, when all Europe was plunged in barbaric ignorance and strife, alone held the torch of learning and civilisation bright and shining before the Western world.” (Quoted in Ameer Ali Syed, Short History of the Saracens, p. 115.)

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“A great amount of research in a highly organized manner. It is of vital importance to the African-American and the world community. This information is essential for professionals and everyone to utilize in lifestyle and to self.” (William Richardson, M.D., Atlanta Clinic for Preventive Medicine, GA)

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Over the past several years I have been asked to put together in one volume the most important evidences showing the correlations and common teachings between Kamitan (Ancient Egyptian) culture and religion and that of India. The questions of the history of Ancient Egypt, and the latest archeological evidences showing civilization and culture in Ancient Egypt and its spread to other countries, has intrigued many scholars as well as mystics over the years. Also, the possibility that Ancient Egyptian Priests and Priestesses migrated to Greece, India and other countries to carry on the traditions of the Ancient Egyptian Mysteries, has been speculated over the years as well. In chapter 1 of the book Egyptian Yoga The Philosophy of Enlightenment, 1995, I first introduced the deepest comparison between Ancient Egypt and India that had been brought forth up to that time. Now, in the year 2001 this new book, THE AFRICAN ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION, MYSTICAL RELIGION AND YOGA PHILOSOPHY, more fully explores the motifs, symbols and philosophical correlations between Ancient Egyptian and Indian mysticism and clearly shows not only that Ancient Egypt and India were connected culturally but also spiritually. How does this knowledge help the spiritual aspirant? This discovery has great importance for the Yogis and mystics who follow the philosophy of Ancient Egypt and the mysticism of India. It means that India has a longer history and heritage than was previously understood. It shows that the mysteries of Ancient Egypt were essentially a yoga tradition which did not die but rather developed into the modern day systems of Yoga technology of India. It further shows that African culture developed Yoga Mysticism earlier than any other civilization in history. All of this expands our understanding of the unity of culture and the deep legacy of Yoga, which stretches into the distant past, beyond the Indus Valley civilization, the earliest known high culture in India as well as the Vedic tradition of Aryan culture. Therefore, Yoga culture and mysticism is the oldest known tradition of spiritual development and Indian mysticism is an extension of the Ancient Egyptian mysticism. By understanding the legacy which Ancient Egypt gave to India the mysticism of India is better understood and by comprehending the heritage of Indian Yoga, which is rooted in Ancient Egypt the Mysticism of Ancient Egypt is also better understood. This expanded understanding allows us to prove the underlying kinship of humanity, through the common symbols, motifs and philosophies which are not disparate and confusing teachings but in reality expressions of the same study of truth through metaphysics and mystical realization of Self.

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THE AFRICAN ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION, MYSTICAL RELIGION AND YOGA PHILOSOPHY HARD COVER EDITION ISBN: 1-884564-50-X 81/2″ X 11″ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 in one volume 688 Pages Hard Cover First Edition Three volumes in one. Over the past several years I have been asked to put together in one volume the most important evidences showing the correlations and common teachings between Kamitan (Ancient Egyptian) culture and religion and that of India. The questions of the history of Ancient Egypt, and the latest archeological evidences showing civilization and culture in Ancient Egypt and its spread to other countries, has intrigued many scholars as well as mystics over the years. Also, the possibility that Ancient Egyptian Priests and Priestesses migrated to Greece, India and other countries to carry on the traditions of the Ancient Egyptian Mysteries, has been speculated over the years as well. In chapter 1 of the book Egyptian Yoga The Philosophy of Enlightenment, 1995, I first introduced the deepest comparison between Ancient Egypt and India that had been brought forth up to that time. Now, in the year 2001 this new book, THE AFRICAN ORIGINS OF CIVILIZATION, MYSTICAL RELIGION AND YOGA PHILOSOPHY, more fully explores the motifs, symbols and philosophical correlations between Ancient Egyptian and Indian mysticism and clearly shows not only that Ancient Egypt and India were connected culturally but also spiritually. How does this knowledge help the spiritual aspirant? This discovery has great importance for the Yogis and mystics who follow the philosophy of Ancient Egypt and the mysticism of India. It means that India has a longer history and heritage than was previously understood. It shows that the mysteries of Ancient Egypt were essentially a yoga tradition which did not die but rather developed into the modern day systems of Yoga technology of India. It further shows that African culture developed Yoga Mysticism earlier than any other civilization in history. All of this expands our understanding of the unity of culture and the deep legacy of Yoga, which stretches into the distant past, beyond the Indus Valley civilization, the earliest known high culture in India as well as the Vedic tradition of Aryan culture. Therefore, Yoga culture and mysticism is the oldest known tradition of spiritual development and Indian mysticism is an extension of the Ancient Egyptian mysticism. By understanding the legacy which Ancient Egypt gave to India the mysticism of India is better understood and by comprehending the heritage of Indian Yoga, which is rooted in Ancient Egypt the Mysticism of Ancient Egypt is also better understood. This expanded understanding allows us to prove the underlying kinship of humanity, through the common symbols, motifs and philosophies which are not disparate and confusing teachings but in reality expressions of the same study of truth through metaphysics and mystical realization of Self.

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J.A. Rogers’ book, “Africa’s Gift to America” is another classic which should be added to the library of every serious student of African American history. He lays out in clear and fascinating detail the role of the African-Asiatic American from the founding of the nation in the 17th century through the Revolutionary War period to the Civil War and early Post-Civil War era. His use of first hand documents such as newspapers, magazines, political cartoons, journals, and his extensive citation to then-comtemporary historical works is materfully woven to create a rich historical tapestry. His mentioning of obscure historical facts such as the Corwin Amendment, the rejected original form of the 13th Amendment that would have preserved rather than abolished slavery, as well as the role of slave Jo Anderson in creatingg the McCormick reaper, are but a small sampling of the treasures within this invaluable volume.

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The Dot of primordial “Darkness” is an ancient symbol for darkness, it is the dark seed of all humanity, the archetype of humanity, the hidden doorway to the collective unconsciousness-darkness, the shadow, primeval ocean, chaos, the womb and the doorway of life. Read this book and learn the connection of consciousness and universal darkness.

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The Ankh: African Origin of Electromagnetism
It behooves the African anthropologist to use every scientific discipline that modern technology has to offer, in the tradition of Chiekh Anta Diop, to acquire the correct perspective on African high culture and civilization. Now is the time for Africans to wrestle Egyptology from the clutches of the distorters of our civilization, by a more forceful and public attack on their lies. We must expose to the light of truth, every falsification and every claim of a European or Asian origin of Kemit and re-establish the link with our ancestors for the sake of our children.

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