The Meaning and Power of Affirmations

Selamta!

As a follow up to yesterday's post on the meanings of Ises, I offer the meanings of Affirmations or "Iditations on Affirmations." Affirmations are just as important as prayer in that they are the positive thoughts and attitudes that bring about change for the better. Affirmations are what help transform the mind body and soul, accompanying vegan lifestyles, yoga, sacrament, drumming, chanting and all Iritual  traditions RasTafari embrace daily all over the world.

Iditations on Affirmations

Affirmations are living, positive, holy words and/or phrases, which are used to establish a connection between man, woman and JAH. They are used to reveal the I-Self, as they are pure, righteous, Godly Word Sound and Power. Affirmations are expressions of prosperity, encouragement, love, hope, and building blocks of faith; but they can also be statements of rebuke, which help you to annihilate sinful habits and mentalities.

Affirmations can be songs, poems, Biblical verses, inspirational quotes, or your own sentences. Any material that can reflect express, identify and address your needs is an affirmation. Declarations can also be made in honour of worship and enlightenment through studies and discussions. They can summarize wisdom and allow you to retain new and upright words. Affirmations absorb JAH’s Hola Irit and become thanksgiving when this Irit manifests good in our life. Affirmation is therefore an act of Ises, a living testimony of what JAH can and will do in your life.

When saying or writing affirmations, especially in the morning, it is important to declare them at least three times, to establish the mantra in your consciousness throughout the day. It is good to have familiar and select mantras that are easy to remember and call upon in your time of need. When you speak these words, your mind processes what you want to achieve and the kind of energy you wish to navigate by. I use prayer pouches to help remember my affirmations – I carry the written word in the pouch around my neck as long as I need to.

 

To affirm is to call upon JAH and draw positive energy from that state of Iritual consciousness where His and Her presence is felt, seen and heard. Affirmations ask JAH to be there for you and rule your rational soul when you are unable to stand on your own.

To affirm is to speak yourself into a higher state of Consciousness knowing that what you express will abide in your heart and mind, and become a better part of you that you are happy to share with the world and with the Living God JAH Rastafari.

To affirm is to accept and accede, to move on from reluctance or denial and deal with the sting of truth until it no longer has a crippling power you. Sometimes, speaking yourself into a better state involves affirming things daily which are hard to accept, like the loss of a job, relationship or loved one. Speaking words of truth, which are yet hurtful and hard to accept, gradually makes you more comfortable with them and their meaning. Affirming is therefore a way to gain freedom and peace by means of acceptance, as acceptance and even acquiescence are often the challenges that you seek to overcome most of all by giving Ises or beseeching JAH and others to be there for you. The goal and higher state of an Iritual being sought in this case is the level where the pain and loss are bearable, and though you know not “why”, you are now okay to move on and live with the idea that you possibly never will.

To affirm is therefore the will to transform. To move from whatever past has brought you down or imprisoned you with pain. In terms of seeking the Natural Right or livity of righteousness that Rastafari uphold, the Babylonian old robe of sin and ignorance is removed when you commit to finding JAH. Affirmations cloak you with the new robe or diadem of righteousness. It may be a slow process, but like the lotus flower, your holy beauty is worth the process.

To affirm is to be the change. Affirmations require action to be successful. Therefore affirmations are reminders of the changes you wish to excite for your healing and growth. You speak affirmations daily, but it is more important that you be the affirmation. Affirmations are translated to others by your actions – this is how you yourself experience feedback on your transformation. Affirmations require you to practise the words you chant, sing, recite or utter in prayer – in other words, practise your New Self. When you are placed in an old situation, or old temptation, the affirmation reminds you to wear a new robe (the cloak of Dreadlocks) which must not be defiled by old sins or unkindness. You must eat, sleep and breathe your affirmation in order to make the right choice and manifest those words of right at the right time. Actualizing affirmations influences others to be positive and inspiring like you. Affirmations therefore provoke, invoke and reveal the presence of JAH in us all.

To affirm is to believe in the power of positivity and goodwill: “Yes, I can!”; “Yes, JAH is!”; “Yes, it is true”; “Yes, I am ready and all Things are possible in Kristos.” Affirmations are about unwavering, confident truths where you believe that everything you need is within you, is available to you when you consciously go after it, and can be gained from those who love you and love JAH. All things are possible, only your expectations and requirements place limitations on what you receive. You must step back from dominating your world’s course and ascertain what it needs, to receive the unseen blessings that are revolving around you. You must be less judgemental to be more positive, less critical to see and full-joy the goodness of JAH around you.

To affirm is to cast down negativity, the evil and lustful spirits in and around you, by placing JAH’s good words into your Iditation rather than Babylon’s. Babylon works on the five senses, creating things that appeal to your carnal satisfaction. In order to become better and more removed from things which kill the I-Self, your senses must be free from such traps. Affirmations can therefore be statements of denial aimed at stripping ego, evil and carnal indiscretions from your psyche. Denial must be supported by spending less time with company that may encourage you to backslide into old habits.

To affirm is to be free from inhibitions, opinions and expectations especially around others. Sometimes, though you are practising your positivity and goodwill, others may not be. They may not be on a spiritual path like yourself, or are immune to your state because of their own consuming state of mind or circumstance. They may judge you, expect from you, or try to inhibit you. Affirmations therefore teach us patience, freedom, and great acceptance for everyone’s right to choose. By continuing to focus on your own right to choose and do the right thing no matter what, you will soon find those who are like you. Affirmations have the power to change you first before your environment changes, in many instances, so it is up to you to endure the road to successful transformation.

To affirm is to remember and glorify the pillars of your faith. They remind you of your goals, your identity as Rastafari. As your faith grows your affirmations become more powerful and abundantly manifested. They trace your footsteps as you walk with JAH Rastafari.

 Holy King Selah! Holy Menen I JAH RasTafari!
Sis Ila

Many Meanings of Ises - Praises & Prayer

Blessed Love

I have been trying to think what to post about - there are so many topics to write about - but I am also trying to crochet new handbags and manage a very active almost 5 year old. So, I decided to talk about something that is very important, that is a part of RasTafari life, but is also the very best friend of any Dawta out there: Ises, praises, prayer, having a moment to talk to JAH, the healing within, the strength to persevere and endure.

What is Ises? Can it have more than one meaning, can it do more than one thing?
I believe Ises can mean and be so many things at once or at a particular time based on one's emotions. Sometimes I want to pray for everything and everyone, sometimes for myself, sometimes its for particular persons, sometimes its for Afrika, sometimes it's to bunn a serious fyah on the wickedness that is rampant in the world today, sometimes I'm just giving thanks for everything JAH created and loves... you know what I mean? There are so many things that I and I face on a daily basis - thousands of thoughts that we think each day and what we are moved to feel passionate about each day changes rapidly...

Here is a summary  or even message I wrote called "Iditations on Ises" where I tried to list all the different ways we use prayer or give praises, and what it means for and to us. I did not include the Nyahbinghi Creed and the other important declarations that have been with RasTafari from the beginning, but they cannot be forgotten.

It is important for every I to Iditate on Ises and Giving Ises efficiently in order to be Iritually whole and secure throughout life. Ises is the language of Wise Mind, Ever-living Life and healing as it awakens the Word of JAH and its accompanying Iritual vibrations in the mind-space, body temple and soul.

More than asking for help, healing, guidance or wisdom, prayer is an affirmation. Prayer and Ises are about speaking and pledging confident truths, and willing those who receive them to share in this Godly power.

Ises is on the other hand, a supplication. In that we often use this time to off-load our emotional distress, and to relate to JAH our fears, problems and weaknesses. It is a time to ask for help and to search within for the source of the help. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Ises is an Iditation. While you don't worry about whether your prayers will be answered, you keep them with you each day in your thoughts, as inspiration to make you live up to your faith and goals. You must think about your prayers, and do positive deeds and say blessed things in honour of them. Iditation is most of all the Iritual guidance of Ises where you deeply consider and aim to overstand the purpose of life as JAH intended for this world.

Ises is a declaration. Ises speaks to Iration, declaring JAH Rastafari's glory in the heavens and the earth. Prayer harmonizes man and woman with the living environment around us, balancing the individual energy and vibrations we declare/emit with the energies and vibrations we receive. Making a declaration of Ises is therefore a consciously controlled statement that honours Iration and marks your place within it; because what you declare to JAH and His omnipotence, you receive. Declarations can be affirmations of righteousness or denials of sin and iniquity.

Ises is a joyful noise. No matter how depressed you feel, you serve JAH Rastafari with gladness and stand in His/Her presence with love and admiration, giving thanks for the good and the bad, and even that which you do not overstand.

Ises is a freewill offering, according to Psalm 119 - which perfectly summarizes the state of man and his journey in trying to be upright, but suffering with the burdens of carnality. A freewill offering, is the ideal gift and praise that you can offer to your Creator, your JAH. Taking the time to praise JAH and Iditate, and committing to such an act daily, shows your humility towards JAH, and your free will to set aside your life and desires just to acknowledge that you are a part of something Greater and more powerful. While the law and feasts or festivals are appointed times for offering and praises, we still are obligated to abide by them. On the other hand, a freewill offering is something natural and uniquely specific to every one of us. A freewill offering is something that comes freely, earnestly and abundantly direct from the heart; and not from the law. It is a sign of Nazirite devotion, honour and love – such being unique to those “who wish to separate themselves unto the Lord.”

Ises is a living testimony. Only the living can give testimony of JAH's power over evil and wickedness. There is no praise in the grave of the dead or the pit of the sinful. While you have life you must acknowledge it as the greatest gift you own, and give thanks for the blessings it brings you from the Creator's bosom.

Ises is a living sacrifice. When you pray, you offer your sinful mind and body over to JAH for regeneration and purification. Confessing your sin sacrifices your ego and pride, making way for overstanding and positive reinforcement or change. Sacrificing the ego and its carnal lusts through Ises is the way you clean out your inner defilement, so that you can be prepared and offered up as a living pure sanctuary – a refuge of God and peace, a place of rest from burdens. The only living burnt sacrifice worthy of your use is the herbal sacrament which opens your an Iritual and helps you to weigh your actions.

Ises is genesis. Prayer is the first step in the creation or conception of a new life, mind, heart, body, faith, hope and Irit. Each time you pray, you aim to start something new and better within and around you.

Ises is closure. Starting over, beginning a new path or chapter in life, entails leaving something old or past, behind. Ises is the energy you gain strength from – strength to move on from sins, arguments, disappointments, heartbreak – to make it through another day. Closure releases parts of your Consciousness eradicates a habit or mentality or thought or emotion from your everyday living. Ises hands these things over to JAH so you can grow into your Higher Self free from worry, doubts, regrets and baggage.

Ises is instruction. You gain much guidance from JAH when you read your Ises from the Holy Scriptures and Law of Isra’el and Ithiopia. You evolve as an individual I with the instruction given to you from Zion; and the advice and wisdom of the Patriarchs. Ises helps you to build strength in this instruction as shown in the Book of Psalms. Ises allows you to beseech JAH in maintaining His holy path.

All in all, Ises is the greatest remedy. The act of worship and the power of love, hope and faith, can cure any ailment and inspire every heart.

Selah!
I hope this is inspiring to the Sistren, giving ones a spark of renewal in hope, zeal and faith.
JAH RasTafari Love and Itection!
Sis. Ila