Within recent months,
I am challenged on multiple occasions to consider the phenomenon of cultural
appropriation. As a spiritual diplomat,
I continuously walk a fine line of drawing from numerous religious and cultural
traditions (some of which some people may consider being other than “my own”),
whilst continuing to remain True to the intents and purposes of these
traditions. And admittedly, different
purists may charge me with appropriation.
And these charges may have increasing substantiation except for the fact
that part of my “True” and claimed heritage includes rampant persecution from a
conventional culture and additional cultures attempting to assimilate within
this conventional culture.
So I progress with my
religious, spiritual, and cultural practices with certain defiance (and/or
indifference) whilst also remaining True to each element of my practices. I acknowledge and Truth that transcends and
delves further beneath the very precepts of “ownership.” So I pray, sing, and dance in Peace.
Amidst my spiritual
awakening, I do observe how my Prophetic voice tends to challenge conventional
culture and its perception of dominance.
Yet rather than being a rebel, I am better recognising the evolution and
transformation of this conventional culture into an increasingly pluralistic
and transcendent culture that embraces all traditions. And I am better recognising how I am 1 of
millions of facilitators of this process of evolution, transformation, and
transcendence.
In my facilitation of
this process, I recognise how I am taking precepts of the previous conventional
culture and applying it in an increasingly Universal manner. So the proceeding is a description of some of
these cultural principles and ideas that I am “appropriating.”
Freedom
Freedom is an ethos
that oozes through the pores of American culture. And it even trickles down to the British
commonwealth and beyond. From the right
to drive military SUVs to the right to amass the affliction of obesity, freedom
is a concept and a practice that is 2nd nature to WASP culture. Within the United States, freedom is
epitomised and propagated through the words of the Declaration Of
Independence: “inalienable rights” of
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Amidst the admiration for these words (and the fervour of its
adherents), WASP culture has corroded these words into effectively advocating
the popular refrain of the hip-hop group, Digital Underground: “Do whatcha like!” It has become a hedonistic call for
ego-gratification. I am uninterested in
freedom. I am effectively uninterested
even in “rights.” I am profoundly drawn
to Liberation; and I am committed to
providing compassion to all beings. For
me, Liberation means escaping from the ego’s temporal pursuits and achieving an
ultimate experience of spiritual union with God and the Universe. It means cultivating this spiritual awareness
within ourselves constantly and throughout every detail of our daily
activity. And it means abiding by the
responsibility to promote the wellbeing of all life throughout the
Universe. Freedom To Liberation.
Authority
Through centuries of
colonisation and imperialism, WASP culture has established a formidable façade
of authority and control. However, authority
exists beyond tanks, nuclear weapons, lasers, unmanned drones, 3-D printed
assault rifles, and illegal police choke holds.
I share the belief that there exists a singular Ultimate Authority that
exists beyond the capabilities or control of any man or being. I believe in God, and I believe that all
phenomena and circumstances are the manifestation of God’s Will. I also believe that the spirit of God exists
within all beings. It is a Divine
Presence that (establishes) the intrinsic worth of all beings, within and
beyond our temporal existence. And when
we cultivate this Divine Presence within ourselves, we act in a manner that
transcends and supercedes the temporal forms of governance and authority within
the Universe. Each of us is the
Authority. When we proficiently
understand this, we become effectively indifferent to these temporal forms of
authority. We also become profoundly
humble towards the authority that exists beyond ourselves and within each
other. Authority To Equanimity.
Objectivity
Within the halls of
learning throughout WASP culture, the air of objectivity is championed. The endeavours of Science particularly
champions the ability to project a logic that defies temporal biases. Attempts are made for this air of objectivity
to exist as the closest proof of the perceived omniscience and superiority of
WASP culture. However, this notion of
objectivity is merely an illusion. Every
individual and every culture is coloured by the subjectivity and biases that
build every individual and culture.
There is, however, benefit to cultivating a comprehensive understanding
of subjects and phenomena. Yet, this is
established through an arduous process of genuinely and carefully studying and
understanding a vast pluralism of cultures and peoples. I champion the sharing of beliefs, ideas, and
knowledge amongst the many different traditions of humanity and the
Universe. Through this study and
understanding, we are increasingly gifted to understand each other, ourselves,
and the solutions for which we yearn.
Objectivity To Pluralism.
Intellectualism
Within the WASP
culture, intellect is also highly regarded.
People are profusely rewarded for the ability to solve equations and
“out-think” others. Intellect is
perceived as a significant factor in determining the tangible value of an
individual. However, I tell my nieces
that it is better to be nice than to be smart.
Empathy is the new intelligence;
empathy is the ancient intelligence.
From Solomon to the Buddha and further, the wise sages of civilisations
are individuals who have compassion towards others and are able to understand
the nature of suffering of others.
Indeed, the very ability to “out think” involves the ability to understand
the experiences of the other in consideration and be able to affirm 1’s own
experience amidst these experiences.
However, through proficient practice of empathy, we are able to find
solutions of cooperation, coexistence, and prosperity that exist much beyond
what any of us are able to calculate.
Intellectualism To Empathy.
Cosmopolitanism
Amidst the historic
prominence of WASP culture over the past few centuries (and, indeed, within
many cultures), there exists a certain affinity for socialising with the elite
of other cultures and societies. This
social practice becomes an exercise of dilettantism, eventually simply
proclaiming name-only affiliations with the elite associations within other cultures. Cosmopolitanism becomes the incremental
advancement from mono-cultural snobbery:
progressing from the narcissistic affirmation of 1’s ego’s Oedipus
complex towards the voyeuristic exploration of others’ egos’ Oedipus
complexes. Whilst I am very interested
in learning about the many cultures of humanity and the Universe, I also want
to promote the purposeful lessons and understanding that these cultures are
designed to propagate. I am interested
in promoting the wellbeing of the many culture-creators who honour, hone, and
progress these cultures. I have the
interest to overcome self-involved egoistic tendencies and live in harmony with
the Universe. Cosmopolitanism To Service.
Rainbows
Within the recent
history of WASP culture, the rainbow emerges as a symbol promoting the LGBTQ
community. There is the explanation that
the origins of such representation are attributable to a California-based
artist, although the rainbow is previously utilised by other groups, including
as a symbol of Heavenly-ordained prosperity.
The explanation provides that the California-based artist attributes
certain symbolic representation to each colour in support of the LGBTQ
Movement. Whilst I love every individual
(including all LGBTQ individuals), and whilst I believe all individuals are
going to Heaven (including all LGBTQ individuals), I fundamentally disagree
with homosexuality. And I disagree with
the rainbow being utilised to represent homosexuality. I do appreciate rainbows. And I utilise the rainbow as a way of
promoting the specific cause of inter-ethnic harmony, with the different
colours of the rainbow representing the different colours of human skin tone. This seems to be an increasingly appropriate
and noble cause and symbolic representation for the rainbow. Sex To Family.
1 trait that I abstain
from appropriating from any culture is perfection. I am Divinely imperfect. And as such, I naturally evoke the necessity
for individuals to overcome the transgressions that I manifest within this
Universe. Hypocrisies To Patience.
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