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Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond

Mason-John, Valerie; , Willis, Jan
Reader rating
4.7
(1 reviews) 153 sold
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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearthing ancient wisdom for modern liberation, this anthology sparks profound transformation.

Compiled by the esteemed Valerie Mason-John and featuring a diverse assembly of Black visionaries, "Afrikan Wisdom" offers a profound journey into the interconnectedness of Black experience, spirituality, and freedom. This compelling anthology gathers 34 essays from leading voices, delving into ancestral traditions, contemporary struggles, and future aspirations. It's a rich tapestry woven from discussions on Afro-Diasporan cultures, Buddhist thought, and radical liberation movements, providing both validation and practical spiritual tools for personal growth and collective empowerment. Essential reading for exploring emergent spiritual pathways.

Key themes
Black Liberation & Traditions Intersectional Spiritual Pathways Justice & Societal Transformation
Historical context

This anthology resides within the intersection of Black liberation theology and contemporary spiritual activism, bridging Afro-Diasporic ancestral traditions with Buddhist philosophy. It represents a modern synthesis aimed at decolonizing spirituality through the lens of radical empowerment.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
bell hooks · Thich Nhat Hanh · Angela Davis
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 North Atlantic Books 📅 2021 📖 384 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781623175627
Fun fact
This anthology shines by platforming Black voices exploring liberation through a spiritual lens. It expertly weaves diverse traditions, offering deep scholarly insight and practical inspiration. Those seeking a purely academic or single-tradition text might be surprised; its strength is its rich, cross-pollinated approach. It fills a crucial niche in contemporary spiritual literature, offering empowering perspectives on freedom and faith.

📝 Description: Afrikan Wisdom: New Voices Talk Black Liberation, Buddhism, and Beyond

A spiritual, political, and interdisciplinary anthology of wisdom stories from Black liberation leaders and teachers. Afrikan Wisdom represents an intersectional, cross-pollinated exploration of Black life--past, present, and future. Award-winning author and editor Valerie Mason-John (Vimalasara)'s collection of 34 essays--written by an eclectic and inspirational group of Black thought leaders and teachers--reflects on the unique and multilayered experience of being Black in the world today. This anthology instills in readers the knowledge, awareness, validation, and spiritual tools necessary to nurture both individual and collective liberation. It is both an inspiration and a motivation for Black readers, as well as anyone else interested in reading about emerging spiritual voices. Topics include: - African and Afro-Diasporan cultures, histories, spiritualities, art, music, and literature - Black radical traditions of liberation and consciousness - Anticolonialism and antislavery - Buddhist philosophy - Social and environmental justice - The prison industrial complex and mass incarceration - (Kemetic) yoga, healing, and mindfulness - Intersections with Indigenous cultures - Addiction and recovery - Transgenerational trauma

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This work is a vital contribution to esoteric literature, weaving together 34 distinct essays on Afro-Diasporan cultures and Buddhist thought. However, it is not for readers seeking light entertainment or detached academic analysis; it demands emotional engagement with themes of liberation and struggle. Those uncomfortable with radical political frameworks or who prefer singular, monolithic spiritual narratives may find the diverse assembly of voices fragmented. It suits those ready to confront the interconnectedness of history and spirituality directly.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a profound synthesis of ancestral wisdom and modern political struggle will find this collection deeply resonant. It is ideal for those navigating the complexities of Black identity, spiritual healing, and social justice. The anthology offers practical tools for personal growth alongside collective empowerment, validating the intersection of lived experience with ancient traditions. Those interested in how Buddhism informs radical liberation movements or who desire a rich tapestry of diverse voices discussing future aspirations will gain significant insight and validation from this essential exploration of emergent spiritual pathways.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5
★★★★
Are you seeking empowering spiritual wisdom intertwined with Black liberation? This book is for you. Essential for Black readers seeking affirmation and tools for collective upliftment, it also illuminates emergent spiritual thought for any earnest seeker.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This work is a vital contribution to esoteric literature, weaving together 34 distinct essays on Afro-Diasporan cultures and Buddhist thought. However, it is not for readers seeking light entertainment or detached academic analysis; it demands emotional engagement with themes of liberation and struggle. Those uncomfortable with radical political frameworks or who prefer singular, monolithic spiritual narratives may find the diverse assembly of voices fragmented. It suits those ready to confront the interconnectedness of history and spirituality directly.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While offering profound validation and specific insights for Black individuals, its wisdom on liberation, social justice, and spiritual growth is universal. Anyone engaged with emergent spiritual thought or the pursuit of a more just world will find immense value.
The anthology integrates practices from Buddhist philosophy, Kemetic yoga, and other Afro-Diasporan spiritualities. Expect guidance on mindfulness, healing, conscious engagement with social issues, and nurturing both individual and collective resilience.

📖 Who should read this

Are you seeking empowering spiritual wisdom intertwined with Black liberation? This book is for you. Essential for Black readers seeking affirmation and tools for collective upliftment, it also illuminates emergent spiritual thought for any earnest seeker.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Black Liberation & Traditions

This collection deeply explores the historical and ongoing movements for Black freedom, spotlighting radical approaches to consciousness and resistance. It examines anticolonial and antislavery struggles, connecting them to contemporary efforts for self-determination and dismantling oppressive systems. The essays illuminate the enduring power of Black revolutionary thought.

Intersectional Spiritual Pathways

This collection brilliantly weaves diverse spiritual traditions, notably Buddhist philosophy with African and Afro-Diasporan spiritualities. It showcases how these paths offer wisdom and practices for healing, mindfulness, and inner liberation. Discussions on Kemetic yoga and indigenous cultural intersections reveal a holistic spiritual framework.

Justice & Societal Transformation

Beyond personal spiritual growth, the anthology confronts pressing societal issues. It directly addresses systemic injustices like the prison industrial complex and mass incarceration, alongside broader concerns of social and environmental justice. Contributors offer perspectives on how spiritual insights can fuel activism and contribute to a more equitable world.

💬 Quotes from the book

“True liberation begins not just in policy, but in the quiet revolution of the spirit, rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors.”

“To embrace Buddhist principles while honoring our unique Black experience is not syncretism, but a reclaiming of universal truths through our own lens.”

📜 Historical context

This anthology extends a powerful tradition of Black intellectual and spiritual resistance. It echoes figures who integrated social justice with inner transformation, drawing from ancestral African wisdom and global spiritual practices like Buddhism. It continues connecting spiritual practice to collective liberation, embodying a rich tradition of activist spirituality.

📚 Glossary

Kemetic Yoga
Prison Industrial Complex
Anticolonialism

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How do your personal spiritual practices connect to broader social justice issues in your community or the world?
  2. Reflect on ancestral wisdom, whether from your own lineage or a culture you admire. How might you engage with it more deeply in your daily life?
  3. In what specific ways can individual healing and self-care contribute to the larger goal of collective liberation and societal transformation?

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