YOGA BEAUTY WELLNESS

I remember very vividly the summer I first read Nelson Mandela's A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM. I was living at my grandmother's house then. At nineteen years old, it was the longest book I had ever attempted to read. But I felt my soul leaping and growing and telling me that I had to live courageously. I could not afford to not fight for justice. I could not afford to not dedicate my life to love's purposes.  By reading Mandela's story, I saw what the best of humanity looked like. I saw that no matter how much oppression and humiliation others may inflict upon us, we can rise above it. We can choose to not let their evil define us.  Nelson Mandela is my hero. He was a giant of a man who had the unique ability to make others feel even larger than he was. You see, that is what great people do. They remind us that the light they have is inside all of us as well. We only need to let it shine, fearlessly and with the intent of eradicating evil by the power of love....

Yesterday, my "Angel Mother" as i like to call her, Ms. Oprah G. Winfrey received the highest honor in the land-- The Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Obama applauded her for... "reaching the pinnacle of the entertainment universe." For twenty-five years, The Oprah Winfrey Show helped to extend the conversation about topics that were taboo; from sexual abuse to cellulite, she made it okay to tell the truth. She created a safe space for people to come and leave their shame and the secrets that blocked their light. Because of this, millions of others were liberated by the knowledge that they were not alone in their suffering. I started watching the Oprah show when I was around eight or nine years old. Her voice was soothing. Her insights were as wise and profound as those of my own mother. I saw the same light in her eyes that I saw in my mother's eyes. I believe it was because of this that she would go on to mean even more to me after my mother lost ...

a nybody who knows me knows how much i love jazz. from Miles Davis to John Coltrane. Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. These artist serve as muses for me and their music lifts me to the highest of highs. i bask in their sheer genius regularly and could not imagine my life without their unique musical offerings. i remember exactly when i fell in love with jazz. i was in elementary school and  my music teacher, Dr. Andrea Montgomery, took us to Jackson State to hear a live jazz band. they were absolutely magical. i remember that was the first time i saw a plunger used to muffle the sound of the trumpet. i was deeply intrigued and it was precisely at that moment the fire was lit in me. when the band director asked if we knew what the local jazz station was, i was proud to be the only one who knew the answer. my first encounter with jazz gave me a headache, quite frankly. it was just so chaotic and i couldn't keep up. i was about seven  of eight years old at the time and w...

yesterday, i posted this status on facebook: "i love my single life and i am grateful to have peace in abundance. our relationship status does not define who we are. my worth is not measured by external conditions, terms or symbols. i am the i am of myself. i alone am enough." and oh, how was i surprised by the likes and responses. and then it dawned on me---- maybe, just maybe there are more single people who are content with being single than i realize. i believe this resonated with people because they too have found some kind of solace in being single. now by nature, i love solitude. nothing moves me more than being alone, except maybe jazz or a beautiful arrangement of white hydrangas or dinner at my favorite local restaurant, The Parlor Market. my creativity flourishes when i can have that. however, i also love people. i'm interested in them and their experiences because i realize that we all can be teachers for one another.  so i wanted to delve fu...

as you should know, we're spending the entire month here on spiritual anthropology talking about gratitude. one of the things i am truly grateful for is love. when we say the word love, we often think about romantic love-- from the lovers in the park holding hands to our many friends who are getting married every weekend it seems. (aside: congratulations, Illinois!) while that definition of love is ideal and beautiful, love encompasses more.  love is definitely in the air, but it is also everywhere and you don't have to be in a relationship to experience the fullness of it. you can love your single self as fiercely and with as much effort. one of my favorite quotes about love comes from Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple and simply says   " Everything want to be loved. Us sing and dance and holler, just trying to be loved."  how true is that? we all want to be loved, and believe it or not, we all are loved. we may not feel it all the time, bu...

" If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough. " - Meister Eckhart  wearing my friend Cam's amazing sweatshirt. i love this quote almost as much as i love the month of November. why, you ask... because this is the time of year where gratitude becomes the main conversation at dinner tables, hair salons, coffee shops and even grocery stores, at least in my ideal world. gratitude is so important to me which is why i'm spending the entire month talking about it on the blog.  my best friend Kim and i just recently started a new tradition a little while ago. being that we talk mostly everyday, sometimes our best conversations happen in the morning when she's on her way to work and i'm on my way to class. some days we miss each other. that's when the idea came to me that on those mornings that we got each others voicemail we would have to list five things we're grateful for and why.  talking about what you're gratefu...

on this day, exactly eleven years ago today, my mother entered the Baptist for her second mastectomy. the cancer was vicious, relentless, and evidently insatiably hungry for the life of my mother. She had already had the other breast removed and she went into this surgery confident that it would be best.  i remember her strength and her faith most vividly during this week. i also remember her strongly rejecting my request for funds to purchase a new shirt for the pastor's appreciation that was coming up that Friday. i'm not sure if my mother knew this was her last week on earth. there were no "final conversations" or any discussion of what was next for our lives without her.  she would leave behind her four children, her dreams, and ultimately, a life well-lived that same night of the pastor's appreciation, which also happened to be All Saints Day. my mother's life, her struggle with breast cancer, and her early demise at thirty-three helps def...

When I see this picture of Josh, I am reminded of his days at Tougaloo and the light that he so easily exuded. He was a giant; not only in stature, but in heart and soul. Seeing him go after his dreams inspired me personally to know that all things are possible to a willing heart if one is ready to dream big, take risks, and put in the work. His life had merit because he was not afraid. The sky, although he could reach it better than most, was not too distant-- the unreachable attainable.  Josh represented the best of who we are and what we can become. When I learned of his sudden departure from the classroom of life last Friday, my heart was overwhelmed. Surely, this dreamer still dreamed and had plans for continuing the great work he had begun. I was perplexed, and more precisely, devastated. Sitting under the stars that night, and sipping hot cinnamon tea, I gave thanks for the chance to know him. I gave thanks for his life. I cried for his mother and those who loved him. I c...

at the dojo of my meditation teacher, BeBe Wolfe as of late, i have been reading a lot about the ego from such metaphysical authors as Marianne Williamson and U.S Anderson. because i have been reading this type of material for a while now, i thought i had moved beyond my ego... i was confident that i had it in check. "of course, i don't have an ego problem... i'm on a spiritual path", i would tell myself. but that was just the ego's way of entering the house from the back door.  you see, the ego is the part of us that we believe in. it's our story. whoever you think you are and whatever you do makes up the egoic myth. it limits us to our own irrational thinking and blocks us from the miracles that occur naturally as a part of the divine order. i love how Dr. Wayne Dyer defines it as Edging God Out. so whenever we are absorbed in our thinking or trying to solve our own problems, even the most minute ones, we are coming from our limited, fear-based p...

with the advent of autumn approaching, i cannot help but contemplate the beauty of the changing seasons. every leaf that changes color and eventually falls, were the leaves that shaded us from the sun's blazing rays just a few months ago. the chill of the morning tells us a transition is happening here on earth-- such is the progression of life. we grow, and in growing we lose the parts of ourselves that are no longer useful to us. as we evolve, we must do so with the knowledge of our past experiences and the hope of our future endeavors. which leads me to ask this pertinent question... is change really inevitable? and if so, is it a change of progression or regression? who exactly are we as we change? being the introspective individual that i am, i often find myself trying to gauge my spiritual growth. i have always believed that positive change is always a good thing and when consciously aimed for, the results are immensely rewarding. i aim to be the person who,...

when in the darkness, the light will find us   the very same light will illumine our path, leading us into a place of purpose and fulfillment. we think that the light is external, but in fact it is within us. we all have the light-- the grace to find our way out of the illusion of darkness.    consult your light.   revere your light.   follow your light.

some people possess that special ability to raise you up with their words, ideas, and overall energy. being in their presence is as free as flying and as fluid as swimming. one such person is a new, yet dear friend of mine, Alicia Corley.  Alicia is the creative force behind iplanthings, her event planning company and the creator of the upcoming event The Art of Storytelling , which takes place this Thursday, September 19th at the Midtown Arts Center. i am elated to be a part of this moment. Alicia has called forth artist, writers, and other creative types to take part in this evening of inspiration.  this event, in my mind, is the first of its kind here and one that is much needed. we need spaces for people to share their truth through art--- spaces that spark creative wildfires that cannot be contained.  talking to Alicia yesterday in the coffee shop was every bit of inspiring. she is so attuned with her purpose and is doing everything possibl...

my sincerest love and thanks for all of you. i am certain that some of you have been visiting the blog looking for new posts, much like i have been doing. with school being back in and readjusting to closing this final chapter of my collegiate experience, i have been filled with gratitude. you know, we don't know how our lives will unfold, but i am absolutely convinced that if you stay open to all that life has to offer you will come to appreciate it all.  that is the essence of spirituality.  sitting here eating my steel cut oatmeal with a little bit of brown sugar in it, i am filled with joy. everything is as it should be.  how will it feel to let go of your plans and just be present? this is not the same as being idle. no, not even close. it is more like being mindful. this fullness is what makes life feel magical. i feel it every time i'm in a yoga pose, or singing jazz. i feel it when i'm in the presence of my three nephews.  what a beautiful life i have...

what happens when you give up? i have been asking myself this for the last few weeks after not successfully reaching my goal to raise the money I needed to self publish my book through Balboa. i must admit to being completely devastated by the public failure.  but then the love came. people began to write to tell me how seeing me go after my dreams was an inspiration to them. it moved them to action and gave them hope that they too could do the thing that is in their heart. i cannot express how much this gave me perspective and the resolve to continue to press forward.  and so here we are, back to the business of digging deep here at spiritual anthropology. you know, what really makes my heart soar about this blog is that it is about living from the spirit. and sometimes that can be difficult, especially when encountering defeat. but in the great words of Dr. Maya Angelou, "You may encounter defeats, but you must not be defeated."  I needed time to hea...

6.28.2013 Today is the day! I'm very excited that I was able to launch my kickstarter campaign today in effort to raise money for my book. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude already. I want to take this time to thank all of my Spiritual Anthropology readers across the globe. Moreover, I'm happy to be able to involve you all in this collective effort. Although the Kickstarter page has it all laid out in black and white, ( http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jehrodalain/digging-deep-into-a-dream ) I would like to lay it all out here on the blog.  It is this very blog that gave me the courage to write this book and to feel how people connected with my writing. With international readership, Spiritual Anthropology is being read in countries like Russia, Malaysia, France, and many other places. I'm grateful to have been able to connect in this way for the last three years.  So the book is an extension of the truth telling work that i've been doing here. I...

Four Prayers For Business Leaders  On Being Used   Dear God,  I dedicate to You my talents and abilities. May they be used in a way that serves your purposes.  I surrender to You my business and finances.  May my work be lifted to its highest possibility, as a blessing on all the world.  Amen.  On Birthing a Business Idea   Dear God,  May this business idea be of service to the greater good of all.  If it is not the best use of my talents, please cast it from my mind.  If it is the best use of my talents, please pave the way for its success.  Guide all my thinking and my actions.  Amen.  On Being of Service  Dear God,  May this business be a blessing on everyone who works here and everyone it serves.  May it both bring and attract prosperity and love.  Amen.  On Facing Difficulties   Dear God,  I kno...

A Prayer for Those Who Can't Move Forward:  Dear God,  Please help me to forgive my mistakes of the past. Please help me to forgive those who denied me my good.  Please show me the innocence inside us all. I am willing to see that only love is real, But the pain of circumstances holds a grip on my heart.  Please flood my mind with divine perception, That I might see through the veil of illusion and be free to begin again.  Thank you, God.  Amen. 

A Love Supreme  For the month of June, Spiritual Anthropology will focus on the power of prayer and mindfulness. I believe these two tools are inseparably indispensable and when used accordingly, they allow you to experience the fullness of miracles. Christ taught his disciples to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer":  "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead is into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.    - Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV) What a beautiful and powerful prayer, especially the "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" sentiment.  What happens when we pray? What is the direct purpose of prayer? Does praying really work? These are just some of the questions I want to explore wi...

AN OPEN LETTER TO YOU June 2, 2013  I want to open this letter by saying thank you. Thank you for supporting Spiritual Anthropology by taking the time to read my thoughts and insights as often as I post them. My life is richer because I know that you are there, reading while eating your oatmeal like Ja'Leasa, drinking your coffee like Kim, urging all your friends to read the blog like Z'kera, and giving me the most insightful feedback like Chantal and the many other of you who support this work. Today my heart is overflowing with gratitude and humility on this 3rd year anniversary of the blog.  Spiritual Anthropology is more about you than it is about me. I mean that. I firmly believe that when one person shares his/her truth, they give others the space to do the same. It is truth that makes us free enough to live fully and with love, and courage. Truth makes it possible for peace to come in, as well as the light. Imagine a more truthful world. Do you believe ...

SO, we all have them, right? Dreams so big that they frighten us. These dreams can seem daunting because they challenge us to grow into them. Not to mention the hard work that is required to bring them into fruition. How hard are you willing to work for your dreams? Well, that hard work should begin with addressing your fears. Marianne Williamson writes in her spiritual classic, A Return to Love, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you   not   to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it...

the echo of life  A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the   boy trips and feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhhh."   Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain,   "Ahhhhh!"   Filled with curiosity, he screams: "Who are you?", but the   only answer he receives is: "Who are you?"   This makes him angry, so he screams: "You are a coward!",   and the voice answers: "You are a coward!"   He looks at his father, asking, "Dad, what is going on?"   "Son," the man replies, "pay attention!" Then he screams,   "I admire you!"   The voice answers: "I admire you!"   The father shouts, "You are wonderful!", and the voice   answers: "You are wonderful!"   The boy is surprised, but still can't understand what is   going on.   Then the father explains, "People call this 'ECHO', but   truly it is 'LIFE!' Life...