The Re-evolution of Rastafari
January 20, 2003
By Ras Tyehimba Salandy

"Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered the most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph" - Haile Selassie

Rastafari has firmly established itself as a fierce opponent of colonialism by seeking to overturn the vicious legacy left by the European colonialists. Colonialism has had a grave impact on the psyche of today's generation; it is a legacy of brutality, discrimination, corruption and a relentless pursuit of material possessions. Rastafari has sought to overcome this legacy by standing for and upholding the principles of Maat, which is truth, justice, righteousness and balance.

Rastafari stands for universal love, a higher spiritual ideal that is not usually emphasized in the mainstream of Western society. To be a Rastafarian is to be a righteous person, continuously seeking to improve SELF. This process of self discovery is further clarified by the words of a St Lucian Rastafarian who said "The word Rastafari as I understand it means purely, the power that lies within any man which enables him to do anything he wants…. To be a Rastafarian therefore is to be conscious of that divine power, and to be developing one's power potential for achievement... Rastafari becomes therefore a philosophy of life fulfillment".

Rastafari does not seek to conform to the norms of this society, which are steeped in racism, sexism, neo colonialism and injustice. The norm of this society is the relentless pursuit of carnal gratification and one doesn't have to look hard to see where all this alcohol, sacredless sex, and materialistic living is taking us. It is taking our people down a wide road of great karmic consequences. Salvation cannot be found in worldly material possessions, but rather by experiences of divine proportions.

There is a misconception that Rastafarians are against technology and material things. Nothing could be further from the truth and this attempt to misconstrue what Rastafari is about is often as deliberate as it is damaging. What Rastas are against is the misuse of technology and the overemphasis on material possessions, which in fact has caused great decadence of modern society. World powers use their economic and technological advancement to oppress and hold so called third world countries to ransom. With superior military forces they impose themselves on weaker countries and force them to agree or else...

Haile Selassie embodied the stance of Rastafari on the question of material advancement when he declared, "it is important that spiritual advancement keep pace with material advancement." That is to say there must be balance. The higher self must be satisfied just as your lower self must be satisfied, but it is imperative that the higher self control the lower self, as emotions, passions and feelings are good servants but poor masters. In fact, with regards to technology our ancient ancestors (ancient Rastafarians) in Alkebulan (Afrika) were the pioneers of technology, achieving a level of high science that has mystified scientists even in these modern times. These ancient people, like the people of Kemet and Dogon were able to achieve this by adhering to natural law and meditating in order to tap into the source of all consciousness, the infinite plane of all possibilities, Negus Negast*, Neter Neteru*.

Rastafari is about reviving that ancient order, putting spirituality and meaning into one's every thought, word and deed. Every thought, word and deed therefore must reflect reverence, love, and compassion, which is the essence of the Most High, Rastafari. In fact, the only thing that can exist between souls in love (God), all else is an illusion, which is not to say that they don't exist but that they aren't as our worldly senses perceive them to be.


http://www.rastafarispeaks.com/articles/The_Re-evolution_of_Rastafari.html

Look to the East for the crowning of a Black King, he is the redeemer for the days of deliverance are near - Marcus Garvey

His Imperial Majesty HAILE SELASSIE I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, elect of God, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah :

Jacob said in his Benediction almost four thousand years ago that , the scripture shall not depart from Judah, nor the lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come.
King Selassie I is the three hundred and thirteen king of all the kings of Ethiopia and the one hundred and thirteenth king of the christian empire. He is also the 225th in a direct bloodline of the Ethiopian monarch, Menelik being the first. Menelik was the son of Queen of Sheba and king Solomon who is the son of David king of Israel.
"Prince shall come out of Egypt, and Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hand unto JAH" (psalm 68.vrs:31)
"And one of the elder said unto me, weep not, behold the LION of the tribe of judah, the root of king David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof" (rev. 5 ver:5).

On July 23, 1892 Tafari makonnen who later become HIM, Haile Selassie I, the Conquering lion of judah, was born in Ejersa goro, a mountain village outside of Harer in the year of John. HIM father was Ras Makonnen the cousin of menelik 11, and his mother was Yishimabet who's parents married in 1876. Upon the death of his mother he (HIM) Haile Selassie as he was then given that title, (Tafari makonnen) was raised by his cousin Ras Imru. He then was sent to live with Emperor menelik 11 in 1906. On july 31, 1911 he married Wayzaro Menen, the granddaughter of Ras Mikael. She had 3 sons and 3 daughters (it is very important and interesting to know that ).
HIM name means the "power of the Holy Trinity"', Also note the significance of the number three (3).
HIM is called the "King of Kings" (Negus) and it make it very clear what that title means: It does not matter your race or nationality, the reignship of Jah goes beyond ones nation or culture. Read HIM speech "War" and you will see that the color of the skin has no more significance than the color of the eyes.
HIM also used his authority to work towards righteousness, justice and equality to all African people in exile. Just as the good shepherd gather his sheep so does HIM , Selassie I proved to be like a shepherd for the children of AFRICA at home and abroad.

None can deny the good words spread by Haile Selassie. Him says are not only for ethiopians, africans, or rastas. But for all humanity. Each one of us can learn studying Him words (see some of his speeches at the bottom of this page).
HIM fighted against racism, poverty, miseducation, violence. He was for religious tolerance, and respect as He said "none can judge the ways of God" (see the "spiritual kinsmen" speech). Him struggled for african unity and originated the African Unity Organisation. He struggled for his country against Italians. He was the shepherd protecting his sheeps against fascists wolves (see the Marcus Garvey page).
HIM also launched a program to translate Bible from ancient ethiopian scriptures to ordinary ethiopian language. People need to know that Ethiopia was one of the first christian country. Half of the story has never been told. And the other part is often manipulated and disguised...
There is so much we could write and talk about HIM but that would take more than a lifetime to do so. Read Matt. 7 ver 7.

There is nothing more worthwhile and rewarding in life than to work for the benefit of others. One can get more pleasure from giving than from receiving if it is done with LOVE . Those who have had the opportunity to learn should always be at the disposal of those who have not had its benefit and it should not only be for individuals, but for the entier community at large. The words of the Almighty in the Holy Bible say: give and it shall be given unto you: is worth observing in your daily life. It is I firm belief that if you forgot self-love and self-indulgence and break away from all this worldly desires, you will be able to make great contribution to yourself, your family, community and your country.
May the Almighty Jah, the God of Jacob, Abraham, Issac, Moses and Yeshua (Jesus Christ) the son, bless guide and protect you as you walk in his Ligh

Interesting post, Pharaoh Jaheel. Thank you. I never knew that about the Rastafarian faith. I own a copy of the Kebra Negast.. it is very uplifting.