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Peace to all…it has been a while since the last post. Needed to take some time to rest, heal and contemplate. The past twelve months have brought major changes to this life that the relative I is living. Waking up crippled, major surgery, six weeks of hospitalization and nursing home. Then home nursing and therapy.

Things have gone well and I am up and about, the legs grow stronger and training has been resumed. Through all this time, the World of Human Association has been transformed radically. Increased social violence, governmental dysfunction, compromised leadership, and a total breakdown in social interaction that threatens the flimsy patterns of life that world communities took for granted as reality.

In the midst of all of this engineered chaos, the fortunes and conditions of Melinated people continue to worsen across the earth! Racism as a political policy and international conflict continues to increase like wildfire. The ignorant are not afraid to speak their long held hatred and twisted reasoning. Ritual murders are witnessed internationally as the modern day slave-catchers commit mayhem, and bring devastation to Black families across America. Asians are demonized, as Hispanics are manipulated like pawns on a chess board. Not realizing that they have become the new niggers in America. Soon to be discarded after their shelf life has expired.

The worship of information has increased exponentially, while transformation is seldom realized. The words, consciousness and mindfulness are constantly applied to behavior that increases in mindlessness, as human beings devour each other in the mad rush to recognition.

Having said this, it cannot be denied that melanated people worldwide are under attack and have been so for centuries. The minds of melanated people have been co-opted through religion, politics, pop culture and non melanated cultural interests. We are on the battlefield against the insidious influences of white supremacy, which is an international deviation from human norms. To be clear, this deviation is well a structured religion, practiced by members of all races. In particular, witness the destructive behavior of Black people in the United States, who support the principles and practices of white supremacy We see them in politics, religion, business and sports.

TRANSFORMATION

Dikitisa Ngolo is a method of transformation that uses warrior discipline as a vehicle for consciousness. As previously stated on this blog, Ngolo,is an element of the bio-genetic rope inherent in the DNA coming through the African race, lineage and parents. Cultivation of this melanated quality is managed through:

1. What we see.
2. What we hear.
3. What we smell.
4. What we taste.
5. What we feel and touch.
6. What we think.

White supremacy seeks to, and has controlled these elements of the human mind, in a program of mental control. What is seen , is a constant barrage of images that impact the subconscious of Black people. What is heard are the messages that infer inferiority of Black people. And, so it is with the entire spectrum of elements. A functioning mindfulness is aware of this in all of its’ subtleties…! It must be understood and cognicised at the moment of experience. This is the Warrior Way. Defense of the body-mind is the first consideration in the process of transformation.

Secondly, vitality(ngolo) is transformed into spirit(moyo), which is transformed into consciousness or spirit-mind(ntu). Lacking this process, the recitation of information is only a primer for transformation. Daily practice is required to attain transformation and awakening. It cannot be attained by way of desire and declaration.

Thirdly, the refining and cultivation of energy as outlined in prior postings of this blog, is necessary so that the physical motions are not “empty”. Empty means lacking intrinsic force. While young, one can compensate with muscular force, but this will decline with age or illness, and power will not be channeled through the physical motions. Then one will be overcome by a superior muscular force. Many believe that the exotic waving of arms constitutes internal martial arts. This is a falsehood. Ngolo is an internal force that is felt throughout the body and guided by the consciousness. So transformation of body-mind is the benchmark of warriorship, and is the result of lifestyle not event.

The fourth point to be made in this posting, is an emphasis upon the importance of being aware of awareness itself. This is mindfullness (mind-filled), a state of being, neutralized by way of the institutionalized distractions provided by society. A mind immersed in distractions is a mind dissolving in images and chatter, used to dumb down the unaware. Beware of the chatter Gurus!!!

To be continued…

Credit to MEME for use of the Image.

The Kongo Kosmogram (proper spelling), is a map for energy movement and mind awakening, for MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD and ULIMWENGU is the method for preparation for the battle. What battle you ask? THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL…INTELLIGENCE AND IGNORANCE! Preparation, is the transformation from horizontal (animal mind) to vertical (arisen mind). The principle here is that in the horizontal state, the energy dynamic between heaven and earth is not established. It requires a posture (state of being) in vertical positioning that facilitates the flow of primal energy (Moyo) arising from earth to heaven, stimulating the circulation of Ngolo within the body-mind.

Standing in the Ulimwengu posture, visualize the Kosmogram internally. The Black sphere (Kala) sits at the base of the spine. Focus the consciousness at this point while engaging the breath to aid the energy to rise to the next sphere at the crown point of the skull. Known as (Tukula), the red sphere represents the intensifying of the energy process, while Kala symbolizes the seminal thrust up the spine.

The next point of focused consciousness is called (Luvemba) symbolizing the descending flow of energy that accumulates in the abdomen. The energy at this point will stimulate the healing process by energizing the abdominal organs that provide nourishment to the entire body.

The energy now, further descends to the point known as (Musoni) the sphere of gold. At the Musoni point, the energy cycle completes its’ orbit of refinement. When standing in Musoni, the practitioner attains a position of complete balance and alignment, becoming the link between Heaven and Earth. Known as the Four Moments Of The Sun, this refined practice facilitates the movement of Ngolo in the form of light through the four cardinal points mentioned previously. Similar in many ways to the microcosmic orbit of Chinese energy work, this practice will yield great benefit when practiced consistently.

When beginning the practice, be sure to begin at the Kala point at the base of the spine. If one attempts to begin in Musoni it will be difficult to move the energy to Kala due to the downward pull of genital energy. The downward pull will stimulate urges that impede the upward flow of energy. The Kala point is known as Ming Men (gate of life) in Chinese energy systems, and is the more suitable “trigger point”. After the first full cycle of moving the light of Ngolo through Kala to Musoni, the energy will spontaneously rise to Kala as guided by intention combined with breathing.

Part Five Next.

The importance of focused breathing in the practice of Dikitisa Ngolo cannot be over emphasized. Focused intent that guides inhalation and exhalation, will have an invigorating and energizing effect on the body-mind. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of these principles, due to the damage sustained by the muntu (human being) during centuries of psychological and physiological abuse.

There is no benefit in scurrying around the issue of the damaging effects of “foreign presence” upon the African psyche. The Chinese people for example have used the healing benefits of qigong to address damages to the body-mind. The same applies to African people with regard to the practice of Dikitisa Ngolo , a treasure from the cultural , ancestral force of Africa.

This ancestral teaching informs us that to be unwell is to “have lost or to be in the process of losing one’s ngolo , a decrease of “self-healing power”…Fu Kiau, 1980. Also, “A sickness can be caused by waves or radiations sent or emitted by a strange body within a given environment”…Fu Kiau, 1980. To this can be added…any series of ideas that conflict with one’s cultural values can have a debilitating effect upon the body-mind. This includes traditional elements such as language, manners of interaction, etc., that have been purposely destroyed over centuries through foreign dominance and influence.

We are further taught through this methodology, that illness (dis-ease) becomes evident in the muntu when ngolo is insufficient to produce healing radiations (minienie), to abate stress and tension within the body-mind. This stress becomes evident through such behavior and actions of the muntu that are self-destructive and non-productive. Therefore, practices such as dikitisa ngolo can be effective in correcting such conditions through the awakening of consciousness, that has been damaged through the loss of traditional cultural values.

In Entering the energy body part one, holding and focusing upon one point is mentioned. In the practice of dikitisa ngolo this one point is known as the didi (core). “When an individual acts at a certain distance outside the didi, he/she then loses not only his/her essence, but his/her balance (kinenga) as well”…Fu Kiau, 1986. Living outside of one’s core will cause a loss of the bio-genetic force (self-healing power), inherited from the community of ancestors with whom one is connected by blood and tradition, which carries a message of vitality and healing.

This self-healing power (package of energy) is an entity in it self! It is an energy received genetically from one’s parents (the reason so many displaced blacks have endured the onslaught of racial aggression), at conception. However, we find that this power varies from one muntu to another, and if it is found that one has received a lesser degree of bio-genetic force (ngolo) through their parents, this condition may be corrected through the practice of dikitisa ngolo. The degree of bio-genetic force inherited through the ancestral-line through one’s parents , depends upon the health, and life style of the parents. Therefore, in order to transfer good health (sufficient ngolo) to the offspring, habits that would endanger the well-being of the offspring must be abandoned. This is not only a physiological concern but psychological as well.

An understanding of the psychological aspect of martial discipline has been neglected in the practice of many systems, especially in the West. Today, most human beings live in a state of heightened anxiety. Living in anxiety causes thoughts based upon mental images that produce automatic reactions in the body. We find the human being trapped in seemingly endless cycles of fight, flight and freeze which are based upon triggers as fear, need, desire. Many of the conflicts threatening society today are rooted in unresolved fears that trigger hatred and aggression between human beings, races and nations.

These fears and aggressive tendencies become more pronounced when the mind is not engaged in the common activities that most human beings engage in. One will find that when standing in posture, one cannot run away from the content of the mind that arises from the subconscious. These images cause psychological pains that compound the physical pain of standing in stillness, so that most who attempt to hold posture abandon the practice after a few disconcerting moments. These factors, and the initial boredom of the practice, cause many to abandon the challenge. Without a doubt, this is the most difficult form of internal martial discipline, but if one is able to withstand the challenge of one’s own body-mind, the rewards are profoundly liberating!

Stay tuned for part four.

In part one we presented the principles governing the structure of Ulimwengu and the method for entering the posture. In this installment the internal methods will be discussed. In order to attain a proper comprehension of Ulimwengu, an understanding of the principles of kala/zima must be realized.

” The more one intensifies the body-mind, the more one connects with the energy in and around the body-mind, and from there the universe itself”…an internal teaching.

Intensifying the body-mind refers to employing methods that increase Ngolo (vitality) within the body-mind. Where there is body and mind, there is disunity, disharmony. Kala/zima (complimentary opposites) speaks to the principle of unified being; an ancient African principle that preceded the yin/yang principle by thousands of years. First instituted in Central Africa and East African cultures, the doctrine of opposites was practiced as a vital element in cultures along the Nile River, reaching a high point of practice in Kemit.

It is through the unifying practice of holding posture that kala/zima is attained, leading to Kinenga (balance, body-mind). A state in which body and mind are not in conflict. The root conflict within the sleeping Muntu (human being), is the root source of conflict in the world of human association, giving rise to national and international conflict.

So, entering the energy body refers to methods of attaining body-mind, unique to the African culture before the advent of foreign encroachment. Without a doubt, the Africa that we see today has been depleted and reduced to near rubble by foreign manipulation, that has corrupted the minds of the people and the leadership with few exceptions… ” Remember the Kongo saying, it hurts to lose certain traditions. The more a society moves away from it’s traditions, the more it’s people and system become physically, ethically, economically, politically, militarily, and spiritually weak and disoriented. To lose one’s cultural traditional values is not only to terrorize oneself, but to ridicule oneself in the eyes of the world”…Fu Kiau Bunseki, Self Healing Power And Therapy Old Teachings From Africa.

So to echo remarks from part one, the ultimate purpose of Ulimwengu (posture holding), is the liberation and refinement of consciousness, not overlooking it’s obviously physical overtones. Liberation refers to freeing the mind from seeing Africa as a repository of negativity and regressive living. Freeing oneself from mental  captivity and it’s physical consequences gives rise to self-healing power (Funda dia  Ngolo). “In any action performed by the body, there is a current of energy invading the entire body because the human body is a generator of power in the form of images”…Fu Kiau Bunseke.

The current of energy spoken of by Baba Fu Kiau, is Ngolo  flowing throughout the body. The guidance has been codified as Moyo (spiritual energy or chi) surrounding the body, and Ngolo (vital force or jing) operating within the body. The operating of the two forces coming together provides the feeling of physical power…”the merging of internal vital energy, with the universal primordial force in the atmosphere”.

Guidelines for entering the energy-body:

1. The energy-body, also known as the etheric or vital-body, transforms human intention into force.
2. The energy-body, is the first layer of the energy complex that facilitates human body-mind transformation.
3. The energy-body, is in immediate contact with the human body.
4. The energy-body, connects with higher energy-fields through intention.
5. The energy-body, is the invisible double of the human body.
6. Motion, breath and focused intention trigger the flow of Ngolo !

Moving internal practices beyond superstition and confusion!

Part three soon to post.

 

 

 

The figure featured above is drawing of a cultural piece of the Sherbo people of Sierra Leone. Called Nomoli, they are believed to represent supernatural powers. Many have been found buried in rice fields as protective spirits of the crops. Some have been found with metal balls within the abdomen. The metal is reputed to be of a type not native to this planet, causing members of some cultural and spiritual groups to associate the figures with visitors from other planets.

I have been studying these figures since the 1980s, relating them to postures known as Zhan Zhuang (pile standing), or ball holding. In our school we refer to this training posture as Ulimwengu (posture of Universal balance). In this offering, a few of the principles that we employ will be outlined.

This first outline provides a set of structural principles developed and applied in our school for practicing Ulimwengu:

1. Press… press the feet by relaxing the body/mind and mentally inserting the intention into the ground or floor.
2.  Sit…lower the body as if sitting upon a high stool.
3.  Raise…raise the torso holding it erect from the waist to the head, with a feeling of the head being lifted from the crown chakra.
4. Extend…hold the arms as though embracing something; aligning shoulders, elbows, wrists and finger tips.
5.  Lift…engage the palms of the hands including the fingers as though slightly lifting something. This will provide a sensation from shoulders, to elbows, to finger tips. This is very important for enlivening the wrists without unnecessary tension, and extending energy through the fingers.
6. Relax…allow the entire body to relax while maintaining vigilant consciousness.
7. Weight underside…mentally drop all body weight to the underside (top of arm to underside of arm, top of foot to bottom of foot, etc.).
8. Hold one point…focus consciousness to one point and maintain focus with a relaxed though vigilant gaze.
9. Expand and contract one point…expand one point with inhalation, and contract with exhalation. Practice this for duration of posture holding; beginning from 5 to 10 minutes, gradually increasing to one half hour to an hour.

Diligent practice will enable the practitioner to endure the initial discomfort associated with the posture:

a. Pain in the joints.

b. Dizziness.

c. Heat in the body.

d. Exhaustion.

e. Brain agitation and fog.

f. Confusion.

Ulimwengu is a process of self-transformation of the body / mind, and can enhance life on many levels. However, due to the stress encountered during practice, many who attempt the practice abandon it before meaningful progress can be realized.

The physical challenges of posture holding is undeniable, however the core challenge arises within the mind. Thoughts arise that trigger the central nervous system and visions of past events flood into the mind, making practice difficult. This is when one must relax into the practice regardless of the discomfort. At this point it is about seeing the pain from a distance , as if it being watched on a film or video.

In the tradition of posture holding this is known as “forgetting the self”, or ” seeking the strength”. It is the point at which posture holding becomes decidedly internal. Otherwise the energy becomes focused solely upon external concerns such as how long have I held the posture, which breaks the focus that must be reestablished. It is the continuous focus that provides a transformation that can be felt within the energy cycles of the body/mind.

End of part one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again the African centered Martial Art community has experienced the passing of a pioneer and innovator in the cause of self-mastery. Ahati Kilindi Iyi was a visionary and prophetic teacher of African Warrior systems. He traveled across the United States, and journeyed to the African Continent in his quest to study and teach African Martial Sciences.

Ahati was a phenomenal Martial Artist who moved with the grace and speed of a gazelle, and the power of a python. He was highly proficient in the use of edged and stick weapons which he wielded with pin-point accuracy. His knowledge of African culture and history was astounding. In his lectures he spoke with the insight and authority of a Griot, sharing with his audience visions of warrior culture assumed by the uninitiated to be the sole domain of Asian cultures.

I first met Ahati in the late 80s when he journeyed to New Jersey to meet and converse with me. He was a large man with a deep vibrant voice and a penetrating gaze. Having only spoken to him by telephone, I was immediately able to identify him as he stood in front of Pennsylvania Train Station in Newark New Jersey upon the occasion of many visits to the area. He observed me closely as we introduced ourselves, and I knew that he was measuring my energy and ability in the field of African Warrior Culture. I knew that he had traveled to the Continent, and would very likely be suspect of anyone claiming knowledge and ability in the culture. In fact the subject arose during one of our conversations when I mentioned to him that I had never traveled to the Motherland. He responded by saying ” Dan Inosanto has never been to the Philippines and he has vast knowledge of those systems”. Ahati never lauded his experiences or abilities through aggressive rhetoric, but demonstrated his great ability through highly advanced skills and commanding intelligence.

Words cannot express my dismay when informed by my son of the passing of yet another of my Comrades and Brothers who served with me in the Golden Age of Martial Culture. My concern is about the legacies left by such dedicated pioneers and artists. Who will carry them forward when we are all gone? The purpose of this work transcends kicking and punching. It is about the philosophy, principles and practices that enhance the human being in this time of great spiritual, mental and physical challenge!

Ahati Kiindi Iyi dedicated his life to this work, may his efforts, and the efforts of his family and students be not in vain.

Peace and blessings to all,

Shaha Mfundishi Maasi

THE TRUTH ABOUT KUPIGANA-NGUMI