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This column is dedicated to the needs of individuals in gaining balance and harmony
in their lives. As Akans, we know that our help comes from Onyame (Almighty God),
the Abosom and the Nsamanfo. We believe that Onyame is The Supreme Being, creator
of all things, and his word is absolute; the Abosom (lessor gods) were created
by Onyame to act on his behalf and were given certain powers to carry out that
mission; the Nsamanfo (ancestors) are the custodians of the laws, customs and
traditions of Akan society, are concerned about our well-being, and are in close
contact with Onyame whose favor they enjoy in a special way. (For more information,
visit the Spirituality page). Therefore, every article that appears on this page
is viewed and applied within that belief system. I will write some of the articles
and some will come from articles that I have read which I feel may be beneficial
to you.
Another Way to Deal with Grief
There is nothing quite like the loss of a loved one. Feelings of
emptiness, being alone, and sorrow can grip the heart and mind in
such a way that it is easy for one to feel so frustrated and hopeless
that continuing on is quite a challenge. The grief associated with
the transition (death) of our loved ones often causes us to shudder
in pain because we believe that we can no longer talk to them, hear
them, feel their presence, or experience their character on this
earthly plane. So what do we do? Some people turn to alcohol or
drugs; some mope around depressed and despondent; some just cry
for days without end in their grief.
STOP!
There is good news! There is another way for you to deal with your
grief. Through the practice of Akan traditions, your grief and grieving
process has a whole new face. Akans (those who practice Akan spirituality)
do not have to grieve the way everyone else does. In fact, whether
you are Christian, Moslem, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal,
or whatever your religious belief systems, you too can take advantage
of the Akan approach to grieving the loss of a loved one.
We believe that the living and the dead still interact on this
plane. In fact, without even knowing it, all of us have been influenced
by our loved ones who have transitioned into another realm. Do you
ever wonder why you feel a presence that urges you to react in a
way that Uncle Jack who passed away used to act? Or maybe, everyday
you just think about that loved one who passed away several years
ago. Could it be that he or she is trying to communicate with you?
For hundreds of years, Akans have taken advantage of this interaction
with loved ones (ancestors) who have transitioned so that grieving
is not just a bunch of sad memories but a time of strengthening
and enlightenment. Through Akwasidaes, which are traditional Akan
ceremonies in honor of our Ancestors, spiritual and/or psychic readings,
and other mediums, one can interact with loved in such a way as
to produce peace in the spirit and perhaps to gain insight into
questions left unanswered by their leaving.
Today is the day for you to change your way of grieving. Make it
a stepping stone to wholeness. No, we may not have their physical
body to see anymore, but their spirit lives on and now wants to
help you as you make this adjustment in your life.
As mentioned there are several ways to begin this new approach.
(1) Sign up fo AFSANI Updates to be notified of the Akwasidae Ceremonies
that are held every 40-42 days by AFSANI. You are invited
to attend those ceremonies. (2) You may be interested in getting
a spiritual or psychic reading. (3) You may not know what you want
to have done but want a consultation to determine your next course
of action regarding this new approach.
Do not hesitate to take some form of action to change your present
state of grieving. Let me hear from you by e-mail
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