Identity | Earth & Ether

I recognize you…

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I want to see you.

Know your voice.

Recognize you when you
first come ’round the corner.

Sense your scent when I come
into a room you’ve just left…”

-Rumi

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NEOLITHIC HEARTS

Our spirits speak.

From where you are
to where I am,
I can hear your heart,
beat.
Sometimes over the loudness of my own
I lay down,
defeat.
When I can,
I give in, to the sound of your resounding love.

Like a gong, like a drum,
the pulse penetrates
underneath
my skin,
closest to kin,
I touch the surfaces of your existence,
decoding the braille,
the bumps,
I exhale,
Life is so mystical.
Breathing, I inhale,
the essence.

Languages, unknown
I hear, in my dreams.
ancient mysteries.
In my mind,
I contrive,
I find,
myself succumbing to
the caress of fingers,
of stories,
of memories.
of things,
so true.
Vivid answers,
vivid truths. – shila iris

This article was originally published here.

MORE POETRY by Shila Iris

Cleveland Native, Author Sharon Draper will be in Town Tomorrow Night!

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Teen Author and Educator, Sharon Draper will be at the Cleveland Public Library’s Main Branch (downtown) tomorrow night at 7 pm!

If you are a parent with a teenager, a teacher, educator, librarian, public service’s professional, or perhaps you just enjoy reading young adult and children’s books, you might appreciate this wonderful visit from the Coretta Scott King Award Winner.

Draper is from Cleveland, Ohio, and you know it’s important that we support our natives, so check her out if you can! 🙂 She may be able to offer some insight to educators and parents, facing the challenges of grade school classrooms, especially those with students of African descent. Are you, not quite burned out, but crispy around the edges? ↓

What I enjoy most about Draper’s writing is her realistic edge. Her stories are relatable and can help us to better understand the minds of a teenager. This isn’t surprising, seeing that her background is in education. Her books are an incredible journey through some tough situations, and definite forces to reckon with, but there are lessons in each.

As a poet, a lover of rhyme and rhythm, I especially enjoyed this:

Draper in Cleveland at a young age:

Draper in Cleveland at age 14

Draper at age 15

Draper as a Student Teacher

Check her out.

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned.

I am Shila, but you can call me Nubia of Kush. ♥

Clairvoyance through Observation

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The past is gone forever,
the future does not exist.
Our moment,
together,
is Now.
Will you see me? -Shila Iris

The Digital Collage Art of Nkiruka Oparah

The Affirmation:
I pray for the power to LoVe appropriately,
the courage to forgive,
for clairvoyance through observation,
and for the integrity to honor my word,
respecting all who deserve such…
_____________________________________

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As my life transitions into endless days of learning the meaning of truth, justice, balance, order, compassion, harmony, and reciprocity, the weekend lines have disappeared and everyday is just as beautiful and wonderful as the one before. There are no days that I dislike. I am grateful for each and every moment that I am alive. No day will be wasted. No complaints.

Set the tone of your day with an AFRIKAN PROVERB: Proverbs are an integral part of Afrikan culture. Passed on from generation to generation for centuries, they are still in wide use today and are very much part of everyday speech.

“A millipede will not limp because of one missing leg.”
-a Somali proverb by Abdishukri Mohamed of Wajir, Kenya

Consecrate your day as DIVINE with SANKOFA: Sankofa is a word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates as “reach back and get it” (san – to return; ko – to go; fa – to fetch, to seek and take) and also refers to the Asante Adinkra symbol represented either by a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or as a stylised heart shape.

“I remember my ancestors, my grandparents, uncles and aunts, those connected to me spiritually, that fought for “Our Way.” Your spirits are Alive, inside, of Me. I see you in my dreams, and I can feel you nudging me, to wake up.”

Find MUSIC & STORIES that Honor YOU: Find a song that honors your TRUE self. Your lips, your nose, your natural hair, your creative and original thoughts, your efforts, your Blackness, your loVe, your mistakes, your growth- JUST You! There is no need to pretend, mask, or live behind a smokescreen. Be who you were Born to Be. Let us See You. LOok into your own eyes. Find artists who HONOR YOU. Sing songs that uplift. Look at videos with images of You. Let us Learn to discard of things that push and represent a negative agenda. Our Way is not to entertain and masquerade and breed confusion and chaos. Find positive vibrations that allow you to live outside of stereotypes and status quos. SING YOUR OWN SONGS OF JOY AND RETRIBUTION.

MUSIC WITH AFRIKAN AESTHETICS & POSITIVE MESSAGES & VIBRATIONS

I am OSiRis RiSinG aka Shila Iris

Musings and Inspiration

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She touched me with her fly-ness, her highness.

Her articulation…

Her calm…

Her rhythm…

Her rawness…

Her discipline…

Her creativity…

Her smile…

Her flava…

Her wisdom…

Now, I am inspired to create.

in·flu·en·tial

ˌinflo͞oˈen(t)SH(ə)l/

adjective

having great influence on someone or something.

“her work is influential in feminist psychology”

I am Shila

I’m thinking Mustard…

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SOLAR PLEXUS MELLOW YELLOW: Open Your 3rd Chakra

Did you know that the colors you wear can affect your mood? When worn therapeutically, wearing yellow instills and promotes WILL POWER, wisdom, intellect, enthusiasm, joy, and optimism. It stimulates the solar plexus, which are the sympathetic nerves in the pit of your stomach. Next time you wear yellow, pay attention to how your body responds to it. You determine if there is a difference or not.

The Solar-plexus or 3rd chakra, the Manipura is located just above the naval and below the rib cage. It is our energy center and it radiates vital life energy (prana) through-out our entire body. It is where our Will Power comes from; our ability to achieve, self-esteem, raw emotions, and self-discipline are all governed by the Manipura. It is where we can have a mental understanding of our emotional self.

The Manipura not only governs the emotional and mental aspect of your psyche but also your psychic experiences. Often a feeling of intuition or “gut feeling” in a certain situation will benefit you greatly if you listen to it. All aspects of the digestive tract, including the assimilation of nutrients are controlled by the 3rd Chakra.

___________________________

On the brown, yellow is so hot!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Check out my board:

As far as COLOR THERAPY GOES, chromotherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses light in the form of color to balance “energy” that is lacking from a person’s body. This can work on a physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental plane. Color is absorbed by the eyes, skin, skull, and connects with cells in the body that need light energy – thus color energy has widespread effects on the whole body.

I am Shila Iris, governed by the Sun, I shine bright.

The meaning of the color yellow.

You are colorful.

… and gifted

♥ Beautiful AfriKan E-gYpsy ♥

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I woke up hearing this song and I thought of homelessness and hunger. I thought, “such bullshit! We have food for everyone.” I thought of women with afros. I thought of the Black Panther Party, of Nina Simone. I thought of freedom, I thought of pain, I thought of detachment from the material. I thought of sunshine. I thought of moons. I thought of pride and egos. I thought of humility. I thought of struggle, of dilapidation and decay. I thought of travel. I thought of facades and The Pharcyde. I thought of heartbeats. I thought of people selling their souls. I thought of the things we do for money. I thought of marijuana and mushrooms. I thought of historically Black Colleges and Universities. I thought of children who don’t get enough hugs and kisses and attention. I thought of airplanes soaring through clouds. I thought of religion. I thought of Farrakhan, and then of Obama. I thought of Kush people. I thought of love… and then I turned to him and said, “hey, I thought of You.”

We can solve our problems together. Let go. Let love! I know he’s got my back. He helps me help her. Her, is me, an Egyptian Gypsy. Peace and love to the people who want to get free. For the fearless people who say yes, to the spirit, and no to the flesh. If you want me, prove it. If you love me, show it.

Check out that super dope ankh earring she has on @0.33! Amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7TxIk_yvHQ

♥ Egyptian GYPsy LOVE ♥

La da dee la dee da!

♥ The lyrics to Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters are very moving! ♥

She wakes up early every morning
Just to do her hair now
Because she cares ya’ll

Her day oh wouldn’t be right
Without her make up
She’s never without her makeup

She’s just like you and me
But she’s homeless, she’s homeless
As she stands there singing for money…

Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

I am Kush

Kehinde Wiley in Cleveland this Afternoon @ the Cleveland Museum of Art

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In just an hour, artist Kehinde Wiley, widely known for depicting young Black male subjects in poses derived from old master paintings of saints, kings, emperors, prophets, and military leaders, will be speaking at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gartner Auditorium at 2 p.m. This presentation is absolutely free and worth checking out.

Kehinde is popular for replacing the lily white images that we often see in renaissance art with brown faces. You can love it or hate it, just go!

Honestly, I haven’t decided what I think about the necessity for people of African descent to mimic any life or any history outside of that of our ancestors. I see us in our own light. However, I do believe that it is important to see positive images of Black people in “contemporary art.” Our art should reflect our journey and our faces. So much of our history and so many of our stories have been hidden and manipulated to keep us submissive, making exhibits and presentations like this beneficial to our struggle.

It is the responsibility of the scholar, Kehinde, to make the connection between self-awareness and self-empowerment, and the struggle of Brown people descending from the cradle of civilization, especially that of our young Brown boys. We, the descendants, are still reconnecting our dots and tracing the greatness within us. If Kehinde is on board with uplifting Brown people, than I say, yes! We MUST begin to see OURSELVES again.

Furthermore, I believe that brown people were everywhere in history! The cradle of civilization really does lie within- on the walls of Pyramids, our spirits never die.

Peace and love,

i am Kush

Relevant reading:

Let me know what you think!

2 Days Until AfroPunk: Come as You Are

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Feel the music, express yourself, free your mind, join the movement.

In just 2 short days, AFROPUNK 2015 is returning to Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, also known as City Park, for a weekend of live music, vibrant art and good vibes on August 22 & 23. Described by the New York Times as “the most multicultural festival in the US,” the word AFROPUNK itself has become synonymous with openminded, nonconforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music.

COME AS YOU ARE!!!!

YOUR VISION. YOUR LEGACY. GET INSPIRED.

WHO STARTED AfroPunk?

James Spooner

Matthew Morgan

WHO ORGANIZES AfroPunk? As of 2008, Matthew Morgan and Jocelyn Cooper

I embrace and support AfroPunk because it is about restoring the identity of Us descending from Kemetians, Egyptians, Nubians, Afrikans. etc. … Us!

Whatever the tribe, the region, the origin, only by knowing ourselves, will we survive the struggle.

Find out who you are and love that person til death! Peace and Love.

I am Kush Queendom

Intrigued by Beauty

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Love Yourself FIRST: Enjoy these images of the Khoisan people of Southern Africa, from whom all modern humans descended.

The Khoisan people are an indigenous hunter-gatherer people of Southern Africa whose roots are literally ancient. Khoisan are one of the 14 people groups from which all humanity descended and Khoisan tools have been found dating back to 44,000 BC. They are spread across Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Naro bushman (San) mother with child, Central Kalahari, Botswana

San Bushmen – Kalahari Desert, Kalahari De

Information courtesy of blackgirllonghair.com

Please feel free to conduct your own research. It feels wonderful to acknowledge the greatness of these people, my people. See yourself in their eyes, and stop searching for Yourself in material possessions while embracing Eurocentric philosophies that work against who You really are. Love Yourself FIRST.

Let peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned,

Kush Queendom

Us Afrikans

Septum Ring Statements

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AFRIKAN RITUALS: The Septum Ring

From the Motherland…

… to Brooklyn, New York

… and beyond…

If I could explore this accessory, I most definitely would, but my sensitivity to piercings has made it difficult!

I am Kush

9 Days Until AfroPunk: Capturing the Beauty of Black Brazilian Women & the Sundust Goddess Series

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Diasporically Speaking: AfroPunk is known for its online editorials that capture and acknowledge the movement of Black people from the continent of Afrika to other places all over the world. In March of this year, AFROPUNK.COM featured the work of photographer Vini Souza and artist Janaína Grasso in a series of photos named: Capturing the Beauty of Black Brazilian Women.

Capturing the Beauty of Black Brazilian Women was inspired by visual artist, Sara K. Golish’s Sundust Goddess series:

Can You see the inspiration? I too, am inspired by the work of other artists, ancestors, family, etc. Aren’t we all? It’s all good! Peace and love!

→ Full article here.
→ Sara K. Golish here.
→ Vini Souza here.

You will see a whole lot of Afrikan Black beauty at AfroPunk from people to art to spirit.

See you there!

i am Shila Iris

11 Days Until AfroPunk & The Iconic GRACE JONES

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Saturday, August 22 (BROOKYLN, NYC)

I am certain that this will be a euphoric experience. My eyes sparkle with anticipation of Grace Jones’ AfriKan Essence. Whoooo-hoooo! Can’t wait. See you there!

Why is Grace Jones perfect for AfroPunk fest?
AfroPunk is a movement that gives voice to thousands of multi-cultural kids fiercely identifying with a lifestyle path-less-traveled. Founded in 2002 by visionaries Matthew Morgan and James Spooner, it explores the indie rock/punk/hardcore scene beyond the predictable Caucasian audience. The word AFROPUNK itself has become synonymous with open-minded, non-conforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music. Isn’t that what the life and music of Grace Jones represents?

i am Shila Iris

Brother, Sister, Hold On To the Real Things, That Matter. Stand Up, Be Strong!

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I know it is taking a lot for us to survive this struggle, but remember, I got your back. The things I SEE. The things WE see. The things I FEEL are the things WE feel. I am trying my best to be Strong and I hope You are too. Let’s do it together. Let’s make Our move.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Hv6jDYlzY

Don’t you let your young life get you down
It always had a certain mystery
Many changes come to everyone
About the time that they turn seventeen

Grandma said, at times you’ll feel a sting
There’ll be sharp turns and uphills and closed doors
Then she said, hold onto your faith
‘Cause in this world you’ve got to go and get yours

So you stand up be strong
Go out there and hold on to the real things that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter

There’s no need to feel you’re on your own
Just let your intuition guide you through
Take one step toward what you believe
Don’t be afraid to make your move

In my head those words remind me
What Grandma said, at times you’ll feel a sting
There’ll be sharp turns and uphills and closed doors
Then she said, hold on to your faith, don’t be scared go out there

Just stand up and be strong
Go out there and hold on to the real things that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter

Stand up and be strong
Go out there and hold on to the real things that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter

Don’t be scared go out there, just stand up and be strong
Go out there and hold on to the real things that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter

Stand up my brother, stand up my sister
Stand up my brother, stand up my sister

So you stand up and be strong
Go out there and hold on to the real things that matter
‘Cause no one’s gonna hand it to you on a silver platter

Stand up my brother, stand up my sister
Stand up my brother, stand up my sister

I am Queen

The Key:

The Sacred YoUnion Retreat: Lessons of Emancipation & Love

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…with Jalá-Rani Ji aka The Goddess Guru &
Rajah Laxshmi musically and affectionately known as LaToya Kent

The beginning of freedom is the realization that you have the power to attract the things you want in life. Start from within.

“What you seek is seeking you.”
-Rumi

The Year 2015 has been all about RE-discovering mYseLf. (Hi, I am Shila. It’s so nice to finally meet You!) I have been searching, to the point of obsession, for ways to share myself with the world, without feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and disappointed. I was looking for Maat– balance, understanding, peace, and happiness. So I looked into the mirror and started talking to God. I could see God in my eyes, and God was pleased that I had finally come for a visit. God spoke to me, and I listened. So, I arrived in a place, in a space, where I started to examine my nucleus, which is my heart, and from that place, I give, and I receive. I GIVE to you:

THE SACRED YoUnion RETREAT: I see my reflection in You, and I am pleased.

Are you looking from within?

So, in learning myself, I find gatherings like the Sacred YoUnion to be necessary, because they remind me of how powerful I am when I open my spirit.

Please be sure to register for the event. Here are a few guidelines:

Note: Once you register for the event, You can retrieve the location/address.
There is no admission fee, but it would be kind to donate money to the cause.
There will be vendors on site, so bring CASH (as opposed to credit)
Each person is liable for their own safety, so be cautious, it’s a farm!
This is an outdoor event and their will be a portable bathroom on site.
This event is open to children, men and women.
Light refreshments will be served, but please bring additional food for you and your Family.
Wear long pants to prevent bug bites, as well as bug repellent, and bring galoshes/boots for protection from mud. Bring comfortable shoes as well and a picnic style blanket and folding chairs for your comfort.
And most importantly!!!! Bring Your positive energy and love!
I REALLY HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! ♥

Regardless of where you are on the spiritual path, if you’re in contact with any part of our materialistic world, you are bound to attract or experience both positive and negativity in some form. After all, opposites attract; like moths to a flame, the light is powerful enough to draw out darkness from within and from without. Whether it’s your own shadow issues that surface in interactions with others, or someone else’s bad vibes or resistance you encounter along the journey, accumulated negativity in your space can adversely affect your thoughts, emotions and even your health. As such, it’s essential to practice regular cleansing rituals to keep your physical and energetic space clean and intact.

COME CLEANSE WITH US!