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The Brooklyn Museum: Africa

Double Bell (Egogo) from Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Made of Ivory.
Double Bell (Egogo) (early 16th cen.) from Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Made of Ivory.

The double gongs were used by the oba (king) during the Emobo ceremony to drive away evil spirits. The carvings on this gong, one of only 6 known to exist, depicts the oba supported by his military commander and his heir. This is one of the oldest surviving African ivory sculptures.

Figure of a Horn Blower (circa 1504-50) from Benin, Edo State, Nigeria made of copper alloy.
Figure of a Horn Blower (circa 1504-50) from Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Made of copper alloy.

This figure most likely stood on an altar dedicated to a deceased oba. His attire indicates that he is a court official and the leopard tooth necklace was only worn by warriors. The horn that the figure once held may have been used for ceremonial purposes.

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Review: “Adversity and Awakening” by Swami Satchidananda

blog 3.29.14

This tiny book is filled with invaluable wisdom perfect for those of us who are aware of and acknowledge that we are spiritual beings first. I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you are facing a tough time and are in need of some enlightened words to bring clarity to your mind and understanding to your heart. Below are some highlights from the book that I found particularly insightful.

Continue reading “Review: “Adversity and Awakening” by Swami Satchidananda”

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Sunday Church No. 27

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When our mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love. When your beloved is suffering, you need to recognize her suffering, anxiety, and worries, and just by doing that, you already offer some relief. Mindfulness relieves suffering because it is filled with understanding and compassion. When you are really there, showing your loving-kindness and understanding, the energy of the Holy Spirit is in you. - Thich Nhat Hanh from "Living Buddha, Living Christ"
“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When our mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. If you love someone but rarely make yourself available to him or her, that is not true love. When your beloved is suffering, you need to recognize her suffering, anxiety, and worries, and just by doing that, you already offer some relief. Mindfulness relieves suffering because it is filled with understanding and compassion. When you are really there, showing your loving-kindness and understanding, the energy of the Holy Spirit is in you.” – Thich Nhat Hanh from “Living Buddha, Living Christ”

Eye-and-eye mantra: Be the woman you want to be at all times. 

Photography by Ajua Akilah Hawkins.

Copyright 2013-2014 Ajua Hawkins

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Sunday Church No. 26

"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." Genesis 11: 4
“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11: 4

Eye-and-eye mantra: Be the woman you want to be at all times!

Photography by Ajua Akilah Hawkins.

Copyright 2013-2014 Ajua Hawkins

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Sunday Church No. 25

You have sole ownership of your vision. And the Universe will give you what you want within your vision. What happens with most people is that they muddy their vision with "reality". Their vision becomes full of not only what they want but what everybody else thinks about what they want, too. Your work is to clarify and purify your vision so that the vibration that you are offering can then be answered. - Abraham Hicks
You have sole ownership of your vision. And the Universe will give you what
you want within your vision. What happens with most people is that they
muddy their vision with “reality”. Their vision becomes full of not only
what they want but what everybody else thinks about what they want, too.
Your work is to clarify and purify your vision so that the vibration that
you are offering can then be answered. – Abraham Hicks

Eye-and-eye mantra: Be the woman you want to be at all times!

Photograph by Ajua Akilah Hawkins.

Copyright Ajua Hawkins 2013

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Sunday Church No. 17

"The most precious gift you can give to the one you love is your true presence." - Thich Nhat Hanh from "True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart"
“The most precious gift you can give to the one you love is your true presence.” – Thich Nhat Hanh from “True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart”

Photograph taken in Aruba by Kenny Thiesen of Timeless Pixx.

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Sunday Church No. 12

Random acts of love!
Random acts of love!

This picture was sent to me by a dear friend visiting D.C. from London.  My friend said that she has been seeing covert love and healing messages in this country and in hers more and more lately.  I recently read a tweet saying, there is no such thing as “conditional love”, there is only love.  Let’s make the evolutionary leap to a heartcentric way of life and use love energy as our starting point for all things.  Love is the way!

Eye-and-eye mantra: be the woman you want to be at all times.

Photography by Caro Money.

Copyright 2013-2014 Ajua Hawkins