Past Facts & Ancestors Causes Us To Not Let GoAnd So Continues The Meaning Of Life & Existence (Part 8n)

Importance Of The Past

We must learn from the past. Without the past, we cannot bring our inheritance and our legacy into our current living space. We cannot build on the past if the past is not present. We cannot evolve without the past.

History Goes With Everything

Clarity today comes from hindsight from the past. The further back we go to access the past, greater clarity becomes available to us. Learning and education that does not adhere to this principle is missing an essential ingredient for understanding – historical context. Adults who do not learn about the past are self-imposing limitations.

A good definition of history is the sum total of all that has happened that gives people an understanding of themselves and others in relation to the world, both past and present.

Another good definition is provided by Marcus Garvey who said, ”History is the guidepost of a race. It is the inspiration for succeeding generations to either go forward or stand still, either revenge or be revenged.”

The Spiritual Past of Ancestors Never Passes Away

Ancestors are at the core of all harmony or disharmony in society. “The causes of all good deeds, fertility as reflected in the abundance of harvest or the productivity of women, and joy of family are the result of the ancestors. One could also say that all misfortunes, misdeeds, famines, and difficulties of living are caused by the ancestors in African religion. Nothing in society is immune from the influence of ancestors.” (1)

We must remember the ancestors so we may bring them into the present with us. By keeping them alive in memory and in daily practice, we keep them alive spiritually so they can be spiritually active on our behalf. (2)

We Will Never Let Go Of The Past

If we let go of the past, we let go of our origins. Without origins, all continuity for living is lost which is why we struggle to find our way to the Forever Existent. If we let go of the past we take Big Willie's knife and sever the spiritual cord that connects life motions of the past to life motions of today. If we let go of the past, we let our people go.

Let go of the past? No! We embrace it lovingly, for our ancestors, ourselves and our descendents.

Let go of the past? No! We hold on to it for strengthening. Hiao.

Related Posts:

Spiritual Forgetfulness, Alkebu-lan (Afrikan) Amnesia

Spirit is the oldest thing each person has. Spirit is older than the oldest human, older than Earth and older than Universe.

”He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

Read Part 8o - Sankofa Definition & Pronunciation | Continuity For All Time And So Continues The Meaning Of Life & Existence (Part 8o)

Notes:
(1) Asante, Molefi Kete and Mazama, Ama Editors, “Encyclopedia Of African Religion,” (2009) p. 52.
(2) Asante and Mazama, p. 53.