After 35 years of Spiritual Practice I Went to Africa and Had One Small Spiritual Insight That Changed How I Practice

This sounds strange but going to Nigeria recently, visiting the sacred temples, priestess and priest was awesome. However, I came into this sudden realization and maturing that religion was not going to save our planet. I suddenly realized religion is man made (literally man) rules and protocols. I went into a deep spiritual crisis while in Africa, if religion did not seem like the answer, what was? Then something cracked open in me -I swiftly realized living a life in harmony with universal spiritual values and integrity is of utmost importance to me. For the first time ever, I felt as though I had opened into a greater spiritual freedom and maturity. It seemed like I had to go home, to the Mother Land to realize all of this. It was also there, in the midst of Mama Africa, that I saw His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s smiling face and came to realize this statement he made, not just with my mind but my heart, “I believe the only true religion is having a good heart.” Along, with his belief in universal ethics. The last realization that was important to me, was this understanding – it takes great courage to follow true spiritual values and ethics, and not man made expectations. As a result I came into a space where I judge no one for their inability to do so – that too was another blossoming into maturity. May Mother Waters continue to be our mirror, path and way.

(Picture, at the main Osun temple, Osogbo Nigeria day after the main day of the Osun Water Festival. It was here I came into a deeper realization of what was and was not important on the spiritual path. Thank you Mother Waters).

By Yeye Omileye Achikeobi-Lewis

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