A call to awakening: New Life Journal speaks with Malidoma some about symbolism, emotions, nature and honoring our ancestors.

Malidoma Patrice Some is from Burkina Faso, West Africa. In his native language, his name, Malidoma, means "be friends with the stranger." He is an initiated elder and medicine man of the Dagara tribe. He also holds three master's degrees and two doctorates, from the Sorbonne and Brandeis. He has written three books: Of Water and the Spirit, The Healing Wisdom of Africa and Ritual. He recently gave a workshop near Asheville, NC and New Life Journal caught up with him between classes.

NLJ: As a bridge between the indigenous world and the modern world, what advice would you give to Westerners who long to live and feel closer to the earth?

Malidoma: It is not a simple answer. It requires that one have immediate contact with the earth. Most who live in the city have to take time off to do that. One way to do this would be to make sure that you are conscious about your feet while walking. One conscious step on the earth is evidence of your intention, and the earth wants this. The earth is always listening to our feet and this leads to greater closeness. The ideal situation is to live in nature and be with the trees and plants. Not everyone can afford this or is aware of how to live like that. Take time off to go to the park where the ground is available to your bare feet. We use protective devices to keep us from feeling the earth. Direct contact can lead to a greater conscious feeling of affinity towards the earth.

NLJ: Can you explain to us why it is important for us to honor our ancestors?

Malidoma: The spirit of our loved ones on the other side is part of our whole community. If we exclude them, it becomes impossible to affect community. Current restlessness that is experienced can be traced down to dysfunction in our connection to them.

NLJ: What is the connection between our emotions and the spirit world? Is there a connection?

Malidoma: Emotion is the language that is used by the spirit world to create a channel. Spirit does not speak through the head. It utilizes channels of emotion. A person with a capacity to emote has a wider channel to Spirit. A person incapable of emotional communication is one who is cemented away from Spirit.

NLJ: Are there simple ways that we can deepen our experience of community here in the West?

Malidoma: An intention to deepen our connection to Spirit comes first. A greater sensitivity to the earth also helps in terms of paying attention to the way she expresses love and care always. Take interest in the outdoors. Explore nature: the all-pervasive life around us. This life needs our respect. Living in great awareness of larger dimensions of life gets the attention of the other world to answer back. Become aware even if you cannot explain what exactly is happening. This is the most basic thing that people can do.

NLJ: In your book, The Healing Wisdom of Africa, you write that doing rituals regularly can prevent us from repeating patterns that do not serve us. How does this work?

Malidoma: Small offerings, such as tobacco and sage, are helpful to give to the Earth Mother in honor of all the things she gives us. Ashes are representative of protection. Water represents cleansing. Offer water or ash to the Earth before going to work everyday. Gradually the request for protection or cleansing adds up and removes mishaps that could happen during the day. Accumulating the small rituals in life then builds up to something that can save us later on.

NLJ: Can you explain the role that symbolism plays in ritual?

Malidoma: Symbolism is a mundane language that transcends into sacred space. Simple objects become imbued with greater power. A piece of wood becomes a symbol of power to be anchored and stand firm. We do have power to transcend into a sacred context and work with greater powers. We are gifted with the ability to broaden our horizon and make anything sacred. We have also been given the power to desecrate that which is sacred.

NLJ: The Dagara believe that each soul comes to the planet with a special gift to offer. How might we deepen our understanding of this in relationship to ourselves within the chaos of political and environmental crisis?

Malidoma: By simply realizing that we do not truly believe yet in the gifts. If our gifts were honored the crisis would not exist. Crisis is a reminder that something is off. The first step is to acknowledge that you have a gift. Refuse the idea that you have nothing to offer. Then it is possible to truly and authentically accept and trust yourself. This should be everyone's homework: accept and trust yourself. When you do this, when someone else sees your gift then they are simply acknowledging what you already know about yourself.

NLJ: How might the awareness of our individual gifts change the ways in which we interact with children?

Malidoma: We see in our children lots of sacred gems coming to embellish the world we live in. If you don't believe in your gift then it will complicate your relationship to children. Children then grow up like us because we often take away their belief that we are all gifted. Children already believe in their gift!

NLJ: Can you share with us a bit about the water crisis in West Africa and what we can do to help?

Malidoma: The water crisis is due to world ecology that is creating drought. It is a problem that requires technological assistance, which requires finances. If anyone is interested in helping they can find out how on www.Malidoma.com.

Emily Sullivan is an aspiring massage and bodywork therapist. She can be reached at [e-mail]. For information on Malidoma's programs in Asheville: RitesOfPassageCouncil.com.