In the original name is the original essence.

Conceptually, maat served as a yardstick against which kemetyu measured most of their important experiences with respect to their societal values, relationships with one another and own perception of reality. The essence of maat in human sphere was not a perfect social and economic equality, but rather a harmonious coexistence of societies different levels. The distinction between maat and izfet was determined by practical experience. Behavior that promoted balanced harmonious relationships between people and their environs was right, correct, orderly, just and true. That which did not do so was a manifestation of izfet.

True doorways are stricct.

I have been in classes where the instructor will say something, and she will ask a member of the class to repeat what she said. To hear how the class member relayed what was said. I stress there was a serious breakdown between what was said by the instructor and what the class member repeated. Then of course, an argument breaks out. The source of this argument, I came to realize, was the class member was giving her interpretation of what was said, rather than repeating what was said. Between the instructor’s speaking and the class member’s interpretation, the true meaning of what was spoken was lost. Many of us are falling woefully short on being able to repeat what the instructor has spoken to us, and hence, we cannot respond adequately. Could this be from wanting to so anxiously respond that we begin to interpret before actually hearing what is being said?

The relation to the center is the guide for the self; the center is the reflector for the self.

The center is how i came to understand how to relate to the world around me. That center was my grandmother. Through grandma, I had many cousins who had been adopted into our family. Through my mother, father and siblings, I came to have myriads of other brothers and sisters. In the mdw ntr they had at least two expressions of saying how someone was related. In one case, I might say she is as my sister, and in another instance, I would say. she is my sister. Because both expressions were used almost interchangeably, a reader might not know who was related by blood as oppposed to who was adopted. But more importantly was that if I referred to a sister as my sister, then she received all the respects that my sister would merit. What made me think of this tribal quote today is a matter of two cases of which I will speak.

True doorways are stricct.

I have been in classes where the instructor will say something, and she will ask a member of the class to repeat it.I stress there was a serious difference between what was said by the instructor and what the class member repeated. Then of course, an argument would ensue. The source of this argument, was the class membergiving her interpretation of what was said, rather than repeating what was said. Many of our class members are falling woefully short on being able to repeat what the instructor has spoken to us, and hence, they cannot respond adequately to questions asked. True doorways are strict! And as such, it would behoove us to listen first, ensure we heard correctly, second, and then respond to the statement that was made, rather than one we have imagined.

My brother Ha2tim was greeting an elder muslim brother for the first time and he bowed to him. To which the elder brother responded rather forcefully, “Don’t bow to me,” and added a few other choice words. Brother Ha2tim replied, “No, elder, I’m not bowing to you; I bow to the divinity in you.” The elder had no response for that. Consider what Brother Ha2tim said to the elder; should we all take such a position as Ha2tim, just within our immediate families, tribes, villages, what improvement might our relationships be with one another. Were I to borrow from one of our ornery ancestors who might say it this way: you have no problem bowing, groveling, prostrating before a spook in the sky, but you debase the brother or sister who would dare to respect the divinity in you.

RightnesS is love for the first Source.

The relationship between rightness and love and the first source must be better understood. Love is perceived through the optimal cooperation of all the thoughts, words and actions that create the best life for the individual, the family, the community, the people, the ancestors and the world in which we live. The first source in some respect is the whole of these, ever interacting interdependent cultural entities.

Today we have with us my niece and mother of ‘Cai, Orlandus and Jalyn, Olivia Rashon Hardman Spikes. You will learn why Olivia’s boldness, briliance and forthrightness can be both a hindrnce and help to her courageous endeavors in her life’s journey. I describe her as flavorful, perhaps spicy because there are times when spicy is what is needed and then other times when it might be just too much. Libby is a reminder of our tribal quote that tells us that right reward stems from right thinking and speaking.

We have with us today Jalyn Rashad Hardman, the third in the triad of great nephews birthed by my niece Olivia Rashon Hardman, who will be our next interview. J shares with us his struggles against being overwhelmed by life challenges and looking to be loved. He ttells us some things he does to keep from being pulled under. It did not come out in this interview, but Jalyn also has a curiosity that can take him off the beaten path, and I always encourage most to use what interests them in order to learn about the people, places and world around us. The tribal quote that comes to mind for my nephew J is Bless will be the person who learns the law for the sake of the law. Learning the law will help to focus a seemingly uncentered brother.

Today we have with us one of my many nephews, Orlandus Vashon Johnston, who chose a more challenging path in that he wanted to know things for himself; and so, he chose to experience firsthand what his older aunts and uncles would have steered him clear of. He shares some experiences had and lessons learned from his decisions. Orlandus reminds me of our tribal quote that tells us that “True seekers of wisdom use the divine formula, the divine equation of ever knocking and ever asking. Nothing is denied to those ever using the divine formula and equation of proper knocking and proper asking.” Impatience may have made him phrase some of his queries improperly, but what is important is that he continued asking questions and then looking for the answers to them.

Today we have with us my nephew MiCai Michael Spikes in Being Black, Boldly Brillliant and Beautiful. He wows us with his interests in school and sports, but what is really a surprise is his interest in Ancient Egypt. We still have to reinforce the fact that Ancient Egypt is in Africa and that Ancient Egyptians were a Black people, but this is our duty. Look forward to rapping with him again, but I do want to call your attention to his interest in All his subjects, but he took some exception to Social Studies. Makes me wonder what was he learning about himself? Or was he learning about himself at all. The tribal quote comes to mind: The dead are not raised without embrace, … which is the sharing principle. We who know must share more! And particularly if the opportunity presents itself, share with those who are within our spheres of influence.