Mensimah's Round Table: Conversations for Women of Power and Grace

Hello my dear Friends,

This episode's focus is on the Seven Rites of Passage or the Seven Universal Rites of Passage, which is taking place all the time in our lives. They occur in both inner and outer levels and we have to manage the changes occurring, letting go as new self emerges. The seven rites are:

1. Birth - entering into a new life, born out of inner prodding.
2. Entry - reaching out and connecting with others.
3. Initiation - learning new things.
4. Mergence - integrating, remembering that you can only change you.
5. Demonstration - sharing what you know, when you become the teacher or guide.
6. Attainment - living in a new state of being-ness.
7. Death or Release - the capacity to let go.

There are several questions posed after each rite of passage to generate some reflection. These questions and process have helped me in the past and hope they do the same for you.

I am always grateful for your presence, participation and review. I need you to please share the podcast, subscribe to my channels so we can grow together. Thank you!

Autobiography

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Acknowledging the Feminine Face of the Divine

This episode is about facilitating women’s empowerment groups with the sole goal of bringing women together to share our experiences and find the commonalities in our stories, as well as support each other in the challenges we face. As a facilitator, I can attest to the growth we all experience at the end of the seven-week conversations. We bonded, with our identities fully expressed spiritually, ceremoniously, using music, song, meditation, drums and an exciting array of food, and desserts! Our sense of self is identified in the everyday experiences of our lives and for me, the spiritual component must be present to enable us to connect deeply to who we truly are.  

It is imperative to recognize that the stories of our lives, yours and mine, are teaching stories that can and directly lead to an enriched understanding of the Sacred Feminine. It is pertinent to also acknowledge that all the stuff of life is part of the sacred.

Thanks again for joining me. Your support makes me feel gratified.

Autobiography

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We have a saying in many communities in Africa that says that "if you can talk, you can sing; and if you can walk, you can dance." This episode's focus in on Embodying Praise through dancing, and movement. It is one of my favorite sayings because it tells us that we have been gifted with an instrument of great Spirit to experience life. When we lose body wisdom, we lose the opportunity to dance and praise or celebrate the sacred.

In native and indigenous cultures, the word sacred is embodied and it is manifest in many forms, including movement. One of the main functions of movement in some of these traditions is to honor the earth, life and ancestors. It also is a medium to preserve sacred practices and ritual, universal wisdom and values. The drum or drumming is an integral part of rhythmic movement.

I have seen a few women perform dances from various traditions and I want to share my thoughts and wisdom on the experience, as part of the conversation with women of power and grace.

The dancers mentioned are:

1. Jill Guillermo Togawa who founded Purple Moon in San Francisco. She used dance to shine light on stories from less visible communities.
2. Wyoma - Teacher of African Healing Dances
3. Loretta Green - Specializes on Liturgical Dance Routines.

Other dances mentioned are:

1. The "Sowu" a tribal dance performed by the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo and Benin and the Suku from the Congo. This dance is a healing dance and it is often referred to as the ‘dance of life.’
2. The "Suku" represents the passion and sensual aspects of African dancing so well.

We understand nature and the word sacred means many things to different people but there are some common denominators in its meaning. It is the recognition of the power in self, because it is what frees us to be present in our lives daily and what allows us to feel comfortable enough to step out into the world to share our gifts within our communities and the world.

Happy dancing!

Autobiography

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In this episode, I talk about celebrating life in the moment. When you listen to the news, especially these days, you can’t help but feel gloomy. You are told the world is coming to an end and everything in our experience is atrocious. But then you look again, and there are beautiful moments all day long that we can celebrate, with our families, friends and even acquaintances. We still have sunrise and sunsets, we still have clouds, rainbows, rain, food, et cetera. Let's be happy for whatever seems little. It is still something!

Reflection with Article by René Dubos, Pulitzer Prize Winner : "Celebrations of Life."

I came across the reflections on this topic by René Dubos, which seem to be on point. In humanistic societies, empathy, building better human relationships, focus on the relationships between nature and technology are emphasized.

“Happiness is contagious. For this reason, it's expression is a social service and almost a duty. … Only happy people can make a happy world.

We must remember life begins anew with each sunrise."

Autobiography

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Spiritual Practice connects us to our Source and sustains us through our challenges.

Let us Journey on, putting one foot in front of the other!

 I love poetry! So I chose love and poetry for the theme to reflect on the various transformations we on or may still be on. It seems some of us are still going through some type of transformation, and there may be a myriad of changes that we have to come into alignment with to create balance. My change has aligned more with Pablo Neruda’s poem La Poesia (1975), in which he states that there comes a time in one’s life where one must yield to the soul’s yearnings and step into a path that fulfills a deeper longing.

It is natural that even when we are at this stage of development and fulfillment, we tend to overanalyze the choice(s) we have made when challenges appear. But taking a daring step towards being oneself has heart, and there is hope and inspiration in this phase of the journey.

We already possess, in the recesses of our minds and spirit, the skills, understanding, and love to accomplish that goal. So what has love got to do with this? My answer is everything!

It is through love that we find freedom and fulfillment. It is tangible and measurable. As we embrace our journeys of love, we are required to recognize our own power, presence, and our ability to make choices that cultivate the practice of unconditional love for all that we have been.

Autobiography

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In this episode, I am integrating what seemingly is going on in the outer world with Queen Elizabeth’s passing and Holding the Holy Vision of the Feminine conversations that we have discussed in a couple of previous episodes. And the topic I am addressing is: how are we being queens in our lives? I am in a private conversation with my soul sisters in a different group and I thought it appropriate to extend this conversation to all my listeners, where each woman can really take a moment to dissect and incorporate their own ideas about what it means to be a queen in their own lives.

Some reflective questions:

• What type of queen are you?
• What type of queen would you like to be?

As always, your comments, feedback are welcome.

Autobiography

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Celebrating the Sacred and the Ordinary in Becoming Woman is about our first initiation into womanhood and how we felt about it. There are three stages in a woman's life--the virgin, mother and crone. The embodiment of each stage is pertinent to how we feel about ourselves in the present. We go through these rites of passage either appreciating them as sacred moments or dismissing them as ordinary. In understanding the Holy Vision of the Feminine, it is important to revisit the first rite of passage, or first initiation into womanhood, examine managed the process. We all have stories to tell about our first menstruation. It still informs how we feel about our femininity. It may have been quite a while ago, but it is important for mothers to sit and talk to their daughters (age appropriate) about the first initiation and celebrate it in a way that honors this important step. It is important because the first menstruation is the "first major crisis in the life of a woman. It shocks her radically."

I share my story, ending with writing a letter of initiation to myself. This inner work--if you choose to do it-- would allow you to dispel any misconceptions about womanhood and expand your awareness and embodiment of the different stages within. The exercise enabled me to let go of old stories, being a girl, and appreciating my body even more.

As always, your comments, feedback are welcome.

Autobiography

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In this episode, I discuss the Holy Vision of the Feminine Within. If we look at the conditions women continue to live all over the world, we recognize that there had been a deliberate erosion of feminine images (example the Orisha goddesses) that showcased strength as in the daughters of the ancient mothers Yemoja, Osun and Oya who came to the earth to awaken and refine qualities of nurturance and strength (Yemoja); beauty and Love (Osun) power and passion (Oya).

I discuss all forms of violence against women, including rape and how that experience impact body armoring, sexuality and intimacy in relationships. I do relate to these experiences and encourage women who have endured pain and suffering to share their unique and healing stories. It is through storytelling that we may be able to reach out and alleviate hardships some women still experience in the world.

We do hold the holy vision of the feminine within, and we must relate to the regal, beautiful, gentle, passionate and wise matriarch of this earth. We must recognize the life force of a woman and believe that each one can find love, peace, joy, and growth in our life experiences. Through this recognition, , we can start sowing the seed to passing down the myth of the ancient mothers comprising love, beauty, grace, strength, power and passion. These were the gifts of Yemoja, Osun and Oya. Through them, we learn about the goddess in all women, nature and the promise to tap deep within, rise and reclaim our birthright individually and collectively.

As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome.

Autobiography

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My guest this week is Reverend Rita Koranteng (Mama Rita) who currently lives in Kumasi, Ghana. She started her career as a secretary working for the Ghana Denmark Association. In 2001, she attended Central University College and earned her degree in Theology. She was ordained as a minister in 2014. She got married and was blessed with a ministry in Accra, Ghana.

In 2018, she run an online radio program dubbed "Restoration Hour" for two years and in 2019, she she moved from Accra to Kumasi and established a new church. She also continued her entrepreneurship by opening new businesses including a bakery, processing cereals and baby foods to meet the needs of her community.

Her husband served her with divorce papers after 16 years of marriage on the grounds that they did not have children together even though she has a biological daughter and an adopted son.

Mama Rita is currently the general overseer of Glory Bound Ministry, founder of women in ministry evangelism group, executive member of "Feast of Esther" women's group and CEO of Mama's Food.

Our conversation covered, some painful realities women face in Ghana, and we focused on women's empowerment, and the benefits of:

• Educating women
• Being a channel of blessings to others
• Using the gift of 24-hours
• Being industrious, knowledgeable and bringing our unique gifts out to the world to serve our respective communities.

As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome.

Autobiography

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Please support our channel.

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I feel called to have a direct conversation with you and share inner processes that would enhance our well being. We are all on a spiritual journey, and we may ask "what is a journey?" It is a metaphor for one's life. So how are you handling life?

This episode highlights the real journey and the metaphors for transformation.

• Are you moving into new beginnings?
• Are you in the clearing process of endings?
• Who is the making the journey difficult?
• How are you handling detours, contentment?
• Who are your greatest teachers?
• Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Here's the assignment:

“..Write a Hymn of praise to yourself and your gifts. You are glorifying the divine, immanent within your own body. Have mercy on yourself and give praise that you were created in the image of the most holy.”

To create a vision and stand in your truth, you may have to have an internal dialogue regarding all the rules you may have imposed on yourself that deny you your full expression and potential. Accept what is (even though it may be difficult to do) and allow the inner light to shine through.

(Ref: Angeles Arrien)

Autobiography

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Please support our channel.

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