Rastafarian Mysticism: An Introduction To The Mysteries Of Nyahbinghi Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Roots reggae music has carried the message of Rastafari around the world. Sensing the Truth therein, spiritual seekers have been drawn to the new faith, but are confounded by the seemingly preposterous assertions of the Rastas. Rastafarian Mysticism: An Introduction to the Mysteries of Nyahbinghi provides a key to unlock the Mysteries of that most mystical 'mansion' of Rastafari called Nyahbinghi. The Nyahbinghi Order engendered and still inspires the profound lyrics and numinous rhythms of roots reggae music. Ras Steven, a practicing Rastaman, shows the symbols, mythos and ritual of Rastafari to constitute a complete and accessible Mystery Tradition.
Paperback: 91 pages
Publisher: Infinity Publishing (July 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0741420716
ISBN-13: 978-0741420718
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,602,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #84 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts > Tribal & Ethnic > Rastafari Movement #2870 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts > Mysticism
The 2 stars are the result of subtractions of an otherwise more highly rated book. Other readers may not be bothered by these subtractions and therefore give more stars. [Update: This was my first review, and I was under the impression, I would be able to give 0 stars. Therefore, please consider I meant 3 stars, not only 2, as I can't change that.]On the welcome hand this book about RastafarI is actually written by a RastafarI, which sets it apart from many similar books. It also provides some information those other books do not. On the other hand, other books contain very much additional, in-depth information, this one in turn lacks. Which is a consequence of it rather being a booklet than a book. Of its 89 content pages, 17 are reserved for pictures (though well-come these are - mostly of Haile Selassie-I) and Iyaricised (translated into "Rasta-English") Bible excerpts - each. Which leaves merely 55 regular text pages - in large print. Even for an "Introduction" this is a bit slim with regard to the subject matter.The vocabulary of the title - "Mysticism" and "Mysteries of Nyahbinghi" - suggests a somewhat different content than what is actually provided. Most of the regular text pages is general information about RastafarI, not really any mysticism. That, which does center around mysticism rather is a general definition of what mysticism is. Or rather of what the author thinks it is, which is controversial. Most of the remaining content which really puts mysticism in the context of RastafarI, provides information on Rasta symbols etc. which rather qualifies again as general information about RastafarI, as given in other books which do not put this information under the headline of mysticism. In my overstanding, (religious) mysticism is the stage AFTER the myths and rituals, which are virtually the only two stages described in this book. Mysticism also rather is the opposite state of mind than "orthodoxy" of a religion, which is limited to those first two stages. In other words I expected the opposite kind of book I got. For details read The Mystical Journey from Jesus to Christ, even though that book thinks RastafarI canNOT be mystical. For a more mystical RastafarI approach, read the 1983 Rastafari: For the Healing of the Nation.The Old Testament excerpts seem to be "translated" from the King James Bible, the version usually used in Jamaica. Which in my overstanding may be ok in principle, however, I am surprised not to find any passages (if I am correct in this) from the Ethiopian Bible, which have been labeled "apocryphs" by Western Christianity. With some of those and other apocryphs, such as "The Gospel According to Thomas" clearly being more mystical.The bottom line is: I, a RastafarI, was looking for some mysticism and found next to nothing, but its very definition. The book explains a bit the concept of reasonings in the Rasta context, but doesn't engage in any reasoning itself.The other points of discontent are the reproduction of extremely patriarchal visions of the past and the approach to these. For one thing, the author obviously does not really believe in them, but fails to challenge them, which he is supposed to do as a RastafarI, if he knows better. Written in 2004, this part of the book feels as if written half a century before that and by that leaves the false impression, all of RastafarI are still stuck in severe patriarchy. Whereas in reality, he reproduces rather historical visions of the second generation. The third generation rebelled against that and fights for a return to the original African matriarchy. The fourth generation does not believe in the Babylon (bad system) gender concept at all anymore. (Please note that "generation" may not necessarily match biological generations according to time of birth.) The author avers that one cannot rebel against the RastafarI patriarchs out of respect and because RastafarI is grounded in tradition.1. Tradition is values etc. transmitted from one generation to the next, constantly ADJUSTED to the time and space we live in. This leads to spiritual etc. growth.2. RastafarI are aware of conditioning by society's system, which separates one from the other. The way (back) to Ithiopia is the metaphorical burning in the mind of those walls of separation, which patriarchy is one of (as some of the lacking apocryphs reflect). This is a trans-generational process.3. Rebelling is very much a Rasta tradition. E.g. the first generation didn't have any locks. Rasta was born of rebellion.4. As the author mentions vaguely, there is no Rasta church and no authority for all Rastas. Rastas respect each other's visions, however un/orthodox, i.e. do not separate. This is precisely possible ONLY, if there are absolutely no dogmas and claims to absolute leadership.5. In reasonings the participants are supposed to freely speak what's on their minds, regardless of the topic. To hold back would be disrespectful.The book is written for non-Rastas, rather fresh Rastas or isolated living Rastas who would like some general information. That's exactly what they get: SOME information. With this comment in mind, the booklet is then worth more stars than given.
This book is basically repeating what most other books on Rastafari have already said. And if anyone is purchasing this book because they want to learn about Nyahbinghi, this is NOT the book for you. Nyahbinghi should not even be in the title subject of this book. Please purchase books written by people who are from the ancient order of the nyahbinghi. Or even Rastafari who have been born/raised/lived in Rastafari culture.
below my expectation. The book doesn't give much insight about the Nyahbinghi Order and focuses on Jah love rather than Emperor Haile I Selassie I
A fascinating presentation of Rastafari as a fully functioning mystery tradition and valid path to the highest levels of mystical Overstanding. A book I've been looking for for a long time. Give thanks.
Rastafarian Mysticism: An Introduction to the Mysteries of Nyahbinghi How To Become a Rasta: rastafari religion, rastafarian beliefs, and rastafarian overstanding The Rothschild Canticles: Art and Mysticism in Flanders and the Rhineland circa 1300 (Yale Publications in the History of Art) Original Tao: Inward Training (Nei-yeh) and the Foundations of Taoist Mysticism (Translations from the Asian Classics) Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Qur'an, Mi'raj, Poetic and Theological Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality) Acute Melancholia and Other Essays: Mysticism, History, and the Study of Religion (Gender, Theory, and Religion) Mysticism and the New Physics (Compass) El Reino de Dios Está en Vosotros [The Kingdom of God Is Within You]: El Cristianismo No como una Religión Mística sino como una Nueva Teoría de Vida [Christianity Not as Mysticism but as a New Theory of Life] Harmonies of Heaven and Earth: Mysticism in Music from Antiquity to the Avant-Garde Practical Mysticism TechGnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information THE CANDLE OF VISION (The Celtic Mysticism of clairvoyant and prophetic visions, precognition of Gnostic concepts, past-life and astral journeys) - Annotated What is Gnosticism? The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle (The Albert Schweitzer Library) High Mysticism: A Series of Twelve Studies in the Wisdom of the Sages of the Ages Naming Infinity: A True Story of Religious Mysticism and Mathematical Creativity (Belknap Press) One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! Red Herring Mysteries: Solving Mysteries Through Critical Questioning, Level 1 Red Herring Mysteries: Solving Mysteries through Critical Questioning, Level 2/Grades 7-12+ One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math! Amish Mysteries: The Amish Girl (Pigeon Hollow Amish Mysteries Book 1)
