Rastafarian Mysticism: An Introduction to the Mysteries of Nyahbinghi
by Ras Steven Amirault
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ras Steven AmiraultEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-07
ISBN: 0741420716
Number of pages: 91
Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Book Reviews of Rastafarian Mysticism: An Introduction to the Mysteries of Nyahbinghi
Book Review: Somewhat Informative, Yet Partly Misleading Booklet
Summary: 2 Stars
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.
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