in the Rastafari Context
In the Rastafari livity, the approach to health—physical, mental, and spiritual—is deeply rooted in natural living, divine connection, and holistic overstanding. Here’s how the two compare through a Rastafari lens:
🔹 Meditation (Rastafari View)
Deeply embraced.
- Livity: Seen as a form of reasoning with the Most High (Jah) and aligning I & I with divine truth.
- Practice: Includes silent reflection, chanting, drumming (Nyabinghi), grounding in nature, and use of herb (ganja) as a sacrament.
- Purpose: Clears the mind of Babylon distractions, strengthens spiritual awareness, and deepens connection to Jah.
- Common Tools: Psalms, ital livity, solitude, drum circles, and the holy herb.
“Through meditation, Rasta hears the voice of Jah, not the voice of Babylon.”
🔹 Medication (Rastafari View)
Approached with caution and skepticism.
- Livity: Many Rastas avoid pharmaceuticals, especially synthetic or mind-altering drugs from Babylon systems.
- Belief: Babylon medicine treats symptoms, not roots. True healing comes from ital (natural) remedies, herbs, diet, and spiritual alignment.
- Exceptions: Some may accept emergency care or essential medicine, especially if it doesn’t violate ital standards.
“Man must heal with what the earth provide, not what Babylon synthesize in lab.”
🟩 Key Differences
| Aspect | Meditation (Rasta) | Medication (Babylon system) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Spiritual and natural | Scientific and pharmaceutical |
| Source of Healing | Jah, nature, self-awareness | External substances, man-made compounds |
| Viewed as Ital | Yes | Often No (non-ital, synthetic) |
| Long-term Focus | True healing and overstanding | Symptom control |
| Role of Herb | Sacrament aiding meditation | Sometimes demonized or criminalized |
| Babylon System | Opposes its over-reliance | Source of most pharmaceuticals |
🔸 Balanced Rasta Reasoning
Some modern Rastas do acknowledge that in emergency or certain chronic cases, selective use of medication might be necessary—but the preference is always ital first, with prayer, fasting, and meditation as the foundation of healing.
“The herb is the healing of the nation, but meditation is the key to Iself.”
Contact for Support & Clarification: Sanctuary of the Rastafarian Order (SOTRO)
Email: support@jahlove,ca
Web: www.jahlove.ca
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