Contemplation Practice: A Pathway to Black Liberation
Contemplation Practice: A Pathway to Black Liberation
In the quest for Black liberation, we often turn to activism, education, and community-building. While these external actions are crucial, the internal journey of contemplation can be equally transformative. Contemplation practice, an age-old spiritual discipline, offers a powerful means of achieving personal and collective liberation. This article explores what contemplation practice is, its purpose, method, and the benefits it can bring to the struggle for Black liberation.
What is Contemplation Practice?
Contemplation practice is a meditative discipline that involves focused, sustained reflection on a specific thought, idea, or question. Unlike other forms of meditation that emphasize emptying the mind, contemplation encourages deep engagement with a particular subject. It is a way to cultivate insight, wisdom, and a profound understanding of oneself and the world.
The Purpose of Contemplation Practice
The purpose of contemplation practice is multi-faceted:
Self-Awareness: It helps individuals understand their inner landscapes, uncovering deep-seated beliefs, emotions, and patterns of thought.
Healing: By bringing awareness to inner wounds and traumas, contemplation fosters emotional and psychological healing.
Empowerment: It cultivates a sense of agency and inner strength, empowering individuals to act with clarity and purpose.
Collective Consciousness: It builds a sense of interconnectedness and shared purpose within communities, enhancing collective action.
Method of Contemplation Practice
Contemplation practice can be approached in several steps:
Preparation: Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won't be disturbed. Sit in a relaxed but alert posture, with your back straight and hands resting on your lap.
Centering: Begin with a few minutes of deep breathing to center yourself. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth.
Choosing a Focus: Select a specific theme, quote, or question for contemplation. For instance, you might choose a powerful quote from a Black revolutionary or a question about your personal role in the liberation struggle.
Deep Reflection: Gently bring your focus to the chosen theme/quote. Reflect on it deeply, allowing your mind to explore its various dimensions.
Personal Connection: How does this quote resonate with me personally?
Historical Context: Consider the historical context and the experiences of the person who said it.
Current Relevance: How does this quote apply to our current social and political environment?
Action and Intention: What actions or intentions can I take away from this quote?
If your thoughts wander, gently bring them back to the focus.
Integration: After a period of contemplation (5-10 minutes), take a few moments to integrate your reflections. Consider how they apply to your life and the broader context of Black liberation.
Expression: Journaling or discussing your insights with others in a group can deepen your understanding and make the practice more impactful.
Closing: End the session with a collective moment of gratitude for the wisdom of these revolutionaries and a shared commitment to applying their insights in everyday life.
Fruition and Benefits
The fruition of contemplation practice is a profound inner transformation that radiates outward to effect change in the world. Here are some key benefits:
Clarity and Insight: Regular contemplation sharpens the mind, providing clarity and deep insights into personal and societal issues.
Emotional Resilience: It builds emotional strength and resilience, helping individuals navigate the challenges of life with equanimity.
Empowered Action: By fostering a deep sense of purpose and inner conviction, contemplation practice empowers individuals to act decisively and effectively in the struggle for liberation.
Community Cohesion: When practiced collectively, contemplation fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, strengthening the bonds within communities.
Healing and Liberation: Ultimately, contemplation aids in the healing of historical and personal traumas, paving the way for genuine liberation and empowerment.
Example Quotes for Contemplation
Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz):
"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
Angela Davis:
"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."
Frederick Douglass:
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground."
Martin Luther King Jr.:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Assata Shakur:
"It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains."
Huey P. Newton:
"You can jail a revolutionary, but you can't jail the revolution. You can run a freedom fighter around the country, but you can't run freedom fighting around the country."
W.E.B. Du Bois:
"The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression."
Harriet Tubman:
"I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves."
Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael):
"The first need of a free people is to define their own terms."
James Baldwin:
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
Contemplation and Black Liberation
Contemplation practice offers a means to heal from the trauma of oppression, reclaim personal and collective power, and build a future rooted in justice and equality. It complements activism by ensuring that actions are grounded in wisdom and compassion, rather than reaction and anger. By engaging in contemplation, individuals and communities can cultivate the inner resources needed to sustain the struggle for liberation. It helps to maintain the integrity and purpose of the movement, ensuring that the fight for justice is also a journey towards personal and collective wholeness. It also fosters deep personal transformation, emotional resilience, and collective empowerment. As we navigate the complexities of the liberation struggle, contemplation can provide the clarity, insight, and inner strength needed to create lasting change. Embrace this ancient practice, and let it guide you on the path to true liberation.
Justin F. Miles LCPC
~ Freedom is a long walk and liberation is but a step away.