I’m finally back again…
It has been a long time since my last post and much has happened since then.
The first and most important thing I would like to discuss is the graduation ceremony that was held in July. I am happy to say that I have reached the first level of spiritual development at The Earth Center and I have received a new name:
Rezib Tutsanai’i
Rez-EEB
Tut-sa-NA-ee
The first name, Rezib, means “Awakening Heart”.
The second name, Tutsanai’i, means “Image of the Son”.
What a harrowing experience this was! I had been looking forward to this for a long time, and when the day finally came I was surprised to find out that I was prepared in every way, except for the clothes that I was to wear.
I arrived at the Earth Center earlier than any of the other students. I had cooked my special curry dish as part of the celebratory food. I brought in the dish and the bottled water I had promised, ready to get to work.
My Mother had flown in from Cleveland to attend the occasion, but I also think that she was concerned at the zealousness at which I have pursued the teaching. I supposed that she would be used to the way that I immerse myself completely in what I have taken the decision to do. Even so, after spending time talking and enjoying each other’s company I feel that she felt much more comfortable. I was looking forward to her meeting Master Naba.
When I got to the EC, there was still some amount of work to be done in cleaning and preparing the space. I had dressed in clothing that I thought was appropriate, but when Master Naba saw me he asked “Is that what you are to wear?” I was so excited and focused on the work to be done; it never occurred to me that he felt my cloths were inappropriate. When my new Brother Baashu came in with shorts on as well, he called us to the back and berated us on our clothing “You both look like some tourists! This is one of the most important days of life. I think that you would wear something better.” He said sternly.
“You will find some clothes before the start.” This was clearly a command.
I thought that my heart would break.
I’m 6’5” tall and nearly 400lbs. I knew it would be virtually impossible to find something to wear in such a short period of time. We had about an hour before the ceremony was to start.
One of the elder students, Baheru, came to Baashu and me and mentioned that he had some pants that Baashu could wear. I excused myself and hopped in my car after asking directions to the nearest Big and Tall Men’s clothing store.
I spent the next two hours riding around the Near North Side of Chicago popping my head into each shop that I thought would have something I could wear. “No, we don’t carry that size, try the shop down the street.” Was all I heard at shop after shop. I finally realized that I would not find anything to wear. I would return to the EC in defeat. I no longer had time to drive all the way to Addison and change. I now knew I should have done that from the start.
I walked up the five or so flights to the loft with dread in my heart. I had ruined this day that I had hoped would be so special. As I walked down the hall, sweat dripping down my brow, Brenda met me with a look of concern on her face trying to say and do just the right thing that would make me feel better. I felt an obligation to respond to her ministrations in a positive manner.
As we opened the door to the loft where the EC is located, everyone turned to me with a smile on their faces. They all seemed happy to see me. Baheru walked up to me and asked if I had found anything. I shook my head sadly as it was obvious that I had not. I was only happy that Master Naba could not see me, dressed as I had been before I left.
Baheru took me gently by the arm. “I know I got something you can wear.” He said.
Baheru is a former college basketball star and he is at least as tall as I. I was dubious of course since I have a “football” body and he has a “basketball” body. What could I do but follow him back outside and hop in my car? We drove to his apartment, which was not far from the EC.
When he opened the door to the Third floor apartment, I felt a glimmer of hope. There, right as you walk in, was a rack full of traditional clothing. We quickly went through piece by piece, but with each I felt my hope dying. They were all long enough but, of course, too tight.
He went back into his room and came out with a pair of pants. “I was tryin’ these on and they were kinda big. Maybe they’ll fit you.” Miracle of miracles! They fit comfortably.
“Now we need a top.” He said with that infectious smile that I love so much.
More trouble though. Not a one would fit.
“I got it!” he said and dashed into the back. He came out with a mud cloth tunic that just slips over your head. It was completely open on both sides, literally a long piece of fabric with a hole in the middle for your head. It was heavy, scratchy, uncomfortable and a bit wrinkled. I put it on and looked down at myself.
“Yea, we’ll go native!” he smiled again, but not quite as broad. He must have seen the dubious look on my face.
I politely refused, “Uh,.. can we find something else?” I felt rather ungrateful refusing the tunic but I couldn’t bear walking in looking like that.
“OK, les’ see.” He went back to his room again. This time he returned with another tunic. Though it was also completely open on the sides and therefore uncomfortable in its own way, it felt wonderful and looked great. “That’s it!” we both agreed, as we ran out to the car and sped back to the EC.
When I walked in with Baheru, everyone actually clapped and cheered. This was a victory, if only a small one. When I walked into the back, I saw that Baashu had on new pair of pants to go with the traditional shirt he already had. He looked quite dapper. The colors in his shirt blended well with his blond hair and beard. He looked at me calmly with just a hint of humor in his eyes.
Our new sister Nerioo was there in a lovely white dress. Her dreadlocks freshly tightened and her face slightly flushed in anticipation. Master Naba was lounging comfortably on the old couch that served to divide the work area from his living room/library.
“Much better! Now we are ready.”
After all of this excitement, the rest of the day went off without a hitch.
My Mother was impressed with Master Naba. He treated her as if he was taking away something precious and worked to assure her that I would be safe with him. This made her feel very special, as if he knew that I was an important work in progress that she was turning over to him for completion.
The day ended with good food, good music, and good times for all.
It was truly a blessed day.