Inner knowing and trusting your own self is not a new concept. It is very awesome to see that there are many different versions of what the New Age community refers to as the higher self. I thought this was a totally cool and interesting topic to explore. I didn’t dive really deep into what I have found but you are welcome to do so.
Anam Cara Celtic Traditions
The Gaelic word for soul is anam and the Gaelic word for friend is cara. Soul friend. A teacher, a companion or a spiritual guide was called an anam cara. Someone who reveals the intricate details of life. One who reveals the inner most self, the heart and soul of themselves and others. It is a recognition of belonging and the oneness of everyone and everything. The two of you cut across all time, reaching to the eternal and ancient boundless depths of flow to one another. In Celtic tradition it is felt that having this knowing and understanding between yourself and another, this is the love that it frees you to explore the depths of your own vast inner world. You begin to become your own anam cara.
“Love is anything but sentimental. In fact, it is the most real and creative form of human presence. Love is the threshold where divine and human presence ebb and flow into each other.” John O’Donohue
Ori
“Ori is a metaphysical concept important to Yoruba spirituality and way of life.
Ori, literally meaning “head,” refers to one’s spiritual intuition and destiny. It is the reflective spark of human consciousness embedded into the human essence, and therefore is often personified as an Orisha in its own right . In Yoruba tradition, it is believed that human beings are able to heal themselves both spiritually and physically by working with the Orishas to achieve a balanced character, or iwa-pele. When one has a balanced character, one obtains an alignment with one’s Ori or divine self.
Alignment with one’s Ori brings, to the person who obtains it, inner peace and satistaction with life. To come to know the Ori is, essentially, to come to know oneself, a concept extremely foreign to Western philosophy. The primacy of individual identity is best captured in a Yoruba proverb: “Ori la ba bo, a ba f’orisa sile”. When translated, this becomes It is the inner self we ought to venerate, and let divinity be.” By Teekay Akin
I have met a person who has become a great friend to me and she has brought this form of spirituality into my sights. I feel there is great amounts of knowledge and wisdom to be discovered in the most ancient of cultures, philosophies, religions and spiritual practices.
Haka Maori Chant
“Son, although it may be difficult for you,
and son, although it seems to be unyielding
no matter how long you reflect on it
the answer to the problem
is here inside you.”
“More than any aspect of Maori culture, this complex dance is an expression of the passion, vigour and identity of the race. Haka is not merely a past time of the Maori but was also a custom of high social importance in the welcoming and entertainment of visitors. Tribal reputation rose and fell on their ability to perform the haka (Hamana Mahuika)” website quote from reckontalk
I am no expert on Polynesia or the culture but I am able to see that there is also a tradition belief that we carry all inside of us. I do feel the energy and beauty of the haka performed, even though I am watching on tv or the internet. How exciting and beautiful the energy would be in person to experience. I cried several times as I watched different Haka.
Native American
“In all of North America except the southwest the belief recurs in one form or another that man is equipped with two kinds of soul, one or more bodily souls that grant life, movement, and consciousness to the body, and one dream or free soul identical to man himself as he is manifested outside of his body in various” (energy fields). A. Hultkrantz
It is always so exciting to research now and interesting topics to explore this spiritual world we are in. Thank you.
Jenn
Spirit Love Studio 