Bio on Niamo: A Muslimah
(female submitter to God)
Who Was Born Christian

This bio also starts with the fact that I grew up, was christened, and became confirmed as an Episcopalian, also known as the Church of England (similar to Catholic except priests marry and the liturgy is in English). I discussed my conversion to Islam on the spirit page. My parents are of Caribbean heritage and further back most hail from what is now Guinea and Nigeria. There’s also a Scot and Spaniard, a Carib and Arawak Native American Indian. As you may have seen elsewhere on this site, I identify as African from God. I think we all can do so, even if for various reasons we do not. I am not attached to all this except to the extent this is what I've been given in this life so I think it behooves me to be attentive. Until older bones are uncovered from ancient sites on other continents, the African heritage, still the most baneful in existence even as it is the most essential, will be what I claim.

Among the most interesting post-college courses I have taken are those that led me to being certified in holistic health. I learned to evaluate my emotional character, name my communication style, speak and be peace, look for the positive and the lesson, learn to be me, get the why of my life and declare my vision. All of this week-long or several weeks worth of learning occurred while I studied (and still study) Islam and the spiritual guidance in the Quran. Here are some of the workshops and opportunities that profoundly influenced my spiritual growth and healing (in order of longevity, somewhat):

African Medicine Women

Landmark Forum

Muslim Women's Roundtable

National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA)

Free Your African Mind Communiversity Seminars

Black Philanthropy

Declaration of The International Black Summit

Usui and Seichem Reiki

Afrikan Holistic Health

Liberation Theology

Quran Society of New York

Now, except for the Quran Society and the AHA, the training and curriculum taught by the teachers with whom I interacted were subjective interpretations, and I got tired that they too often did not have Quranic wisdom to draw from. It often seemed they stopped just short of fealty to the Source of all Sources, or recognizing how important this could be. I carefully worded my questions in this regard and my teachers were always accommodating.

Separately, it bothered me that muslim religion and contributions to the West were not acknowledged. This was understandably a political reality, institutionalized into the curriculum. The same thing is true for African wisdom and history, and for Egypt being African, black, brown, of color, not European-derived for Chrissake!

Sorry, sometimes I get bewildered. I have to remind myself that the "jailers" need healing, just as those jailed do. This is the same as power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. What mirages of constructed reality we live in! The mind is definitely miracle #1. That's why someone said, This is a mind war today. It is nothing less. And so I've digressed!

Yes, on realizing just how much the mind and how we think truly is a miraculous tool in healing, I became interested in studying it. After taking a few philosophy courses, I found there is a rule (not necessarily unwritten), forged during the Age of the Enlightenment, NOT to broach the unity of God as important to success, lest one be deemed “religious,” as if nearness to the Creator in thought-word is the worst thing one could be. This kind of thinking (and the awe-inspiring birth of my daughter frankly) prompted me to write The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Islam. As a former magazine journalist, I feel blessed to now be engaged in developing a series based on the spiritual warrior theme. This is my contribution to changing our collective minds, not to win people over to ideas with which they are unfamiliar, but to support people in embracing the message of their own lives in what they read, see and feel. The lens I use happens to be Quranic, and I submit to the task at hand.

I am also a facilitator-initiate with an empowerment organization called The International Black Summit: its Declaration, listed above, inspired the gathering of other such declarations and manifestos for The HealMobile. I served on the management team of the Summit for a few years.

As a Young Living Essential Oils wholesale distributor* (and certified holistic health consultant), I also provide people with health guidance as well as products. No matter which of the intellectual, spiritual or cultural paths I have taken, I have always been involved in a health product or service on the side. At one time I sold “Niamo’s Honey Money” — 5-lb jars of organic honey. Another time, editorial services for graduate students.

I also volunteer on the N'COBRA Legal Defense, Research and Education Fund.

These strands of my career and spiritual journey are woven together in The HealMobile. The work is now to identify allies and organize The HealMobile consortium. I envision a group effort toward structuring a system for tracking holistic healing and sustainable living in urban and indigenous communities, primarily in the U.S. I want there to be an impact on health disparity indicators, NGO activity and politics around holistic health, food and the environment, and more contribution of healers to educating and empowering youth.

As a spiritual warrior and writer who also practices reiki (spiritual energy healing), I have this message that I keep hearing and reminding myself and want to share with you: Each of us must overcome the struggle of life by devoting ourselves, proactively, to our own personal healing. In religious language, to me, this means: SERVE ONE GOD ONLY. In metaphysical, literary language, again subjectively, this means: HEED THE STILL, SMALL VOICE. One comes through the other and whichever one you start with, the choice is up to you.

It’s an old adage that you can’t help someone until you help yourself.

I have struggled, fought and triumphed with the help of holistic healers and practitioners. I am still healing, and life still presents reasons for growth and development. There is no arrival except to the place of No Doubt. For me, when I have the knowledge, acceptance of guidance and a clear understanding about what I should do, I am much better able to make important decisions. Times for making such decisions are upon us daily. This is is why I bring most everything I have heard, seen, done, or been exposed to in the way of healing ourselves over to you, through The HealMobile.

I admit I stay busy and intend to work on slowing down (LOL!). One friend of mine calls me a race car driver when I drive. I remind him that he gets the speeding tickets, not me. Another calls me a taxi car driver, and says, in a complimentary way, you drive like a man. I am intent on getting information to you, so if some of it seems rushed, you will understand. Think of it as packets of free information distributed at a health fair.

What's so funny is I do not believe in fast when it comes to healing. I just have to get where I'm going is all. Why is this? Because if I die later today or tomorrow, I do want it said that I TRIED!

....maybe i should do a page on the metaphysics and healing aspects of death...there's so much information about it out there...hmmm, let's see....

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