Sobonfu Some: Invoking Spirit and the Power of Ritual
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tami Simon speaks with Sobonfu Somé, a teacher, author, and leading authority on African women’s spirituality in the West. Originally born into the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso in West Africa, Sobonfu is the founder of Ancestors Wisdom Spring. She has written the books The Spirit of Intimacy, Welcoming Spirit Home, and Falling Out of Grace, and with Sounds True she has published the six-session audio learning program Women’s Wisdom from the Heart of Africa. In this episode, Tami talks with Sobonfu about the use of rituals for our health and happiness, how we can see our wounds as potential gifts, and what we can do to invoke help from the spirit world and connect directly with our ancestors. (67 minutes)
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Sofonfu reminded me of how seldom we are welcomed in our culture. We need to here; welcome to this life, welcome to this world, welcome to this house, welcome to our family, and welcome to our group. Yet we seldom here these words.
Comment by Stanley — September 22, 2011 @ 3:57 am
What a deeply inspiring interview. This touched a place in me that needed validation of our internal individual/collective power. Very buoyant understanding of our place in this world and how to negotiate life and heal deep hurts and wounds. Love love love this interview.
Comment by Jennifer Clarke Arora — September 24, 2011 @ 3:33 pm
When I listened to Sobonfu ad the idea of asking the spirit of the land to welcome us. The birds and the water and the rocks, I thought of the golden rule “do unto others as we would have them do unto us” and I thought it only proper ot speak to the spirit of the lands we visit s that we would be respectful of the places ad people we visit, such as when we visit the ocean and explore the depths with scuba. Do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We think primarily of how it is we relate to fellow human beings in the physical sense but, respecting the spirit of the places and people we visit takes it to a different level. The one we operate in with spirit. The whole idea of thinking in the spirit of excites me. Thank you Sobonfu for giving me your ideas
Comment by Phebie Higgins — September 25, 2011 @ 9:16 pm
Love this philosophy. Love this woman’s heart. Wonderful. Thanks Tami! I plan to order her cd set, and start a study group.
Comment by Serenity — September 25, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
I just listened to the interview with Sobonfu Some, WOW….a woman of integrity and honesty. It was literally a couple of days ago that I was talking about you to some friends and wondering where did you go after “Spirit of Intimacy.” I also wondered how you were faring after your divorce. Now, I know…
In addition, Spirit led me to re-read your book, “Spirit of Intimacy” and I have been reading portions to others going through challenges, your words are ageless. You affirm many thoughts that I have but can’t share because people around me are not open. However, I am learning to share whether or not people get it.
My biggest struggle is that I am a product of an affair, who constantly felt guilty for the acts of my parents. As a result, when my father was dying and called for me, I didn’t know how to say, “I would like to be alone with my father”; it was evident that he wanted to say something but not in the presence of the others, but guilt kept me from my father’s last words to me; not only the guilt, but shame and feeling underserving. I still wish to have that final conversation with my dad, he has since past/transitioned on, but the desire lingers….help….
Comment by Andaiye — September 26, 2011 @ 7:00 am
A very inspiring, heartfelt interview. Thank you!
Comment by Beatriz Ledesma — September 28, 2011 @ 10:07 pm
I loved this interview. I have heard Sobonfu interviewed in the past and always appreciate her wisdom, honesty and integrity. Our greatest wounding holding the seeds of our most profound healing resonated for me.
Comment by Diane Leardi — October 1, 2011 @ 9:59 am
BEAUTIFUL! I would love to meet Sobonfu!
Comment by Britta — October 6, 2011 @ 11:54 am