Dear Friends,
Just like that, here we are in February! The year is well underway, the free trial is over. Ha! It is my fervent hope that you have been well. These days, I find a lot of comfort in the words of sages like Buddhist master Tilopa (988-1069):
Don’t recall. Let go of what has passed.
Don’t imagine. Let go of what may come.
Don’t think. Let go of what is happening now.
Don’t examine. Don’t try to figure anything out.
Don’t control. Don’t try to make anything happen.
Rest. Relax, right now, and rest.
Far from encouraging passivity or inaction, these words are a gentle reminder of the truth that life is a practice of knowing and skillfully navigating the things we can and cannot control. For the things we can control or have a responsibility to act on, we can apply ourselves with enthusiasm and diligence. For the things we cannot control or which are beyond our sphere of influence, we can release and trust Life. Above all, we can breathe and feel our aliveness in each moment of this sometimes confusing and painful but also mysterious, joyful and exciting existence.
Things have been quite exciting with Mythological Africans! First, I launched the website which brings all Mythological Africans offers to the same place. Go take a look!
I am also excited about the Deep Dive on the Dagara (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast) Myth of the Bagre. Keep an eye out for Part 2! The Twitter Spaces gatherings have been interesting too! Catch up on past sessions here (some links may be expired) and don’t forget to set a reminder for the Wednesday February 2nd session featuring Nigerian writer Kasimma who will be reading from her recently released short story collection All Shades of Iberibe.
There are also some exciting collaborations coming up:
On February 13th, I’ll be with our friends over at Romancing the Gothic to talk about Enfant Terribles in African Folklore. You can sign up for that talk here, and read a Mythological Africans thread about Enfant Terribles here.
Later this spring, I’ll be joining The Folklore Podcast to talk about the creation myths of African people. You can read a Mythological Africans thread about Cameroonian creation myths here.
There are a few other events and projects coming up, but they will remain surprises for now.
Lots of fun planned for the year friends and I am glad you are coming along for the ride!
Be well,
Helen