Black women — I love you.
That's how Kendra Hill started off her guide, dedicating it to Black women around the world. Speaking on the importance of meditation and why it's essential to Black women in America, Kendra provides a brief history on how we've been the backbone of America since the beginning of African enslavement in the 16th century.
“Black women have had to develop a larger vision of our society than perhaps any other group. They have had to understand white men, white women, and black men. And they have had to understand themselves. When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” —Angela Davis, political activist
Breaking the guide down in three segments, you're able to learn at your own pace. In part one, you'll learn about what meditation is while learning of the benefits it can pass on to you. Showcased by charts to help better explain, you're given an in-depth breakdown on the different forms of meditation.
This isn't just a guide, rather a workbook. Every few pages, you're provided a work-sheet to think on how this will help you, or help you better understand your own body and mind. This was one of my favorite things about the book, as I was able to sit and think about what I had just read and actually write down my thoughts. Normally when I'm reading a book, I tend to have a highlighter, pen and notebook with me. Writing down my thoughts or highlighting words I've just learned for the first time allows me to enjoy what I'm reading even more! But, with the Black Girls Guide to Meditation, I had everything I needed in one place.
If you've seen the movie Eat, Pray, Love, you've seen one form of meditation, and that's what I've always seen in any atmosphere. You sit down, cross your legs, relax your body and breathe. You're told to clear your mind and that's that, right?
The thing is, I've always had a hard time sitting still like that and clearing my mind. It's one of the many reasons I loved this guide so much, because it educated me on the different ways you can take a moment and meditate.
There's a whole world of options like Visualization Mediation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation Mediation, Aromatherapy Mediation, Sound Therapy Meditation and more! The list is endless in this guide, and Kendra explains each one. After you learn about each one, she then provides a step-by-step list on how to execute your desired option, properly.
Mind you, all of this is just part one. Once we moved on to part two, we were focusing more on our health. Our every day lives take a toll on us, whether it be work or parenthood. In this section of the guide, it's all about learning to choose the path of least resistance.
"When our false perception is corrected, misery ends." — Adi Shankaracharya
There's plenty of outer world things that can take a toll on our souls.
• Acute Stress
• Chronic Stress
• Structural Racism Factors
• Your Neighborhood
• Early Traumatic Childhood Experiences
• Environmental Factors
• Maternal Stress
• Family Stress
It's important to take all of these angles into consideration. Once you read up on these factors, take a moment to reflect. Do they apply to you? If so, what can you do to lessen the load?
Kendra then moves on to teach us about the seven-point chakra system. She breaks down the location, what each one represents, the emotional issues attached to said chakra, physical issues attached to said chakra, the organs associated with each one, and well as the color associated with each chakra.
Once you get a good understanding about the energy portals in your body, you're taken to a step-by-step guide to a three minute Chakra Visualization Meditation!
On to the final section of the guide, part three teaches us how to create a lifestyle of meditation from what we've learned so far.
"There are two mistakes one can make along he road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting." — Buddha
You're taught to know your triggers as well as the significance of time management in your every day life. The ability to manage your time can increase the quality of your life, among other things. Knowing what triggers you and figuring out how to handle these situations differently can make the world of difference.
With each section of this guide starting off with an affirmation, you're able to start this transition into a happier lifestyle with a positive mindset. Kendra Hill has provided a gem with this guide, as she goes beyond meditation in some aspects. She provides statistics on how Black women's health can be overlooked, as well as teaches you the different types of cosmic colors. These are colors that can invoke additional positive energies!
GROW & GLOW by supporting a Black author.
Kendra hopes this book will inspire:
• More research related to women of color
• An increased number of Black women educating other Black women on health and wellness
• More public organizations working within Black communities
• More Black women-owned businesses focused on health and wellness
• More Black women in politics
• More Black women working in the health field
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