Amuzani

(ah-moo-saw-nee)

“A feeling of connectedness to all things. Earth, Fire, Air, Water & Living Creatures. A oneness with all things past, present and future. Simply stated: love.”

When my brother and I were kids, we spent most of the time outside playing in nature and exploring the natural world. We were not a religious household, but a deeply spiritual one. One of constant creation and playfulness. 

One day, we went to our favorite rock on the hill and decided to call this special place, AMUZANI. To this day, we still don’t know where it came from or what inspired the name, but we all collectively agreed it is the name of the land my family calls home. 

Amuzani is a place, but it is also so much more than that. It is a feeling and essence, something that can be cherished anywhere in the world. It is as simple as the wind kissing your cheeks or your toes kissing the sea.

So I share Amuzani for those who are looking for a way to make sense of all this world and our cultures have to offer. A way to integrate the best parts of our humanity and to fully create your own new traditions and new ceremonies to honor the perfection of each individual moment and feel liberated from practices that no longer resonate. 

Amuzani is to live in full presence and honor each moment for what each moment asks us to do. It is not to listen to the voices of others (not even me!) but to commune with your own mind, body and spirit so that you may act in each moment in full awareness and honor each moment for what it asks of you. 

I must also take a moment to acknowledge that Amuzani was and is a co-creation with my brother. I may paint the picture of how I experience it and where it lives in my heart, but if you ever find yourself lucky enough to meet my brother and share some time with him, I encourage you to ask him what Amuzani means to him. 

So if you find yourself moving through life and reach a moment in which you are unsure, pause, breathe and call on Amuzani. It may remind you of all that you have within you!

With light and love,

Sam Stokes