On Purifying the spiritual vessel

Modern spirituality and new age practices often neglect the importance of purifying the spirit. The process of spiritual purification is not a matter of wearing crystals, burning incense, or appropriating terms from complex belief systems. Ancient spiritual practices recognised the spiritually powerful as necessary and sacred beings whose spiritual insights could save their communities from calamity and deliver sensitive ancestral messages to facilitate healing. To perform this role, the spiritually powerful medium, seer, healer etc, must purify their vessel.

The minds, spirit, and bodies of the spiritually powerful go through intense reconstruction and must abide by certain laws to ensure they do not disrupt their spirits whom may choose to dessert the vessel should their laws be violated. In the Akan tradition which I am a descendant of, our priests and priestesses undergo intense and mandatory training where they learn to refine their skills and better control the strange or frankly “insane experiences” that accompany being a Priest or Priestess (Ephirim-Donkor, 2008). Part of this training consists of your spiritual dos and don’ts. For example, do regularly wear white especially when performing rituals, avoid wearing black, especially during rituals. Additionally, the spiritually powerful vessel will learn about what disrupts their soul and will taint their ability to use their gifts or annoy their spirits. In Akan, we use the term ‘kyi’ (pronounced chi) which means to hate or avoid in reference to what Priests and Priestesses must avoid as to not disrupt their gifts. This can include casual or frequent sex, certain foods such as spicy foods, masturbation, and certain emotional states such as anger. For some Priests and Priestesses, their spiritual team and ancestral guides will forbid having children or marriage for them. To many, this is extreme. However, the weight and fragility of primordial spiritual gifts demands nothing but focus and dedication which ancient communities deeply understood and respected.

The purification process also goes beyond rules and regulations. You must unlearn the dysfunctional belief systems that inhabit the collective consciousness as well as the imprints from the intimate traumas you experience; the bullying, assaults, spiritual attacks that have monitored you since your childhood. This often manifests as experiencing the dark night of the soul where you are forced to face and nurture the fragmented parts of your soul. This is because, for ancestral gifts to flow and for you not to abuse them you need to see clearly. This means the destruction of false narratives and belief systems must disintegrate. In fact, many spirits and deities prefer those who have undergone ego deaths precisely because they have become clear vessels and thus responsible enough to host them.

Many of us have been disconnected from these ancient knowings, even those who are descendants of these traditions. Colonialism, slavery, and ‘modernisation’ has bastardized ancient knowledge and practices, deeming them as incompatible with and useless for modern life. It is precisely this loss of connection with indigenous knowledge that makes us sick and disoriented especially for those who possess primordial spiritual gifts that predate their current existence for centuries. When you possess such gifts and power (especially when you are unaware you do), living in an environment that disconnects you from your roots can make it seem like you have no place on this earth. Navigating careers, romance, beauty, can be disorienting and deeply painful.

The spiritually powerful Priest or Priestess must honour what their respective path demands of them. A lack of understanding and defiance of their rules can bring about brutal and violent circumstances that remind the priest or priestess why they ought not to violate their spiritual DNA. The spiritually powerful is somewhat familiar with this especially when they were unaware of their spiritual gifts.

I personally know that this can be an overwhelming experience. I grew up in a westernised culture and even when I am in Africa, I am always reminded of the globalised world we now inhabit. Trends found in London can be found in the minds of the youth in Accra. Despite this, I am always provided more freedom and ease to practice as a healer when I am back home. I can pour libation on the earth and find equipment I need for rituals with ease. You must learn to understand your spiritual makeup by asking the Most High God and your guides who will provide you with intimate details, set boundaries, and create space for yourself as you need.

All blog posts are originally written by Nana-Hasia Asankomah. All rights reserved.