User:LawrenceF

=Analytical Writing=

Statement of Intent


This will be an in depth study of the Rastafarian One Love. What its actual meaning is where we believe it comes from and how it relates to us, and how it affects everyone. I will try to show and explain how a few totally different ancient cultures have always practiced this One Love and how it is the root of all our beginnings and existence.

Overview


Rationale


My hope is to get a better understanding of this One Love. I am also hoping that I can find out where I feel all these religions have gone wrong in believing that fear is what give them their connection with the Creator or God whatever you want to call it.

Publication


Schedule



 * 1) week 2
 * 2) week 3
 * 3) week 4
 * 4) etc.

Anticipated Problems


So far I am finding that I know where and what I more I have to research. It's just getting the last of the reading done. I've had the chance to talk to other Rasta Bretherin and wrote a bit on my history of being raised a Catholic. Now I still have to interview my Muslim friend and find the link with Islam to One Love.

Week 6 Project Review


Before Or During Week 6

 * Looking at world examples of the "One Love" idea


 * Hopi
 * Ancient Mayans
 * Moslem - interview?
 * Catholicism - personal story


 * Conclusion

After Week 6
“One Love”

This term One Love has become popular among the younger generation. Very much that same as people saying “Peace” to each other when departing or saying bye on the phone. But the origin of this One Love is much deeper than most people know. This message of One Love has been spreading throughout the world. Its vibe of positivity is touching us all and changing lives everyday. How is this getting to us all? It gets to us through life. Everything we do is affected by this Love. But there have been many who spread the message of One Love directly. The most commonly known people are Reggae Artists. Reggae music originates from Jamaica. These days there are different types of sub-genres of Reggae. Roots Reggae is the main stage for the artists of One Love. The most popular Reggae artist of all time is none other than Bob Marley. “One Love, One Heart lets get together and feel alright. One Love, One Heart give thanks and praise to the lord and I will feel alright” – Bob Marley - “One Love”.

Growing up I was raised in the Catholic religion. Every Sunday was the same routine waking up earlier than I wanted to and thinking how much I did not want to go. We went to church on an Army base called Ft. Lewis in Washington State. As much as I didn’t want to go those mornings my outlook always changed after the Priest began to speak. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of Priests that were able to keep the attention of everyone, even me a kid with the shortest attention span of anyone I’ve ever known. I would go to what was called CCD. CCD was a Sunday school for this Catholic Church. In class I remember learning mostly about Jesus and his unconditional love for God, people, and the world. I was taught about Love. Taught that love and faith in the Almighty was the path to heaven. Never did we concentrate on the Saints or the Trinity or even the technicalities of the Catholic rules or Vatican law. Catholics are viewed by those on the outside of this religion, as being a bit strange or even outright crazy. These days I can understand their feelings. Though growing up in I didn’t see it. Not because I was brain washed not too but because my teachers taught us to decipher the message ourselves and would say take from it what you believe it to mean though they knew that was not exactly how the Catholic church would have wanted us to view it. I always remembered that and that faith and love never left me. During my teenage years my faith was tested. Life for me like many others began to take a turn for the worse. I began to say, “Why is God letting this happen?” I wanted to blame the Most High and even said it out loud that it was Gods fault. It was never Gods fault; only mine. I became angry and full of hate. Doing bad things and making bad choices. But in the back of my mind I knew every time it was wrong and that was because I always had that understanding of love. The problem was in me. I needed to find myself again the person I knew I was that loving kid that I once was. After much struggle internally I was mad I no longer was or I should say I finally in control of it. And that is when my journey into One Love began. Always a fan of Reggae music I would listen to the songs of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Third World and many more. The music was beautiful and powerful. It’s beat sends out a vibration that rocks you to your soul. Many people don’t know why they like it but they do. Some say I like the beat or the rhythm or they say it makes me think happy thoughts. All these things are correct. Buy why? The reason is because One Love. Each song that is sung or played by these artists is a piece of their soul that is imprinted on every part of what you hear. It carries a message to the world that has been forgotten for an immeasurable amount of time. The message that everyone and everything on this planet are one, that everything you do, say, think, feel, see, hear, and speak are all linked and effect each other every second of the day. Eventually this message reached me again. In the book “Rasta Heart” written by Robert Roskind he would speak about Jamaica and the Rastafarians with One Love and that they are the source of its broadcast, like a drum beat being played out for the all of us in the world to hear. And we hear. Years ago, before reading a book were a normal thing for me I began to wonder exactly what is Bob Marley talking about. I knew I liked Reggae music but I didn’t fully understand why. Part of it was everyone I hung out with loved Reggae too. Being Samoan or any Pacific Islander at that, it is most likely that you will naturally get exposed to this style of music. I started listening to the lyrics and watched the documentaries on Bob and found myself drawn to him and all he did. That unfortunately was the extent of my research to know Bob and his Rasta roots. More years went by and I found myself spiritually weak and the rules of Christianity began to take its toll on me. I wanted to feel again. I began talking to people of a few different faiths.