Authentic Kemetic Temple
Authentic Kemetic Temple
We find ourselves in the very difficult position of, on the one hand, knowing that our society and culture are simply not working, but on the other hand, are without the tools to pull ourselves out of what has been set for us. We were born into the society and culture of our parents, and they were born into that of their parents, and so on. Because it is true that we only know what we have been exposed to, we find ourselves in a racist, oppressive system that does not have our health, well-being, or survival in mind, but this sea of corruption and power is all that we know. We work for the system, pray with the system, kill for the system, and die for the system, oftentimes without knowing the extent of our imprisonment within it.
The average person in the modern world simply does not consider the fact that the world is full of wonder and experience. We have been conditioned to only see what is at the tip of our noses: the quaint houses, shopping malls, and churches; the universities, colleges, and schools; democracy, governmental institutions, and power. America is a superpower - a superhero of the world who is always there to save the day - and we get the job done by whatever means necessary (be it war or peace, force or suggestion, brainwashing or colonialism...). Yes, the world of Americans is America, and anything outside of this grand old country is corrupted, scary, and just a bad place to be. We are taught the pledge of allegiance as soon as our young foot enters the school door before we have the ability to understand the vows we are making. Go ahead, say it with me: 'I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
Hogwash.
Somewhere in our consciousness each and every one of us knows that the life that this country has allowed us is not all that it is cracked up to be. If this society is indeed the best one on Earth, why, then, is the depression rate so high? Why are the prisons filled with people whose crime was trying to survive in a place that refuses to allow them this right? Why are our youth drowning themselves in drugs, alcohol, and sex instead of rising up and fighting for a better tomorrow? Why are our elders put out to pasture in nursing homes when they should be honored and respected? Why are we being poisoned with harmful chemicals that are given to us by our healthcare professionals to make us well? Why are there so many people in churches or mosques, praying desperately to a God who does not answer their prayers (a study was done that estimated only .01% of prayers were answered for Christians), yet they continue to plead and serve a God who is not listening? And why do we find this acceptable? We put up with these things because the system has ensured its own survival by not allowing us to know any other way of life. "God bless America", they say, but what about the rest of the world? "We are fighting to bring democracy to this country," they say, but what about their own methods of government? Again, we have been conditioned to see anything and everything that has not been made a part of this system as corrupt and dangerous, and it is exactly this conditioning that prevents us from seeing that there is a clear path out of this miserable life that we have been provided.
But to see this path that is clearly marked, one must first be honest with oneself enough to see that, regardless of race or culture, we are all just slaves to this system. One must be honest to see that, despite what one has been told to believe, his God may not be the only one. One must be honest enough to realize that there are other ways of living and being that do not require backstabbing, corruption, and negativity. And one must be ready to join this kind of life and leave the one that he has known for his entire life completely behind.
This may seem like a tall order, but it really isn't. It is simply about making choices about how your life will be and being honest with your choices. Once that choice has been made, the real journey and life experience begins.
It is well known and documented that the people of ancient Kemet (oftentimes misunderstood as "Ancient Egypt", but a better description would be "Ancient Africa") sustained a positive, healthy, and honest society for hundreds of thousands of years. This civilization is the one that brought us mathematics, science, astronomy, medicine, music, and much more. The social structure of the society of our ancestors has been the basis for social structures throughout the world, and the spiritual system has been the foundation for all world religions. This fact (regardless of how strongly modern religions will deny it) is provable, and the spiritual system that was practiced by our ancestors is as valid and strong today as it was when the pyramids were being built.
Unfortunately, most people in the modern societies are chained in churches and mosques. We have inherited the religion of the devil (Christianity), for that is the religion that our parents had inherited from their parents. Christianity is the religion that we have been given by our slavemasters, be they the plantation owners or the European royalty. Islam, while seemingly different, is really the other side of the coin, but instead of oppression and slavery from White people, it stems from Arab people. When one looks at the world and honestly sees the destruction of not only humanity but the Earth and existence as a whole, we know that we are doing something wrong. Isn't it curious that this destruction started with the modern era, meaning the modern religions (Christianity and Islam) and social systems (democracy, capitalism)?
While we know that something is wrong and that something must be done so that we can rise out of this corrupted social and religious system, the powers that be are very adept at keeping us from seeing the ways that this is possible. They can fight, but they will never win; just as Seth is relentless in his pursuit of power and to bring destruction to the world, Heru will never give up! If one looks, one will find the answer.
The Earth Center is now opening the very first authentic Kemetic Temple outside of Africa. Led by Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, The Earth Center is home to the M'TAM School of Kemetic Philosophy and Spirituality, the same system of Initiation that the Pharaohs and their priests experienced. The time has now come for The Earth Center to open the Temple doors to the public for prayers, community zemzem, and ceremonies. What does this mean for the public? This is a huge step forward for the general public, as prayers and techniques that are normally reserved for Initiates are available to the public in a service setting. It is now possible to pray to your ancestors and to the Gods in the way that your prayers can be heard instead of ignored. It is now possible to join a community of like-minded people who live by the Seventy-Seven Commandments and protect each other as brothers and sisters. It is now possible to immerse oneself in the way of life of a Kem, which is the way of life of our ancestors, and begin to reconnect with one's history, culture, and true self.
Imagine a place where your prayers are done in the way that enables Gods to hear them; a place where your prayers are answered because they are directed to the right Deity or ancestor; a place where your worries are shared by everyone in the community; a place where it is possible for everyone to pray for you on any given problem. Imagine a family where hospitality is law and friends are real friends. Imagine leaving a prayer or service feeling strong, energized, and positive, every time. This is what one will find at The Earth Center Temple.
The life of a Kem (practitioner of Kemetic Spirituality) is not an easy one, as there are rules that must be followed. Once one makes the choice to become a Kem and disciplines himself appropriately, the family of The Earth Center becomes his family.
There are ten rules to becoming a Kem:
1. Acknowledge, honor, and validate the Divine World
2. Acknowledge, honor, and validate the World of the Dead
3. Maintain the purity of one's body, mind, and spirit
4. Apply the Seventy-Seven Commandments in one's life
5. Perform daily spiritual activities
6. Listen, accept, and follow the words of Gods
7. All Kem people protect, honor, and respect each other
8. It is an absolute obligation for a Kem to perform charitable acts towards other Kem people
9. Provide an annual offering to the temple
10. Experience an annual pilgrimage to Merita, or when this is impossible, provide an offering in its place
Services at The Earth Center Temples will be held on each
Divine Holy Day at each temple location. Currently, there are two temple locations: New York and Chicago, and the main Temple is now being constructed in West Africa. Everyone is welcome to attend these services, regardless of whether they have made a commitment to become a Kem (Kem people will benefit from other aspects of the temple and community because they will be a part of the community rather than a visitor).
Services vary in length, depending on the volume of prayers that are asked for by individuals. There is no dress code, although one should keep in mind that they will be entering a spiritual place and appropriate attire should be worn. Shoes are not allowed in the temple area at any time, but one can bring house shoes that have never touched the ground outside.
One is encouraged to bring prayer beads and their personal prayer/meditation mat if one wishes. Offerings of frankincense or myrrh rocks are made during the ceremony, and one can bring their own or acquire it at the temple for a small donation. If one wishes to have the group pray for them on any issue, a donation amount of any size should be offered for each issue. Temples also accept other donations if one is moved to make an extra offering.