About | coct-ras-tafari

During my search for eternal peace, understanding, and a spiritual remedy for the sorrow that weighed heavy on my heart from the death of my only brother I was always an adherent of “The Way” (Teachings of Jesus, One Love) throughout my search for peace. These three teachings have always been a foundation for my life and ministry; Love your Creator, Love your Neighbor, Love your Self. After I left the religion of my youth (LDS/Mormons) I looked to the Divine for answers. I found indigenous spirituality. I found a connection to the Divine through entheogenic plants, drumming, and mindfulness meditation.

My Introduction to Rastafari and the Spiritual use of Cannabis

My first introduction to Rastafari was through reggae at the age off 12 in 1981. I had the Legend album by Bob Marley and the Legalize It by Peter Tosh. I remember telling my mom they were telling Bible stories. Mormons have mixed beliefs when it comes to the dark skin. They believe dark skin was the curse 'god' gave Cain for killing Abel. In their Book of Mormon "god" curses a segment of people with dark skin for committing acts of savagery. They believe that dark skinned people were fence setters in the war in Heaven and were cursed in this life with dark skin, but if they were to join the LDS church in this life they would be resurrected in the next life light skinned. I told my mother that the Rastafari must have been part of the tribes of Israel and "god's" people too otherwise why would they sing about Old Testament stories. She had no answer.

In my pursuit for a remedy while I was on a spiritual journey I found Ras Tafari and the Rastafarians, who used cannabis as a sacrament to connect with the Divine for guidance and enlightenment on personal, family, spiritual, and social issues. In the summer of 1997 I went to Reggae on the Rocks. It was the 10th annual event held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, featuring performances by Burning Spear, Lucky Dube, and Toots & The Maytals. A live album titled Reggae on the Rocks: Live & Direct was released, capturing performances from the August 23rd and 24th shows. I remember speaking with members of Burring Spear about being a Rastafari. I asked them if dark skin and dreadlocks were necessary and they informed me of Morgan Heritage’s Don’t Haffi Dread song and said neither were what made you Rastafari. I later read the book The First Rasta. It mentions that some of the first Rastas grew their beards out because of in justice. I decided that I would maintain a beard until justice and equal rights are had by all.

Most believe that Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I (Ras Tafari Makonnen) is the second coming of Jesus Christ or an incarnation of according to Revelations. He was/is a Christ archetype. I believe that he was an exemplary adherent of Jesus. His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I was the 225th Emperor in succession from King Solomon. This story is written in one of the Ethiopian cannons Kebra Nagast (The Glory of Kings). Ethiopia has been a “Christian” nation for nearly 2000 years starting with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). The more I studied the more it became obvious that Ethiopia had a clearer picture and understanding of The Way of Jesus. Emperor Haile Selassie I was an adherent of the teachings of Jesus and The Way (One Love). His teaching and utterances are words of wisdom. Having been a foreign missionary and been in seminary in my previous religion it made sense to become an ordained minister. I became an ordained reverend to minister The Way to others.

My DNA has since revealed that I am a descendant of the brother of Moses Arron of the tribe of Levi and of the Tribe of Judah. I am of the lineage of priests and kings from the High Kings of Ireland to the Emperors of Japan. When the universe and Jah called I answered the call.

Ras Reverend Lion

Utterances of His Imperial Majesty

Spirituality is not theology or ideology. It is simply a way of life, pure and original as was given by the most high.

Enlightened leadership is spiritual if we understand spirituality not as some religious dogma or ideology but as the domain of awareness where we experience values like truth, goodness, beauty, love, and compassion, and also intuition, creativity, insight, and focused attention.

Knowledge paves the way to Love, and Love in its turn fosters understanding and leads one along the path of great common achievements.

That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned: That until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; That until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.

His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie

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