The Cambridge dictionary defines meditation as “the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religions activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed” or “serious thought or study, or the product of this activity.”
As violence continues to erupt in Los Angeles following the senseless murder of Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle, Russell Simmons is calling for peace.
In support of Black Divinity Meditation Day — which falls on Saturday (April 6) and goes through Sunday (April 7) — the Def Jam Recordings co-founder is pushing the #BlackDivinityMeditationDay hashtag on social media in an effort to unite those who believe in equality for all.
“The purpose of Black Meditation Day is a day of self-reflection,” Simmons tells HipHopDX. “When we know the self, we know God. This self-knowledge is critical for all people. People of color all over the world have had an especially difficult time. Due to colonialism and slavery, they have been cut off from their culture, religion and, in many cases, self-love.”
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Simmons noted it was particularly important in the wake of Nipsey’s death.
“Especially in light of all the things that are going on, we need a global mediation day,” he adds. “In Bali, there’s a Bali Spirit Fest. People of color aren’t included — not intentionally. It’s just a different world. Self-reflection is key. There’s no moment where we as a community can get together and mediate and share with each other that experience.”
To fill that void, Simmons is supporting the #BlackDivinityMeditationDay initiative in an effort to inspire others to honor their own state or quality of being divine.
“Black Divinity Meditation Day is a chance for people to look for their own divinity,” he explains. “People of color are often just treated as second-class citizens. People darker are treated differently. In Bali, white Indonesians are seen on the billboards.
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“White supremacy is not an American-only phenomenon. It’s a European export that’s suppressed people of color all over the world. This is for everyone to participate in, everyone who believes in equality for all. It’s about personal transformation. It’s about self-knowledge.”
Simmons, who has been practicing yoga and meditation for decades, calls Black Divinity Meditation Day a “day to activate.”
“Dig inside,” he says. “This is truly a day for us to look at our own divinity. It’s for everyone. The vibration is for everyone. Everyone who wants equality for all should give us 20 minutes of meditation. Twenty minutes is a long time, but for those who meditate, they know that’s just about long enough to get into self. It’s about patience.
“Just sit and be patient and let the mind settle.”
