Additional information
by J. Carlo Diaz Pe (Illustrator), J. Carlo Diaz Pe (Editor), Khalid a. Shakoor Maom (Author)
Shakoor filters through more than 50 years of personal work and study with many spiritual masters and gives us the gems at the top of the sieve. He is generous, concise and potent with his knowledge. Ghetto Sutras is the vital perspective needed in today's tumultuous times that interweaves the perspectives of taking responsibility for clearing and healing our heart and mind while also acknowledging the complex external systemic forces that hold humanity back from living our true potential. The purpose of the Ghetto Sutras is to share the concepts of Universal Buddhism with people who are new to it or have had limited exposure. In the Western world, supporters of Buddhism have been largely middle and upper class and the material has been presented in such a highly academic format that it often alienates the masses. Our world is in dire need of a system that can truly address the sufferings of our time. This book is an attempt to do just that in a society that is largely influenced by Christian, Jewish, Vedic and Islamic systems. Ghetto Sutras has several themes: 1) To present practices where one can control the mind, the breath, and be able to re-channel the primal energy (sexual energy). These serve as the foundation for attaining enlightenment. Many spiritual and personal improvement books leave the reader unsure as to what to actually do to begin their journey. Ghetto Sutras includes actual physical exercises to aid the reader in their spiritual and consciousness expansion. For this reason, the book is offered in color and in two different sizes: one standard and the other a portable pocket size. 2) To show how racism has had such an effect on the world's suffering which is rooted in fear, envy, and greed. Ghetto Sutras points out the reality that energetic colors exist inside each human being. In short, in order for humankind to be whole, every person must transcend their mental attachment to their own color and accept, receive, and respect all the other members of the communal human body. To do otherwise is to stagnate our own spiritual progress and evolution. 3) Ghetto Sutras refers the Buddha principle or the concept that we are already awake. It is our impure thinking that clouds the light (consciousness). What blocks this light is that human beings are over consumed with desire for materialism (impermanence), which is another cause of suffering. Buddhism states that a person should focus on the inner self (the mind), rather than on external manifestations. Buddha said: believe only in those things of which you have direct experience. This book is designed to assist in cultivating a direct experience that will assist you to get in touch with your inner Buddha (revelations and realizations). In other words, this book is his truth and written from his experience. His hope is that the reader will discover his own inner light, path, and truth. The contribution that Shakoor offers the reader is essential during a time period when humans are grappling with the fundamental issues of racism, classism, sexism, and greed. Capitalism is based on the myth of scarcity and pits humans against each other. However, if we don't heal our hurts, anything that we build to replace it may be just as corrupt. Our suffering may cause us to be further enslaved as we do the work for the oppressive system. If we are busy fighting with each other then we are likely to be too distracted to build the type of world in which we want to live in. We spend an insurmountable amount of time focused on illusions (TV, material gain, etc.) while stuck in our pain. But if we spent that same amount of time engaging in healing practices, we will see a floodgate of blessings open up in our lives that we didn't previously conceive of. Immense knowledge and generosity pour through the pages of Ghetto Sutras. Ghetto Sutras empowers the reader with such precious jewels that when utilized, can take the reader towards personal liberation and freedom
Author Biography
K.A. Shakoor has been an instructor of spiritual, energetic, and mind-body modalities for over 50 yrs. He has lectured and conducted workshops in universities, schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, health clubs, and governmental agencies throughout the United States. Shakoor currently teaches meditation, Qi-Gong, and Tai Chi Chuan at Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine, Santa Fe College and at the Karma Thegsum Choling Tibetan Meditation Center, in Gainesville, Florida. Shakoor's immersion in an array of devotional and mystical disciplines began with a single concept: his innate sense that all creation emanates from one source; and thus he began his lifelong journey to explore this truth. His experience is one of inherent faith, dedicated study, and celebration of the spiritual spectrum as it is refracted through human consciousness. Shakoor was born to a family centered on spiritual, academic, and fine arts education. He was trained in biblical studies from age five by his mother and maternal grandmother. His maternal grandfather held a Ph.D. in theology from Columbia University. Mysticism, clairaudience, visions, and lucid dreaming were very common in his household and community. Although most of these people were highly educated these things were an integrated part of their life. Shakoor learned and became very interested in life after death. He understood very early the concept of impermanence, and this had a great impact on his thinking. At a very early age, Shakoor spent much time learning about embalming, preservation techniques, theories of the afterlife, and ancient Egyptian (Kemetic) from his uncle who was a mortician and lived with him. At age eight he began studying Aikido, Zen Buddhism, Hatha Yoga, and classical keyboards and voice. This set the direction for Shakoor's journey. Shakoor met and talked with many great personalities who transmitted wisdom in the field of spirituality and arts. The book's Biography lists the many dynamic teachers under which he trained and studied. Some of the personalities were Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Hazat Ji, Cheikh Tijani Cisse, George Clinton, B.T. Swami. Shakoor believes that most of the people with which he has come in contact are very wise beings and he has greatly benefitted from his association with all of them. Ghetto Sutras is an offering with the hopes that it can serve as a support in inspiring a generation, first and foremost, to think for themselves and trust in themselves.
