signup
for email updates
Directory
Our
Archive: 2001-2004
Cover
Art Archive
Search
|
God's Relentless Generosities:
An Interview with author Zeal Okogeri
by Catherine McMahon
Dr. Zeal Okogeri is a spiritual scholar, consultant, teacher, columnist, frequent
radio guest and author of the best-selling book God's Relentless Generosities --
An Inspiring Journey of Soul. He is the founder of Transformative Coaching for Infinite
Possibilities® and provides consultation on spiritual growth.
This interview with him was conducted by St. Paul Neighborhood Network on cable television.
Your book has a great title. How did you come up with this title?
Zeal Okogeri: As I look back on my life, I cannot help but recognize the unremitting
generosities of Spirit. When I was a young boy growing up in my village, Afikpo,
in eastern Nigeria, my country underwent a catastrophic civil war in which over 1
million civilians died by starvation alone. I witnessed the bombing of my village
and the destruction of my family home by enemy jetfighters. As members of my family
and I took cover in bushes, I watched huge trees snap like toothpicks as bullets
rained from the sky in every direction. Terrified, my heart was beating so hard and
fast that I thought it would jump out of my ribcage and drop on the ground. I didn't
think we were going to die, I knew we were going to die. The question was, when?
 After
the bombing of my village, many of the villagers -- innocent civilians -- were wounded
or killed, yet most of them didn't even know why the planes were bombing and killing
them. In the history of my village, this was by far the greatest disaster its people
had ever experienced. When the air raid subsided, we had about two hours to pack
and evacuate the village. Following our evacuation, my family moved around the eastern
province of Nigeria as refugees for the next three years. Sometimes we slept outdoors
in the bushes.
When the war was over, we returned home to discover that our village had turned into
a ghost town. Upon reaching the location of our residence, we discovered several
tall trees growing in what used to be our living room and bedrooms. We lost everything
and had to start all over. Many of our neighbors and relatives never returned back
to the village. They didn't survive the war. In spite of our many life-threatening
experiences during the three-year civil war, every member of my large family returned
home without a scratch. That is what I call God's Relentless Generosities.
What message are you trying to get out through your book?
Okogeri: The first message is that of gratitude. For the most part, we take this
precious life for granted. We seldom take a moment each day to appreciate the gifts
of Spirit, such as life itself, and all the natural endowments that we have at our
disposal. In our quest to meet the demands of daily living, we overlook many of these
gifts. But no matter how ungrateful we may be or how poorly we have performed so
far in this journey called life, Spirit still continues to bless and help us. I think
it is quite appropriate for us to acknowledge this relentless generosity.
Another message that my book emphasizes is that "all religions are one before
God." This is a direct quote from my first spiritual teacher -- my father, Dr.
Isu Okogeri -- who founded the Mumaihe religion in Nigeria. In other words, every
religion is here to fit a certain level of spiritual awareness. There is no one religion
that is best for everyone, just as no academic level is suitable for every student.
And no religion has a monopoly on Truth. We can benefit by being open to the nourishment
that comes from exploring the best values and rich tapestry of the world's spiritual
traditions.
All religions that I know are asking us to do good and to be good. It's essentially
the same message. I am always deeply disappointed when I read about people in different
parts of the world who are fighting over God. Millions of people have perished because
they fought over "My God is better than your God." I have often wondered,
"How do people become motivated to fight and kill over what they don't even
know?"
There is no soul that is wearing a human body who is aware of the totality of God.
We only have varying degrees of insight regarding aspects of the transcendent, nothing
more. We don't know enough to determine what Spirit is doing for a specific soul
through a given religion. And while we may think that anyone who does not join our
religion is missing out, we ought to remember that people of other religions are
also entertaining the same illusory idea. We need to understand other religions and
appreciate their role in attempting to uplift human consciousness. Instead of fighting
or arguing, we ought to make every effort to become the best practicing and exemplary
members of our own religion.
The final major point that is stressed in God's Relentless Generosities is the importance
of spiritual exercises, which is the key to spiritual illumination. Sometimes seekers
get derailed by reading too much or by running after different teachers. A book or
a teacher may point out a way or provide wisdom. But the application rests on the
seeker.
My ancestors were great healers who possessed powerful spiritual abilities, yet they
were illiterates. They did not require books to perform what we would consider miracles
today. What they did need was practice -- lots of practice! Without spiritual exercises,
such as meditation, contemplation, mantra, prayer and others, it is difficult to
break through the tight grip of the mind and experience the underlying divinity and
wisdom of soul.
Another benefit of spiritual exercises is that they help us develop the ability to
apply spiritual virtues without pretenses. For instance, the Bible asks us to love
our neighbor as ourselves. Taken literally, how do you begin to love an obnoxious
neighbor, their reckless children and their dog that considers your lawn its primary
toilet facility? Let's be real: It's tough to love such a neighbor. You can fake
being nice, as is often done here in Minnesota, but that's about it. Spiritual exercises
can help you to naturally shift your perception and bring about a more harmonious
relationship with your neighbor.
What makes God's Relentless Generosities a unique spiritual book?
Okogeri: I think every book is unique because of the unique consciousness of
the soul who wrote it. Since I was a young boy, I have always loved stories. I'm
from a culture that is grounded on ancient mythology. Rich and illuminating folklore
was a part of my upbringing. In God's Relentless Generosities, I included some of
this folklore in an effort to bring forth their inherent spiritual potentiality.
The book is also refreshingly unique, because within the last 30 years I have been
fortunate enough to explore many of the world's mystic traditions, from Christianity
to Hinduism, Eckankar, Buddhism, Mumaiheism, Daoism and others. Because of my diverse
background, I was able to pull from various ideologies, to show not only their apparent
similarity but also to reveal the fact that they all have something of value to offer.
Lastly, the reader will appreciate the fact that my writing is straightforward. You
don't have to guess or wonder what the author is trying to say. There are no mind-twisting
philosophical or intellectual acrobatics. They seldom lead anyone closer to God,
so I avoided them. The book clearly enumerates and explains some of the challenges
that seekers confront on their spiritual journey. Examples include: family problems
that can arise when one chooses a path to God; understanding money and spirituality;
dangers of personality worship; understanding the language of spirit; the role of
initiation; the role of religious hypocrisy; the law of silence; and the role of
"service."
What's next on your agenda?
Okogeri: I am working on my next book, entitled, The Power of Relentless Attention.
In this book, the reader learns how our life is a direct reflection of our relentless
attention -- and how we can change our life by shifting our attention. In addition
to my writing, I give lectures, and do radio and television talk shows, to bring
my message to a broader audience. Finally, I work as a consultant to provide life-changing
spiritual interventions for individuals and groups, to help resolve seemingly unremitting
life challenges.
God's Relentless Generosities -- An Inspiring Journey of Soul is available at
www.Amazon.com, www.Powells.com or by calling 1 (800) 431-1579.
For more information on Dr. Zeal Okogeri, visit www.ZealOkogeri.com, e-mail Zeal@ZealOkogeri.com or call (952) 393-7246.
Copyright © Catherine McMahon |
| April 2005 |
|
|
