ymib: Favorite affirmation / inspirational quote?

Navasha: My favorite affirmation is: “I Am, I Am, I Am Light! I Live, I Live, I Live in Light! Light consumes my darkness turning it into Light! I Am the Light of God! I Am, I Am, I Am Love! I Live, I Live, I Live in Love! Love consumes my fear, turning it into Love! I Am the Love of God!” This came from a book I purchased when I was around 19. It was written by the Mr. And Mrs. Prophet. I think it was called the lost teachings of Jesus.

ymib: In what ways do you nurture and maintain balance and beauty within the following things throughout your days...any favorite tips, regimens, products, books, etc?

Your Mind / Cultural / Spiritual Connection:

Navasha: I pray, meditate, study something that stimulates my mind and spirit everyday. I also bring vitality to my body by going to dance classes or power walking. I am also mindful of eating a healthy diet.

Beauty, Hair & Health:

Navasha: I usually use natural products. I am holistic, so I tackle any beauty, hair and health problems with herbs, homeopathic remedies, and alternative healing. I also check my emotions and spiritual self when something is a little off as well.

Being A Wife:

Navasha: Man… I say if you want to grow spiritually, get married! My husband and I both have humanitarian jobs and duties on this earth, so we both have to make time for each other, and pay attention to each other’s needs. We are each other’s best friends, and began our relationship in that way. I am a strong advocate for marriage, I love it!

Motherhood:

Navasha: I look forward to being a mother, but I pretty much mother all children I’m around. I usually become aunty or god mommy. I absolutely love children!!! I love to inspire children to remember their purpose, be disciplined and focused with their goals, and to operate with compassion.

ymib: If you could go back in the past and gain wisdom from a woman of color, who would it be and what would you ask her?

Navasha: There are a few… Family wise: My grandmother Hannah Mae Hamilton, she passed away during childbirth and I never got a chance to meet her. I would ask her questions regarding motherhood and her spiritual foundation. I also admire and have obtained inspiration from: Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Mary Mcloud-Bethune Queenss Hatshepsut, Queen Nzingha, and Queen Tiye.

ymib: If you had to give your daughters only 3 books to carry with them to nurture their spirit as a woman, which three would it be?

Navasha: It would be Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, Of Water and the Spirit by Patrice Malidoma Some, The Temple of My Familiar by Alice Walker.

ymib: Thus far, what has been the most memorable experience that has played a major part in nurturing the spirit that makes you who you are?

Navasha: I really can’t think of one moment. I’ve had a lot of experiences that make me who I am. I will say that the foundation from my family gave me the perception to learn from every situation, and to work to always improve myself mentally, physically and spiritually.

ymib: What are some of your current projects, or future career and life goals that you would like to achieve, also, are there any upcoming projects with Fertile Ground?

Navasha: I am working on Fertile Ground’s 5th album; working as assistant director to an all professional female artist show called Ladies Verse, it is our 7th year; I chartered a spiritual science school, and am working on the curriculum; I am teaching Reiki; I am always in some sort of training or learning for my growth and to be of better assistance; and being a good wife.

ymib: What sort of sacred things would you like to share and partake in if you were to have daughters?

Navasha: I don’t have any children right now. But I meditate with my nieces, we do Goddess dress up, and we connect spiritually with nature.

ymib: What has been one of the most important life lessons that you have learned thus far and how did you end up learning it?

Navasha: Trusting myself. Man… it has been a long journey. I can be very encouraging to others, but I wasn’t always able to express my true self for fear of judgment from others. Over the years, various experiences with friends and associates have encouraged me to trust myself, and to walk in my true self with fierce compassion. It’s really wonderful, and I know it will just get better.

ymib: You are known for adorning your locs with feathers...do they symbolize something special to you? If so what does it represent? Also, who designs your wardrobe?

Navasha: I was given a vision to put feathers in my hair. Feathers are related to many things. The element air, truth, initiation, royalty, war, peace, etc… For me they represent all of these things at different times. But I pretty much get a vision of what I am to wear, and then I do it. This is specific to my regalia, my clothing I wear on stage. I have mostly been guided on what to wear and then I share it with a designer or seamstress, and they make it. I have also had designers make me things they feel I would like as well.

ymib: Why is it important for you to continue doing what you do?

Navasha: Because it is my path. I have no choice but to express my soul in the ways I’m doing at this moment. And I’m sure as I evolve and become more disciplined, things will shift and evolve for me. I trust that everything will be as it should be.

ymib: You are very much into holistic health, Reiki Healing, and Spiritual health. What was the inspiration behind centering and incorporating these things within your life?

Navasha: Well… I was raised in an open spiritual family. Growing up one of my uncle was (and still is) a Gaudiya Vaisnava (hindu path of Bhakti yoga/devotional yoga), my other uncle was muslim, my parents were mystics/ metaphysician/ garveyites who sung in the church choir, meditated, did yoga, and where vegetarian. Both of my parents studied various paths diligently and knew their stuff. They have always been very spiritual. They are very loved and respected by their community, because they both operate in love. I witnessed my parents as community leaders. I am the oldest of six children, all by the same parents, raised in the same house. It was fun! My parents never judged our beliefs. All six of us had a spiritual and moral base, and were allowed to explore what our souls were called to do very early. I remember as a child seeing spirits, really questioning if there was an ultimate evil, and wanting to help people. We were not raised in fear. I was always interested in the spirit world, counseling, mediating, and helping. I was also raised vegetarian, when it was not hip I might add.

My parents had friends over, where they would meditate or rehearse music in the living room. We would also go on hikes and just be… in nature. My parents never let me forget my ancestors, and where I came from. I remember going to Kwanzaa celebrations, lectures by the like of Ashra Kwesi who spoke about the Kemetic/Egyptian way of making a Christ like child. I remember seeing Baba Ishangi and his family perform, and meeting Marcus Garvey’s son. Most of the folk we met either at concerts or lectures, were either friends of the family or became friends of the family. As a child, I took my exposure and experiences for granted. I didn’t always realize the blessings of going through a rites of passage, receiving spiritual baths, meditating, fasting, or receiving long lectures about life, history, and spirituality by my father. It wasn’t until I went to college that I realized I received some really good tools. My parents raised me to be spiritual, health conscious, to leave things better than I found it, and encouraged me to realize my purpose here in this life. I feel my parents gave me the tools, guided me, and encouraged me to be myself, and I am thankful to and for them. Click Here to View More of Fertile Grounds Music.