I was pondering on the themes raised in the song 'Family Name', and I wondered if any Jehovah's Witnesses (of which I know there are several whom contribute to this forum) had any comment on Prince's use of the ideas about the Akashic Records in this song.

Specifically, seeing as The Rainbow Children is the first LP to be recorded after, and specifically pertaining to, Prince's conversion to the Jehovah Witness faith - does the Jehovahs Witness faith speak specifically, or by another name/ideaology, of the Akashic Records?

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[Edited 9/27/04 12:41pm]

NouveauDance said:

I was wondering this same thing. I thought Akashic sounded rather Egyptian, so I was thrown off. I hope that a JW has some insight.


S

Redayh said:

i don't think the akashic records have to do with JW.

Akashic Records
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A theosophical term referring to an universal filing system which records every occurring thought, word, and action. The records are impressed on a subtle substance called akasha (or Soniferous Ether). In Hindu mysticism this akasha is thought to be the primary principle of nature from which the other four natural principles, fire, air, earth, and water, are created. These five principles also represent the five senses of the human being.

Some indicate the akashic records are similar to a Cosmic or collective consciousness. The records have been referred to by different names including the Cosmic Mind, the Universal Mind, the collective unconscious, or the collective subconscious. Others think the akashic records make clairvoyance and psychic perception possible.

It is believed by some that the events recorded upon that akasha can be ascertained or read in certain states of consciousness. Such states of consciousness can be induced by certain stages of sleep, weakness, illness, drugs, and meditation so not only mystics but ordinary people can and do perceive the akashic records. Some mystics claim to be able to reanimate their contents like they were turning on a celestial television set. Yogis also believe that these records can be perceived in certain psychic states.

Certain persons in subconscious states do read the akashic records. An explanation for this phenomena is that the akashic records are the macrocosm of the individual subconscious mind. Both function similarly, they possess thoughts which are never forgotten. The collective subconscious gathers all thoughts from each subconscious mind which can be read by other subconscious minds.

An example of one who many claimed successfully read the akashic records is the late American mystic Edgar Cayce. Cayce did his readings in a sleep state or trance. Cayce's method was described by Dr. Wesley H. Ketchum who for several years used Cayce as an adjunct for his medical practice. "Cayce's subconscious...is in direct communication with all other subconscious minds, and is capable of interpreting through his objective mind and imparting impressions received to other objective minds, gathering in this way all knowledge possessed by endless millions of other subconscious minds." Apparently Cayce was interpreting the collective subconscious mind long before the psychiatrist C.J. Jung postulated his concept of the collective unconscious.

http://www.themystica.org...ecords.htm

dawntreader said:

From what I know, no they don't. But maybe they go by another name/philosophy?

Prince's inclusion of them on TRC is very prominent on Family Name, suggesting a) they do align in someway with JW teachings (if only in passing/or the general gist of it) or Prince's conversion to JW is really just part of his overall thinkings about God, and he doesn't exclusively follow this one theory.

NouveauDance said:

Absolutely not. Jehovah's Witnesses have NOTHING whatsoever to do with anything "uncanny" such as these were described.
If I'm correct, TRC came out in 2001? He was baptised in 2002 (end of, I believe).

Prince always seems to mix different religious beliefs and ideas -- though nowdays he's definitely more JW than anything else; I'm s'posing the Akashic Records idea is a carry-over from his time with Mayte and the things he dug into back around the days he was reading The Celestine Prophecy and all that (pre-Emancipation).

edit: and i fear it also has something to do with race... ism. sorry to say
[Edited 9/27/04 16:40pm]

NouveauDance said:

What do they know about the akashic records?

toulousaine said:

Who's to say the Akashic Records theory is "uncanny"? It's as legitimate as any other unproveable theory, such as all the major religions and cults.

Prince's interest in Jehovah Witnessism (is that a word?!) goes back before 2002, this is well-known by most fans who've followed his career for more than 2 years.

unlucky7 said:

That's what we're trying ascertain!

Snap said:

Y is it 'racist' of him 2 point out that certain groups of people have historically oppressed other groups of people? I call that speaking the TRUTH.

yasetshego said:

every group of people at one time or another has been oppressed... it's not exclusive to any one race. Look at modern Africa.. Palenstine... African Americans... Afganistan... Iraq... Iran... N Ireland... to some extent Quebec... Native Americans... Greeks... Polish... Chetchinay.... Tibet... women... homosexuals... the list can go on forever

yasetshego said:

racism is promoting one race over all others

I like how in 'Everlasting Now' Prince says we need 'an accurate understanding of christ and the father' - this on top of an incomprehensible bonkers story about 'banished ones' 'digital gardens' 'pharaohs and muses' and 'wise ones'!

Yeah, very accurate, clear narrative there...

metalorange said:

LOL!

And besides, since when the Bible accurate?
[Edited 9/28/04 5:50am]

yasetshego said:

Oh boy, not this again.

Oppressed other groups of people? We're in the 21st century now, and if anyone keeps one group or another oppressed it is themselves. It's time to stand up and take responsibility for TODAY not hundreds, fifty or even ten years ago.

As long as the race card is played people will still play the game of ignorance.

NouveauDance said:

Well in all fairness, he did say an "accurate knowledge of Christ and the Father", not an accurate interpretation of my album".
If ya wanna be spoon fed, listen to a Muppets record.

OdysseyMiles said:

OdysseyMiles, forgive my flippant remarks, although I do believe them to be accurate, they are fairing off topic of the original intention of this post.

Do you, yourself know if there is any reference to the Akashic Records, or a similar theory with the Jehovahs Witness faith?

I guess one could simply say it is a different interpretation of the idea of God's judgement within the Bible?

NouveauDance said:

Cool.
Looks to me like the Akashic Records can also be called The Book of Life, something that the bible does reference. I came across this description here:
http://www.edgarcayce.org...n/akashic/
In Psalm 139, David makes reference to the fact God has written down everything about him and all the details of his life – even that which is imperfect and those deeds which have yet to be performed.
For many individuals this Book of Life is simply an imagery symbol of those destined for heaven and has its roots in the custom of recording genealogical records of names or perhaps early census taking. Traditional religion suggests that this book – either in literal or symbolic form – contains the names of all those who are worthy of salvation.
Kinda makes more sense now, when at the beginning of the song they are searching through and recalling the deeds of slave owners, crooked politicians/leaders.
Personally, as a JW, I believe that God's Book of Life is figurative, probably referring to his vast memory, or that we are all in his heart in one way or another.

Thanks Miles

I do actually have the Edgar Cayce book on Akashic Records somewhere, I should dig it out and have a flick through again.

The quote from Psalm 139 "David makes reference to the fact God has written down everything about him and all the details of his life – even that which is imperfect and those deeds which have yet to be performed."

I do believe I've read this before, and it does indeed align with what the Akashic Records could be intrepreted as being.

I do be in the Bible, but I believe it to be a re-telling of even older 'legends' or truths, I guess my attitude towards the Bibles comes from it's mis-use and mis-translation.

NouveauDance said:

Sadly, there is too much of that nowadays. We can all pray for help and understanding though.

NouveauDance said:

Is the book really good??

AKASHIC RECORDS: A vibratory record of all thought and action.

This is an interesting question. Do you think that given this understanding of the Akashic Records as a spiritial or mystical record of all life - and that Family Name refers to the fact that many African Americans cannot trace their genealogy back beyond their ancestors arrival in America as slaves, at which time their (African) names were ignored and new European names imposed on them (as Prince has discussed elsewhere), perhaps he is proposing that the Akashic record is the only true record of histories and genealogies? And that it lies beyond written histories?

Good reason to name yourself ...

Sorry, perhaps I am stating the obvious and someone will give me the little icon rolling off the chair... But I don't care
[Edited 10/8/04 22:03pm]