Hi folks, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Ashanti Kunene. We are working together at The Elevator ( www.theelevator.earth ), a global consciousness incubator and think tank, where she is the Executive Director. If you enjoy this conversation, please join our upcoming seminar, Life as Initiation. You can sign up to receive more information (including access to reduced price or early bird tickets) at www.liminal.news .
Life as Initiation
March 22 - April 12, 2025
Elevating consciousness for systems change
In this course we seek to align our inner transformation work with the outer systems change work with clarity, courage and purpose. This 4 week course is a rite of passage for those willing to meet the depth of personal and planetary transformation with open eyes and full hearts.
Learn how to move beyond extractive narratives and racial identities through an understanding of monistic idealism (consciousness is primary) and the African relational ontology of Ubuntu (jnterconnection).
At the heart of this seminar lies the understanding that we are not isolated beings, but deeply interconnected expressions of a greater whole. The African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—teaches that our identity is inseparable from our relationships with others. It emphasizes community, mutual care, and the recognition of the divine in each person.
Ubuntu aligns with Monistic Idealism, a philosophical perspective found in various spiritual traditions, from Advaita Vedanta to Western esotericism, which posits that consciousness is the fundamental reality—not matter. In this view, the separation we experience in daily life is an illusion; we are all part of a singular, unfolding awareness. Though emerging from different cultural and historical contexts, both Ubuntu and Monistic Idealism point to the same fundamental truth: our well-being and purpose are tied to the whole. Understanding this is key to navigating our personal initiations and shaping a regenerative future for humanity.
BIO
Ashanti Kunene is a South African storyteller, strategist, and art activist dedicated to decolonial education, social justice, and regenerative leadership. Born into South Africa’s born-free generation—those born after Nelson Mandela’s release—she has navigated the complex intersections of race, privilege, and cultural identity in a post-apartheid society. She has worked in the UN and other organizations, using narrative power to shift cultural consciousness and drive systemic change, and has been a speaker at global forums on youth leadership, climate justice, and African spirituality. With a background in anthropology and political science, Ashanti brings a unique perspective that blends indigenous wisdom, social activism, and spiritual awakening. She is passionate about Ubuntu—the African philosophy of interconnectedness—and sees the current global crises as part of a profound initiation process, requiring a radical shift in consciousness and action. Her work challenges Western paradigms of leadership and progress, advocating for community-driven, regenerative solutions that honor both ancestral wisdom and future pathways.
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