A Nigerian man, Jason Osai, recently shared his personal experience with ancestral worship. He recounted how he communicated with the spirit of his friend's wife, Auntie Alice, after her death. According to Osai, Auntie Alice's spirit visited him, and he spoke to her, advising her to move on to the afterlife. This experience led Osai to reflect on the concept of ancestral worship and its significance in African culture.
Osai's story began with a trip to Owerri, where Auntie Alice, his friend Chief Abasi, and a driver were involved in a fatal accident. Before the accident, Osai had planned to join them but was unable to do so due to his commitments. On the night of the accident, Osai claimed to have felt an eerie presence in his bedroom, which he believed was Auntie Alice's spirit. His wife, Christy, also sensed the presence and mentioned that she could perceive Auntie Alice's performance.
Osai, who has a background in medical studies, having undergone an OBE at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC, claimed that he knew consciousness survives the death of the human body. He spoke to Auntie Alice's spirit, advising her to move on and promising to ensure that Chief Abasi gave her a befitting burial. After the encounter, the strange presence cleared, and the dogs in the neighborhood stopped barking.
The next morning, Osai and his wife visited Chief Abasi's house, where they found a somber atmosphere. It was later confirmed that Chief Abasi, Auntie Alice, and the driver had died in the accident. Osai reflected on the experience, stating that he did not pray to God or invoke Jesus Christ during the encounter. Instead, he believed that everyone is directly connected to the Divine and that intermediaries are not needed.
Osai's experience led him to question the traditional Christian notion of Jesus being the only begotten Son of God. He argued that Jesus' ministry was not about claiming divinity but about providing a template for humanity to strive and achieve spiritual growth. Osai believes that ancestors have not gone far from us and exist in another dimension, influencing our daily lives.
Osai's advice to readers is to feel free to invoke the spirits of their ancestors in their daily prayers, as they are still connected to us and understand our problems. He emphasizes the importance of having a clean heart, mind, and hand, as well as absolute belief in God and a spirit of gratitude and contentment.
Osai's personal experience has sparked a reflection on the concept of ancestral worship in African culture. While some may view it as a form of idolatry, Osai argues that it is a way of acknowledging the connection between the living and the dead. Ultimately, Osai's story encourages readers to rethink their understanding of the afterlife and the role of ancestors in their lives.
Key points
- Jason Osai's personal experience with ancestral worship challenges traditional Christian notions of the afterlife.
- Osai believes that everyone is directly connected to the Divine and that intermediaries are not needed.
- He encourages readers to invoke the spirits of their ancestors in their daily prayers.
