The Final Call

Minister Farrakhan: 'God wants to make us gods'

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Assistant Editor- | Last updated: Jun 13, 2014 - 11:46:40 AM

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Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad speaks at the 19th Annual National Survival Training seminar June 7. Each year hundreds come to Chicago to learn and practice the latest self-defense techniques, and to receive training from qualified martial arts specialists.

CHICAGO - The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan recently delivered more life lessons during powerful remarks at the Wyndham Glenview Suites just outside of the city.

“To be a man in Islam is to be a perfect refl ection of the divine Supreme Being, manifesting all of the attributes and characteristics of God, and all of this is within the grasp of every human being,” said Min. Farrakhan speaking to hundreds gathered for the 19th Annual National Survival Training Seminar conducted by Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad, national trainer of the Nation of Islam and student Central Regional captain of the Fruit of Islam.

While martial arts are looked upon primarily as physical activity— any practitioner will tell you that an important aspect often overlooked is the mental preparation and approach, the Minister said June 7.

As always, the Minister’s words of guidance were a special highlight of the training seminar. Minister Farrakhan enjoys observing those who come to the annual seminar. He pointed out that displays of mastery come from submitting fully as a student.

“It takes a lot to become a master,” Min. Farrakhan said.

All who desire to become masters should know that their minds will be taxed and bodies will go through a lot of pain to attain higher levels of excellence, he added. Complete focus, sacrifi ce, and intense study are required for one to grow into a master, the Minister explained.

“I represent two masters and those masters desire to make all of us masters of a higher discipline,” said Minister Farrakhan. “You can be made into what you submit to.”

The mastery of self will manifest what that higher level of mastery is, he said.

Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad demonstrates survival techniques.

“We do not fail in life unless we fail ourselves. It is the self that is the biggest stumbling block in the pathway of human progress. The mastery of self and this holy temple that is the true house of the living creator enables us not only to master the atoms, the molecules and the chemicals that make up the human body, but if we can master the self, we can master the universe which is the macrocosm of the self. God wants to make us gods,” said Min. Farrakhan.

We should not seek mastery for money, or accolades, public approval nor should we become involved in the exploitation of weaker beings, he added.

Many in this world live in the “underworld of self” which is ruled from the navel down, said the Minister.

“Once we bow down to the lower self, then we begin to put to death, the higher self,” said Minister Farrakhan.

The making of men

Minister Farrakhan said many in authority need to learn how to properly handle the power they are given, especially within organizations. Instead of encouraging participation and the spirit of unity and brotherhood, organizations are broken apart, because there is a lack of love, he said. Leadership should not try to hold back those who show potential for greatness, the Minister said.

Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad shares a light moment with Soke Lil’ John Davis, founder of Kumite Ryu Jiu Jitsu.

“Make all men and boys join the F.O.I.,” said Minister Farrakhan. “That is the command of a master. Train them fast and make them brave fi ghters willing at any time to give their lives for Allah’s sake and righteousness.”

inside the mosque and inside the dojo, but the work is outside of those buildings, he said. The people are in need of knowledge, they desire service and protection. If the cause for which we live is not bigger than ourselves, then we will never sacrifi ce ourselves to attain the bigger thing, the Minister noted.

“The world in which we live is suffering because there are not too many men who are willing to give their lives for a cause bigger than their lives,” said Min. Farrakhan.

True teachers have the desire to teach students the best of what they know in an attempt to bring the best out of them, he said. Everyone fi nds one to emulate and imitate prior to developing their own identity, Min. Farrakhan said.

During this process of selfdiscovery, there are times the student actually thinks they are wise enough to take on the teacher. Humility and patience are the characteristics needed for a student to grow to even greater levels of competence and mastery, the Minister said. Even a great teacher continues learning, he noted.

“Arrogance stops you from achieving your goal when you think you already know,” said Min. Farrakhan. “When you stop learning, you stop living.”

United Schools of Survival (U.S.O.S) is founded and headed by Grandmaster Anthony Muhammad, under the auspices and with the permission of his teachers, the late Dr. Moses Powell (Master Musa Muhammad) the founder of Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu, and Soke Lil’ John Davis, founder of Kumite Ryu Jiu Jitsu. The annual seminar honors them, as well as Grandprofessor Florendo M. Visitacíon, founder of Vee Jitsu Ryu Jiu Jitsu, for these three men are the foundation upon which V.S.K. Ryu Jiu Jitsu was established.