by Monique Jimenez
Staff Writer
“MontuScholar: The Rebirth of Ancient Egyptian & Nubian Martial Arts The Ausar Form,” by adjunct professor of religion Salim Faraji was recently published by the University of La Verne’s Collegiate Press.
The book deals with the author’s deep understanding of many forms of martial arts and self-defense. Through personal stories about healing martial arts, Faraji writes about his understanding of the meaning of life.
“MontuScholar” involves more than the author’s two years of training in martial arts. The book deals with how individuals use this experience to transform a new center of spirituality for their lives.
Faraji writes that it is more about trying to combine a place where knowledge of spirituality, health and discipline, as well as leadership, can be implemented together to create individual as well as worldwide solitude.
Faraji wrote the book as a guide and to communicate about his work and beliefs derived through his education and study of many cultures, particularly the people of the Nile Valley.
The book delves into the history and practice of African martial arts spanning from Kush and Kemet to the more contemporary forms like African Diasporic martial art, forms of Danmye of Martinique, Capoeira of Brazil and the African American Ram Fight.
There is so much culture and history in the book that it really provides a window into the cultural lives of people, of whom many people know very little about.
The book is based on a belief in an ancient Egyptian and Kemetic “god” of warrior arts and military sciences that collectively deal with three principles: sprit, power and focus.
Since it is based on the author’s real life experience, Faraji includes some practical exercises developed in Ta-Seti Meditation and Exercise System, giving the reader examples of ways they can experience this spirit, power and focus.
“MontuScholar” is interesting to read. It gives a solid critical evaluation of spirituality and human development and serves as a tool for learning and self-evaluation.
Faraji, a doctoral candidate in religion at the Claremont Graduate University, is also a priest and a practitioner of spiritual arts and sciences, and healing arts of the African culture.
