"Rastafari not a culture, it's a reality"

Reggae music legend Bob Marley was synonymous with the Rastafari movement, a philosophy and lifestyle that originated in his home country of Jamaica. Rastafari, to Marley, was more than just a way of life; it was a tangible reality that defined his world view.

Altering the perception of Rastafari, Marley declared it as more than just a culture. While a culture typically refers to the shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices of a certain group, Marley suggested that Rastafari transcended those limitations. He perceived it as a complete perspective changing reality, which did not only exist independently of him, but was also a felt lived experience that manifested in different aspects of his life.

Seeing Rastafari as a reality, Marley communicated an intrinsic identification, a deep and unquestionable connection to the values and principles it advocated. This included the belief in the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, respect for nature, the empowerment of black people, and a critical stance against western capitalist societies. An active practitioner, this ethos directed his music, actions, and perspectives, influencing others to examine the movement distinctively.

Rastafari as a 'reality' is like a lens through which Marley understood and interpreted his world. This profoundly impacted his attitude towards life, influencing him to confront societal norms and question the existing realities, stressing the need for equilibrium and respect in an otherwise imbalanced world. The lifestyle consisted of more than just dreadlocks and Reggae music; it included a distinct language, diet, political stance, and religious practices, which Marley adopted as elements of his own life rather than abstract principles.

Moreover, by presenting Rastafari as a reality, Marley sought to highlight the practical and everyday dimensions of the movement. He underscored the significance of spirituality in everyday living, further philosophizing it as a tool for interpreting life and the world at a larger scale.

In essence, when Marley called Rastafari a reality, he informed the world of its deeper significance. He gave voice to a lived religious, social, and cultural experience that had considerably contributed to his identity and life. He was not merely following a cultural set of interpretations but living in a reality that influenced his every thought, action, and piece of music. Bob Marley's deference and commitment to Rastafari, therefore, was not only an adherence to a perceived culture, but a testament to the all-encompassing reality he found within the movement.