Umoja Rising (Paperback)

What if the path to healing requires unlearning everything you've been taught about your own mind?

For generations, Western psychology has positioned itself as the ultimate authority on human consciousness—diagnosing, treating, and defining what it means to be mentally well. But for those with spirit-first worldviews, this framework often deepens disconnection rather than fostering true liberation.

Umoja Rising: Decolonizing the Seven Layers of Self offers a radical alternative.

Drawing from West African spiritual traditions—particularly the Yoruba concept of Ori (divine consciousness)—and integrating cutting-edge insights from psychology and education, author and school psychologist Chase presents a transformative framework for mental liberation and spiritual literacy. This book dismantles psychology's role as political technology and reclaims ancient wisdom that prioritizes internal authority over external dependence.

Inside, you'll discover:

• The Seven Layers of Self and how to navigate them for genuine transformation
• How to build spiritual literacy and discernment rooted in cultural sovereignty
• Why traditional therapeutic models often fail spirit-first communities—and what to do instead
• Practical frameworks for educators, mental health professionals, and seekers committed to decolonization
• Tools for recognizing and resisting systemic oppression while cultivating abundance

Umoja Rising is not about adding African concepts to Western psychology—it's about liberating consciousness from colonial frameworks entirely. Whether you're a mental health professional seeking culturally sovereign approaches, an educator working with marginalized communities, or someone reclaiming your spiritual birthright, this book provides the foundation for authentic healing.

It's time to trust your own inner knowing. Your Ori has been waiting.

Chase is a school psychologist, educator, and cultural advocate working at the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and liberation. As the founder of Pan African Wellness, he has dedicated his career to developing frameworks that bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary practice, centering mental liberation and spiritual literacy rooted in West African traditions.

With extensive experience in special-education assessment and intervention, Chase collaborates with students, families, and communities to create pathways to healing that honor cultural sovereignty rather than reinforce colonial dependencies. His work challenges Western psychology's claim to authority over human consciousness, advocating instead for spirit-first worldviews grounded in internal authority and ancestral guidance.

Informed by Yoruba spiritual traditions-especially the concept of Ori, or divine consciousness-Chase developed the Seven Layers of Self framework, offering movement-based and spiritually informed approaches to mental wellness that extend beyond conventional therapeutic models.

A husband, father, and cultural protector, Chase views his life's work as the pursuit of decolonization and sovereignty. He helps individuals recognize psychology as political technology and reclaim their birthright to discernment, self-trust, and authentic healing.

Umoja Rising: Decolonizing the Seven Layers of Self represents the culmination of his research, practice, and spiritual study-an invitation to step into true liberation and divine authority.