Marayam Ajayi - The Socially Conscious
Marayam Ajayi - The Energy Healer
Maryam Ajayi is an energy healer, who practices both Reiki and Breathwork and entrepreneur with +10 years of experience in business growth strategy and strategic partnerships across a multitude of industries ranging from politics to tech. Recently, she founded Indagba, a company that helps socially conscious people and companies grow into their full potential through mindful business strategy. Her passions include de-stigmatizing the wellness industry, advocating for inclusive spaces for marginalized communities, and using her voice to empower and uplift others around the world.
What is your definition of freedom? What does it look and feel like to you? And how do you cultivate it daily?
To me, freedom is the ability to live in full expression of my soul’s truth. It means not only speaking and living my truth without fear, but also embodying it every minute of every day. Freedom is joy, passion, and peace. Freedom feels like being at one with the Universe and experiencing love, true, pure, love at its full expression.
How have your thoughts, perception, and understanding of freedom evolved with time? What was it before and what is it now?
Before my spiritual awakening, I thought freedom meant career and financial success in the corporate world. It meant having a shiny title, designer clothing, and a life that made people envious. Chasing freedom through financial gain always felt unattainable, left me burnout and empty, and no matter how hard I tried, I could never reach it. My false understanding of that definition of freedom came crumbling down after I truly went deep within myself and devoted myself to my healing, as well as the healing of my ancestors through modalities such as Reiki, mediation, and Breathwork. Now, freedom means healing.
Freedom can feel like something we’re all seeking, but may have trouble grasping. What's one piece of advice or some words of wisdom you can offer to this community as they look to "get free"?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to cultivate a life of freedom is to “be yourself, because everyone else is taken.” You will never be free until you not only understand who you are and why you were put on this earth, but when you fully embrace it no matter what anyone, and I mean anyone else has to say! If you do, I have no doubt that the Universe will lead you to an unfolding of your truth and a life of service that will be nothing short of magic.
Share an anecdote, memory, or practice in your life that embodies freedom in every way.
Last year, I was enduring discrimination and oppression at my last corporate job unlike any other experience I had before. Yes, as a Black Woman this was nothing new, but because I was fully stepping into my power AND I was a black woman who did not act in a way that white people in power wanted me to, I was violently targeted. I was silently suffering. I decided to not only walk away corporate world as I know it and from a toxic situation, but I decided to say “enough is enough” to a pattern within me and that carries back generations. I spent months doing Reiki, Breathwork, mediation, therapy and working with spiritual advisors to break deep patterns of oppression, abuse and violence in order to liberate not just myself, but the generations to come after me. I radically said no to my oppressors and yes to my freedom.
With your work being rooted in reiki and breathwork, how have these healing modalities transformed your personal relationship to freedom? And do you see this change transmitting throughout your surrounding relationships?
Since I have been trained in both Breathwork and Reiki, I have been able to reclaim my freedom by becoming my own healer. It’s important to work with spiritual teachers and healers who you trust, but there is something so beautiful about being empowered on your own journey of healing by turning to yourself to heal. I am so grateful I have these tools in my toolbox when I am moving through change, difficult life moments, and overall just being a soul having a human experience. I try to practice what I preach as much as possible and go to that toolbox and use these modalities when it comes to my spiritual, mental, and physical well-being and growth.
As I have been on this journey, I have seen a mirror of my personal growth reflected in my relationships. I have had relationships gracefully fall away that no longer serve me, relationships evolve in such a tremendous way, and kismet relationships come into my life. Each teaching me where I am at on my path.
What is one song that helps you get free?
Doo Wop (That Thing) by Ms. Lauryn Hill.