Believe in your destiny when nobody else does. Have faith in Olodumare, even when the world seems overrun by evil.
Sometimes, the only thing left for you to do is to stay the course, keep showing up and stand firm in your convictions. Eventually, what is so scarce today will become abundant. If it is love, wealth or happiness that you are seeking, know that it is seeking you, too. Prepare yourself for the divine encounter that will finally bring you together. Live the Medicine. "Báa gún ata nínú odó táa lọ̀ọ́ lórí ọlọ, iwa ata ò ní f'ata sílẹ̀" Whether pounded or ground, pepper remains incomparable because of its character. Celebrate your uniqueness. Discover the best way to show up and do those things that we so desperately need and only you can perform. As Marianne Williamson said, your playing small doesn't serve anybody. Naturally, in all things remain humble. Recognize the divine source of your power. At the same time, however, it is necessary to honor that power by allowing it to flow freely through you. At times, that means stepping into the spotlight to tell the story from your perspective so that we might see what you see, know what you know and feel what you feel. "Ìyànjú l'àgbẹ̀ ńgbìn, elédùà nìkan ló mọ b'íṣu ṣe ńta. " It's effort that farmers sow, only God knows how the yams are formed. And so, in life, in love, in learning, we give thanks and praise to the Almighty for the strength to work, and the harvest as well. Together, they increase our legacy. Àse! Live the medicine.
Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com Good heart Is what gangan drum possesses That does not allow gangan to misspeak Good character is ones guardian of protection Cast divination for Araba of Ife Esu finished washing his Ori Araba may now wash the Ori of others Aweda ma ni o The Ori the priests wash Aweda ma ni o Therefore, gangan o, when you possess a good heart You become close to the king Dundun drum Is the drum of an elder If one does not know how to be flexible The world will not love one deeply - Holy Odu OturaIrete The love and affection you share does not stop with the person toward whom you direct them. Love is an intensely inward, personal experience. At the same time, the act of loving generates a feeling of connectedness in more ways than you might anticipate. That is, because love is the primal and creative energy of the universe, you will find yourself drawn to a growing array of people, places and activities, according to your ability to embody the spirit of love. In animals and other life forms, the expression of this energy is limited to biological creativity (i.e., reproduction). In humans, however, the energy of love can be creative at all levels - physical, emotional and intellectual. More importantly, in a traditional setting, as the journey of life and love begins to amplify your feelings of attraction, arousal, passion, sorrow or inspiration, your spiritual community will assign you a mentor, teacher or guide who will help teach you the skills necessary to direct your attention on the energy that you are experiencing, nourishing it for collective benefit. How can you experience this level of support in the digital age? More precisely, telecommunications - with its myriad forms of instant communications - promotes INSTANT GRATIFICATION. Consequently, internet and smart phones have certainly made it possible to accumulate more information at a faster rate, but fails to create the conditions necessary to INTERNALIZE the spiritual laws that govern authentic spiritual maturity. What does the number 9 mean in Yoruba numerology? Is there even such a discipline as Yoruba numerology, as it is practiced in the West? For example, do the Yoruba count count this year as 2016? Does it make any sense to the indigenous mind to sum the numerals of a year in order to produce a number quality? (That is, 2016 as 2+0+1+6=9). I assure you that this kind of logic is entirely foreign to Yoruba indigenous knowledge. Yet and still, there is definitely a form of numerology built into Orisa Lifestyle. In order to fully appreciate it, however, you have to be willing to think as the ancients thought, which means delving a bit into Yoruba language and culture. Araba Fayemi Elebuibon tells us that "The ancient system created by the Yoruba reveals to us the inner mysteries of the universe through mathematical configurations. Everything has mathematical value..." It is natural then, that numerology plays an important part in Orisa Lifestyle. As a whole, Orisa Lifestyle is a systematic way of healing and bringing balance to matters concerning "heaven and earth," the ultimate goal of which is to bring about the Good Condition. One of the principle methods by which the babalawo (Ifa priests) strive to bring about the Good Condition is called ebo riru, or sacrifice. When we prescribe ebo riru, all the elements used are measured by numbers. Araba Elebuibon tells us that "When a person is distressed by lack of money, it may seem as if the priest adds to their problems by prescribing a heavy ebo, but the numbers of items indicate the actual location of the problem and also reveal the essentials of reformation."* Let's take the number 9, as an example. 9 is pronounced esan, which means "It turns." But instead of running in circles, esan is turning things with purpose. Thus, "to take turns" is lati sesan. Similarly, fi ire sanre and fi ibi sanbi mean to retaliate or pay someone back in their own coin. And so, the word san connotes turning over, results and exchange. It basically represents the principle of reciprocity. If you're in a situation wherein you're giving more than you're receiving, the babalawo might prescribe sacrificial items in multiples of 9 (esan) in order to activate the principle of reciprocity. Let us consider what the Holy Odu EjiOgbe says, in part: ...The next number is esan. Is it not? I replied, It is indeed so, Ifa Orunmila said, San, the root of esan means turn Clothes are not turned until the ninth washing The ninth washing is when clothes become thread-bare Listen to this pun on the root san The master of the market at Akesan repays courtesies with money and clothes Do you comprehend? San in Akesan is synonymous with san in esan - Holy Odu Ejiogbe* Here, it becomes essential to underscore the difference between esan as reciprocal energy and esan as mere rotation. Reciprocity promotes shared sacrifice and mutual growth. Reciprocity is responsible for creating spiritual abundance within a particular social context, i.e., Oja Ejigbomekun (the mythological marketplace of the orisa). You will remember that Ifa teaches us that "Earth is a marketplace. Heaven is our home." Within the marketplace of life, where we have all come to purify our souls in preparation for our return to the heavenly realm, "The master of the market at Akesan repays courtesies with money and clothes. Thus, we see that giving more is the only way to receive more. In this way, Oja Ejigbomekun is synonymous with Orisa Economics. In order to fully understand the significance of number 9 to Orisa Economics, I want you to take into consideration the fact that reciprocity is actually one of three basic principles that govern Orisa Economics: They are dominance, reciprocity and identity.
These three principles, together, govern Orisa Economics, which drives Orisa Lifestyle. When practiced in harmony with the leadership and identity, the principle of reciprocity (esan) can elevate our spiritual consciousness and material wealth to exceptional heights. May Ifa continue to guide and protect us as we master the art of reciprocal energy. Ase. Aboru aboye abosise Obafemi Origunwa, MA * Elebuibon, Fayemi. OgbeYonu Festival Program 2004 A child became the head of the father's house and rejoiced The money we use to build a house is less important than character It is less crucial than integrity If a child has gentle character She will make the father's house sustainable If a child does not possess gentle character She will desolate the father's house Cast divination for an inattentive person who does not listen Also for a wicked person with an uncontrollable temper They were asked to perform an offering to take care of their father's house It is in a safe place that Idi confides in Idi Do not nitpick over little problems in the house Let the house be united Do not nitpick over little issues in the house Let the house be peaceful Do not nitpick over little problems in the house Let the house be united Do not nitpick over the mistakes of someone who does well for you Do not nitpick over the mistakes of someone who does well for you - Holy Odu OdiMeji Study the big picture. Don't sweat the small stuff. In a family home, with spouses and children and their different approaches to life, there will always be reason to complain about something. This is especially true for people who are detail oriented and perfectionists. Every discrepancy seems like an attack on the family well being. But keep in mind that well being is the key word. The only reason the details matter is because they support the health and vitality of your home. So don't compromise your family's health in the process of tending to the details. This does not mean that you should just let things fall apart though. When you know how to identify high quality, you should do what you can to achieve it. The challenge is to maintain high standards by sharing them with others. When people appreciate high quality as much as you do, they will do more to maintain it. You will be able to overlook small problems when you know someone else is bound to address them in due time. So, instead of focusing exclusively details, you can also study the big picture. Who are all the members of your team or your family? What fo they want? What is most important to each of them? What is the real value of cooperation and harmony? Study these questions deeply and operate accordingly. This is the essence of living the medicine that will heal your life and heal the lives of those you're destined to serve. Iwalewa means character is beautiful. But what we call character is a lot like common sense. It is uncommon, in spite of the fact that is it obvious. That is, every man's character is good in his eyes. The challenge is to develop methods for teaching character in a way that people demonstrate consistent behavior. Personally, this means you behave consistently jn all environments. Collectively, it means your behavior is consistent with mine. And culturally, it means that our behavior is consistent from one generation to the next. This is the mission of the Orisa Lifestyle Academy. Learn more at OrisaLifestyle.com "Ọlọ́run tó ńsebẹ̀, ò kúrò ní ìdí ààrò" God who is cooking the soup, has not left the kitchen. Never give up! Patience and endurance are the secret weapons of great men and women. Once you have moved into position, be willing to go the distance for the cause in which you believe. This will require that you relinquish any notions of quitting or conditions. There can be no alternative, no plan B. As Yoda says, "Do or do not. There is no try." In fact, the word "try" does not even exist in Yoruba language! So, draw strength from Olodumare,, ori and Ifá. But never quit!
Iwori focus on what you are doing
If you have been initiated you should initiate your memory Iwori focus on what you are doing Awo do not use a weak rope to climb the palm tree Iwori focus on what you are doing Awo do not swim without prior knowledge of swimming Iwori focus on what you are doing Awo do not because of anger draw a weapon Iwori focus on what you are doing Awo do not marry another Awo's wife Iwori focus on what you are doing - Holy Odu IworiIrete Where you look will determine what you see. If you only focus on problems you will overlook solutions. If you only focus on faults you will overlook virtues. Likewise, if you only focus on the significance of your successes you will overlook the impact of your failures. If you only focus on your enemies' weaknesses you will underestimate their strengths. And so it is essential to master the art of focus. Focus turns into concentration, which turns into meditation. When you learn to truly meditate upon something, you will transcend the perceived separation that prevents you from experiencing internal unification and wholeness. This is one of the secrets of healing, learning and overcoming things like fear. It all begins with focus. Live the Medicine. Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com Irete ohun tutu mole Ifa said: good things have arrived Calmness is mine Osun water does not grow hot Icy cold, icy cold Fire does not burn into water Icy cold, icy cold Who is bringing the goodness of money to me? Calmness, calmness is mine Who is bringing the goodness of wives to me? Calmness, calmness is mine Unless we make a path for a river it cannot flow Who is bringing the goodness of children to me? Calmness, calmness is mine We do not make a path for a river without it flowing Who is bringing the goodness of wealth to me? Calmness, calmness is mine Brass is what Osun uses to rock her children - Holy Odu IreteOturupon Stay calm and invoke Ore Yeye Osun. |
Live the MedicineObafemi Origunwa, MAThought leader, Ifa priest and author of four definitive books, Obafemi Origunwa inspires metamorphosis through living the medicine that will heal your life and heal the lives of the people you're destined to serve. Raise Awareness
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