Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said: When love beckons to you follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast. All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart. But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor, Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears. Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love. When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, I am in the heart of God." And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran I hate to admit it, but it's true. I have fallen asleep behind the wheel on more than one occasion. at times, during long road trip, I remember dozing off, only to be awakened by the sound of my tires rumbling over freeway reflectors. at other times, I remember nodding off after a long week during my evening commute home. In either case, my response has always been the same. I roll down the windows, turn up the music, stop and get coffee and stretch, or something like that. and by the time I arrived home, I had to give deep and heartfelt thanks for having survived such a dangerous experience. if you have ever fallen asleep behind the wheel, if you have ever falling asleep behind the wheel, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I think that's why "Falling asleep behind the wheel is such a widely used phrase." It epitomizes the idea that if you are not paying close attention to what you're doing, you can blow it really badly.
so, what happens when you fall asleep behind the wheel during your spiritual journey? that is, what happens when you lose sight of the priority established for you according to the spiritual laws that govern the universe? of course, there are many detrimental effects, the most significant of which is blindness to the real and true path of happiness and fulfillment. what follows are four essential traits of personal priesthood that will help you maintain your focus on the road of spiritual development and prevent you from falling asleep behind the wheel. essential trait number one is unconditional devotion. that is, when things are going great and you're having it all your way, you agree to pray, consult, sacrifice and keep spiritual observances. likewise when things are not going well, you agree to pray consult sacrifice and keep spiritual observances. here, it's so important to understand the element of earth time and spiritual time. Some of the things that we're doing today will have effects deep into the future that we cannot anticipate. Likewise many of the things that we are experiencing today are the results of movements that took place somewhere in the immediate or distant past. The key is to be consistent. essential trait number 2 is continuous improvement and enjoyment. don't allow your devotion to get monotonous and boring. learn new prayer. introduce new song. Spruce up your shrine. what I'm trying to say is, keep your practice fresh and inspiring. You need to grow and develop and find a sense of awe in your personal priesthood. there must be some aspect of your practice that excites you and compels you to go deeper into the experience. essential trait number 3 is cultivate a sense of urgency. here, let me emphasize the fact that I am NOT encouraging impatient or taking shortcuts in order to rush the process. instead, I am urging you to assign timelines to your personal priesthood and the practices associated with it. so, give yourself a specified length of time to learn new chance, or to master certain rituals, 4 bring about certain kinds of behavioral changes within your self. it is important to remember that what gets measured will get done. essential trait number 4 is always, always, always have hope. it is completely normal to have doubts, for your human frailty to limit your ability to progressed and for you too become distracted by the imperatives of everyday living. Bunch is so important for you to keep in mind why personal priesthood matters in the first place. How to conjure the image of your highest spiritual identity on a day to day basis. let that image inspire you and compel you to continue the journey of personal discipline, deeper compassion, and increased spiritual connection. No matter what you have done, no matter where you are right now, and no matter what anybody else has said to you or about you, you can still live the medicine that will heal your life and heal the lives of the people you are destined to serve. learn more at the OrisaLifestyle retreat: www.OrisaLifestyle.com/retreat Eku ojo awo. Greetings on this day of awo. Awo is mystery. It refers to a kind of specialized knowledge and access. The mystery is hidden in plain view. The uninitiated do not know it even when they see it. The mystery is what holds the world together. The mystery makes life more meaningful.
The day of mystery belongs to Orunmila, the original babalawo - father of mysteries. Orunmila is black like night. He symbolizes mastery of the unseen. His divine consort is Osun, the benevolent owner of the hair comb. Like the comb, which untangles and creates order, Osun is adept at manifesting the mysteries of Orunmila with peace and serenity. She is Orisa funfun, a gentle deity, draped in white cloth. They are venerated together on Ojo Awo, the day of mystery. Today, I lift up my family, friends, clients and students in solemn prayer. May Orunmila and Osun collaborate to reveal the mysteries of longevity, happiness and prosperity in your life. Ase! May your ori behold the good fortune of this beautiful day and may your feet carry you to your blessings. Ase! Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com ![]() Ifa says that it is an insignificant matter I chorus that it is an insignificant matter Where is the insignificant man of last night, Ifa? The insignificant man of last night is alive Let him continue to endure suffering Let him continue to endure tribulation He shall eventually overcome He shall in the end become successful He shall eventually become Okanmbi Who is the ruler of humans We have made Okanmbi the ruler, Ifa All humans Come and pay your homage All humans - Holy Odu OseOkanran Do you ever feel stuck, worn out or even hopeless? Perhaps you feel painfully misunderstood by those who you cherish most. Maybe you have alienated people for so long that you feel distanced from the people who matter most. Or it could be that you have given everything you have, only to be summarily rejected, unappreciated and ignored by the people whose approval you need most. Either way, these are the kinds of conditions that can shake your confidence and leave you feeling frustrated to the point of great despair. You're not alone. Many of us have poured our lives into relationships, jobs and causes but have nothing to show for it. It is far too easy to feel lost, disillusioned and betrayed in a world of greed, prejudice and materialism. As institutionalized violence - even against those who are most compliant - increases every day, you probably feel overwhelmed from time to time. But always remember this, no matter how difficult it is to understand what is happening in the world around us, you are in the greatest danger when you lose connection to the pathway of our own soul. When you lose this true sense of self, which is grounded in the mysteries of your bloodlines, you forfeit the natural source of wisdom that gives birth to your purpose and ultimate happiness. As you learn to listen to the voice of your ancestral guardian soul, you find the inner speech that is most instructive, most compassionate and most true. You have not sent yourself into the world, after all. You were sent here to complete the errand started by your ancestors at the very dawn of time. Let us consider the sacred text of Ifa, which teaches us this way: One day, all kinds of people; good people and those who do not allow good in other people’s lives gathered together. They then went to Òrunmìlà. They said “Coming back and forth to earth tires us, Òrunmìlà. Therefore, please allow us to rest in heaven.” Òrunmìlà said “You cannot avoid going back and forth to earth Until you bring about the Good Condition that Olódùmarè has ordained for every human being. After then, you may rest in heaven.” - Holy Odu IrosunIwori At the 2nd Annual Orisa Lifestyle Retreat, you will join other seekers and practitioners and enjoy hands-on spiritual development. You'll also strengthen your capacity for systems thinking so you can unleash your natural gifts and talents. The Orisa Lifestyle Retreat also provides a common language for talking about transformation and building stronger relationships for continuing what we initiate in the two day retreat in your home and community. Who should attend:
"Bó ti wù kí ojú kan tóbi tó, ojú méjì sàn ju ojú kan lọ " No matter how big an eye is, two eyes are better than one. Team effort is superior to individual undertakings. And when your team includes the ancestors, divinities and Olodumare, your chances for a well-rounded success are much greater. People will conspire with you when it's convenient to do so, when your circumstances support their personal agendas. But the deities are only concerned with your destiny. They only act in concert with the mandates of Olodumare. Learn to rely more heavily upon the spiritual laws that govern the universe and you will surely live the medicine that will heal your life and the lives of the people you're destined to serve. Learn more at the OrisaLifestyle Retreat, www.OrisaLifestyle.com/retreat
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving." And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city? And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable? There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
- Khalil Gibran, the Prophet Ifá promotes spiritual development through sacrifice. But what is the spirit in which we perform our sacrifices? Are we giving with all of our hearts and souls, or are we merely trying to bribe the òrìsà? Your spirit can be transformed and purified through the sincerity of your sacrifice. Learn surrender as part of your sacrifice. Learn submission as part of your sacrifice. Learn selflessness as part of your sacrifice. Let the Olodumare be your focus and you will be released from the confinement of your personal fears and limitations. Live the medicine. "Ibi àgbà bá dúró sí lọmọdé ńba" It's where an elder is that a youngster grows up to meet with him. Youths of today are the elders of tommorrow. What are today's elders doing to set the stage for a brighter future for our youth? Who is setting the stage for improvements in OrisaLifestyle tomorrow? Live the medicine. Heal your life and heal the lives of those you're destined to serve. Join us at the OrisaLifestyle Retreat: www.OrisaLifestyle.com
![]() "Bí ẹ̀mí bá wà, ìrètí ńbẹ " As long as there is life, there is hope. The enemies of hope are anger and fear. Anger is rooted in the past. Think about it. You're mad about something that happened yesterday, last month, or five years ago. And it's really an emotion that follows pain. Here, let me say how important it is to separate anger from pain. More precisely, learn to let go of anger and deal with your pain, heal your wounds. Anger is just a scab waiting to be knocked off and release a flow of hot blooded venom. This is why I say anger is an enemy of hope and a killer of dreams as well. On the other hand, fear is all about the future. You're all twisted in a knot, anxious and uptight because of something that you don't want to happen tomorrow, next month or a few years from now. Fear paralyzes you. You envision what you don't want to happen and all the negative emotions associated with it and you become fixated with it, sometimes to the point obsessing over it. The antidote to fear, therefore, is preparation. I like to use scenario mapping with people to help overcome fear of the future. Basically, through scenario mapping, I guide you through various possible scenarios and the BEST response to each possibility. Here, it's important to emphasize the significance of destiny. In other words, the only way to really appreciate the value of each scenario and response is to compare it to your purpose and reason for being. The stronger your connection to your destiny, the easier it will be to chose healthy responses to ALL scenarios. Otherwise, fear will cause you to commit to short term convenience, that usually contributes nothing to achieving your destiny. This is what I mean when I say fear is an enemy of hope. The antidote to anger and fear is being present. "Bí ẹ̀mí bá wà, ìrètí ńbẹ " is translated as "As long as there is life, there is hope" but in actuality, ẹ̀mí means breath. So, what the elders are really telling us is to focus on the simple truth of breathing. Slow down. Pay attention to your breathing. Give sincere thanks for every breath. Let every breath fill you with hope. Aspiration is synonymous with breath and hope. It's never too late to dream! Anger and fear are sworn enemies of hope. Overcome them with patience by letting go of the past and preparing for the future according to your destiny. Live the Medicine. Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com
The Orisa Lifestyle Retreat is a two day experience, supported by eight weeks of dynamic conference calls. Register today: www.OrisaLifestyle.com/retreat
"I hate this class!" She hissed the words on top of a heavy sigh. It hurt me quite deeply because I love to teach and she was actually making considerable progress. In spite of my disappointment and hurt feelings, I kept a straight, relaxed demeanor. It was Summer 1997 and I was teaching an Upward Bound Spanish class at Pasadena City College. I had a mix of skill levels that ranged from students who were native speakers to others whose vocabulary was not much more than taco, nachos and si. I had to organize the class in a way that challenged everyone, but still guaranteed some level of success, too. Consequently, the format was quite different from the conventional data dump the students had been exposed to up until that point. In my class, I taught concepts and required the students to fill in much of the content on their own. Instead of force-feeding them page after page of vocabulary words and grammar, I made them think about how they were thinking about the language and use their own thought processes to discover how Spanish works.
The young lady I alluded to earlier was an African American sophomore, who knew virtually no Spanish at the time. I understood her double frustration: On one hand, she was unable to engage with me and some of the other students who were native speakers. On the other hand, she did not have the comfort of a standard syllabus and text book to follow. She felt like I was humiliating her, isolating her, wasting her precious Summer. One day, she got fed up enough to confront me. "This class is so stupid! My friend is taking the other class and she is doing something totally different. You're not teaching us ANYTHING!" I listened to her and waited for a pause. Then I replied, "How do you know I am not teaching you? Just because we're not doing what the other class is doing doesn't mean you're not learning, does it? Is memorizing abstract vocabulary lists the ONLY way to learn Spanish? I know that's the way they usually teach it in school, but that's not how people learn it in real life. In real life, you have to discover how to communicate with other people THROUGH the language. Every single time you make a mistake, that is the language inviting you to figure something out.' Most Americans are monolingual, not because they lack the ability or even the aptitude. Most of us are monolingual because we quit too soon. We get frustrated, embarrassed and impatient and we just quit. In my work as a priest and counselor, this serves as a great analogy for life in general. We are too quick to quit. We blame our parents, our spouses, the system. But seldom do we ever blame ourselves. Even when we come before Ifa and the verses tell us that there is no curse, no witch no enemy, we refuse to ask ourselves "Am I the cause of my own demise?" Today, I want to challenge you to change your perspective. Stop looking for opportunities to quit. Stop looking for people to blame. As long as you blame others, the only way to rectify the situation is to change those people or destroy them. But when you realize the extent to which YOU'RE the problem, then you're back in the power seat because you CAN change yourself. Steven Covey calls it knowing the difference between your circle of concern and your circle of influence. People outside of yourself are in your circle of concern. You cannot change them. One of the most important things in your actual circle of influence is YOU. So yeah, embrace the fact that you're the problem and you will also have embraced the fact that you're the solution, too. Want to learn more? Join us at the Orisa Lifestyle Retreat www.OrisaLifestyle.com/retreat |
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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