If a priest is going somewhere
A priest will self-reflect before he departs If a warrior is traveling He will craft medicine Why? The day makes priests examine themselves Fear compels an experienced warrior to craft medicine If a leopard roars in your dreams The leopard cannot kill you Silent fear is always present in ones mind Cast divination for someone becoming Oloja, a chief Who is apprehensive - Holy Odu IreteOwonrin Progress is what we work and dream for but when it manifests, we become nervous. Our fears creep in and we experience doubt. We think about everything that could possibly go wrong. Sometimes, we even get carried away. Our anxieties get the upper hand and we panic. This is to be avoided. Rule #1 is Don't panic. Nobody likes to panic, of course. We all know that it is better to choose an intelligent response, rather than to react without thinking. So, what can we do to overcome our fears? The teachings of Ifa reveal to us that fear can be overcome through spiritual discipline. Ifa allows us to confront our greatest fears, in fact: - Death - Sickness - Curses - Conflict - Defeat These are the five primary fears of all humanity. They can all be overcome in three, simple steps: 1. Divination (Assessment) 2. Sacrifice (Transformative Works) 3. Taboos (Sustainable Practices) These represent the cornerstone of Orisa Lifestyle. When Bàbá Orunmila speaks of any form of negativity, he will also define exactly what you must do to transcend it. And so it is, that when you practice Orisa Lifestyle, you need not fear those things that others fear. Instead, you are blessed with the invitation to face your greatest imaginable challenges with total confidence in Ifa's wise counsel. Let there be no limit to your development. Ase! Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www. ObafemiO.com Available for consultations, lectures, workshops and retreats. Patience is the father of all characters. The elder who has patience has all good things. Experience has shown me that people demonstrate a range of character traits. As you age, endure hardship and enjoy blessings, your character will develop, transform and manifest in different ways. Your greatest imaginable challenge is to recognize and embrace your character as you grow into it.
Sounds easy enough. But the inside joke is this; people like to play it safe and protect ourselves. So, we tend to seek familiarity, which does not challenge us to really test ourselves. When was the last time you deliberately thrust yourself out of your comfort zone to do something foreign? So, for most people character lessons tend to come packaged in a situation wherein you lose control and are forced to become vulnerable. This is the essence of initiation. You must lose the ego in order to gain the soul. In the OLA16 Member site, you will be exposed to numerous lessons and activities that cultivate your personal priesthood by guiding you through what we can call everyday initiation. Learn more at www.OrisaLifestyle.com/membership Amure sesese
The priest of roadside Cast divination for Ori The child of Ateteniran, one who has descendants quickly Who takes care of devotees more than any other Orisa Therefore, it is Ori who enchants me, who gives rise to money Amure Sese Amure Amure sese It is Ori who enchants me, who occasions a wife Sese Amure Amure sese It is Ori who enchants me, who brings about children Amure Sese Amure Amure sese - Holy Odu OturuponOse We cannot over emphasize the importance of Ori. It is the indwelling soul that provides countless opportunities for each individual. When you wish to embark upon any endeavor, material, emotional, intellectual or spiritual, you would be wise to consult Ori first. Likewise, when you reflect upon the success or failure of any activity, you will find it prudent to inquire of Ori first. As the vessel of your potential, Ori is the definitive catalog of your full potential. Of course, there is a common sense dimension of Ori veneration. I mean, given the fact that the natural shrine of Ori is your head, it stands to reason that most of what is good for your head also benefits Ori. From flattering headgear to healthy food to deep meditation, there are some obvious ways to tend to your Ori. These interventions should never be overlooked nor minimized. In other words, do everything you can to fortify and protect your Ori. In addition, however, there are also aspects of Ori care that should be carried out by ritual specialists, particularly babalawo. Remember that the elders say, Earth is a marketplace: Heaven is our home. So this is a reminder that Ori comes from heaven. It accompanies you on every earthly journey, but it is actually a heavenly emissary. Consequently, there are some things you must do for your Ori that do not belong to this world and have no visible effects. Once a year, for example, we are advised to perform a ritual which is sometimes called Ori Kadun, which is something like a birthday party. We appease Ori, as well as the heavenly beings who have been supporting Ori consistently throughout the year. You don't need to list these deities, nor enumerate their contributions. All that is necessary is to consult Ifa and complete the sacrifice prescribed in the sacred text. The Holy Odu IrosunOse tells us that it is only Orunmila who will return to heaven and appease the deities on behalf of Ori. This is why Orunmila is known as the Eleri Ipin, or intermediary of fate. Ori is supreme. As such, it precedes all other deities. Your spiritual devdelopment is only made possible by your relationship with Ori. As such, living the medicine is essentially Ori devotion. It is by optimizing the content and purpose of your Ori that you will improve the quality of your contribution to your own life and the lives of the people you are destined to serve. Spirituality is concerned with identity. It pertains to who you are, in your most authentic expression of divinity. Religion, on the other hand, is concerned with transformation. It is a compilation of recipes that take a range of spiritual elements and create masterpieces. Orisa Lifestyle is concerned with sacred culture. It is based upon the understanding that all of life is initiation. Orisa Lifestyle enables you to experience transformation in everything you do. In this regard, your personal priesthood - which is based upon your Ancestral Promise, natural gifts and talents and the population you're destined to serve - brings you a little closer to the Good Condition every day. Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObefemiO.com My ancestors were forced to circle the iroko seven times so that they would forget Africa, forget, their origins, forget the deities. They were loaded onto ships and sailed across the waters, carrying nothing but prayers and determination.
Ifa says, when we get to the house of a respected elder, we bend down LOW. Orunmila convened the orisa and asked them all, who among you can accompany your devotee on a long journey - even across the seas - without ever turning back? All of them failed the test - even Orunmila himself. At the time, Orunmila explained; the only deity who can accompany his devotee on a long journey, even across the seas, without ever turning back is ORI apere, ateteniran! And so, our ancestors taught us to pray, THANK GOD I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, CLOTHED IN MY RIGHT MIND! Ifa goes on to tell us that when we awake in the morning, we should teach one another wisdom and not lay the foundation for madness. On this morning - like every morning - I greet you with wise teachings and sincere love for the tradition which has made our people legendary the world over. May good things manifest in your life as a result! Ase! May the blessings flow through you and improve the lives of others! Ase! May you always remember who you serve! Ase! Live the medicine in everything you do. Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com As an archetype, Olumeye is shown as a woman in a kneeling position, carrying an offertory vessel in her hands and a baby on her back. There are other details, which include her traditional hairstyle,her clothing and facial expression. Together, these details all reinforce Olumeye as a symbol of abundance that results from generous devotion.
To whom much is given much is expected. Olumeye is wealthy, yet she still kneels to make offerings to the ancestors, the Orisa and her own destiny. Humility and discipline, these are the characteristics of graciousness. Olumeye embodies it to the utmost. As hard as she works, she never looses sight of the purpose for which she works. In other words, she knows who she serves and as a result, her approach and delivery are consistent with the desired outcomes. The teachings of Ifa remind us that the blessings of our lives are really gifts that have been passed down from one generation to the next and ultimately, Olodumare is the source of all good things. So, when the oracle advises us to receive our blessings, but to also give back that which has been given upon demand, there are at least two meanings. On one hand, honesty builds trust and confidence. When someone knows that you will return what does not belong to you, he will know you have integrity. On the other hand, humbleness inspires greater support. The deities can work miracles as long as you don't make the mistake of thinking that you are the sole architect of your good fortune. When you know what Orisa has done in your life, you do not hesitate to sacrifice. You acknowledge the fact that part of your accomplishment is the direct result of divine intervention. And so it is, Olumeye symbolizes the success that results from hard work and spiritual discipline. These are the teachings that transcend ritual and ceremony. When internalized, they demonstrate how a good life is a highly ritualistized life, governed by the eternal principles of life. Living the medicine means embodying the wisdom and the beauty of Orisa Lifestyle in everything you think, feel, say and do. The Orisa Lifestyle Academy is your online guide to personal priesthood. Learn more today! Oyeku called Okanran to travel together
Oyeku said Okanran should follow him on a journey Okanran asked: what will we eat there? Oyeku exclaimed: Whoa! Me that invited you on a journey! Won't I find you something to eat? Right before the journey began Oyeku inquired about the trip Ifa asked Oyeku to perform an offering So the person accompanying Oyeku on the journey Does not eat more than Oyeku Oyeku heard about the offering and performed it When they reached their destination Oyeku took Okanran to Olokun's house Where they saw tons of money Oyeku told Okanran that the riches were Olokun's gift to visitors Oyeku asked Okanran to gather as much as he could carry But instead of Okanran saying: Weren't you the one that brought me here? Give me whatever amount you deem me worthy Okanran ran to pack tons of money Okanran disregarded the small valuables So Oyeku packed the little ones This remaining sand became mountains When Oyeku returned home Esu pointed his talisman at Oyeku's money The money began growing until it filled the house Oyeku became rich through patience Oyeku became wealthy and popular - Holy Odu OyekuOkanran The Importance of manners cannot be overstated. As practitioners of Orisa Lifestyle, we are encouraged to demonstrate etiquette wherever we go. In the old days, we called it home training. Our parents and elders were constantly making note of who had home training and who didn't. Sometimes, they would speak anecdotally; "I saw little Sally at the market yesterday. She was running wild, touching everything in sight. Po' thang! No home training at all!" Other times, they would speak more directly; "I'm sorry but Timothy is NOT welcome in this house until he gets some home training." Either way, many of us grew up with a clear idea about the importance of having good manners. To me, it's a lot like knowing proper grammar. When you know the difference between THERE, THEY'RE and THIER, you cringe every time you hear someone use them incorrectly. And if someone's grammar is really bad, it can completely destroy the quality and impact of their message. And so it is with manners. When you know how to demonstrate simple manners - in thought, word and gesture - you are less likely to "wear out your welcome," as my mother was fond of saying. And as the verse above teaches, the ability to practice good manners can also be a key to great prosperity. Beyond merely saying "May I, Please and Thank you," manners also includes having an attitude of graciousness and appreciation. Okanran was invited on a voyage but assumed that Oyeku would not be a good host, which prompted him to ask Oyeku about food. Oyeku assured Okanran that there would be plenty to eat. Then, when Oyeku went as far as to share Olokun's wealth with Okanran, the latter never thought to defer to his host and benefactor, who was responsible for Okanran being there in the first place. And so, Okanran took the lion's share, leaving only crumbs for Oyeku. Fortunately, Esu stands up for those who perform sacrifice. And so, when they returned home, Esu transformed Oyeku's crumbs into heaps of prosperity. Giving thanks is the first step towards receiving your next blessing. Demonstrating good manners in everything you do is an ideal way to give thanks to your ancestors, by practicing the good behaviors they have passed down from one generation to the next. In the Orisa Lifestyle Academy Member Site, you will gain access to an array of activities that cultivate good manners and help you to inculcate them in your family at the same time. Get busy today. Live the Medicine! The Moon is a symbol of fertility, reflection and the energy of the night. Imagination, dreams and the divine feminine - both as the embodiment of women and the anima consciousness in men - are influenced by the phases of the moon. The phases from New Moon to Full Moon is called the Waxing Moon. From Full Moon to New Moon is called the Waning Moon. The entire passage from New Moon to Full Moon and back to New Moon takes approximately 30 days. This is a Lunar Month. In that time, the Moon will travel the 12 constellations of the zodiac. The apogee represents a 2-day period when the moon is farthest from the earth. Conversely, the perigee is the point 2-day period when the moon is closest to the earth. Both are times of rest and introspection.
New Moon The new moon is an optimal time to quiet the mind and focus the emotions. It is considered naturally beneficial to dedicate additional time to meditation and chanting on the day of the New Moon, as well as one before and one day after. Priests of Orisa Oko - the divinity of agriculture and fertility - will make offerings on this day. Waxing Moon The bright half of the month - as the fullness of the moon increases - corresponds to a gradual strengthening of the emotional and spiritual forces that promote growth and prosperity. Naturally then, there are spiritual exercises that promote growth for each of the 15 days of the waxing moon. This is the time to initiate, gather resources, and join forces with like-minded people. Full Moon The fullness of the moon represents completion, abundance, and generosity. "Abundance is everywhere" is the Full Moon mantra! Therefore, the day of the full moon is considered an optimal time for prayer, ritual, ceremony and completing significant activities. Waning Moon The dark half of the month - as the fullness of the moon decreases - corresponds to a gradual weakening of beneficial emotional and spiritual forces. This is a time that corresponds with loss and constraint. Naturally then, there are spiritual exercises that prevent destruction for each of the 15 days of the waning moon. Now it is optimal to cut back detractors, uproot caustic relationships and ideas. About the phases of the moon, Ifa says this: The New Moon appears Turning its narrow edge to the universe Exposing its other large side to the heavens Ela Poroke Ifa divination was performed for the New Moon, Offspring of Ajalorun - Holy Odu OwonrinSindin The Moon was once much closer to the Earth. The Moon wanted to be known throughout the universe and so he went to consult Ifa with the diviner named Ela Poroke. The Moon was told to sacrifice, not only for honor, but also for peace of mind. However, the Moon only sacrificed for honor, disregarding the offerings for peace. Consequently, Olodumare commanded that the Moon would be eternally restless; enjoying 15 days of growth and honor, and another 15 days of reduction. (Ifa, the Custodian of Destiny. Fayemi Elebuibon. Page 146) In addition, Ifa also teaches us that the moon is representative of indispensability: 200 needles are not enough to be called a hoe 200 stars are not enough to be called a moon Cast divination for 200 stars wishing evil for the moon What harm can you do to the moon? The moon is indispensable in the usefulness of mankind Don't you know that 200 stars can never be as bright as the moon. For those who envious of our position and wishing us evil, let Olodumare who creates the moon deal with them. - Holy Odu IreteOyeku In other words, “Be a light, not a judge. Be model, not a critic.” It is one thing to have a keen eye for faults and imperfection. Progress depends upon your ability to define the problem. But it doesn't end there. Beyond showing people their faults, you have to show them the way to resolve those defects as well. Osupa, the moon is a deep symbol of humble, but effective leadership. This is so because she reflects the light of the sun without all the sun's harshness. This is reflected in the teachings of the Holy Odu OgbeOgunda, which says: Anger amounts to nothing for one Patience is the father of all good characters An elder who is patient He is blessed with all the good things of life These were Ifa’s messages for Ina, the fire Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator He was advised to offer ebo Anger amounts to nothing for one Patience is the father of all good character An elder who is patient He is blessed with all the good things of life These were Ifa’s messages to Oorun, the sun Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator He was advised to offer ebo These were Ifa’s messages for Osupa Kirimu, the full moon Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator He was advised to offer ebo Only Osupa complied with the advice of the Awo We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro In vain was the competence of Ina Ina has no good character We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro Of no purpose is the capacity of Oorun Oorun is not endowed with good character We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro, the illuminator - Holy Odu OgbeOgunda Here, Ifa illustrates the importance of being a peaceful illuminator. That is, Orisa Lifestyle favors leaders who are adept at revealing truth and guiding the community gently, patiently and compassionately. In this regard, the moon is associated with spiritual discipline. The Orisa Lifestyle Academy offers five levels of guidance and instruction, designed to help you to cultivate the spiritual discipline necessary for you to live the medicine that will heal your life and heal the lives of those you are destined to serve: Osa is beating - Holy Odu OsaOgbe How many times have you danced right passed your good fortune? Maybe it was some kind of economic opportunity. Or it may have been a chance to travel. Perhaps it was a love interest. Either way, recall a time when you looked the gift horse in the mouth and just walked on by? There is a Yoruba proverb that says, One who sees beauty but fails to recognize it will soon become poor. It means that a life without enjoyment is an impoverished one. People will use that saying to remind you of how important it is to take advantage of the good things that surround you. Still, I wonder about the reasons why people sometimes refuse to embrace their fortunes. I wonder about the ways in which we struggle to set reasonable priorities. I wonder about the ways in which we struggle with feelings of worthiness (i.e., Do I deserve this fortune?). I wonder about our sense of entitlement, which causes us to believe that opportunity will keep knocking, no matter how many times we walk past it without even a moment of hesitation. Today, you have a golden opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to your life and the lives of the people you are destined to serve. Don't allow yourself to be confused or misled. Get clarity, focus and direction: Ask Ifa! Obafemi Origunwa, MA | ObafemiO.com There is a real difference between giving a gift, buying something and making an offering... A gift is something that enhances the life of the recipient. Even when we speak of natural gifts and talents (e.g., artistry or athleticism), it is clear that these innate abilities add value to the one who possesses them. Likewise, when we buy something, the exchange is defined as a transaction, whereby one party pays a specified amount and is entitled to the product or service they have paid for. But an offering is really a gesture that functions as a tribute or a recognition of a particular law. This is especially the case when we speak of ancestral offerings. Contrary to popular belief, I would like to suggest that an offering is NOT an exchange. That is, when we offer food to the ancestors, for example, we are not declaring that because we gave the ancestors THIS they must give us THAT... Not at all. Instead, when we offer food, for example, we are recalling the proverbial prayer that says, We offer you food while you reside in the heavenly realm so that you will not allow us to want for food in the earthly realm. In that sense, an offering is really a reminder of the divine laws of RECIPROCITY and INTERDEPENDENCE. So, in my estimation, offerings reaffirm the fact that ancestors get fulfillment through providing for their descendants. The same is true of elders, who are fulfilled and satisfied by their ability to guide and protect the youth. Even more importantly, you have the ability to activate the laws of reciprocity and interdependence in all of your relationships. It requires that you recognize the NATURE of each relationship, what both parties need from that relationship, as well as what you have to offer. Live the Medicine. Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com |
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
Internalize Principles
Embody Truth
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