Category Archives: Learning (Idanileko)

WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN TO BE AN AWO, AN INITIATE, A DEVOTEE OF IFÁ AND THE IRUNMOLE-ORISA:

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An awo, a babalawo, an iyanifa, a babalorisa and an iyalorisa are representatives of Olodumare and of the Irunmole-Orisa. Have you ever thought about what it means to be someone’s representative?
It is and we feel it a great responsibility, privilege and honor to be a representative of an exalted, renown and accomplished human being. If this is true of being a representative of an exalted, renown and accomplished human being, what can be said of a person who is a representative of Olodumare, of Ifá and of the Irunmole-Orisa?! Is it such a simple and easy thing to be a representative of Olodumare, of Ifá and of the Irunmole-Orisa? Can just anyone do this? Can someone without any qualifications, without any training, without diplomatic skill, without personal dignity, without love, without sympathetic understanding and charisma be a representative of Olodumare, of Ifá and of the Irunmole-Orisa? Can someone who does not in good measure share the qualities, heart and mind of Olodumare, Ifá and of the Irunmole-Orisa represent them? Can a liar be a representative of the truth? Can a mean and indifferent person be a representative of kindness and compassion? Can a cheat and exploiter be a representative of honesty and generosity? Can an ignorant and uninformed person be a representative of pure wisdom and divine knowledge? Can a person who delights in filth, dishonesty and vulgarity be a representative of cleanliness, honesty (truthfulness) and purity?
If you had to select someone to represent you and to successfully promote your aims, what kind of person would you choose, and what qualities must this person have? Would you just choose anybody to represent you? Can a person be qualified to represent you by just having ‘good intentions’ or ‘good feelings’?
Shouldn’t they in addition to good intentions and good feelings also have knowledge, training, experience, sympathetic understanding and good social skills? After all they are representing you. Shouldn’t your representative have an honest and credible character, true knowledge-understanding, wisdom, courage, determination, commitment, training, maturity, gracefulness and a highly developed skill-set? Shouldn’t your representative care about you and what you are seeking to accomplish? Shouldn’t your representative have affinity with you and with your way of doing things?
What kind of people do you think Olodumare, Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa are looking for, to represent them and to promote their benefit conferring cause? These are things to carefully think about, to ponder and to consider, especially if we have the personal aspiration to serve and represent Olodumare, Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa before others.
In former times a genuinely developed, trained, qualified and mature awo or initiate, was considered a source of inspiration, strength and blessing to his family, community and nation. These awo or initiates were the spiritual pulse and heart of the community. The essence of their devotion was not merely ritualistic worship but to arouse a genuine and deep faith in Ifá (Olodumare) and in the Irunmole-Orisa. The were able to impart asé, hope, courage, inspiration and strength to others. By promoting the divine standard of Ifá values, they were instrumental in promoting the progress, wellbeing, peace, harmony and safety of their families, their community and their nation. These special awo were gifted with the special asé to create an atmosphere of harmony, peace, understanding, gentleness and love. These dedicated or consecrated awo had the special asé to disarm people of their worries, fears, doubts, anxieties and misunderstandings.
Let me ask you: If the ones who are charged with the privilege, responsibility and duty to draw people close to Ifá-Olodumare and the Irunmole-Orisa become dishonest, corrupt and indifferent, then what will happen to the family life, the community life, the communal spiritual life and the national life?
There is a great need today for awo, initiates and devotees of divine calibre who have true love and compassion for the people. There are so few authentic awo today! Many awo today have made a business of the sacred trust, that in former times was a great honor to discharge with humility, integrity, dignity and simplicity. And this is why we see so little prosperity, peace, harmony and wellbeing in the lives and families of many initiates, for how can they who are living in this sad condition help others. Some awo [initiates] have dedicated themselves to fooling and duping people to achieve their isolated desires and their selfish ends, and sadly many of the sincere but naive public blindly follow these kinds of ‘awo’ who fill their minds with all kinds of lies, make believe and fantasy.
It is a sad but strange wonder: An honest, sincere and true awo, initiate, priest or priestess comes along to freely share and offer the truth and values of Ifá to people and only a small amount of people will respond to this awo. But when a cheating, lying, duping, advantage taking, fantasizing, exploiting, double dealing and false promising ‘awo’ comes along, all come running to place their heads at his feet and to do his bidding and to secure his ‘blessings’?! What kind of ‘blessings’ can this person give when he himself is living an accursed life?! This is where we are today.
The ancient awo were not rich according to today’s standards and conception, and their search was not for money. The ancient awo were rich in peace of mind, good health, respect, wisdom, true spiritual power and divine virtue. The ancient awo sought for divine wisdom, imperishable values, health, spiritual power, penetrative insight, communion with the irunmole-orisa, harmony and longevity so as to be able to enjoy life to the fullest and to benefit others. Good conduct, good character and the earned (merited) respect of their community was their crown of achievement. Even today in Yorubaland there is an exalted title given out to knowledgeable awo of irreproachable conduct, extraordinary competence, deep understanding and sterling character: This sacred title is called Oba Iwa – the king of good conduct, virtue, good behavior and character! How beautiful and wonderful this is! This is the true gold and riches of Ifá!
The founder of Ogunda Meji Temple, the venerable Awopeju Bogunmbe was such an exalted, revered, holy, wise, hardworking, dedicated, inspiring and tireless servant of Ifá and the people, and this is why he was awarded with the title of Oba Iwa. The venerable Awopeju Bogunmbe was a rare awo. He was rare not because others could not live as he did, but he was rare in that he dedicated himself, by himself, to following Ifá with wholeheartedness and sincerity.
The same can be said of Olorunfunmi Adebanjo Oshiga the founder of Ijo Òrúnmìlà Adulawo and his worthy successor Olori Oluwo Ifajobi Fagbemi. The same can be said for the great high chief, the Oluwo Ifá of Ota, the venerable Fasola Opayemi Ifagbemi and his worthy successor and son, Babalawo and Ogboni Oluwo Fasola Faniyi of Ota. The same can be said of the founders of Indigene Faith of Africa [Ijo Òrúnmìlà Ato] and their present successors. They were and are the true and divine awo upon this earth. The same can be said for the wise and progressive founders of Ose Meji Temple. These great devotees achieved what they did because of their genuine love for and dedication to Ifá and Ifá blessed them beyond their expectation, but these men had to work hard, with patience, perseverance, intelligence and dedication. They cared for, loved and served the people with the wisdom and power of Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa. They left an indelible and uplifting and inspiring impression and made a transformative impact in the lives of all who were privileged to know them. These authentic devotees of Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa had to fight a lot of up-hill battles and had to persevere while being in the midst thankless, arrogant and unappreciative people. These men were men of action, dedication and integrity. These men taught everyone the truths of Ifá and the beauty and power of orisa esin ibile by the way they lived, related to people and treated people. Everything they did was scented with gracefulness, sanctity, authority and truth. This is why they were and are loved and cherished by the people, the irunmole-orisa and Ifá and Ifá. The irunmole-orisa and the people made sure that they never lacked the basic necessities. The people compelled by love and gratitude upheld them and supported them. How beautiful and wonderful. Aboru Aboye!!! When we serve Ifá like this, Ifá feels indebted to us and he begins to serve us!!! When we serve the people like this the people without being asked and without being prompted will uphold us, assist us and bless us.
But many want Ifá to serve them without them first serving Ifá and without them assimilating the spirit, character and manners of Ifá. They don’t really serve the people they serve themselves! They don’t really worship and promote Ifá, they worship and promote themselves! They want Ifá to listen to them and respond to them, but they do not listen to Ifá or do what Ifá expects of them!!
The great and true awo previously mentioned were and are the true embodiments of Ifá and true friends of Òrúnmìlà and the irunmole-orisa. And there are still presently such awo of divine quality in Yorubaland and in the diaspora, but they are few compared to the many who come to Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa for the wrong purposes or aims.
The awo is supposed to be an exemplary teacher, role model and guide, but today many awo do not want to assume these necessary obligations. Many awo are not paying attention to their true duties, mission or responsibilities. Instead of imparting true knowledge, they teach people incorrect things, tainted information, superficial understanding and superstitious foolishness and thereby lure people into incorrect paths and unsatisfying paths. Ifá is a divine science and a path of divine devotion, and not superstitious foolishness. But many ignorant or misinformed pseudo ‘awo’ promote superstitious ideas and fear-mongering in an attempt to manipulate, mislead and control people for their own selfish aims!
It is impossible to take upon oneself the name of awo and then practice such shameful, embarrassing and debasing things. The word awo implies a way-maker, a path-finder, a truth bearer, a genuine and reliable friend, mentor and guide. The word awo implies that one is able to successfully point others in the right direction and to the correct path that will lead them to genuine success, peace and happiness. A genuine awo does not practice fooling people, flattering people, manipulating people and inciting their feelings. There are not few ‘awo’ who shamefully use their ‘authority’ and who shamefully misrepresent the true, kind and loving nature of the irunmole-orisa to threaten people and to fill the hearts and minds of people with fear and imaginary worries. These fraudulent ‘awo’ don’t serve or represent Ifá or the irunmole-orisa. These fraudulent, immature and insensitive ‘awo’ serve their own pride, arrogance and ignorance. If they really believed in Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa they would never even think about pursuing such perilous actions which divine justice will adjudicate, discipline, punish and correct.
The sensitivity, compassion and generosity is disappearing from the hearts, minds and lives of some initiates. Many initiates have made of Ifá or have attempted to make of Ifá a cult of arrogance, self-worship, pride and conceit! Such ‘initiates’ are no longer human beings. They are animals with human faces. They are less than animals, because even animals have care, love, sympathy and concern for their own! When they could have chosen to live god-like or divine lives they have chosen to live impure, dishonest, scheming and unwholesome lives. They have become ajogun and servants of the ajogun!! Instead of promoting the cause of Ifá-Olodumare they are directly and indirectly promoting the cause of the elenini.
Ifá-Olodumare expects more from initiate disciple of Ifá and the Irunmole-Orisa. Ifá-Olodumare expects more from any and all human beings whether they are followers of Ifá or not. Those of us who have embraced Ifá and the way of the Irunmole-Orisa let us be true awo, true babalawo, true iyanifa, true babalorisa, true iyalorisa and true devotees. Let us help to spread the knowledge and practical love of Ifá and let us work individually and collectively to eradicate misunderstanding, negative tendencies and ignorance. This is what Olodumare, Ifá and all Irunmole-Orisa expect from all initiates and all genuine devotees. This is what we should expect from ourselves.
BY: AWO ÒRÚNMÌLÀ MARK CASILLAS
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ORDER IN TRADITIONAL BELIEF SYSTEM

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The following order can be recognized place to place and is fairly typical
  • The Supreme being (Olodumare)
  • The Chief Divinities or Gods
  • The Ancestors
  • The Spirits
  • The Charms and Amulets

THE SUPREME GOD: This is recognized among all traditional believers all over the world, the supreme being is called or can be called different names depending on places to places and language variations. for example, yoruba as a case study, yoruba belief system called the supreme God as Olodumare or Olorun, Olorun means “Owner of the Sky“.

Every race of the world has a legend myth connecting God and the creation of origin of their race.




THE CHIEF DIVINITIES: These are next in rank to the supreme God, they are simply refer or regarded as the physical representatives of God in the world and are also called different names from place to place. Example: Obatala, Ifa, Osun, Ori, Sango, Ogun and so on. each of them have their own shrines, priest, cults, initiation ceremonies.

THE ANCESTORS: Every family has the belief that their ancestors survive as the living-dead among the family. Ancestral worship could be restricted to members of the affected families alone. Egungun is the best way to get connected to a dead ancestors and that is why you see each family having or can be trace back to a specific egungun name e.g Oya Arogunmola is an egungun that belongs to arogunmola family of Ota, Oloolu of Ibadan belonging to oloolu family and so on. Continue reading →

DIVINE ADMONITION OF IFÁ:

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Odumare ni ka fi iyin fun.

In this present world in which we live “white lies” and duplicities are a part of daily life. Everyone attempts to justify or disregard the deliberate deception, dishonesty and lies in their lives. “White lies” or so-called ?little lies? are still transgressions in the eyes of Olodumare and Irunmole. Olodumare and his servants the divine Irunmole will not accept any justification for engaging in deceitful, misleading and dishonest activities. Lies, cheating and dishonesty are cankers and worms that slowly eat out the substance of our souls, dignity and health. Lies, cheating and dishonesty builds up very fast and before one knows it, one has created a world of lies, cheating and deception, a world in which one is trapped in, and living in, a world which can only be maintained for a limited time by continual lies, deception and cheating. Eventually the heavy and great edifice of lies, deception and dishonesty will come crumbling and crashing down upon ones head. Falsely and deceptively winning the admiration of people amounts to nothing and does not in any true way make life successful. Perversion and hypocrisy leads to spiritual suicide and moral annihilation.

To realize the truth of Ifá-Olodumare one most disengage from these defilements. To repeatedly receive and hear the instructions, warnings and admonitions of Ifá and not obey is a dangerous, offensive and sorrowful thing. The one who turns away from the words of Ifá is the one who has given himself over to his own lusts, arrogance and perversions. He has become intoxicated and blinded by his own lusts, passions, arrogance and imagined power. His own lusts, arrogance, heedlessness, unfaithfulness and perversions will destroy him. Esu is watching and justly dispensing impartial justice. Esu will not be accepting bribes from anyone. Many are the “spiritual” thugs and gangsters who make moral-spiritual demands on others while they themselves are drowning in their own hypocrisy, impurity and deception. They might be able to deceive some people but they will not ever be able to deceive Ifá and Esu. Such ones aim to please people while they neglect and ignore Ifá. When what they have earned reaches them, who will help them and save them? Living for temporary and ill-gained ‘gold‘, ‘fame‘ and ‘imaginary good reputation’ they have forgotten Ifá-Olodumare. They worship themselves in the name of Ifá-Olodumare and the Irunmole. How can such scoundrels escape the just judgement of Ifá ‘Will they be able to bribe and purchase the favor of Ifá with gifts, sacrifices and offerings’ No, not ever. Will they be able to make Ifá turn a blind eye to all of their disloyalty, lies and abuses ‘No, not ever. They have time and make time for all things but they have no time to praise, love, worship and obey Ifá! Can a dog who is is fond of eating rotten and stinking garbage relish the taste of divine and pure eatables’ Living to promote their arrogance and to maintain false appearances, they reject the good and real. When they finally awake it will be too late.




Ifá says with love, urgency and warning:

“Stop now. Turn around. Do not continue on the misguided path you find yourself in. Do not waste your time and efforts on vain, dishonest and shameful pursuits. Remember that this life is short. Remember that this life is only the market place. What report will you give when you are called to stand alone before the divine council, when you are called to return home?! Do not rely or trust on your own isolated judgments or deceptive feelings. Rely and trust on Ifá-Olodumare and you will know limitless joy, peace and satisfaction.”

Reject and disregard Ifá at your own peril. It is a fearful and worrisome thing when Ifá ceases to listen to you and to respond to you due to ones negligence and repeated heedlessness. In countless and many ways Ifá speaks to us for our own good. Will we listen, comply and obey?! Ifá sees all and knows all. The eyes of Ifá cannot be made to close, and the mouth of Ifá cannot be forced or bribed shut. It is time to return and listen to Ifá. If we refuse and neglect the good counsel of Ifá then we alone are to blame for what will follow. Ifá is the one who counsels and admonishes us with more love and concern than our nearest and dearest relatives.




Ela ?boru. Ela ?boye. Ela ?bosise.

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THE SPIRITUAL WORLD AND SACRIFICIAL RITES

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The spiritual world can be described as the permanent abode of all living creatures. Therefore the spiritual world consists of the dwelling place of Olodumare (The Supreme Being -God), divinities (Irunmole), diverse kinds and races of spirits, the pre-mortal spirits of unborn human beings, ancestral spirits and malevolent forces. The spirit world is not empty, featureless and formless. In fact our world is a small reflection of the vivid visual beauty and wonder of the spirit world. In the spirit world there are spiritual natural landscapes like a special  sacred places, homes, roads, mountains, rivers and market places and many other things. All of these things actually exist in the spiritual world. The things that exist in our world (physical universe) of physical creation also exist in the spiritual realm of creation. Besides these things there are inconceivable, awe-inspiring and and mysterious worlds, classes and races of spiritual beings, potencies, powers and energies. There are countless realms of existence in the spiritual realm. There are countless spiritual worlds and planets.



Olodumare is the beneficient ruler of the spiritual and physical worlds. All other beings without exception are subject to Olodumare (God).
The unique and diverse spirit beings, spiritual intelligences and powers, the pre-mortal spirits of  unborn human beings, divinities, ancestral spirits and other wonderful creatures display the same varied range of emotions, feelings, thoughts and actions in the same manner in heaven as it is displayed and expressed on earth.
Consultation of Ifá played a large role in determining harmonization in the spiritual world. Ifá is consulted not only on earth but also in the divine spirit world. There are many spiritual worlds and spiritual planets where Ifá is consulted. Yes, there are divine priests and divine priestesses of Ifá in the divine spiritual world. The priests and priestess consult Ifá at their temples, holy shrines, homes and market places for those who seek the guidance of the Ifá oracle to follow the advice of the oracle thus increasing their good fortune and avoiding misfortune.
Yoruba spirituality consist of a series of original and incorporated concepts that evolved over the millennia . Olodumare, Irunmole and Ancestors were integrally woven together in the social order of things. Edumare (God Almighty) granted the requests of living creatures in heaven to visit the physical world.



Sacrifice is necessary to enlist the aid of benevolent forces and to avoid malevolent forces. Through sacrifice undesirable outcomes are avoided, deflected and transcended. Sacrifice empowers and enables the desired prayer, incantation or invocation to become effective. Prayer or invocation and sacrifice are. inseparable. Thus to only pray for a desired outcome without accompanying sacrifice is recocognized as an unbalanced and incomplete spiritual practice. The receiving aspect of prayer can only be balanced by the giving or offering of sacrifice.
Ifá says:
‘‘Asefin awo won lode Ibaigbo.
Adifa fun won lode Ibaigbo
Ebbo won ni ki won se
Nje, asefin o de o
Awo ode Ibaigbo
Eni to ba pe asefin ni ebbo re yio da.’’
Translation:
‘‘Asefin the priest of Ibaigbo
Cast divination for people the of Ibaigbo kingdom.
They were asked to make sacrifice so that their prayer will be answer. Thus, Asefin has become the priest of Ibaigbo. He who called upon Asefin
that the sacrifice/prayer be accepted.’’
Sacrifice is the enabling (activating) component that makes prayer or invocation to be accepted and to manifest. Sacrifice and propitiatory rites (ebbo) are made to Olodumare, ancestors, deities, malevolent spirit forces and other spiritual forces to receive the requested wish.



Sacrifice is performed after consultation of Ifá Oracle or other means of divine inquiry like cowry-shells called Erindilogun which are frequently used by Orisa priestesses and priests. The Oracle would reveal what sacrifice was required to be done to tackle the present situation, either bad or good. Sacrifice corrects, adjusts, modifies and heals the situation so that what was not ideal or good becomes ideal, good and better.
The sacrifice can be performed with animate or inanimate objects or materials. An example of some  of the inanimate objects that could be used would be cloth, cowries, water, plants, and so forth. While the animate ranges from small creatures such as different forms of birds and larger creatures like four legged-animals (goat, sheep, dog, and so forth).
It is only when a prayer has been answered that happiness and praises can be seen as it’s result.
Ifá says in Okanran Yeku:
“Wara wara orun ope adifa fun yeye olomo metadilogun won ni korubo nitori aiku omo re,
Ikan yi ko ku ara mi, ire wa wo orun a yo se se.”
Commentary:
“It was sacrifice that made the prayer of yeye olomo metadilogun to manifest, and she was joyous because she never loses any of her children.
Conclusively, sacrifice is most important in our day to day activities.’’
The only way that we can live a better and fulfilling life and/or lifestyle is to develop a habit of making sacrifice. Sacrifice could be spiritual or physical as Yoruba Elders will always say “ara gbe ni ile aiye”. meaning to live a fulfilling live ,it has a price to be paid.
Spiritual sacrifices are the one that involve the deities and ancestors. They serve as intermediaries between humankind and Olodumare.



While physical sacrifice can be generous material (temporal) giving or serviceable gifts of medicine,
food, clothing and money given out in the form of humanitarian services without been conceited, hypocritical or boastful about it. As a matter of fact it is obvious that to live a fulfilled life both forms of sacrifice must be put into practice and both must be taken into consideration. Both forms must be engaged in and not just one. Both forms complement and complete the earth. We have to bring it to the forefront our minds that spiritual living and understanding,  supercedes the physical or materialistic or non-spiritual living and understanding. One more thing needs to be said. No kind of ebo will be effective, accepted or approved if our lives are far removed from good character (iwa Pele)
Iwa Pele : good character, integrity, truthfulness, gentleness and honesty, all of these together are the activating power of all ebo. Without iwa as a permanent feature of our thoughts, words and actions no spiritual activities will find acceptance before Olodumare and Irunmole-Orisa and no spiritual activities will yield positive results.
May Olodumare accept all our sincere spiritual and physical (temporal) sacrifices which have been blended, bound and mixed with iwa. Asé.



By: Oluwo Fasola Faniyi
Priest @ Ancestral Pride Temple, Ota.
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ONILE OGBODUORA IS THE SUPREME PRIMORDIAL POWER

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The Divine Mother Onile Ogboduora is the Supreme Primordial Power. Olodumare is the Supreme Primordial Power in it its transcendent, expansive, inconceivable and all-pervading form. Olodumare is all of the Supreme Primordial Power that we are incapable of knowing. Olodumare refers to those wonders, glories and profundities of the Supreme Being that are entirely beyond are capacity to know. It is not possible for us at this time to know Olodumare as Olodumare knows Himself. This is why this expansive, all-pervading and inconceivable feature of the Supreme Primordial Power, Person and Being is called Olodumare. The Sole Owner of all inconceivable powers, energies, potencies, wisdoms and powers! 
 
It is completely impossible for us to know, experience and comprehend Olodumare without Olodumare choosing to reveal Himself and make Himself known to us. We simply cannot accurately know, perceive and understand Olodumare by the strength of our finite and limited will, reason or intelligence. It is only when Olodumare through His own initiative reveals Himself to us or responds to our desire and request to know Him, that we can know Him.
 



When we are blessed and graced with the initial, ever-increasing and progressive experience, knowledge and understanding of Olodumare, that facet of Olodumare which we are fitted to progressively experience, know, and be comforted, nurtured and uplifted by is called Onile Ogboduora. Onile Ogboduora is the name we give to our personal and ever-increasing experience and understanding of the Supreme Being. The transcendent (what we can’t at present know of or about Olodumare) aspect of the Supreme we call Father. The immanent aspect of the Supreme (what we can directly know of Olodumare) we call Mother i.e. Onile Ogboduora. Both aspects are one and inseparable from each other. From the perspective of the Absolute Supreme Being there is no distinction between the transcendent and immanent. But from the perspective of finite beings like ourselves, we perceive, experience, understand and differentiate between both aspects of the one Supreme Being. For all intents and purposes, it is the Mother aspect of Enitolodun (the Supreme Absolute Truth) that we crave, yearn and desire for. Onile Ogboduora is that aspect and feature of the limitless, expansive and all-pervading Divine Intelligence which meets our need for love, compassion, companionship, understanding, sympathy, personal/intimate devotion and individual/personal affection.



Onile Ogboduora is the feature and aspect of the Supreme Absolute Being Enitolodun which expresses the nearness, sympathy and awareness of the Supreme Power towards us. Onile Ogboduora is the owner, guide, adjuster and governer of Ile. Ile in this instance does not refer to planet earth and is not limited to the earth planet. Ile in this instance refers to all creation, all worlds, all dimensions and all realms of of the vast universal creation,  because these are the ile or home and dwelling place of the Infinite Spirit of Compassion, Sympathy, Dynamic Power, Understanding, Strength, Courage and Wisdom, i.e. Onile Ogboduora.
How can the Supreme limitless and infinite intelligence bridge the gap between its own eternal, unique and unequaled nature and our finite and limited nature? How can the infinite and finite meet and relate? How can the glorious one and great glory be understood, appreciated, known and experienced by humanity? Can we do anything to bridge this gap? No! There is nothing we can do. When the loving Supreme Power Olodumare makes itself known to us, and we personally and individually experience its true character, personality, intent and nature, that personally experienced and known knowledge and understanding is called, Onile Ogboduora. The divine nurturing mother.
When we really, personally actually know, and according to our present evolving capacity understand and experience the heart, intention mind of Enitolodun , the power of the Supreme through which He bonds us to Himself, manifests in us and through us, and causes us to know and experience His reality, true existence and limitless joy and happiness is called Onile Ogboduora. And this is why those who really know Enitolodun, revere Enitolodun, lovingly worship Enitolodun and enjoy a deep, transparent, fearless and satisfying friendship and living relationship with Enitolodun are known as ogboni (the wise ones), the ones who are truly knowing and experiencing the divine and eternal love, truth, intelligence and power – Onile Ogboduora.
Those whose quality of mind-spirit, vital-life and manner of living are one with Onile Ogboduora, these alone are the true sages, holy ones, seers, empowered ones and knowers of the sublime truth; or ogboni. A belief you can have today and change tomorrow. A belief you can have today and neglect, ignore, deny, reject or repudiate tomorrow. But when the experiential, direct and personal knowledge and power of Onile Ogboduora reveals itself to you and makes its home in your heart, this divine knowledge cannot ever be neglected, doubted, ignored, denied, rejected or repudiated because it is not a knowledge that is the product of your own individual hopeful belief or imagination but is something that is permanently impressed within you by a power, grace, beauty and goodness greater than yourself, and which exists and acts independently of your own circumscribed thoughts, ideas, feelings and beliefs.



Onile a gbe wa ooo! We praise you Primordial Divine Mother. You are of the essence of wisdom, love, knowledge and power. You are Life itself. You are Intelligence itself. You are Love itself. You are the spirit of Loyalty and Devotion. You are the Original uncreated and united Diverse Eternal Powers itself. You are a unity of limitless, inconceivable and fathomless potencies and energies. You are the initial cause, nurturer and owner of all things. You are life itself. You are the one who gives and gifts pattern, order, personality and originalilty to all things. You are the beginningless and original life who gives life and light to one and all. You are the Life of our life. There is no beauty, delightfulness and attractiveness that can approximate your own, not to speak of being your equal! You make yourself known only to the sincere, and to those whom your kindness and grace chooses to make itself known to. It is you who joins us experientially to Olodumare-Enitolodun. Yet, you yourself are Olodumare-Enitolodun! Who can understand and appreciate this reality except those who are near you and those to whom you have bestowed your nearness?! We thank you, remember you and praise you. Grant us always harmony, peace, prosperity, joy and long-life. Asé.



Onile a gbe wa ooo!
Onile a gbe wa ooo!
Onile a gbe wa ooo!
 
Your friend and well-wisher Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas.
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IFÁ: EL AMOR PRACTICO, EL RESPETO Y LA HUMILDAD

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Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Bendiciones de larga vida, salud y prosperidad por la virtud del santo mensajero (manifestación) de Olodumare, Iworiwofun.
**Iworiwofun es el majestuoso Odu Ifá quien es el portador de la plenitud de las bendiciones, virtudes, amor y sabiduría de Olodumare para cada miembro de la humanidad. Iwori-Ofun es la manifestación plenaria de la infinita mente, inteligencia, amor, bondad, comprensión, rectitud, humildad, buena voluntad y virtud de Olodumare.**
Cuando consideramos nuestra comunidad religiosa y el estado moral-espiritual de nuestro pueblo Ifá-Orisa que podemos señalar? Por un lado hay un pueblo considerable de devotos sinceros, honestos, entusiasmados, humildes, estudiosos, prácticos e inteligentes que se están educando y preparando en cuanto a su fe Ifá-Orisa. Por este remanente de fieles, que de día en día están aumentado, que verdaderamente están disfrutando su fe y que están genuinamente viviendo la vida de Ifá-Orisa o de Iwa (la vida de buen, gentil y noble carácter, y la vida de buena conciencia) damos gloria a Olodumare. Eyin Odumare! Alabanzas a Olodumare!
Ifá nos enseña y nos inculca el principio universal de:
Iwa Lesin
Iwa lesin significa que su carácter defina y demuestra cual es su verdadera religión. Tu carácter es tu religión! Es atraves del carácter que demostramos nuestra fe y quienes somos. Y es nuestro carácter y su cualidad lo que determina y demuestra si verdaderamente somos creyentes y adoradores de Ifá-Olodumare. Su cualidad de carácter y sus hábitos de vida son la esencia de la adoración!
Ahora la pregunta que sigue es:
Según su cualidad de carácter y sus hábitos de vida, que revelan estos acerca de que es lo que usted verdaderamente adora y cree?
No es lo que uno habla y profiesa lo que determina si uno es un verdadero creyente-practicador de Ifá-Orisa. Es lo que uno hace y práctica de momento-a-momento y de día-en-día lo que demuestra y revela que es lo que verdaderamente creemos y quienes somos como personas individuales.
Según su carácter, su estilo de vida y hábitos personales a sí se deja ver que es lo que verdaderamente cree usted y que es lo que usted adora. Esta simple verdad? Que hermoso es la manera en la cual Ifá simplifica, esclarece y presenta la esencia de la verdad.



Por el otro lado cuando consideramos y observamos a nuestra comunidad religiosa de Ifá-Orisa, si somos honestos y sinceros, vemos que también existe un grupo no pequeño, de devotos (babalawo, babalorisa, iyalorisa y novatos) confundidos, sin fundamentos prácticos morales-espirituales, faltos de disciplina personal que están sumergidos en la decadencia moral, y sufriendo las enfermedades morales-espirituales de la arrogancia, el orgullo, la infidelidad espiritual, relacional y conyugal, la promiscuidad, la superficialidad, la falta de respeto-reverencia, la hipocresía, la corrupción y la decepción.
Tal ves también pudiéramos señalar la escasez de líderes ejemplares, compasivos, sabios e inspiradores que existe en nuestra comunidad. Hay líderes ejemplares, compasivos, sabios e inspiradores, pero son muy pocos. Nuestra comunidad está dividida entre los sinceros y los charlatanes. Y entre los charlatanes hay divisiones, controversias, peleas, argumentos y disensiones sin fin!
Al final del día que podemos decir?!
Es tiempo y hace falta que nuestro pueblo (el pueblo sincero y honesto) se unifique. Es tiempo de cesar  uno de estar quejándose por el estado de las cosas y tomar acción!
Muchos piensan y dicen, y con buenas razones,
“Adonde están los verdaderos babalawo, los verdaderos babalorisa y las verdaderas iyalorisa? Adonde están los hombres varoniles, fieles, de valores, de principios, de humildad y de carácter irreprochable en nuestra comunidad? Adonde están? Adonde están las mujeres dóciles, fieles, humildes, respetuosas y de firme carácter noble en nuestra comunidad? Adonde están?”
Bueno estás son preguntas honestas y realistas. Pero porque no vamos un paso más adelante para elevarnos de por encima de esa mentalidad de auto victimización y de escusas baratas que parece que están prevaleciendo en todos lados. Todos quieren que OTROS se preparen, que OTROS sean verdaderos líderes, que OTROS sean verdadero babalawo, que OTROS sean verdadero babalorisa, que OTROS sean verdadero iyalorisa, que OTROS sean verdadero maestros, que OTROS sean verdaderos creyentes, que OTROS sean verdaderos hombres y que OTROS sean mujeres verdaderas. Pero, y que de usted? Usted no quiere ser algunas de estas cosas? Acaso usted no se quiere incluir en el grupo de los sinceros, íntegros, dedicados, consagrados y verdaderos que están poseídos de iniciativa, paciencia, dedicación y perseverancia? Porque usted no se prepara para ser una bendición para otros y para ser una luz, ejemplo y faro en su comunidad? Todos quieren recibir del fruto del trabajo y dedicación de los pocos sinceros e instruidos de nuestra religión, pero nadie o pocos se quieren consagrar, preparar, educar y dedicar para contribuir a la elevación y transformación positiva y saludable de nuestra comunidad de Ifá-Orisa!! Se lamentan porque OTROS no hacen, no estudian, no sirven con amor desinteresado a su comunidad etc. etc. Pero, entonces porque es que se lamentan y se quejan de las condiciones que ven en nuestro pueblo, que está en etapa de transición, y no toman la iniciativa personal de llenar los vacantes de liderazgo y las necesidades morales y espirituales con sus propias vidas, trabajo, consagración y determinación?!
No cree usted que es mejor decir y determinar,



“Como no hay suficientes verdaderos babalawo, babalorisa, iyalorisa, hombres genuinos y mujeres genuinas, líderes  etc etc. en nuestra comunidad Ifá-Orisa, yo en los personal y en este día y momento me voy a dedicar a ser un verdadero babalawo, una verdadera iyanifa, un verdadero babalorisa, una verdadera iyalorisa, un verdadero HOMBRE y una verdadera MUJER y un verdadero y compasivo líder ejemplar. Voy a ser un verdadero padrino con honra, voy a ser una genuina madrina con honra, voy a ser un genuino oluwo asiwaju, voy a ser un genuino ojugbon, voy  a ser un genuino oriate con respeto y honra, etc. etc. Voy a servir en el cuarto (lugar)  sagrado de consagración del santo orisa con honra y distinción, voy a servir en el cuarto (lugar) sagrado de consagración de Ifá con honra y distinción etc. etc.”
Cuando tomemos individualmente y colectivamente esta decision, con amor practico (demostrable), respeto (hacía uno mismo, hacia otros y hacia Ifá-Orisa-Irunmole) y humildad, entonces y solamente atraves de esto nuestro pueblo se va sanar en lo moral, ético y espiritual.
Mis amigos y amigas en Ifá-Orisa, mis hermanos y hermanas de Ifá-Orisa no miremos mas a otros y lo que ellos están o no están haciendo. Vamos a mirarnos a nosotros mismos en el espejo revelador de Ifá (La revelación universal y comprensiva de Òrúnmìlà Elerii Ipin, el vocero de Olodumare y representante de todos los Orisa-Irunmole) y vamos a mirarnos en el espejo revelador de Merindinlogun (La revelación de nuestros peculiar Orisa-Irunmole tutelar). Seamos auto responsables y prácticos. Tomemos la iniciativa para hacer algo con nuestras vidas y nuestro tiempo como individuos y como miembros de la comunidad sagrada de Ifá-Orisa que contribuirá al mejoramiento, adelanto, elevación, unificación y progreso de nuestra admirable y noble religión.
Que vas hacer? Serás parte del progreso y de la solución? O serás parte del retraso y de las causas de los problemas que existen en nuestra comunidad?
Que Ifá-Olodumare los ilumine, guíe y defienda. Asé.
Que los Irunmole-Orisa los irradien con su amor, salud, paz, inteligencia, ánimo y determinación. Asé.



Que los espíritus divinos y ancestrales les impartan la inspiración que motiva y promueve el amor practico, el respeto y la humildad. Asé.
Que los babalawo divinos Akoda y Aseda intercedan por nosotros y nos colmen de su virtud, sabiduría, inspiración, ánimo y determinación.
Que Ela (Irunmole-Orisa de pureza, limpieza, salvación, maravillas y santidad) hijo de Oyigiyigi (nombre místico de Olodumare que significa, el que es inconmovible como una roca eterna, el indomable, el inconquistable, el eterno, soberano y único todopoderoso) nos inflame del espíritu de pureza, sinceridad y santidad. Asé.



Ela ‘boru. Ela ‘boye’ Ela ‘bosise.
Su amigo y benefactor Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas.
Ifa_Love_Respect_Humility--ancestral_pride_temple

IFA: PRACTICAL LOVE, RESPECT AND HUMILITY:

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Ogbo ato Asure iworiwofun. Blessings of long life, health and prosperity by virtue of the Holy Messenger (manifestation) of Olodumare, Iworiwofun.
** Iworiwofun is the majestic Odu Ifa who is the bearer of the fullness of the blessings, virtues, love and wisdom of Olodumare for every member of humanity. Iwori-Ofun is the plenary manifestation of the infinite mind, intelligence, love, kindness, understanding, honesty, humility, good will and power of Olodumare. **
When we consider our religious community and the moral-spiritual state of our people Ifa-Orisa we can point to? On the one hand there is, honest, enthusiastic, humble, studious, practical and intelligent people of sincere devotees significant being educated and prepared for their faith Ifa-Orisa. For this remnant of faithful who day by day they are increasing, they are truly enjoying their faith and are truly living the life of Ifa-Orisa or Iwa (the life of good, gentle and noble character, and life good consciousness) we give glory to Olodumare. Eyin Odumare! Olodumare praise!
Ifa teaches us and instills universal principle:
Iwa Lesin
Iwa Lesin means your character define and demonstrate what their true religion. Your character is your religion! It is through the character we showed our faith and who we are. And our character and what determines its quality and demonstrate if we are truly believers and worshipers of Ifa-Olodumare. His quality of character and lifestyle habits are the essence of worship!



Now the question that follows is:
According to his quality of character and lifestyle habits that reveal this about what you truly loves and believes?
Not what one speaks and profiesa what determines whether one is a true believer-practicer of Ifa-Orisa. It’s what you do and practice of moment-to-moment and day-to-day demonstrating and reveals what we truly believe and who we are as individuals.
According to his character, his lifestyle and personal habits themselves be seen it is what you really believe and what you love. This simple truth? How beautiful is the way in which Ifa simplifies, clarifies and presents the essence of truth.
On the other hand when we consider and observe our religious community Ifa-Orisa, if we are honest and sincere, we see that there is also no small group of devotees (Babalawo, babalorisa, iyalorisa and novices) confused, without practical foundations moral spiritual, understaffed discipline are immersed in moral decay, and suffering the spiritual-moral arrogance diseases, pride, spiritual, relational and marital infidelity, promiscuity, superficiality, lack of respect-reverence, hypocrisy, corruption and deception.
So you see we could also point out the shortage of copies, compassionate leaders, wise and inspiring that exists in our community. There are exemplary leaders, compassionate, wise and inspiring, but very few. Our community is divided among sincere and charlatans. And among the charlatans there are divisions, disputes, fights, arguments and dissensions endless!



At the end of the day we can say ?!
It is time that our people need (the sincere and honest people) is unified. It is time to cease being one of complaining about the state of things and take action!
Many think and say, and with good reason,
“Where are the true Babalawo, true babalorisa and iyalorisa true? where men are manly, faithful, values, principles, humility and irreproachable character in our community? Where are you? Where are the meek, faithful, humble, respectful and noble character strong women in our community? Where are you?”
Well you are honest and realistic questions. But because we do not go a step further to rise above that of self-victimization mentality and cheap excuses that seem to be prevalent everywhere. Everyone wants others to prepare, others are true leaders, others are true Babalawo, others are true babalorisa, others are true iyalorisa, others are true masters, others are true believers, others are real men and others are real women. But, what about you? You do not want to be some of these things? Perhaps you do not want included in the group of sincere, principled, dedicated, devoted and true who are possessed of initiative, patience, dedication and perseverance? Because you are not prepared to be a blessing to others and to be a light, example and beacon in your community? Everyone wants to receive the fruit of the work and dedication of the few sincere and educated of our religion, but no or few want to enshrine, prepare, educate and dedicate to contribute to raising positive and healthy transformation of our community Ifa-Orisa! ! Lament because others do not study, they do not serve with selfless love to their community etc. etc. But then that is who complain and complain about the conditions they see on our people who are in transition, and do not take personal initiative to fill vacant leadership and moral and spiritual needs with their own lives, work, dedication and determination ?!


Not you think it is better to say and determine,
“As there are not enough real Babalawo, babalorisa, iyalorisa, genuine genuine men and women, leaders etc etc. in our community Ifa-Orisa, I in personnel and in this day and time’m dedicating myself to be me a real Babalawo, a real iyanifa, a real babalorisa, a real iyalorisa, a real man and a real woman and a real and compassionate exemplary leader. I will be a real honor godfather, will be a genuine godmother with honors, will be a genuine Oluwo Asiwaju, will be a genuine ojugbon, will be a genuine oriate with respect and honor, etc. etc. I will serve in the fourth (place) sacred consecration of Orisa saint with honor and distinction, I will serve in the fourth (place) sacred consecration of Ifa with honor and distinction etc. etc.”
When individually and collectively take this decision, with practical love (demonstrable), respect (for oneself, for others and Ifa-Orisa-Irunmole) and humility, then and only THROUGH that our people will heal moral, ethical and spiritual.



My friends in Ifa-Orisa, my brothers and sisters Ifa-Orisa not look more to others and what they are or are not doing. Let us look at ourselves in the developer mirror Ifa (The universal and comprehensive disclosure of Òrúnmìlà Elerii Ipin, spokesman Olodumare and representative of all Orisa-Irunmole) and we will look in the revealing mirror Mérìndínlógún (Disclosing our unique Orisa-Irunmole tutelary). Let us be self responsible and practical. Take the initiative to do something with our lives and our time as individuals and as members of the sacred community of Ifa-Orisa will contribute to the improvement, advancement, elevation, unification and progress of our admirable and noble religion.
What you gonna do? You will be part of progress and the solution? Or you will be part of the delay and the causes of the problems that exist in our community?
Ifa-Olodumare to enlighten, guide and defend. I roasted.
Irunmole-Orisa that the radiate with love, health, peace, intelligence, courage and determination. I roasted.
The divine and ancestral spirits taught them the inspiration that motivates and promotes practical love, respect and humility. I roasted.
The divine Babalawo Akoda and Aseda intercede for us and we Colmen of virtue, wisdom, inspiration, courage and determination.
Ela (Irunmole-Orisa purity, cleanliness, salvation, wonders and holiness) son of Oyigiyigi (mystical name of Olodumare meaning, which is unshakeable as an eternal rock, the indomitable, unconquerable, eternal, sovereign and sole Almighty ) inflame us the spirit of purity, sincerity and holiness. I roasted.
Ela ‘boru. Ela ‘Boye’ Ela ‘bosise.
His friend and benefactor Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas.