Category Archives: Learning (Idanileko)

orisha

ÒRÒ ÒTÍTÓ TI ÒRÌSÀ: TRUTHFUL WORDS OF [AND FROM] THE ORISA

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Where has the love, respect and sincerity gone? The crisis and state of affairs within the worldwide Ifá-orisa community. An appeal to those who truly care about the tradition.

[***An honest, sobering and serious reflection for those who care. A message of hope for people of action.***]

I do not know if you are aware of the general state of affairs within the world-wide Ifá-orisa community, but it is clear to me that generally speaking the Ifá-orisa community is in a state of spiritual crisis, spiritual-decline and spiritual deterioration. There is a lack of exemplary leadership today, and there is a lack true spirituality today within the lives of a great many professed followers of Ifá-orisa. Everything we look we see is ostentation, glitter, make-believe, insubstantial nonsense, ineffective rubbish, trickery and superficiality. Mounds of valueless pebbles abound, but a true gold nugget is hard to find.

By and large [with few exceptions] no one follows any rules. Everyone simply does whatever they want, and they follow whatever their imagination suggests to them. Many have accepted their own imagination over truth and reality. Few care to know, and even less care to follow the true guiding and foundational principles of the sacred traditions that the irunmole-orisa entrusted to us. Few care about truth, and many are dangerously following the suggestions of their unregulated imagination [many are following their own self-created fantasies and delusions of grandeur].

Deception, fraud, hypocrisy, make-believe, trickery, arrogance, thirst for power [influence], hunger for undeserved recognition, and superficiality [spiritual powerlessness] are rampant and on the rise within the world-wide Ifá-orisa community. Only a handful of people can be found among each respective community who are truly endeavoring to follow and live the honorable path of the perennial sacred tradition of Ifá-orisa.

By and large [with few exceptions] there is no commitment and seriousness in the lives of a great many professed devotes. True respect for the irunmole-orisa and true respect for sincere and genuine elders has been lost by many, and in others it is waning. Only few are dedicated to spiritual growth, unfoldment and discipline. Precept and practice are as far apart today as east is from west.

All talk [much talk] and no action [no practice] is the path of many. Only few are actually living and pursuing a genuine, satisfying and healthy [balanced] spiritual life. No one listens to the truth anymore. No one cares about truth. Initiations and consecrated shrines are given to anybody, the only requirement today is money. Initiations are given only to increase personal prestige, to increase pocket money, personal power, to feed pride and to increase mere numbers. Few today exercise discernment in accepting prospective initiates. Today no distinction is made between a worthy and an unworthy candidate.True spiritual masters [spiritual teachers, guides and mentors] are a rarity and are almost impossible to find. They are few and far between. Whereas those who are willing to cheat you, trick you, manipulate you and take advantage of you can be seen and found everywhere.

Many have lost all sense of shame, propriety, self-restraint and decorum, and do all kinds of improper things openly! The shrines they worship are not those of the irunmole-orisa. They worship greed, lust, arrogance, money, lies and hypocrisy: they worship themselves and have made themselves the center of worship for others. They have propped themselves up as teachers, that is, teachers of gullible, undiscerning and ignorant ones. Today initiation is just a fad and is no longer a life long commitment of learning, spiritual growth and practice. Initiation has ceased to be a complete [comprehensive, clean and orderly] lifestyle.

It is high-time that all those who considers themselves a follower of the irunmole-orisa examine themselves and take a good and honest look at themselves. It is the responsibility of every member of the spiritual community to take responsibility for his or her life and to ascertain what is the contribution that they are making to the overall community and the perception that others may have of the community.

Aren’t you aware of what is happening? Don’t you see what is occurring today? How shameful and embarrassing it is to see professed devotees of Ifá-orisa attacking each other on social-media? How painful and embarrassing it is to see Ifá-orisa devotees undermining each other publicly and secretly, and causing the sacred tradition of the irunmole-orisa to lose respectability and prestige before onlookers and new investigators of the tradition. Isn’t this why many turn away from the tradition? Isn’t this why many lose their faith and resolve? It is bad enough to see devotees engage in these kind of things but what to say when can see elders and community leaders also engaged in these kinds of nasty, childish and shameful fighting and competitive activities!

As individual devotees and initiates we really cannot change others or force them to change, but we can and must definitely improve and refine ourselves. Individually we can change ourselves and thereby exert a positive, purifying [ennobling] and uplifting influence upon others. If we want our tradition and faith to be what we all know it should be and can be we must each make the resolve and decision to be true [sincere and honest] students [followers] of the irunmole-orisa. We cannot continue to justify living a mediocre, unsatisfying and uninspiring life because others have chosen to live a mediocre, wishy-washy and unremarkable life. Our lives should mean something to us and to others. Our lives should have a powerful, inspiring and uplifting impact upon others. We cannot base our spiritual life on what we see surrounding us. We cannot be like the chameleon that is always changing its colors to blend in with its environment. We have to go higher than that which surrounds us. We must do better individually and collectively. We must have a spirituality, morality and spiritual practice that is not determined by the moral-spiritual climate and circumstances that surrounds us. Our aim and standard must be higher. We have to embrace personal integrity and self-respect.

Let me ask you: Where is the love and unity today in the community? Why all this competitiveness and strife? Why all of this envy, selfishness and rivalry? Love and unity wane [disappear] when one abandons the wholesome spiritual lifestyle and ennobling instructions of the irunmole-orisa. Envy, selfishness and rivalry appear and increase when one abandons the true path and spirituality of the irunmole-orisa.

The irunmole-orisa are not restricted only to consecrated shrines. The irunmole-orisa and their àse [virtue, grace and power] also live [dwell] in the in the individual and collective feelings of reverence, love and thankfulness that exist in our hearts. The world should see and perceive the love, beauty, goodness and orderliness of the irunmole-orisa by beholding the clean, harmonious and wholesome lifestyle of the community of Ifá-orisa devotees. The world should be able to perceive and feel the wondrous, loving, healing and beautiful energy of the irunmole-orisa in the activities of the members of the Ifá-orisa community.

The orisa look to the heart only. A heart that is filled with arrogance, envy and hate is not worth a penny. The orisa draw near to people whose hearts are clean, generous, pure, kind and sincere. The orisa stay away from people whose hearts are dirty, petty, impure, mean and insincere.

A true knower and lover of the orisa is one whose heart has been cleansed by the love that he or she has received from the orisa [and that he or she has personally experienced in the depths of his or her heart]. The orisa are sources, fountains and centers of divine love. In making true [genuine] contact with the real orisa and not imagined [or imaginary] orisa our lives becomes cleansed, empowered, uplifted and transformed.

A [true] devotee and knower of the orisa remains immersed in the love, purity, inspiration, nobility and goodness of the orisa, and likewise becomes an embodiment of love, purity, inspiration, nobility and goodness. This sublime and abiding state [or condition] is what is known as Ifáyelele.

The person who enters into and awakens to the reality of ifáyelele in his or her life forever remains immersed in the grace, power, merit and virtue of ifáyelele: the sublime [divine] state.

How do we know when someone has entered into and awakened to Ifáyelele? When arrogance, pettiness, hate, stinginess, indifference, deception, ignorance, belligerence and falsity has been permanently stripped away from his or her life such a person has become established in the power, virtue, merit, grace and illumination [realization] of Ifáyelele.

Those who are immersed in arrogance, pettiness, hate, stinginess, indifference, deception, ignorance, belligerence and falsity are ogberi or nescient people. They have an aberrant, unstable, erratic, volatile and sickly spirituality, that is if it can even be called spirituality at all! These are people who think they know it all, they do not listen to anyone nor are they amenable to taking or receiving advice. They learn only by getting burned and scorched, and some do not learn even after being burned and scorched by their own nescience and insolence [rude and disrespectful attitude and behavior].

Stay away from people who claim that the irunmole-orisa can be used to harm people. Stay away from people who say that they can send the orisa on errands to do hurtful things. Such people do not know the orisa. Such people are not devotees of the orisa. The orisa pay no mind [attention] to such ignorant, arrogant and insolent people. Such people are devotees [and victims] of their own ignorance, they are not following the orisa that really exist, instead they are following the non-existent orisa of their own darkened imagination.

The path of the orisa is a path of pure goodness, beauty, wellbeing and inspiration. Allow no one to deceive [and frighten] you with foolishness and nonsense. Allow no one to misrepresent the sublime love, goodness and beauty of the orisa. A person who truly knows and follows the orisa will himself or herself become an orisa. They will become divine in their attitudes, qualities, behavior, demeanor, words, conduct, thoughts and spirituality.

It takes an orisa [orisa-like person] to know an orisa [orisa-like person]. Men and women established in Ifáyelele become attracted to each other, they bond together and they mix together seamlessly like water mixes with milk.

Men and women established in ogberi spirituality repel each other, they ruin, contaminate and destroy everything that they come in contact with.

Preserve the purity, goodness and beauty of your orisa spirituality. Allow no one to misrepresent and tarnish the goodness, greatness and nobility of our orisa and of our orisa spirituality. Aspire for more and you will achieve more. My Ifá-orisa family and friends we are at the precipice. Our choices, decisions, manner of life and actions from today forward will determine the quality and direction that our previous faith will take.

Your attitude, outlook and practical actions will either contribute to the healthy growth and expansion of our traditions, or it will contribute to its corruption and erosion. If we want a vibrant, healthy, effective and satisfying Ifá-orisa spirituality then we must each personally embrace the lifestyle that will ensure that a vibrant, healthy, effective and satisfying tradition endures. Think about these things and take them to heart.

May irunmole-orisa inspire, bless, guide and defend you. Àse. May irunmole-orisa establish you in Ifáyelele at the soonest possible time. Àse.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

Obatala_Obataasa

THE DIVINE KNOWLEDGE OF OBÀTÁLÁ AND THE TRUE GLORY OF A HUMAN BEING

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The divine knowledge of Obàtálá and the true glory of a human being: The necessity of [true] manhood [manliness]. Obàtálá the master of genuine manliness and perfection.
Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.
There are many benefits, gifts and endowments that we receive from Olódùmarè Agotun by the blessing [virtue] of just being born. Elevation of mind and noble character is not something though that we are born with. A mind of divine quality and a lofty character must be and can only be acquired through diligent [persevering] effort and the practice of patience. Why do we revere, honor, love and worship Orisaala? What is it about Orisanla that inspires confidence in us, that ennobles us, and fills us with great fondness and dignity? What it is that makes Obàtálá Obatasa Takun-takun so venerable, endearing and attractive?
Is it not the divine quality of his mind? Is it not because of his lofty and unequalled character, demeanor, conduct and behavior? Is it not be because of his attributes of fearlessness, holiness and selflessness? Who is like Obàtálá?! He is peerless in conduct and wisdom!
We too can transform and elevate our lives to a divine and lofty level, here-and-now, if we dedicate ourselves to acquiring divine character and holy thoughts.
When we consider Oba-Orisa Obàtálá there is one word that comes to mind: Dignity!
Dignity comes through the assimilation and practice of divine knowledge and unselfish lofty deeds carried out without arrogance, conceit and pretense.
Who is humble, courageous and guileless like Obàtálá? We too must cultivate and nurture humility, courage and guilelessness. Obàtálá is always appreciative and thankful for any sincere, loving and unselfish service or favor rendered to him, or performed in his name.  Obàtálá easily feels indebted to those who worship him by worshipping him with his own divine qualities. Obàtálá represents true manliness. Obàtálá demonstrates and reflects the highest and most pure dignity of a man like being a hard-worker [industrious], being friendly, displaying genuine brotherly love, doing everything with joy and enthusiasm, treating others with respect, fighting against injustice, being a follower [practitioner] of the code of morality [iwa-pele], being a keeper of ones word [vows, resolve and promises], being truthful [honest], and being a faithful [loyal] person.
How unmanly and shameful it for a man to always be whining, complaining and making excuses. How unmanly and shameful it is for a man to be lazy, to lack of motivation and to lack purpose. How unmanly and shameful it is for a man to behave like an immature child who always needs to be coddled and told what to do. How unmanly and shameful is it for a man to be passive and dependent upon others. How unmanly and shameful is it for a man to live an uninspiring, unremarkable  and unfruitful life [a life lacking in achievements and a life that has accomplished nothing worthwhile].
How much does our world and our Ifá-orisa community need real men, manly men, courageous men, valiant men, men possessed of character, virtue, patience, courage and endurance?! Our Ifá-orisa community and our world needs men who know how to shoulder responsibility and who know how to accomplish divinely assigned tasks. We need reliable, resilient and dependable men to help promote the advancement of world civilization and divine culture.
Such a divine man was and is Obàtálá, and such men must we not only desire and aspire to be, we must actually be such. Olódùmarè is not going to ‘magically’ make us such men. We have to want to be such, and we have to pursue, inculcate and master the divine discipline and science of Obàtálá. If we out of ignorance, immaturity and laziness refuse to accept the challenge of becoming divine human beings [true-men], then our minds will always be restless and our lives will never be truly fulfilled and accomplished. We will never know self-respect nor will others truly respect us.
We must learn to drive away selfishness, immaturity and pettiness from our lives and must learn how to practice genuine love, generosity and rectitude. We must put to the side the desire to be seen, acknowledged and applauded by others for our kindly acts of service and generosity. We must love to do what is right and just, simply out of love for justice and rectitude, and not for the purpose of being seen, acknowledged and applauded by others.
Obàtálá is the King, Leader and Head of all irunmole-orisa. He is truly deserving and worthy of being Oba-Orisa. Even though Obàtálá is such a great and extraordinary personality he is not ever swayed or filled with pride, conceit and pretense. He never feels like he is better or superior to others. He never gives the impression through his comportment that he is better or more deserving than others. Is this not the reason we love him so and are willing to do anything for him?! He treats all with dignity and respect. He relates to all with affection, sympathy and fondness. He inspires confidence and he reveals [displays] the content [essence] of true manliness. He is inflexible in the performance of his duties and he impartially upholds righteousness, law and order in his domain.
We too must adopt the outlook and manners of Obàtálá. He is Oba Iwa. We too must become masters and kings of good character, noble character and holy discipline. Obatala is no coward. He is the quintessential man. Valorous, courageous, brave and fearless. It is time to revive and restore the cult of divine manliness because without it all dignity, order, purpose, dignity, progress and uprightness will be lost. We must fight, defeat and overcome the inner and outer elenini and ajogun of avarice, arrogance, conceit, greed, anger, hate, deception and lust. We must resist all who promote injustice, disorder and malice with courage and determination. We must be gentle but firm. We must be kind, but not gullible and servile.
One who leads an honest life and is ever ready to assist and help those in need without showing off and singing his own praises, such a one leads a dignified life, a divine life, an Obàtálá life. The true knower and worshipper of Obàtálá is the one who delights and takes pride in one thing only: In cultivating, perfecting and exhibiting the godly qualities, and the auspicious symptoms of divine holiness, uprightness, integrity, courage, and devotion to what is right, proper and clean.
Is it by accident that Obàtálá sleeps in white, awakens in white and conducts all his affairs in white without ever becoming stained? No. It is no accident! Obàtálá is that way because that is the way that he chose to live and that he determined that he would live, irrespective of what others do or do not do. Obàtálá does not change his holy habits and endearing conduct, character and personality because others have changed their former good habits for bad habits. Obàtálá does not ever abandon his principles and ways, even if others abandon their previous good principles and ways. No wonder he is the great king, the true manly man, Olódùmarè’s much loved son, because he brings honor, delight, wholesome pride and good repute to his Oluwo and Baba, Olódùmarè.
To be a human and to be a man being means to be divine in thoughts, words and actions. To be human and to be a man means to be generous, kind, just, dependable, reliable, persevering, optimistic, industrious, honest, sincere, trust worthy and impartial. Anything less than this and we cease to be human even if physically we appear to be so. There are many cruel animals with human faces in the world! There are many human beings in name only. There are many men in name only but not in actuality. Let us be true and complete human beings and true men by following the science, example and ways of Obàtálá which reveal to us in a crystal clear fashion in what consists the true glory of a human being and the true glory of a man.
Eeepa Orisa! Orisa Eeepa!
“Orisa Eepaaaa, alaba lase, Obàtálá, obataasa oba tapa tapa ti n ba won gbe ode iranje, o ti iranje lo si iranje oko, iku Ike oro oko afin, oro ti n ba won te opa oje…..Eepaaaa Orisa!!!”
Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.
~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

THE ESSENCE [HEART] AND PURPOSE OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE IRUNMOLE-ORISA

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The Essence [heart] and purpose of the traditions of the Irunmole-Orisa: The outlook you adopt will determine where you end up. Your intent will determine your quality of being, your potential [ability and capacity] for progress and your experiences. You must first know and understand the true purpose of the path of the irunmole-orisa if you are to successfully reach [achieve] the goal [the aim and purpose] of that path. You must first know, understand, choose and define your goal prior to choosing your path, then, upon choosing your path you must commit to that path. All paths will not take you to the destination you seek. All roads will not take you to the same place. The irunmole-orisa will not help you see, seek and pursue a purpose and destination that is contrary to the good, noble, satisfying and loving purpose and destination that they have in mind for you. You must understand what the path of the irunmole-orisa was really established for, what it was intended to give you, and what it is supposed to do for you so that you are not disappointed and your expectations are fulfilled.

[***A brief lesson and reflection for the sincere. May these spiritually passionate, caring and loving thoughts serve as a timely path-finder, guide and way-maker for the sincere. Àse. May you all find peace, clarity, hope, wellbeing and contentment. Àse.***]

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

[1] The path of the noble irunmole-orisa is not for everyone. The path of the divine irunmole-orisa is only for those who have been chosen. The path of the irunmole-orisa is only for those who want to know, enjoy and live in spiritual reality, contentment, peace, love and truth.

[2] The sweet and beautiful path of the irunmole-orisa is for those who have chosen to accept their selection. It is for those who want to press forward to spiritual maturity, clarity, fulfillment and harmony. No one really comes to the irunmole-orisa purely by their own initiative, strength and/or will-power alone. We come to the irunmole-orisa as a result of an empowered response on our part that has been made possible by the initiative, attention and direct action of the irunmole-orisa upon our lives. Fortunate, blessed and accomplished are those have been chosen by the irunmole-orisa and who wholeheartedly strive on the noble, adventurous, exciting and fulfilling path of the irunmole-orisa.

[3] Upon being chosen we must willingly, joyfully and deliberately adjust, modify and conform our heart, mind, speech, actions, behavior, manners, conduct and life, according to the loving, joy-conferring, peace-giving and health-promoting wise directives of the irunmole-orisa. The irunmole-orisa accept those who wholeheartedly dedicate and commit themselves to them.

[4] Upon finding ourselves on the path of the marvelous irunmole-orisa we must participate, and we must allow ourselves to be acted upon by the wonder-working sacred energy or àse of the irunmole-orisa. This energy is pure wisdom [intelligence], love, power, vitality, health and bliss [happiness]. This very special and unique divine energy is curative, ennobling, empowering and purifying. Our part is to deliberately choose to bring our intentions, feelings, will, manners and actions in harmony with the workings of the divine power [sacred energy] of the irunmole-orisa. We must not work against or go contrary to the wonder-working energy and power of the irunmole-orisa. We must allow ourselves to be moulded, taught, guided, developed and corrected by the divine inflow of the àse of the irunmole-orisa. This divine flow enters us, fills us, empowers us, surrounds us and shields [perfectly protects] us. Our own will [intent] and the will [intent] of the irunmole-orisa must become progressively and experientially one.

[5] The irunmole-orisa choose, select and attract us by exercising, applying and directing towards us an attracting, sweet, uplifting [energizing], ecstatic, pleasure-giving and irresistible power. The irunmole-orisa move us, they awaken us to the reality of their existence, and they gently draw [attract] us to themselves by provoking a mysterious exaltation of intimate nature within us, something that can be called spiritual ecstasy, delight, optimism, supernatural pleasure, supra-mundane inspiration and supernatural confidence. We then come to know how sweet, good and loving the irunmole-orisa are and what their divine works truly consist of. We awaken to the true nature of the irunmole-orisa, and we awaken to the remembrance and recognition of our true and eternal identity.

[6] This mysterious, attracting, pleasure-giving, enlightening and enrapturing power fills us with divine pleasure, satisfaction, confidence, expectancy [hope] and delight. It satisfies us, completes us and gives us peace, serenity, abiding inner-calm and harmony. It guides, motivates and inspires us. It give us a fresh, inspiring and new vision, understanding and experience of life. This power completely transforms and revolutionizes our inner state, condition and outlook to such a wonderful degree that what we formally thought to be obstacles, we now experience as stepping stones to victory, fulfillment and greater happiness, prosperity and abundance. We look forward to overcoming the obstacles, because to us they are not obstacles but stepping stones [blessed and fortunate opportunities] to greater achievements. The àse of the irunmole-orisa awakens our inner-spiritual powers and faculties, and teaches us how to develop, use, employ and perfect them. This energy exercises a healing, correcting, calming and purifying influence upon our lives. Upon experiencing this spiritual, emotional and psychological healing, empowerment and purification, we must resolve to remain in purity and cleanliness and we must pursue a healthy and wholesome lifestyle. The àse of the irunmole-orisa imparts health, vitality, strength and wellbeing to our spirit, soul, mind and body. How wondrous is the àse of the irunmole-orisa!

[7] The path of the irunmole-orisa is a path reserved for the spiritually mature [spiritually maturing], awakened, resolute and sincere person. Humility, patience, realism, gentleness and perseverance are a must for anyone who is serious about treading the path of the noble irunmole-orisa.

[8] The irunmole-orisa desire that all of us be free from distress, sorrow, anxiety, fear and perversity. The irunmole-orisa desire and want us to know the state and condition of abiding [permanent] bliss [divine happiness, satisfaction, fulfillment, ecstasy, pleasure, delight and contentment]. It is unfortunate that many seekers, aspirants and devotees have become overcome by superficiality, arrogance, nonsense, superstition, baseless-fear, aimlessness and hypocrisy. So much so that they care not to hear about the true heart, purpose and intent of the irunmole-orisa and the sacred traditions which were founded and instituted by the irunmole-orisa for our individual wellbeing, happiness and peace, and for the wellbeing, happiness and peace of the world.

[9] Only few people can see, understand and embrace the true path of the irunmole-orisa: the path of divine morality, honesty, humility, love, moral-courage and sanctity. Only the rare, select, chosen and determined ones can receive, direct, manifest and exhibit the full and true power of the irunmole-orisa. Only the select, rare and determined few can embrace this holy, divine and sacred path. Will you be one of them?

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

ANCESTRAL PRIDE TEMPLE CELEBRATE ITS 11TH IFA/ORISA FESTIVAL | 3rd ANNIVERSARY OF APF

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REPORT FROM THE ANNUAL IFA/ORISA FESTIVAL AND THE 3rd YEAR ANNIVERSARY/AWARD PRESENTATION OF ANCESTRAL PRIDE FOUNDATION

The Annual Ifa/Orisa Festival which always last for seven days kick-started on Monday 16th November, 2020.

The Program which were followed according to the program of event below:

 

The Fourth day (19th November, 2020) which happened to be Oluwo Dr. Fasola Faniyi’s Birthday where Oluwo and his Foundation Members (Ancestral Pride Foundation) visits Ijamido Orphanage Home to present them gifts including food and money and also give word of Advice as Encouragement to Making Life.

The Grand Finale which is the Festival and Anniversary/Award Party took place on the 21st of November, 2020 at Plot 5, Road 18 Dada Asaila via Ijagba, Obasanjo Farm, Ota, Ogun State where The Senior Medical Officer, Federal Aviation and Port Authority Of Nigeria, (FAAN), Dr. Adeleke Olaoluwa Olusegun gave the Lecture themed: “Restoration of Moral Values in our Youths through Yorùbá Traditional Religion and Culture“.

invitation_2020

He also added that: said ‘Ifá is the only epitome of wisdom through which our Youths can behave in an accordance to the values and norms of the society. He explained that good behaviour occassios fortune adding that nothing can attract fortune to mankind except good character which is best embraced by ‘Ifá’.

Oluwo Faniyi added that Olokun: The Great Hero Of The Ancient Yoruba is a point of connection to the spirit of prosperity in us saying to the Yoruba, Ifa originated with Olokun, whose preception brought joy simply means Ifa Olokun, asoro-dayo. 

THE PRESENCE OF KINGS AT THE EVENT:

HRM Oba Wasiu Ogungbayi                                                – Onitetiku of Owode, Ota
Oba Clement Olusegun                                                          – Àjànà Of Ijana, Ota

Pictures from the Party Day (21st):

Aje-Witches-Mother-Of-The-Night-ancestralPrideTemple

THE TRUE-NATURE OF IYAMI-OSORONGA

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The true-nature of iyami-osoronga: The importance of acquiring a true, elevated, accurate and spiritual comprehension of spiritual realties. It is time to come out of fear-mongering, superstitious [backward] thinking, spiritual-immaturity and childish ignorance.
Iyami Osoronga has nothing to do with antagonism or malice. Iyami Osoronga is the ancient, sublime and venerable mother of great wisdom, dignity and power. Iyami-Osoronga is power, vitality and supramundane-ability. If and when she opposes us it is for our own benefit. Iyami-Osoronga is Mother. When we say Mother in regard to iyami-osoronga we are not referring to the female sex as physically understood by us. In spiritual matters MOTHER refers to the nurturing, upbuilding and delightful aspect and quality of the DIVINE ENERGY that is able to completely satisfy our personal, peculiar and individual spiritual needs, aspirations, desires and longings. MOTHER refers to and emphasizes the tender, nurturing and sympathizing aspect of the divine, as well as the steps that the tender, nurturing and sympathizing aspect of the divine will take and MUST take to ensure our success, happiness and wellbeing. Mother -iyami osoronga– is the one who completely understands what we are feeling. Mother -iyami osoronga– is your greatest friend and ally to whom you can open up without fear, pour out your heart and share your innermost secrets, hopes, aspirations and concerns. She will not judge you. She will understand and sympathize with you and help you come out of your troubles, problems, worries and affections. She will help you and build you up. You can speak to her freely about anything!
Mother -iyami osoronga– is your closest, dearest and greatest friend, who even without you sharing with her what is going on in your life and within yourself she will unfailingly do for you whatever is truly in your best interest! Mother -iyami osoronga– is especially there to lift you up when you are feeling down, downcast, discouraged, despondent [hopeless] and demoralized. Mother -iyami osoronga– does not look down on us. She will stand by you to help you in both moments of happiness and sorrow. She will lift you up and give you a new lease on life. She is their to lead you to the discovery of your true worth, dignity and potential. Let there be no doubt in your mind that Mother -iyami osoronga– will always do what is ultimately good for you even if you are not accepting or understanding what she is doing and why. When iyami osoronga grants you her friendship and accepts you as her friend and child she takes full responsibility to get you to where you need to be. She will get you there the direct, sweet and fast way if we are agreeable to her action, or she will get you there the indirect, distasteful and long way if we are resistive to reason and commonsense, but get us there she will! If and when she opposes us it is for our own benefit. If we are doing the wrongs things in life and if we are going in the wrong direction in life she will apparently or seemingly oppose us to steer us in the right direction. She is not actually opposing us but steering us in the right direction, helping us and correcting our mistaken course. She only appear to be opposing us from our own perspective but in actuality [reality] she is helping us. She is not opposite us. She is opposing the wrong attitude, disposition, demeanor and improper resolve that is present in us. She opposing our negative attitude, our irresponsibility, our recklessness, our irritating deliberate stubbornness [stupidity] and our indifference.
Just like your earthly mother will oppose you, disapprove of you and course-correct you if you are wasting your life and pursuing things that will not bring you happiness, success and fulfillment, in the like manner will Iyami Osoronga oppose and resist for your own benefit. Just like we misunderstand and misinterpret the loving, firm and corrective [disciplinary] actions, intent and motive of our earthly mother in the same way due to our own ignorance, stubbornness and backwardness we misinterpret and misunderstanding the noble, loving and firm [tactful] actions of Iyami Osoronga. Iyami Osoronga will use and apply the best and correct strategy that will get our attention and cause us to reflect, reconsider our position and to encourage us to make a decision for positive and constructive change.
Sometimes our early mother can appear to be our enemy but she is not. Our earthly mother can appear to be against us but she is really not, she is for us. We only interpret her loving actions, disciplinary [strong corrective words], actions and intentions wrongly because we are the ones who are wrong, stubborn, recalcitrant and irresponsible, and we are behaving like our own enemy. So when our mother presents herself to correct us and to discipline us, we think that, or take it as, that she is going against us but in reality what she is doing safeguarding us and promoting our true happiness and success. Just like our mother applies tenderness and firmness [hardness] to guide, teach and discipline us so does Iyami Osoronga. Iya Osoronga is also like this. The mother can display or exhibit a fearful, threatening and no-nonsense posture and even apply what may seem to be a harsh remedy when needed, but behind the apparent or actual display of anger, displeasure and dissatisfaction there is a great, immeasurable and boundless love and goodness that we are not perceiving or aware of. Some people can be led by the soft hand. Some people can only be led by a hard hand. Some people can be reasoned with and motivated through tender means and some people can only be motivated, encouraged and corrected through hard means. Some need to be shocked, threatened and scared straight. [They need a shocking, fearful, life-changing [altering] and/or threatening experience to wake them up and get them to stop the foolishness and begin moving in the right direction].
The words eye abapa we…etc…are words of praise to the Divine Mother Iyami Osoronga. The Divine Mother is compared to and represented as a majestic bird that moves with swiftness, dignity, gracefulness, awe-inspiring mystery and majesty. Iyami Osoronga is compared to a bird that has a tremendous vision [which means that she has the power to see and understand all things clearly beyond all appearances. She sees things from the root, she sees things as they actually are. She perceives the reality of a thing, person and situation and cannot be taken in, deceived or tricked by appearances]. These words eye abapa are words of praise that are praising the swift, beautiful and majestic wings of the mother [noble, gracious and loving activity], her majestic and graceful feet [gait or footsteps] and her great wisdom, power and sagacity.
The divine mothers Iyami Osoronga will take the shape, form and expression that will best get our attention and that will benefit us the most. The divine Iyami Osoronga is kind, tender hearted but simultaneously firm and tactful. She devises many ways to help us, encourage us and to steer us away from foolishness, wrong-doing and nonsense. Her preference is to appear to people according to her true nature which is friendly, disarming and which inspires trust but when there is a need for to get through to a stubborn, nescient, recalcitrant and deliberately bothersome [irritating] person she can and will appear in a fearful, threatening and terrific form. She knows when to offer the hug of encouragement and understanding, and she knows when to give the from and tight-slap of correction and discipline. When the wrongdoer, stubborn and recalcitrant person gets the hint and begins to adjust and correct themselves then Iyami Osoronga will relent or abandon who fearful form, aspect and activity and her true face of pure love, concern and tenderness will be clearly perceived and experienced. If the hint is not taken then she will intensify her strategy of firmness and hardness. She will even ‘squeeze’, ‘crunch’, ‘fold’ and ‘crush’ you if she has to, to get the nonsense and foolishness out of you. Her hardness is not blind and is not lacking in self-control. She applies only as much as is needed to bring about and facilitate wholesome correction.
I don’t know about you and I cannot and will not speak for you, but personally I prefer to see my mother happy, and I prefer to relate to my mother in love and tenderness, and I prefer to have my mother relate to me with tenderness, love and with a smile that reveals her love, genuine concern and support for me. Why make mother angry when she only loves us and wants what it best for us? When mother is happy we too will be completely happy, content, peaceful and satisfied.
It is time for devotees and spiritual seekers of today to come out of superstitious nonsense, ignorance and fear-mongering. We must transcend the ignorance and misunderstandings of the past and we must make the effort see, appreciate, understand and experience things with a more sublime, mature and illuminated understanding. Let us understand things as they should be understood and not as scheming, ignorant and manipulative people want to impress upon us.

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ORI

ORI IS THE SUPREME-SECRET, HIGHEST-POWER AND KEY TO LASTING PEACE, HAPPINESS, PROSPERITY, EMPOWERMENT AND FULFILLMENT.

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[Ifá-Orisa]: The knowledge [personal recognition and experience] of Ori is the key [supreme-secret] that will lead [and take] you to lasting peace, happiness, prosperity, empowerment and fulfillment. Knowledge of Ori is knowledge of the super-self. Knowledge of Ori is true, complete and irrefutable true-knowledge and true-power. When you know Ori you will know yourself in wonder, astonishment and marvel.

The essence of true-spirituality is peace, contentment, happiness, self-knowledge, inexhaustible spiritual-vitality [power], harmony [integral-health] and self-acceptance. Only when you accept yourself as as you are can others accept you as you are. When you recognize and experience your own ori you will know yourself truly and will be peaceful, content and brimming with happiness and confidence.

Understand, know, accept and embrace the fact that you have within you a unique share of the supreme divine power [Ori]. When you actually understand, know and perceive [experience] this fact then will you know and have true peace. When you realize the fact of Ori your worries, agitation, turbulence, confusion, unclarity, aimlessness, melancholy and uncertainty will come to an end.

When you embrace and fully trust the unique expression of the divine spirit [Ori-Eleda] that is within you only then will you be free of all worries, concerns and pressures. You will have strength, power and ability to rise above all difficulties and you will do so with a peaceful, content and serene heart. Nothing will be able to hinder and obstruct you.

All human beings have received this endowment of the manifesting divine spirit [Ori-Eleda] indwelling within them. You have your own unique, peculiar, powerful and special spirit of divinity [Ori] within you, and I have my own unique, peculiar, powerful and special spirit of divinity [Ori] within me. They both emerge from and originate in the one supreme spirit but the divine spiritual intelligence that is in you and me are original and have been uniquely and perfectly fashioned and crafted for each of us. Yours is different from mine. Mine is different from yours.

This inner-power is guiding us in a unique, peculiar and specific way. This is why there is no reason, purpose or point to be made in comparing oneself with others, or others with us, because we each have our own unique mission, purpose, path and destiny. There is only one universal and supreme spirit who is the Master, Guide, Creator and Friend of the innumerable [infinite] universes: Olódùmarè. This one supreme spirit [Olódùmarè] manifests and appears uniquely and in diversity in every one of us. This unique divine inner-presence, energy, sublime spiritual current, supra-natural intelligence and power is what nurtures, protects and develops our spirit, mind and body. This inner-intelligence, presence and divine inspiration energy, power and entity is a plenary [direct, immediate and actual] personal manifestation of the supreme universal spirit: Olódùmarè.

Olódùmarè [the spirit of beauty, life, peace, joy, elevating [inspiring and empowering] wisdom, diversity and harmony] truly and literally lives within us. When you entrust yourself to this inner-power and exercise faith in your true inner root and foundation [ori-eleda] then only will you be able to appreciate its power and find your own center, foundation, peace and serenity. Our lives become filled with gratitude, wonder, excitement, enthusiasm, optimism and delight when we entrust ourselves to the divine power, spirit and energy [ori-eleda] that is within us and who is our life companion, friend, protector, well-wisher and helper. When we neglect this inner-guide and we allow ourselves to be led and influenced by people and their opinions, worries, fears, biases and concerns then we too become lost in a maze of confusion, bewilderment, disenchantment, melancholy and aimlessness. When you have confidence in ourselves and in our ori-eleda we transcend ignorance, turbulence, agitation, fear, worry, insecurity and doubt. We become efficient, power and independent of the thoughts, opinions, biases and conclusions of others. We will not be and cannot be swayed by praise or criticism. We become manifestations of divine equanimity, peace, contentment and transcendence. When we discover ori-eleda, experience ori-eleda, follow ori-eleda and entrust ourselves to ori-eleda by the blessing [benefit] of receiving sound and empowered knowledge we became awakened persons who know who we are, what we believe, we become unified within and harmonious without, and we live an original, attractive and spontaneous beautiful life that does not conform itself to any superficiality set pattern, tradition or routine established by others.

You were created to perceive, experience and enjoy your inner-guide, friend and companion and to listen to this divine inner-voice, energy, intelligence and inspiration. You must follow your own endowment of the divine power [ori-eleda] that is within YOU and not someone else’s endowment. Your Ori-Eleda is the true initiator and recognition, experience and ones entrustment to ones one ori-eleda is the TRUE-INITIATION and the TRUE SOURCE AND FOUNTAIN OF POWER, GRACE AND VIRTUE. All the GOD-POWERS originate in and which emerge, flow and emanate from ori-eleda. Let your yourself be filled by, surrounded by, permeated by and immersed in the GOD-POWERS that originate in and which emerge, flow and emanate from your own ori-eleda!

Have confidence in yourself and have complete faith in your complete, unique and perfect portion of the universal supreme power [ori-eleda] that is within you and has always been within you. If you listen to and obey the voice of your inner-personal divinity instead of the comments, complaints, opinions and views of others you will find true peace and happiness because you will have found yourself. You will come to your senses and true nobility and dignity will be yours. You will be established in serenity, calm, peace, balance, synergy, harmony and wellbeing.

The divine spirit [ori-eleda] within you will only grant good to you whether you have asked for this goodness or not. The divine spirit within you will always avert, block and deflect anything that is not in your true best interest. The divine spirit [ori-eleda] within you will also safeguard you by not granting you things that you asked for that you erroneously thought would be good for you but really were not. You don’t need to complicate yourself and you don’t need to stay on the path of disenchantment and disappointment. You don’t need to keep following people who are not worthy of being followers. You don’t need to keep drowning out your own true feelings and convictions to appease or attempt to please others. What you need is to entrust yourself to the Divine Beloved, Companion, Guide, Superpower and Friend who exists within you and manifests in your life as inspiration, enthusiasm, illuminated intelligence, tenderness, understanding, strength and love.

My friends, recover and take notice of the priceless sacred gem of the divine power, presence and virtue [ori-eleda] that is within you and which is enshrined in the sacred shrine of your heart like a burning flame that cannot ever becomes extinguished and which never ceases to give light, comfort and warmth.

This divine power, supernal divine intelligence and living spiritual current [ori-eleda] will lift you up and keep you up. It will make you aware of the sweet fragance, goodness, dignity and beauty of your own person and your own life. Freedom and peace will be yours. Gratitude and the joy of living will overwhelm you. Anyone who awakens to the reality of his or her ori-eleda will become established in strength, stability, confidence and in an amazing personal spiritual power and wonderful spiritual intelligence and charisma. All the good things of life will run to find you! You will no longer be subject to the manipulation, deception and trickery of others. You will see what needs to be seen. You will know what needs to be known. You will understand what needs to be understood. You will see people as they really are and not as they seem. Everything will become clear and comprehensible to you.

My spiritual friends and family return to your true-home [ori-eleda]. Return and awaken to your own ori-eleda [to the realization and refreshed recognition and experience of the supreme beloved, divine-current and the omnipotent indescribable power living with you]. Become sensitive again to the divine sweetness and inspiration! Abandon and give up the doubts, worries, anxieties and insecurity that others have caused to arise in you or have attempted to impose upon you! Recover your spiritual autonomy, dignity and self-confidence. Take wholesome pride and delight in yourself. Value and cherish yourself because you are precious. Return to your true home [the divine dwelling place of the sacred, divine and holy -ori eleda- within you] where the infinite sea of tranquility, power, joy and confidence is brimming. There you will attain eternal [unending, complete, peace-conferring and satisfaction giving] joy. This is the place of true initiation. This is the true initiation, the true knowledge and true power. Let no one live their lives, opinions, conclusions and biases through you. Take your life back and live YOUR LIFE and let others live their own lives through themselves and not through you.

The secret of ori-eleda is found in Sacred Odu-Ifá Ejiogbe. Please ponder this secret of secrets and let it uplift, transform and empower your life. This is all your really need to know, understand, recognize and realize to find peace, fulfillment, satisfaction, happiness and contentment in your life. This is the supreme secret and the supreme power. No can give it you and no one needs to give to you. You already have it. This is the supreme secret and supreme power. No one can sell it and no one can buy it. You already have it. Ori-Eleda is the true benefactor, savior, well- wisher and giver of peace.

Sacred Odu-Ifá Ejiogbe [Eèpàà-Baba!]:

ORI you will benefit me. ORI you will not let me labor in vain. Ifá was consulted for the 401 [innumerable] irunmole when they were to descend from heaven [the divine spiritual world or the spiritual universe] to the earth [the physical world or the physical universe].

ORI is the ONE who established Òrúnmìlà at Oke-Igeti.

ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Oshun at Ijumu town [Oshogbo].

ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Obàtálá at Ifon town.

ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Awon-Iyami at Ota town.

ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless ME abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Sango at Koso [Oyo].

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Oya at Ira town.

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Ogun at Ire town.

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Esu at Ketu town.

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Orisa-Oko at Irawo Agba.

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

ORI is the ONE who established [gave power and authority to] Eegun at Oje town.

ORI you WILL bless me abundantly. You WILL NOT let me labor in vain. ORI you WILL bless me abundantly.

Further complementing secrets of ori are revealed and elaborated upon in Sacred Odu-Ifá Otura-Ogbe.

Sacred Odu-Ifá Otura-Ogbe:

Wisdom, power and intelligence comes from ones own Ori. [Wisdom, power and intelligence comes from nurturing your relationship with your own ori, by listening to the guidance, inspiration and illumination of your ori and following or obeying ori]. Everything depends on your relationship with your ori. Everything depends on your trustful compliance with the directives of your ori. Entrust yourself to the light and power of your ori and ori will without fail uplift you, create favorable circumstances for you, build you up and attract the good and worthwhile things of life to you. Ori is the teacher, guide, master and parent. You are the student, pupil, learner and child. Be humble towards ori and be obedient to you ori and ori will take and elevate you to the highest rank and dignity.

The crowning and completing revelation and vision of ori is found in Sacred Odu-Ifá Irete-Ofun.

Sacred Odu-Ifá Irete-Ofun:Continue reading→