Ela ‘boru. Ela’boye. Ela ‘bosise.
During the lifetime of Orunmila upon this sacred earth, the holy sage and seer of Igeti, like all human beings, faced and experienced many difficulties, problems and unsavory moments in his life. Orunmila faced difficulties, unexpected changes and situations that were hard to endure and hard to make sense of. He experienced diverse kinds of turmoil in his life which often caused him to ponder and question the meaning and purpose of these things in the life of humanity and in his own life.
The concerns of Orunmila were so deep, profound and unique to himself that no one would be able to understand, comprehend or relate to what Orunmila was going through. He was really experiencing a dark night of his soul. During one of these periods in his life his good friend Ogun approached to inquire what was wrong with Orunmila and whether there was something he could do to help him or to make things better. Appreciatively Orunmila responded to Ogun that there are some things in life that ones friends, near-and-dear ones and family members cannot help or assist one with. He explained that there are confidential matters that our solely between oneself and Ifa-Olodumare and they only Olodumare can satisfactorily resolve. There are certain inner realities and experiences that one simply cannot share or reveal to others because no matter how well meaning others may be, the turn of the matter is that there are certain things that are beyond their power and ability to comprehend and remedy.
In our own lives there are things that no human being can help us with. We can shoulder a burden and responsibility or can find ourselves enduring an inner conflict or crisis that is beyond remedy of the human kind. There are things that only Ifa-Olodumare can understand. Only Ifa can fully sympathize and relate to our unique inner struggle or turmoil. Ifa-Olodumare alone can do something about it or Ifa-Olodumare alone can give us the strength, understanding and ability to endure or cope with the situation. There are thing to be remedied and corrected, and there are things to be endured for our own growth and benefit that might not be to our liking. This fact was the realistic and astute conclusion of Orunmila: Only Ifa can truly understand and sympathize with my inner feelings, conflict and pain. Only Ifa. Only Olodumare can do something about it. Only Ifa-Olodumare can give me wisdom, insight, inspiration and strength to endure and persevere this dark night of my soul until the sun of understanding, maturity and clarity emerges. This noble and lofty attitude of Orunmila is very revealing and sobering. This episode of Orunmila’s real life experiences shows that no matter who we are and no matter how many strengths we have or how many achievements we have to our credit that we are also vulnerable to many things in life. No one here is impervious to the onslaught of sorrows, confusion, inner strife, pain, suffering, conflict and turmoil. We all need help, support, comfort and assistance. No one here can go at it all alone.
This episode in the life of Orunmila teaches and enables us to not shirk away from the realities of our lives but to face and confront them courageously and to not deny our need for help, support and encouragement. Orunmila displayed great humility and meekness. He acknowledged that he inspite of being endowed with many divine graces, endowments and blessings he was not self-sufficient nor all knowing. Only Ifa-Olodumare holds the power of limitless understanding and immeasurable power. Orunmila just a humble but extraordinary and straightforward servant of Ifa-Olodumare. His wisdom and power was not his own but was derived from the Source Supreme, Olodumare. Getting back though to our original point we all are in constant need of help, support and encouragement of all kinds but most especially we are in need of divine support, guidance, comfort and understanding. There are things that you are now facing or will face that no other human being on this planet can help you with. The support and relief of family and friends will be appreciated and will benefit us but it will not be sufficient or adequate to remedy certain personal conflicts of the heart, mind and life. There are things that you are undergoing and experiencing that no other human being will possibly be able to understand, comprehend or relate with. These periods in our lives should cause us to divest ourselves of false pride, conceit and an attitude of self sufficiency. Even Orunmila could not cope with his unique inner turmoil, problem, questions and afflictions without the assurance and personal aid of Ifa-Olodumare. These periods should enable us to divest ourselves of all that is fake, artificial, petty and superficial.
Like Orunmila we most learn to take our eyes and hopes off of men and place our sights and hopes solely on Ifa-Olodumare without any intermediaries or interpreters. Ifa-Olodumare can speak directly for himself and directly to us in countless and meaningful ways to address our questions, problems, sorrows, concerns and deep confidential needs. Ifa-Olodumare is a luminous and life-hope giving spirit everywhere present. Orunmila learned in this episode how to be humble, meek, honest and realistic. Orunmila learned in this episodes of his own limitations and the limitations of friends, family and elders. Orunmila learned in this episode and teaches us how to strengthen our own direct and personal connection and how to rely on our own relationship and bond with Ifa-Olodumare free from intermediaries, middle men and interpreters. Ifa-Olodumare is a living and loving spirit filled with limitless power, understanding and encouragement who is fully able and willing to succor us in our time of need, affection and inquiry.
This episode of Orunmila’s life is very deep and full of diverse and rich meanings and applications for our lives. May the spirit of Ifa-Olodumare benefit you with guidance, insight, humility and the willingness to practice and apply the wonderful lessons and principles imparted to us in this realistic, rich, benefit conferring and down-to-earth episode in the life of Orunmila our great, meek and humble teacher, exemplar and friend.
Ela ‘boru. Ela ‘boru. Ela ‘bosise.
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