[**The call, invitation and challenge of Ọ̀rúnmìlà.**]

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà aboru.
Èlà-Òrúnmìlà aboye.
Èlà-Òrúnmìlà abosise.

[1] Truth means to put into practice, to integrate and to fully assimilate the teachings of Ifá into one’s life, and to continue one’s practice of the teachings of Ifá until one has mastered and fully integrated them. This is the Great Work that Òrúnmìlà has entrusted to us. Ifá is truth, light and power. We cannot KNOW, UNDERSTAND and APPRECIATE the unexcelled greatness of Ifá independently of actual study and practice. When we open our hearts and minds to receive the light of Ifá through our practice of the teachings of Ifá, we become one with the truth, light and power of Ifá.

[Odu-Ifá Oyeku-Ogunda: Ifá is the King.] (Ifá is the crown of true knowledge, understanding, wisdom and power).

[2] The very first and most important step in Ifá is that we embrace truth as explained above. When we embrace the truth of Ifá wholeheartedly and with determined effort Ifá promises to receive us and to never abandon us. Ifá embraces to never discard the person who embraces the truth, light and power of Ifá.

[Odu-Ifá Iwori-Osa: Ifá is the one who saves humankind.] (Ifá is the supreme guiding, correcting and healing power).

[3] Ifá bestows coolness, freshness [refreshment], relief, calm [peace and serenity], strength and illumination to the dedicated student [practitioner]. Truth is the most important divine attribute, because from truth emanates friendliness and loving-kindness. From the unity of truth, friendliness and loving-kindness arises and flows trust, confidence, enthusiasm and devotion.

[Odu-Ifá Ogbe-Osa: The truthful person has peace and lives in calm. The non-truthful person lacks peace and lives in a tormented state. Be sincere, practice goodness and avoid wickedness. The way of the truthful is straight, peaceful and direct. The way of the non-truthful is crooked, wearisome and winding. Be truthful and sincere. Be sincere and truthful. Those who are truthful are blessed by the divine illuminations, lights and energies.]

[Odu-Ifá Otura-Ogunda: The non-truthful person will face a lot of unease and problems. The truthful person will enjoy relief, peace and success. Insincerity does not pay. Wickedness will punish you. The truthful will be the true leaders and achievers.]

[4] When we study and practice Ifá we make contact with the seeds of truth, beauty, strength and gentleness within ourselves and we experience the awakening of the divine qualities and interior powers within ourselves. When we study and practice Ifá we become harmonized with nature and we begin to feel and enjoy the benefits of the pure energies of creation. The divine beings, divinities and divine energies descend upon, surround [protect], assist and strengthen the sincere student and practitioner of the teachings of Ifá. When we study, practice and integrate Ifá into our lives we also merit the benefit of the assistance, guidance, encouragement and protection of the divine babalawo [celestial priests] who reside in the upper worlds of orun and dwell in the central paradise of orun. They become mindful of us, they take an interest in us and they commit themselves to helping us accomplish the great work that Ifá has entrusted to us.

[Odu-Ifá Otura-Ogunda: The divine beings will take notice of, support and standby the truthful.]

[5] Ifá study and practice connects and bonds us to the protective functions of nature and to the great energies of truth, light and purity. As we gradually come to understand and appreciate the true aims and purpose of Ifá the more of the light and power of Ifá can we receive, assimilate, integrate and share. When we come to a true spiritual comprehension of Ifá we will never want to stop studying and practicing Ifá. When Ifá opens our eyes and enlightens us by revealing to us the secrets of the heart of creation we become filled with such an inspiration, understanding, power, gratitude and delight that causes us to shine with spiritual luminosity, brightness and radiance.

[Odu-Ifá Ogunda-Irete: Ifá is the one who saves from death.] (Death is not limited only to deliverance from physical death. Death means loss and decline of the life sustaining, joy bestowing and purpose giving elements of life. When we lose our peace this is a form of death. When we are spiritually aimless and living without purpose, this is a form of death. When we lose our happiness this is also a form of death. When we lose good friendships and relationship this is also a form of death. When we lose our dignity and self-respect this also is a form of death. When we lose our good reputation this is a form of death. When we lose our hope and balance this is also a form of death).

[Odu-Ifá Ejiogbe: Those who embrace and practice the truth of Ifá by the power of their own free will and accord WILL TRIUMPH].

[Odu-Ifá Ose-Ofun: When we lack the illumination (wisdom) of Ifá and we neglect the practice of Ifá, the circumstances of our lives will become unfavorable. Òrúnmìlà and his teachings will correct, rectify and illuminate our lives. If we learn Ifá with a view to integrating it into our lives then we will experience the wonderful quick acting and quick manifesting power of Ifá.]

[6] Ifá bonds us to and brings out from the depths of our being, all that is good, satisfying, joyful and pleasant. Ifá will grant divine energy, light and vitality to the wise one’s who devote themselves to Ifá study and practice. Only through dedicated [commited] study and practice can we acquire confidence, deep-understanding, clarity and unwavering faith [trust].

[Odu-Ifá Idin-Iwori: If we have wisdom and we fail to apply it then we constitute ourselves truly into ignorant persons. If we have strength and we fail to apply it then we constitute ourselves truly into lazy, indulgent and useless persons. This is the message of Ifá for people who have the opportunity to learn from wise people but instead make the decision to make friends with and associate with unwise, irregular and ignorant persons. If you choose unwise people, people given to flights of imaginary fancy and people driven by make-believe instead of wise, realistic, enlightened and truthful people then you have ruined and blemished yourself.]

[7] Ifá will bring excellence, perfection and ever-increasing satisfaction to all who make a sincere effort [firm-determination] to practice the teachings of Ifá. Make an opening for Ifá in your heart and life. Make space and time for Ifá in your life and Ifá will reward you with boundless delights, blessings and joys. Make an opening for Ifá the size of the eye of a needle and Ifá will fill you with light, assurance and power. Ifá will embrace you and enlarge your understanding and capacities. The light, love and power of Ifá will flow powerfully through that opening and flood [inundate] your life with unanticipated blessings and with endowments that are inconceivable to you at the present time.

[Odu-Ifá Ejiogbe: Ifá you organize and plan things better than anyone else can. Ifá whatever you plan ends in perfection, happiness and excellence.]

[Odu-Ifá Oyeku-Ogbe: Ifá, whoever listens to you and does what you say will unfailingly fulfill the purpose of their lives with satisfaction, abundance and contentment.]

[8] There is no need to strain yourself or overburden yourself. Just take a small but firm [determined] step in the direction of Ifá and Ifá will take care of the rest. Ifá will show you what to do, how to do and when to do. We cannot remain as by-standers and mere observers [inquirers] forever. We have to engage Ifá with our finalized resolve, determination and action. We have to make the firm decision to pursue Ifá for ourselves. We have to put complacency, lethargy and an attitude of non-commital to the side and press forward with courage.

[Odu-Ifá Owonrin-Iwori: Let everyone take hold of a hoe and cutlass and go to the farm to work because WORK ELIMINATES POVERTY.] (The hoe and cutlass represent determined effort and intelligence. If we want to reap the harvest or benefits of the fruits of Ifá then we have to go to the farm or the field of endeavor and apply our determination and intelligence to cultivate the field of Ifá in our own lives.)

[9] If you truly want to know [experience] and understand Ifá, and if you want to receive and experience the light and power which flows from Ifá then pursue the above course of instructions and Ifá will surprise, astound and mesmerize you with bounties of joy, peace, contentment, meaning and fulfillment. Ifá is with you. Ifá is calling out to you. Ifá is inviting you. What will you do? What will you decide?

[Odu Ifá Ogbe-Oyeku: Ifá is powerful and can perform wonders. If Olódùmarè wishes He can turn the sky black. Ifá is powerful and can perform wonders. If Olódùmarè wishes He can turn the sky white. Ifá is powerful and can perform wonders. If Olódùmarè wishes He can turn the sky red. Ifá is powerful and can perform wonders.]

[Odu-Ifá Otura-Irete: Ifá whatever you recommend will end with fulfillment, success and achievement. In the end we will return to you with gratitude for your wonderful doings.]

[Odu-Ifá Owonrin-Ogbe: Ifá you never fail those who approach you, and this is why I seek your protection. Ifá I cling to you tightly for health, strength and life.]

[Odu-Ifá Ose-Otura: THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP SHOULD WAKE UP.] Àse. Àse. Àse.

Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas