As human beings we are one. We might call ourselves followers of Isese, Ifa, Orisa, Ogboni, Egungun, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Candomble, Vodun etc. but all of these are superficial designations because our constitutional position in relation to Olodumare is identical. Our essential nature is identical, irrespective of our own venerable and peculiar beliefs and religious practices. We all spring from the One Singular Supreme Source. If we understood this all kinds of conflicts, contentions and misunderstandings would cease to be. Ultimately we are all seeking for one thing only: fullness of happiness. There is a right way to seek happiness and there is a wrong way to seek happiness. Be aware that happiness and pleasure are not always the same thing. True happiness is pleasurable. All things pleasurable do not lead to happiness. True happiness uplifts, strengthens and fortifies our lives, intelligence and health. We are all seeking to honestly express ourselves and to realize our humanity.

The path of truth is founded on simplicity, honesty, respect for others and oneself and personal integrity in ones duties. Good character, good behavior, honest living  and love are not ‘christian’, ‘muslim’, ‘hindu’, ‘traditionalist’, ‘indigenous’, etc. etc. These are essential and permanent qualities of our being no matter what we call ourselves, but our essential nature remains the same. Just like the air and water we take in is universal and common to all. There is no Muslim air, Christian air or Traditionalist air. Air is air no matter what you call yourself or what you profess. If you breathe it in you live. If you don’t you die, irrespective on your professed religious convictions. True religion and divine spirituality is universal and common to all. With determination and practice we can know and understand what is unknown to the majority. We do not need external ostentation to please Edumare. The Divine Secret is not in the pocket of others for us to be running after people trying to foolishly get from them what is already hidden within ourselves. The secret, treasure, sacred power, mystic knowledge and mystery you seek is buried beneath your feet in your own home! No need to go searching and excavating elsewhere! There is no need to complicate ourselves or others. The divine way is direct, simple and unencumbered by difficulties. To the courageous, sincere and honest the true path for oneself is not difficult to find.  We can worship Olodumare directly through any of his manifestations that are agreeable to our need, affinity, spiritual taste, capacity and sensitivity. When we worship our chosen Orisa we are worshiping Olodumare. Olodumare manifests in diversity to meet our needs, affinity, temperament, inclinations, capacticies, longings and inner predilection. The One Olodumare is the one who manifests in limitless beauty, variety, forms and glorious personalities/characters. Olodumare is limitless and his potencies are inconceivable. It is only reasonable and logical that he would manifest himself in countless ways to reach us and to inspire confidence and love in us. No matter if we worship the Supreme as Obatala, or Òrúnmìlà, or Oshun, Osoosi, Orisa Oko or Ela, or Ogun etc. etc. What is important is that this particular manifestation inspires us, comforts us, empower us and brings out the best in us. What is important is that this manifestation is meeting our need and is fulfilling our legitimate aspirations! What is important is that this manifestation is making us better people and more peaceful, assured and happy.

There is no reason or need for us to be alike or identical. We are different as human beings from one another, so should it surprise us that we our different in how we comprehend, perceive, experience and respond to the divine? What Olodumare is hungry for is the feeling of devotion, love, reverence and gratitude in your soul! So to inspire you and bring this out he manifests as Obatala, Ogun, Onile Ogboduora, Oshun, Òrúnmìlà, Elegbara, Ela etc. etc. He speaks to you in the unique language of your heart, level, need, mind, capacity, affinity and peculiar need. According to what Olodumare knows you are receptive and responsive to, in like manner he appears and manifests to you in friendship, love, power and wonder! According to your devotional need, temperament, affinity, personality and spiritual tastes so does he reveal and manifest to you so as draw you closer to himself, to nuture and develop you; and to reveal your inner splendor. Respect his manifestation to others but follow, love and serve your own! Olodumare only desires the flowering of your heart. By worshiping Olodumare in the beautiful, inspiring and peculiar form that is appealing and attractive to YOU, you will awaken the divinity within yourself and experience true happiness, peace and satisfaction. Do not compare your unique faith to that of another. Do not imitate the faith of others. Follow what really inspires you, empowers you and is truly meaningful to you. The other persons way is not better than yours, neither is your way better than another’s. Your unique faith is simply right, adequate and perfect for you. That is all! This is how we must see and understand things. Empowered, motivated and enthused by your worship, peculiar spiritual interests, spiritual practices and devotion, you will be in an ideal state to work for the greater good of all. Allow your inner realizations, grace, knowledge and power to manifest in your behavior, demeanor and conduct. If you talk to much, arrogantly or needlessly about your inner experiences and knowledge then, your built up and accumulated powers will become dissipated and lost, but if we express them through the quality and manner of our lives it will grow and grow, bringing blessing to all and transforming the lives of others. It is only by contact with this divine energy in our unique and personal way that we develop supernatural character, supernatural intelligence and supernatural powers. Never express anything without a specific purpose and thereby conserve your spiritual powers and energies. Always meet with your Divine Friend and worship according to your sincere, noble and honest natural affinity, taste, vision and inclination, and you will grow and develop smoothly yet at an astounding rate. Don’t imitate others. Follow your own authentic and original path. If you follow the above instructions you will never have to receive another instruction in your life. By practicing the above words of guidance everything you really need and want will gravitate to you and find you, or you will gravitate to it and find it.

Read, meditate upon and apply these thoughts often because they are coming to you from the Source Supreme and this is why you feel great peace, energy, power, joy, assurance, security and serenity when you read them. These teachings and the divine energy which revealed them will purify, empower and uplift your life.

Ela ‘boru. Ela ‘boye. Ela ‘bosise.

Your friend and well-wisher Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas.