The Odu - Iwori - From Thought to Reality

The Universe emerges from the primordial soup of Ogbe. What underlies that process? The third energy, Iwori. This energy it is about introspection, and thoughtful decision making, when we use it in divination. It is essentially about thinking. It represents the idea that leads to reality.

This is Olodumare creating, not a New Age fantasy about thinking something into existence. 

Iwori is the energy of the idea. When set into motion it formed the structure underlying the physical Universe. The Universe ends up being created through God’s deep desire to explore. When Source asks, “What am I?”, evolution is driven forward.

This is Universal introspection. The Universe wants to reflect upon itself. In order to do that its creations must evolve to the point where they can discover it though their own inner journeys. They must be able to reach back to the beginning, to rest in peaceful contemplation. Those self-reflective creations are us. 

The big questions drive us inward. We may start with the same question God did. “What am I?” Perhaps we ask;  “Why am I here?”;  or “What is the meaning of life?”. All these questions push us inwards. We move away from our outer reality, and personality, to a deeper truth. Eventually we start to have glimpses of the stillness of eternity. That is our true nature. With focus, and hard work, we can stabilize within this dimension and achieve radical freedom. Iwori is the energy that points the way. It drives us relentlessly inward.

Once we have shifted our locus to the most evolved Self, the deep introspection continues with different results. The searching and questioning, freed from the shackles of the outer personality, begin to create. New ideas arise. Unique potentials start to surface. Once we are freed from ego, Iwori aligns us with the drive of the Evolutionary Impulse. 

Our movement outward is powered by Iwori’s partner Idi which we will explore in my next post.

For now, can you see how deep introspection can lead us back before the beginning of our Universe? I’d love to hear why, or why not.

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Oyeku - Into the Darkness

Creation implies duality. The heat and light of Ogbe, twin with the dark silent world of the ancestors. It is called Oyeku. Ogbe reflects the forward movement of the Evolutionary Impulse. Oyeku reflects the deep stillness of the Ground of Being. This aspect of infinity is the path to enlightenment.

Oyeku is dark, still, cool. It is absolutely silent. In Ifa we say that it is the place where our ancestors reside. It is just on this side infinity. Oyeku is place of rest, where our spirits exist as pure energy. No limitations exist there.  

There is still a connection to physical reality. The ancestors are interested in us. Just as Ogbe pulls us forward, Oyeku pulls us back. Our ancestors take us deeper.  They compel us to reach into the stillness, and discover it. Eventually we can unite with Olodumare, at rest.

I work with my Guardian Ancestor to delve into the stillness, and reach for enlightenment. This is the true nature of Oyeku. A path to the peace before the beginning.  Reaching for enlightenment is an important reason to build our relationship with the ancestral realm. The Guardian Ancestor is a particularly important part of this work.

In the ancient Yoruba stories there was a time when we could pass back, and forth, between the realms. We existed in a state closer to our ancestral energy. We need to forge a new type of relationship with the ancestors. One that will allow us to follow the connection back to unity with Spirit. This is the path of evolution in Ifa. 

By aligning with Oyeku, in this powerful way, our true Selves are freed. Our outer selves take their rightful place, in the back seat.  We can align our actions with Ogbe. We can reach into the future. Integrating ourselves with the dance of these two primal forces is our path to freedom. Oyeku and Ogbe form the practice, and goal, of Ifa mysticism.

Can you se how these potent forces are the path to our continued growth and evolution? I’d love to hear why, or why not.

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Ogbe - The First Energy - Then There was Light

Suddenly the perfect stillness is rocked by an explosion of light. Some call this moment the “big bang”. In Ifa, it is Ogbe the first energy. It is the blast of spiritual light that starts creation.

The creative process is never a calm affair. Creation is spontaneous. It is violent. It rocks the foundations of our consciousness, or even those of the Universe itself. The heat and light of the creative process bring a powerful intensity to Ogbe. It’s light is blinding. It’s Spirit changes everything. Ogbe is the energy of God creating. 

This powerful energy carries infinite potential. Everything in the physical Universe comes from it. Behind this energy, perhaps beneath it, is the Absolute. Ogbe is infinite movement. It is the energy and intelligence that created the Universe, and is creating the Universe. 

The process is guided. There is a preference for growth. The Universe is becoming more complex. Hydrogen was created in the initial explosion. It was left alone for almost 14 billion years. Eventually it became us. We are the leading edge of the process. Olodumare’s presence is everywhere. It is the process itself. 

Every new idea, every leap forward in consciousness, every new species, is a result of the first energy expressing itself.

Ogbe was responsible for simple life coming from matter. It then led to the development of complex life. It gave rise to intelligence, self-awareness, and culture. It has allowed conscious beings to reflect on the stillness it came from. It allows us to reach towards Olodumare. Ogbe is evolution rolling into an infinite future. Ifa, at its core, is evolutionary.

Ogbe calls us to the future. It asks us to align with the creative process itself. As we become more conscious, we become active participants in the process. We bring our uniqueness to the table. Our ability to connect with the deepest source gives us the responsibility to become active participants in the evolution of the Universe.

Can you see how you are a reflection of the creative impulse? Can you feel the pull to join in the process? I’d love to hear why, or why not.

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The Odu

Happy New Year everyone! All the best for 2014.

The Odu are the energetic building blocks of the Universe. They are also the energies we work with in Ifa divination. In this series we’ll explore the 16 primary energies.

The Odu are represented with a series of single and double strokes, or open circles and lines. As long as 8,000 years ago, the Yoruba people of western Africa were working with a binary number system. The system is similar to what we use for digital media.

We can look at Universe is an infinite, organic, computer. Olodumare, or God,  is its  creator and power source.

The Odu combine with each other creating the 256 energies used to create the Universe. We believe that everything that is, was, or ever will be, is manifested by these energies. Even the Orisa were born out of the Odu. It is possible to develop relationships with them.

In this series I’ll describe the essence of the sixteen primary Odu. We’ll look at them as building blocks of reality. You’ll see how the essence of each leads to its use in divination.

Olodumare existed before creation, at rest for infinite aeons. When we describe creation we use temporal language. We understand it as an event that happened at some point before now. The truth is, that God exists beyond time and space.  Olodumare is everywhere, and nowhere. God is completely empty, and perfectly full. The creative force is beyond all opposites. It cannot be described. The closest we can come is to imagine perfect peace, quiet, and stillness. 

When you have a moment, get as still as you can. See if you can drop below your thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Find the perfect stillness that is Olodumare as you. Were you able to taste a bit of infinity doing this short exercise? I’d love to hear why, or why not.

In my next post we’ll look at the moment of creation. I’ll explore the first energy. 

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Winter Solstice - Going Inside

The shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, is about to arrive in the northern hemisphere. I’d like to explore aligning with the powerful cycle of the seasons. 

Each season expresses a unique energy pattern. When we align with these patterns we are able to use them to benefit our growth. Men are particularly sensitive to seasonal fluctuations.

Winter is about the dark, the quiet, the ancestral. As it approaches we feel ourselves slowing down. As light levels decrease we want to rest. We need to sleep more. We tend to spend more time indoors.

We should also be spending more time inside ourselves. Deep personal practice is important now. It will sustain us by keeping us positive as energy levels decrease. Winter shows us what is buried deep inside ourselves so that we can bring it to the surface. 

Our traditional holiday time is often filled with celebration.  During this dark, cold, period it is also important to be quiet. Introspection is key to really harnessing the power of winter energy. 

All of this deep work can feel like heavy lifting. It is important to remember how our ancestors celebrated this solstice. They looked to the return of the light that starts immediately after the shortest day. Working to bring light into the darkness is a powerful path of transformation.

One of the best energies to work with at this time of year is Yemonja/Olokun. In Ifa, we always work with these twin Orisa of the ocean together. Olokun is the deep, dark, world at the bottom of the ocean. He represents hidden things that we can discover buried deep in our unconscious. 

Yemonja is the surface of the ocean, and the light that plays there. We can use this aspect of ocean energy to bring light, and understanding, to the difficult emotions that we have discovered. Using these energies together we can bring feelings to the surface so that we can see, and release, them. 

Use this time of year for connection with the deep emotional healing that is possible with the Yemonja/Olokun matrix.

Do you feel the pulled inside as winter approaches? I’d love to hear why, or why not.

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Face Everything

One of the key components in spiritual development is allowing yourself to face the truth. It is important to do this in a gentle, and self-nurturing, way. Recognizing your current state is meant to help you see where you can make changes, and foster the most productive growth.

But, what do you do when what you see something you don’t like? Take an honest look. The more gentle you are with yourself, the more easily you will be able to avoid a crisis. 

Right now, I want to be doing more in the world. The specifics are elusive. I am just starting to think that my Ifa Mentoring practice may not be able to keep me busy, motivated, and fulfilled in the long term.

Part of me feels like I am questioning a dream. That is disturbing. As I look at the time I have available, I’m trying to figure out what I can add that will allow me to feel even happier, and more on track with my purpose. I am looking for a way to expand the dream. To make it bigger. To give it more components. But, for now, I am starting to feel inertia.

Facing everything is about being honest with ourselves. It is about seeing our potential and living up to it. There will be times when you look at yourself and you cannot see the possibilities. That is perfectly fine. 

Know where you are. Understand where your feelings, and ideas, are coming from. Then gently push yourself until you start moving again. 

The light will return as soon as you let it. Get out. Get moving. Know that you will figure out your next step somehow, at some time, in the near future. For me, writing about things always helps. Just getting these words out has helped me to see some possibilities.

Have you ever faced something that seemed impossible and them overcome your paralysis  and started moving forward again? I’d love to hear about it.

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Your Guardian Ancestor

Our ancestors are one of the pillars upon which we stand. This week I’d like to explore our relationship with one particular ancestor.

Before you came here you made a number of choices: your destiny; your Life Path; and your Guardian Energy. At that time, you also chose a specific ancestor to be your guardian throughout your life. 

Our relationship with the Guardian Ancestor is more intimate than with the rest of the ancestral pool. Your Guardian Ancestor acts as guide, counsel, and representative to the rest of your ancestors. Your Guardian is a blood relative who passed before you were conceived.

Our Guardians were with us in the womb. They have witnessed all the details of our lives. They help us achieve our destiny. Even before we reach out, they send us messages through dreams, and intuitions. Sometimes, that inner voice of conscience  is your Guardian Ancestor. Once you start to develop a relationship with your Guardian the guidance gets stronger. 

You can have your Guardian read by an Ifa priest, but, even before you have the details you can  build the connection. The best way to build your relationship is through consistent work. Start calling on your Guardian every day. Light a single white candle beside a glass of water. Then ask your Guardian to communicate. Be still and allow it to happen.

Once you know who your Guardian ancestor is,  you can check names in your family tree to see if you can get more specific. Many people may not know the names of their ancestors. Some people have very ancient Guardians whose names will never be available. 

Having a name can make things flow better.  You can always choose a name. If you have a name you’d like to use, ask your Guardian if it is OK to use it. I have a client of Italian descent. She calls her Guardian zio, which means uncle in Italian. It has bee a great way to make their relationship more intimate. 

Your Guardian Ancestor is there for you all the time. You can call for help, or guidance, whenever you like. Your Guardian always has your back.

Have you ever felt the presence of your Guardian Ancestor? I’d love to hear about it.

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