The Tenth Truth of Ifa: Never Harm the Universe
of which You are a part!
February 2020
Homage To The One Who Sends and to those who are sent! Homage to Orisa and Egun!
Ifokanbale Omo Orisa! Peace of Mind from Olodumare Children of Orisa!
Ire ati Ayo!
Good Tidings and Joyfulness!
I honor your gods, I drink from your wells, I bring an undefended heart to our meeting place. I have no cherished outcomes, I will not negotiate by withholding, and I am not subject to disappointment. I am here! And They are all here with me! Ase! Ase! Ase!
Lord of my Ancestors, I have no knowledge except that which is given to me through inspiration, that which is sent to me by way of an angel, and that which I am blessed to acquire by way of some discipline. I thank you for guiding my words, my thoughts, and my actions so that all that I say and do may serve to point the seekers in the right direction. Ase! Ase! Ase!
Thank you for visiting our website and for reading our blog! We pray you find some of what you are seeking to remember.
If you review our January 2019 Post when we introduced this particular series of discussions you will find a listing of The Sixteen Truths of Ifa. When you looked at them as a group you may have noticed that within the group of sixteen there are a few subdivisions. For example in Truths 1-7 we are guided to reflect upon who we are, where we come from, why we are here, and the significance of ‘before birth’, ‘life’, and the relationship between ‘here’ and ‘hereafter’.
You will see as we move forward that Truths 8-12 provide us with insight into the nature of this place that we call ‘here’. In the Ifa Spiritual Tradition of Ancestor and Orisa Worship we refer to this ‘here’ as the L’oja (the marketplace – Truth 7). This second subdivision of the Sixteen Truths begins by establishing firmly that we are not simply ‘in’ the universe, or ‘observing’ the universe. We are functioning parts of the universe! In this current Post, Truth (10), we want to understand some of the subdivisions of the universe being referred to, and receive the instructions that the Sixteen Truths give us about how to navigate our journey in the L’oja.
Look a little deeper into the statement of this Truth of Ifa. At first reading we might immediately project our consciousness ‘out’ to the larger ‘universe’ that expresses itself through our senses. We may think of all existing matter and space considered as a whole, the cosmos. We think of vast galaxies, solar systems, stars, and planets. This outward looking is a vital part of Na Wa, Expansion. But it is not the only mental shift that is being evoked.
Think about it! You and I don’t walk around conscious in every moment of the larger Universe of which we are a part. So we have to ask, ‘what universe is this Truth speaking about?’ And then we have to ask, ‘how many universes are in our consciousness?’ During any given period of time your entire consciousness may be filled with the awareness of only one aspect of your life that is important to you. In fact, these ‘universes of consciousness’ are often bumping up against each other vying for space in the expansiveness of your awareness.
The meaning of the word ‘universe’ in this context is not as obvious as it may seem. A universe is also a particular sphere of activity, interest, or experience. Right now, if you pause and reflect, you will immediately recognize that you have a unique universe (family, friends, colleagues, communities, activities, etc.) that you have created and that you work to sustain, sometimes wittingly and sometimes unwittingly. Now read Truth (10) with this broader understanding. You must never harm the universe (family, friends, colleagues, communities, activities, etc.) of which you are part!
And what about the earth that loans you a body, and the water that facilitates the processes of your body, and the trees that are your external lungs, the other part of your respiratory system? And, what about the air that you share with the trees and with every other creature on this planet? Are these things not also part of your universe? Are they not the very universe that the Tenth Truth of Ifa says ‘you must never harm’? What we have here is a guideline for ecologically sustainable living, a vibrant, healthy community life.
The purpose of Ifa is not to fit every human being into the same one-size-fits-all box. The purpose of Ifa is to provide an understanding and a way to interact and live cooperatively with and within Olodumare’s Creation. It is not to restrict our individual choices but to assist us in making sure that our individual choices do not negate the life process of others. The Path of Ifa can be exemplified by living in accordance with the Sixteen Truths of Ifa.
Clearly the world has lost sight of this ancient wisdom. Ifa reminds us through the parables of the Sacred Corpus that humans are part of the fabric of ONE creation. The Western Cornucopia Worldview sees humans as a species apart, and the earth and other living things as being here to serve humanity’s selfish purposes. Ifa tells us that if we persist in that thinking we are bound to destroy ourselves and suffer greater and greater hardships on the road to that eventual destruction. This should be evident from the events taking place in the world today. Humans have offended the domains of the Orisa and the Orisa are today acting according to the Laws of Reciprocity, and Cause and Effect. Ifa reflects an ecological philosophy of thought.
This ecological philosophy of thought requires an understanding of Truth (11) Our Temporal and Spiritual capacities must work together!
I hope you will reflect on this message and share your comments and questions with me for our future Posts on this and other topics.
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If you would like to donate to any of the annual Festivals or to any of the Ifa Temples, Shrines, School, Electronic Communications Center Initiative, or general funds, please contact me by email and I will provide you with the bank transfer information so that you can make your donation directly and securely.
Karl Stone Art Collection
Another way that you can support the activities of the Ifa Community is by purchasing something from the Karl Stone Art Collection. These Art pieces make beautiful additions to your home decorations, and great gifts for special occasions. A portion of your purchase will be donated to the Isoro Traditional Council of Chiefs in Ile-Ife and a portion to Ile Awo Orisa. (View Art)
Modupe! Thank You!
Aajiirebi! May the Unblemished Cloth of Orunmila Continue to cloth us with the Wisdom Of the Here and the Hereafter!
Ase! Ase! Ase!
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Ki Olodumare, Orisa, ati Egun fifun e ni Itona, Imoye, ati Opo Ire!
My Olodumare, Orisa, and Ancestors bestow on you Guidance, Wisdom, and Abundant Blessings!
