Ifa: The Spiritual Tradition of Orisa and Ancestor Worship
Ancestor and Orisa Worship: Isopo: Part VII
June 2018
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!
In my last Post we explored the meaning of Isopo. Isopo is a Yoruba term that means ‘connectivity’ – the state or extent of being connected or interconnected. Things that are connected have access to and the possibility of communication with each other. Things that are connected are linked or related to each other. Things that are in a state of Isopo feel an affinity (a spontaneous or natural liking or sympathy for someone or something) with each other. This sense of Isopo is at the center of the Ifa Spiritual Tradition of Orisa and Ancestor Worship. Adura (prayers), Ebos (sacrifices and offerings), our ceremonies and rituals have no power to influence the outcome of things without the presence of Isopo as a fundamental aspect of creation, as a fundamental aspect of the Ase, Olodumare, and Olofi-dumare. The absolute Oneness, Unity of the Ase dictates that Isopo (connectivity) must exist between every manifestation, expression of the Orisun (Source). Our Ancestors sought to understand all aspects of the world as interrelated, interdependent, and interconnected elements of a single essence, a single entity.
Isopo is a fact, a Law of Creation that permeates everything. However, when it comes to us, you and me, and the sentient spiritual forces that dwell in and around us, Isopo also becomes a matter of choice. While certain aspects of our existence in the L’oja (marketplace) are subject to the Law of Isopo, our behavior, our conduct, our thoughts and actions are a matter of choice. Here, Ifa encourages the best behavior, the most ethical conduct, the most inclusive thinking, and most appropriate actions to support the unity of the whole. What behaviors, conduct, thoughts, words, and actions will make this world a better place, will support and enrich our relationships, and honor the legacy of our Ancestors?
Whether you are currently an Ifa devotee, are rooted in some other tradition, or searching for something not yet found, this message from the Isoro Council speaks to you as much as it does to me. It is an Ese Ifa (section or verses of the Sacred Oracle of Ifa, the Ifa Corpus).
ODU OGBERIKUSA (edited only for punctuation.)
Orisa Obatala, On Integrity, Goodwill, and Forgiveness
Three people came to him dragging a young man with them, and said to him: “Babalawo, Aboru Aboye! This man has murdered our father.”
Obatala asked: “Why did you kill their father?”
Young man: “I'm a guardian. My goat ate from his farm, and their father threw a stone at him and he died. I also took the stone and threw it at him, and he also died.”
Obatala: “Because of this, I will pass judgment (charge with murder) on you.”
Young man: “I ask for 3 days before you pass the judgment. My late father left me some wealth and I have a sister to take care of. If you kill me now, the wealth and my sister will have no guardian.”
Obatala: “Who will stand for your bail?”
Young man: Looking into the crowd, he pointed to Lamurudu.
Obatala: “Do you agree to stand for him Lamurudu/transformed Orunmila?”
Lamurudu: “Beeni (yes)!”
Obatala: “You stand for someone you don't know. If he doesn't return you will receive his penalty. “
Lamurudu: “I accept!”
The young man left. After 2 days, and into the 3rd day, no sign of him. Everyone was scared for Lamurudu who accepted to receive the penalty of death if the man fails to come. Before the time for isi'nu, the boy appeared exhausted in appearance, and stood before Obatala.
Young man: “I have handed the wealth and the welfare of my sister to my uncle, I'm now yours, you may pass the penalty.”
Obatala said: “Why did you return after having a chance to escape the penalty?”
Young man: “I was afraid, it will appear that humanity has lost the ability to fulfill promises kept."
Obatala turned and looked at Lamurudu: “Why did you stand for him?”
Lamurudu: “I was afraid, it might appear that humanity have lost the will to do good to others.”
This scenario pleased the brothers who wanted justice for their father's death and so, said they have forgiven the young man.
Obatala: “Why?”
They said: “We are afraid, it will appear as though forgiveness has lost place in the heart of humanity.”
This Ese Ifa brings us face-to-face with the intersection of Isopo (connectivity) and Yiyan (choice), our personal choices about how we behave in this world. If we perceive ourselves as separate, our choices will reflect an imbalance towards selfishness, self-interest. If we perceive ourselves to be relational beings, a multiplicity of expressions of the same essence, then our choices will reflect the highest levels of human consciousness, the merging of physical Ori with Spiritual Ori! Remember, religion is not an end in itself! It is a means to an end! Our spiritual nature is seeking to exhibit the highest expressions of the divine presence that dwells in each of us. The Ifa Spiritual Tradition of Orisa and Ancestor Worship is a path and a process to achieve that physical, mental, and spiritual expansion and integration. The knowledge, wisdom, and understandings living in the Ifa Tradition are robust and powerful, and it is everyone’s birthright. In this sense, Ifa is not a ‘religion’ but rather an intuitive, nature-based, and rational, observation-based way of understanding and interacting with all aspects and dimensions of creation. Ifa is not a static dogma etched in immutable form, rather, Ifa is a living entity, daily born and reborn to address the needs of the present moment by using the instruments of the past, and the knowledge and wisdom of the past, present, and future.
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.
Aajiirebi! May the Unblemished Cloth of Orunmila Continue to cloth us with the Wisdom Of the Here and the Hereafter!
Ase! Ase! Ase!
Click on the Contact Us link above or below to email your comments or questions.
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!
