The Sixth Truth of Ifa: We are reborn through our blood relatives! Part I
August 2019
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!
If we are to more fully understand and appreciate this Truth of Ifa we should recognize that there are two important aspects in this statement of truth. The first is that we are reborn! The second is that this rebirth takes place through our blood relatives. To be reborn means to be brought back to life or activity. Of course it may also suggest having experienced a complete spiritual change, where some experience (a ceremony, ritual, mystical or esoteric manifestation, etc.) punctuates an expression of you before the experience, and the expression of you after the experience. To whatever degree, before and after are not the same. The related word rebirth refers to the process of being reincarnated or born again, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It implies the action of reappearing or starting to flourish or increase after a decline. It implies a revival from some suspended state or condition such as unconsciousness, coma, or death.
Look around you! Why would you doubt the existence of rebirth? Study the signs laid out for us in nature. Rebirth is going on all the time, constantly. Things are being born and reborn ceaselessly. What is before is not exactly the same as what comes forth after the suspended state. Some part of before is clearly present, and depending on the circumstances that define the degree of rebirth, what has changed and what remains the same may vary. That which or the one who is reborn may come forth in robust presence and what has changed may be so slight, so subtle as to go unnoticed by most. Under other circumstances, that which or the one who is reborn may be so different as to appear to be a different thing altogether, and that which was before may be present but subtle. Can you see the subtle and obvious differences between the caterpillar, the larva, and the butterfly or moth that comes forth?
The fundamental aspects of the Spiritual Laws of the L’oja are being expressed on every level of this dimensional space-time existence. The Principle of Na Wa (Expansion) operating in alignment with the Law of the Fundamental Indivisibility of the Ase, requires that all expressions of the Ase continue to function in perpetuity and in relationship with each other to varying degrees. From the smallest unit of energy, to the smallest atoms and molecules, to the grand bodies of the cosmos we see Na Wa and Isopo, Expansion and Connectivity operating under the Spiritual Laws of Vibration and Rhythm.
Seasons are reborn, flora are reborn, fashions are reborn, ideas are reborn, beliefs and philosophies are reborn, planetary cycles reflect this Law of Rebirth. The Sixth Truth of Ifa (We are reborn through our blood relatives) is not some primitive, superstitious, and fanciful idea. This truth arises because our ancestors studied nature and the cosmos, not to subjugate it, but to understand and harmonize with it. The Sixteen Truths of Ifa are indicative of the wisdom gained from this study taken in the right spirit, from the correct perspective, and with the right energetic vibration of the heart.
We believe that the continuous expansion of the individuated piece of infinite consciousness that we call Ori, the journey of this soul, is tied to its repeated journeys into the realm of the L’oja. It is here in the L’oja that the individuated self is afforded the opportunity to be challenged by the forces of Contrast and Choice as they constantly arise in the L’oja. We believe that the individuated soul not only chooses to come into the L’oja ‘a first time’, but that we also have the choice to come back. In fact, we are compelled to come back, not by any ‘outside’ pressure but rather by our own innate desire for Na Wa, Expansion. The ‘soul’ or Spiritual Ori is a manifestation of pure creative potential. That potential energy is a constant stimulant to the physical Ori encouraging it to express its spiritual power through the act of creation. The Spiritual Laws of Creation are such that we will never truly be ‘satisfied’. We may be content for a moment, for part of our life, or for an entire lifetime. But death is not the last act.
In Ifa, we believe that with the presence of Na Wa Ase (the Energy of Expansion) and Isopo Ase (the Energy of Connectivity) present in every aspect of creation, it is inevitable that over time we will see the return of our various ancestors. This idea of rebirth, or being reborn is present in virtually every religion and spiritual tradition on the earth.
The second part of this Truth of Ifa states that we are ‘reborn through our blood relatives’. As I contemplated this statement with the idea of making this a single Post, my Ori and Baba Ifa made it clear to me that what has been said is enough for us to reflect upon for now. And what remains to be said deserves to be given more thought. I have to listen.
To be continued:
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.
Support Ifa
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!
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!
