The brain thrives
on associative links, the mind needs to complete pictures, and
the imagination loves stories. The 256 Orisa Odu provide the
seeker with wisdom and guidance in the form of stories that are at
once
the Yoruba history of the beginning, and a library of metaphors and
analogies that give insight and solutions to the affairs of human
beings.
This is one of the stories Baba Adelekan has shared with me. Where
the commentary On Becoming A Babalawo speaks to the training,
responsibilities, and character of the Babalawo, this story speaks
to the faith that one
must be able to place in Olodumare, Orisa, Ancestors, and the Babalawo.
There was a man and his wife who lived in a prosperous town. Prosperous
for everyone but him. Everywhere he looked the people were flourishing,
but his own condition remained the same - poor. In time the man's
condition drove him to consult with his babalawo. Ifa advised that
in order to be successful the man had to follow in the profession
of his father. This honest man was somewhat confounded by the babalawo's
reading and went home to discuss the matter with his wife.
How can you follow in the footsteps of your father, she asked
- when your father was a thief? The man, sincere in his faith, and
his wife, sincere in her love, agreed that he should follow the instructions
of the babalawo. They devised a plan. The man would travel to the
nearby town, enter the king's palace, and steal something of great
value. One night the man snuck into the king's chambers. Meanwhile,
the king had taken a younger wife and was spending private time with
her in another room. However, the king's other wives were quite jealous
and angry over his decision and actions, and were devising a plan
to poison the king.
As the man snuck into the king's chamber, the group of angry wives
came in and he hid in the ceiling rafts. As he hung above their head,
he heard their plan and saw them place poison in the king's food.
When the king returned, the wives began encouraging him to eat. As
the king got ready to put some of the poison food in his mouth, the
man fell from the ceiling. Everyone jumped back in surprise. The king
demanded the man's identity and an explanation for his presence in
the king's palace and chamber. The man explained his circumstance
and what he had overheard.
In gratitude for saving his life, the king gave the man both wealth
and status, and he was allowed to return home to his wife.
Like the circumstances of my journey to Ile-Ife, the Path that Ifa
chooses for us to arrive at our intended destination may not be straight,
and in fact may sometimes look like we are being asked to travel in
the opposite direction. So I tell my godchildren:
Trust the Process!
Ifa does not lie!
Orisa never break their promises!
