THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP WORSHIP OF IFA

ORDER OF SERVICE: Invocation Libation Oriki Orin Dafa Lect re on Co!"o#o$% of Ifa

THE ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP ORI&I Iba O#or n Iba E#e'a Iba O#o' "are Iba A#an Iba A'abitan O# (a tobi #)oba O# (a "i Iba Oba I(a Iba Oba Aik Iba O# "oran Okan Iba O# ra" ra" Iba Oba A#e(i#e!e Iba Arin ro'e A!e W Onib ore E#e'aA!e'a Iba O%i$i%$i Ota Aik Iba Ori Ori !an "i Ori !an "i Ori !ani "i Ori !an i$e'e Ori !an i$e'e Ori !an i$e'e Ori Otan San "e ki nni o(o #o(o Ori otan !an "i ki nbi"o #e "io Ori otan !an "i ki nni a%a Ori oto !an "i nko#e "o#e Ori !an "i o Ori !an "i o Ori !an "i o O#o"a a*iki

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i,

I(a ni "o' ,e OA!e Iba E#a E#a ro (a ./ Or n"i#a ro (a ./ Ifa bi o ba roko ko'e ./ Or n"i#a bi o ba ro'o ko bo ./ Ere $e$e ni tek a$e$e ./ Abi%a"o &i I $bek n o"o re ko ' ro ./ Iba E! O$ n'a #) A(o A#a$ba I(ori #)A(o A# ,e!e O$ n ti a#a$ba # ,e!e !e

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i,

O$ n k ro #) o$ n A%o'a O$ n ' o$ n #)o(o Oba A 'ia f n o"ok nrin ' ' Ita E ' ro e ki E! E ni ' ro e ki E! E! ni %o o t n ti(on !e E ' ro e ki E! Iba Ir n"o#e O *okot n Iba Ir n"a#e O *oko!in Iba Okan#e Ir n"a#e arin(o Iba Ori!a0 Obata#a1 O$ n1 O!o!!i1O! n E(a*i So#a$ba'e1 2e"on*a O# $bere1San$o &abi%e!i1O%a #)ori1 I#e $bon$bon1Ibe*i1 Iba I%a A(on Afin * e%e Iba La$ba #o*a

Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba Iba

E$ n$ n I#e 3aba 2e%e O# (o O*onbona Oni#e O!a O!ain o"o o"o T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i,

O"i T t

Invocation

Iri !e ./ 3i iri ba !e ./ E(ko (e* 'i'e ./ O# (a Or n ati ai%e Ran Oro re (a ti o N!e 'i'a ara f n1e#ek nr n ki o be !in O# (a or n ati ai%e Ran1Oro re (a ti n$ba ni k ro nin i,ar no1 bo!in o"i %i f n i(o!an 4A n $bo$bo5 Lor' of Heaven an' Eart+ Sen' t+e breat+ of $oo'ne!! to ! 3rin$ $oo' +ea#t+ to ! Lor' of Heaven an' Eart+ Sen' t+e breat+e of t+e E#'er! t+at $one to Heaven1to ,revent Conf !ion an' 'e!tr ction Co""an' t+e (ater to brin$ i",rove' con'ition! In %o r na"e A!e

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, One of t+e "a*or 'eve#o,"ent! of (or!+i, of Ifa i! to !ee t+e (a% of (or!+i, a! a (a% of #ife6 W+i#e fo##o(in$ t+e "an'ate! of O#o' "are t+ro $+ Ifa b% t+e ve!ti$e of Or n"i#a1 (e no( a! 'evotee! !+o #' !eek to co""it to 'ai#% (or!+i,6 O r ri!in$ !+o #' be a! Ori in E*i O$be 'i' a! It (a! t+oro $+#% co""itte' to t+e (or!+i, an' ce#ebration of O#o' "are b% ro##in$ off +i! be' "at a! t+e ot+er Ir n"a#e !#e,t an' be$in to ,rai!e O#or n before t+e ri!in$ ! n6

A! 'evotee! of t+i! (or!+i, o r e/a",#e i! +o( (e a,,#% t+i! t+o $+t to o r 'ai#% #ife if (e 'on)t +ave e/a",#e! or kno( +o( to 'o t+i! in an acce,tab#e (a% t+at i! not co,%in$ E ro0centere' (or!+i,! ! c+ a! C+ri!tianit% or A!ian0 I!#a" or 3 ''+i!t re#i$io ! ,rotoco# an' !t%#e6 We are 2or ba1 Ni$erian Ifa tra'itiona#i!t an' (e +ave a (a% of (or!+i, an' #ife !t%#e1 (+ic+ !+o #' be !t 'ie' an' ,ro" #$ate' a! (e 'eve#o, +ere in t+e Dia!,ora6 3% #ar$e1 ,art of t+i! (ork!+o, i! to ce#ebrate o r n'er!tan'in$ of t+e 7E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, an' be$in b% incor,oratin$ t+i! t+eo#o$% in o r #ive!6 Part of t+e co",onent! of t+i! co r!e !t '% i! to incor,orate o r re#i$io ! or t+eo#o$ica# n'er!tan'in$ (it+ o r rit a# kno(#e'$e t+at (i## #ea' to a better n'er!tan'in$ of o r re#i$io ! #ife6 One of t+e "o!t i",ortant ' rin$ t+i! ti"e +o(ever1 (i## be o r 'evotiona# ,erio' an' fe##o(!+i, (it+ O#o' "are an' t+e Ir n"a#e6 T+i! ,ro$ra" in broken into fo r "a*or t+e"e!: T+e Wor!+i, T+e Ce#ebration of Divine S,irit! T+e Me!!a$e fro" t+e Divine S,irit! T+e #ect re or T+eo#o$ica# n'er!tan'in$ of T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i,

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, T+e (or!+i, i! t+e !tan'ar' ,rai!e ce#ebration of Ifa an' Ir n"a#e6 T+e Ce#ebration i! t+e Orin Ori!a an' Oriki for t+e Ir n"a#e6 T+e Dafa "e!!a$e (+ic+ in bro $+t for t+e 'evotee)! an' Ebo6 T+e #ect re on t+e t+eo#o$% of Ifa i! for t+e e' cation of t+e 'evotee!6 He#,in$ to brin$ a better n'er!tan'in$ of o r (or!+i, co",onent! a! action! for %o r 'ai#% !,irit a# #ife6

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, Di!c !!ion! on C+aracter I(a O$be Sa !,eak! a! t+ !1 A Difa f n Eni0a%e0kan A ab See0rere Se rere $be er rere Eni%an0a%e0kan E !) a%e ire 3i o *e e"i #a%e kan &i "o !)a%e ire T+e teac+in$ of Ifa (a! 'ivine' for Eni0a%e0kan1 7One (+o!e t rn it i! to take re!,on!ibi#it% for t+e (or#'68

An' t+e !a"e (a! 'one for Seerere1 7One (+o 'oe! it (e##8 Do it (e## an' bear t+e re!,on!ibi#it% (e##1 T+o!e (+o!e t rn it i! to take re!,on!ibi#it% for t+e (or#' %o !+o #' 'o $oo' for t+e (or#' W+en it beco"e! %o r t rn to take re!,on!ibi#it% for t+e (or#' 'o $oo' for t+e (or#'6 W+en it beco"e! "% t rn to take re!,on!ibi#it% for t+e (or#' Ma% I bear "% b r'en (e##1 An' "a% I 'o $oo' for t+e (or#' A! a 'evotee of Ifa1 it i! (it+ reverence to !,eak on t+e to,ic of I(a0C+aracter6 It i! t+ro $+ n'er!tan'in$ t+e e!!entia# co",onent! of c+aracter t+at (e (i## $ain acce!! to t+e "o!t e",o(erin$ an' ,o(erf # re#ation!+i, of o r #ive!6 Ho(ever1 (e " !t a#!o take t+i! n'er!tan'in$ to anot+er #eve#1 (+ic+ 'ea#! (it+ o r ,er!ona# re!,on!ibi#it%6 7HOW DO WE THIN&)9 AND 7 HOW DO WE APPL2 THE WISDOM OF O:R ELEVATED THO:;HTS89 We a## !+o #' b% o r a' #t a$e kno( ri$+t fro" (ron$6 We +o(ever1 in o r #ive! contin e to +ave ,rob#e"! (it+ 'i!ea!e0ar n1 4A*o$ n5 #ack in o r #ive!0ai#o(o1 'i!!ention1 an' ot+er !ocio0econo"ica# an' !,irit a# "a#a'ie!0 a## A*o$ n6 Part of t+i! i! o r not a#i$nin$ o r t+o $+t! in ,ractice 'ai#% to t+e ,rinci,#e! (e are atte",tin$ to #ive b%6 O#o' "are "a'e #ife !i",#e to conf !e t+e foo#!6 We " !t a,,#% t+e!e ,rinci,#e! of t+e O' Ifa in o r #ive!6 We " !t 'o t+e" not * !t ta#k abo t t+e"6 It i! o r t rn a! t+e E!e Ifa of O$be Sa ,revio !#% +a! !ai' to 'o6 We " !t 'o $oo' for t+e (or#' an' it i!

10

a#!o o r re!,on!ibi#it%6 Ma% (e a## bear t+e b r'en (e##9 Anot+er con!i'eration i! o r "e'itation on t+i! ! b*ect i! t+e n'er!tan'in$ t+at (e a! H "an 3ein$! foc ! o r attention on 7(orr%86 We $ive t+i! f6e6a6r6 4Fa#!e evi'ence a,,earin$ rea#5 a## o r attention6 We "e'itate an' $ive it 7;o'8 !tat ! an' (or!+i, it 'ai#%6 Con!i'er1 if (e $ive Tr t+1 We##ne!!1 ;oo'ne!!1 Pro!,erit%1 non0< '$"ent1 Love1 t+e !,irit of O#o' "are (a#kin$ or bein$ a(are of t+e ,re!ence! of O#o' "are in a## t+at (e 'o6 Makin$ t+i! o r "e'itation an' 7;o'8 !tat ! t+e c+an$e! in o r c+aracter (e (o #' 'eve#o,6

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, Di!c !!ion on C+aracter I(a We cannot1 if (e are not in c#ear a#i$n"ent (it+ O#o' "are t+ro $+ Ori I!e!e to o r (on ,er!ona# Ori O'e6 An' to $et into a#i$n"ent (e " !t #ive a! ,re!cribe' b% t+e O' !ent b% O#o' "are1 t+ro $+ Ifa1 $iven to ! b% Or n"i#a6

11

W+at I a" !a%in$ i! (e +ave t+e for"at= t+e #a(! of Ifa a! !tate' in Ika Of n= O%ek Me*i an' ot+er O' Ifa !,eak e#o> ent#% of +o( (e are to #ive c#ear#% an' %et1 (e !ti## +ave ,rofo n' ,rob#e"!6 Even !o ,rofo n' t+at (e 'o not n'er!tan' ?@?A.6 Not t+e "at+e"atica# #a( of t+e (or#' b t t+e #a( of ,rinci,#e of Ifa: ?0"an@?0(o"anA.0c+i#' or "anife!tation or better %et0 ?0!o rce@?0!,iritA.0 "anife!tation6 O#or nB4E! 5@ E#aAO#o' "are6 We " !t !ee #ife It!e#f t+ro $+ t+e e%e! of t+e Ori!a6 We " !t beco"e Ori!a "in'e' not in t+e "%t+o#o$ica# ,er!,ective b t in t+e !,irit a# ,er!,ective of c+an$e 4re0orientation5 of o r "in'! at a## ti"e!6 It i! o r t rn1 (e of t+e Ifa Ori!a co"" nitie! to "ake a 'ifference b% 'eve#o,in$ an' i",#e"entin$ !o# tion! to t+e ever0"o ntin$ ,rob#e"! of t+e (or#'6 We " !t be on t+e !a"e !,irit a# ,a$e a! o r Creator6 O$be A#ara !,eak! to t+i! a! ! c+ an' #i!ten! be#ove'!: If (e +ave "one% an' 'o not +ave c+aracter T+e "one% be#on$! to !o"eone e#!e C+aracter1 I(a i! (+at (e are #ookin$ for c+aracter If (e +ave c+i#'ren an' 'o not +ave c+aracter T+e c+i#'ren be#on$ to !o"eone E#!e C+aracter1 I(a1 i! (+at (e are #ookin$ for c+aracter If (e +ave a +o !e an' 'o not +ave c+aracter T+e +o !e be#on$! to !o"eone e#!e C+aracter i! (+at (e are #ookin$ for c+aracter If (e +ave c#ot+e! an' 'o not +ave c+aracter T+e c#ot+e! be#on$ to !o"e e#!e C+aracter i! (+at (e are #ookin$ for c+aracter

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A## t+e $oo' t+in$! (e +ave1 if (e 'o not +ave c+aracter T+e!e $oo' t+in$! be#on$ to !o"eone e#!e An' !o it i! c+aracter1 I(a (e are #ookin$ for c+aracter6 M% A nt Lena once to#' "e %ear! a$o t+at (+en one ,oint! a fin$er at !o"eone for t+e "i!take! t+e% +ave "a'e= fo r fin$er! ,oint back at %o 6 W+i#e t+ere are "an% (ron$! an' trave!tie! in t+e (or#' (+at are (e 'oin$ on a ,er!ona# note to t+e a##eviation of t+e tra "atic circ "!tance! t+at ,o## te o r (or#'9 It i! o r t rn at t+e 7W+ee# of Fort ne81 +o( are (e $oin$ to treat it t+i! ti"e9 Or 'o (e even kno( +o( too9 We are "an'ate' b% Ifa to !,eak t+e fact an' 'o $oo' a#(a%! an' a! !i",#i!tic a! t+i! i!1 (e fin' 'iffic #t% in fo##o(in$ t+i! #a(6 W+at i! t+e State of t+e Wor#'1 a! (e kno( it $#oba##%9 It i! in ba' !+a,eHo( 'o (e c+an$e t+i! (or#'0b% c+an$in$ +o( o r (or#' "in' an' o r interna# "in'0 +o( (e t+ink9

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T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, Di!c !!ion! on C+aracter I(a

If %o (a#k (it+ in!ec ritie!1 i##ne!!1 i!"!1 t+inkin$ of +o( (e 'o not fit in !ociet%1 t+e (or#' (i## !ee %o a! %o t+ink of %o r !e#f6 Ho(ever1 b% a#i$nin$ o r "in' (it+ t+at of t+e Min' or S,irit of O#o' "are1 (e are e/traor'inar% an' e",o(ere' in'ivi' a#! (+o (i## "ake a 'ifference in t+e (or#'6 Okanran Ro!

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&no(in$#% 'oin$ evi# i! not $oo' If a ,er!on (+o 'oe! evi# a,o#o$ie! T+e "atter (i## be re!o#ve' Ever%one for$ive! t+o!e (+o 'o (ron$ nkno(in$#%1 T+i! (a! t+e teac+in$ of Ifa for t+e one (+o confront! "atter! T+e co ra$eo ! one1 Mebe# fe1 (+o!e na"e! "ean!1 7 I (i## not be$ even t+e &in$8 Ever%one (a! contin a##% co",#ainin$ abo t +i" If +e (o #' * !t a,o#o$iCe1 ,eo,#e (o #' !a% t+e "atter i! fini!+e' T+en one 'a% it +a,,ene'6 A$ain it i! o r t rn at treatin$ t+e (or#' better6 T+i! i! anot+er (a% of 3roa'enin$ not * !t t+e 'i!c !!ion on c+aracter b t a,,#%in$ (i!'o" of c+aracter6 W+at i! S(eeter t+an Hone% !ai' E! 1 It i! I(a DC+aracter6

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T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, T+e Di!c !!ion on C+aracter I(a0II T+i! #e!!on ,#an (a! in ,art a 'i!c !!ion (it+ an on#ine Ori!a !t '% $ro , an' a#!o in ,art of an on$oin$ !t '% of Ifa t+ro $+ c#a!!e! $iven over t+e %ear!6 I a#(a%! o,en eac+ ,art of "% 'i!c !!ion on an% to,ic (it+ $ivin$ +onor an' ,rai!e to: E#a "o%in abor 1 "o%in abo%e1 "o%in abo!i!e1 A! re I(ori(of n1 I!e O# (a ko#e ba *e1 T+e $oo' (ork! of ;o' cannot be n'one6 ;ivin$ +onor1 ,rai!e1 #ove to O#o' "are1 Ori1 Ir n"a#e1 an' o r E$ n$ n I#e1 t+o!e !,irit! (+o +ave (oven t+e fabric of o r e/i!tence an' (+o $ i'ance contin e! to a$$re!!ive#%1 a!!ertive#% an' %et $ent#% brin$ t+eir c+i#'ren to a $reater !,irit a# n'er!tan'in$ an' reve#ation eac+ 'a% (e breat+e6 It i! t+e breat+e of O#o' "are t+at connect! !1 t+i! i! o r !a"ene!!6 Ori Man% ti"e! in t+e conver!ation!1 'i!c !!ion!1 an' 'ia#o$ e! on 'eve#o,in$ c+aracter1 beca !e it i! an action1 (+ic+ a to"atica##% once activate' brin$!

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abo t "ove"ent or c+an$e it can beco"e nco"fortab#e6 T+i! i! beca !e t+e E$o can !ee it! i""inent 'eat+6 C+aracter i! a ,rivate #e!!on an' it i! a#!o a , b#ic one6 Ifa !a%! t+ere i! not+in$ +i''en fro" O#o' "are1 !o #et ! be abo t t+e b !ine!! of $ainin$ (i!'o" fro" o r So rce an' be$in C+an$e6 It #itera##% take! E (eek! to 'eve#o, a ,attern of be+avior1 T+erefore to break t+at ,attern !+o #' take (it+ foc !e' co""it"ent1 t+e e/act !a"e ti"e it took to create it or #e!!6 W+en (e 'i!c !! t+e i!! e of c+aracter1 (e " !t a#!o brin$ in t+e ot+er ,ri"a# e#e"ent! t+at ca !e !ti" #i to I(a0C+aracter t+o!e bein$ Ori1 E! 1 an' t+eir re#ation!+i, to I(a6 It (a! !ai' t+at rit a#1 ebo1 an' ot+er ,ractice! are not effective if (e 'on)t +ave $oo' c+aracter6 T+i! i! tr e in ,art an' not tr e in anot+er ,art6 W+en one !it! before t+e ,rie!t on t+e eni or "at an' %o +ave been $iven an O' or !i$nat re of (+at t+e Deit%)! !ee! for %o in %o r #ife6 Part of t+i! f nction i! a!!i!te' b% %o r Ori1 E! 1 Ifa an' ot+er Deitie!= te##in$ %o a !tor% abo t (+o %o are= (+at bro $+t %o to t+e "ar= (+at +a! +a,,ene' in %o r #ife t+at %o are re!,on!ib#e for an' (+at ot+er entitie! are eit+er bein$ ,rob#e"atic or a!!i!tive6 T+e Ori te##! %o abo t %o an' +o( to c+an$e t+e circ "!tance! in (+ic+ %o fin' %o r!e#f6 In "o!t ca!e! %o are to#' +o( to be$in c+an$in$ %o r!e#f or +o( to better re!,on' to o t!i'e !ti" #i (+ic+ %o !ai' in Or n t+at %o co #' overco"e if $iven t+e o,,ort nit% to co"e to Ai%e6

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T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, Di!c !!ion on C+aracter I(a II

Ika F 4Ika Of n5 Wea#t+ ! r,a!!e! (i!'o" A ,oor ,er!on tter! ineffective (or'! T+o!e (+o ca!ti$ate ! a! bein$ #aC% 'o not n'er!tan' o r ,re'ica"ent We kne#t 'o(n an' c+o!e o r 'e!tin% 4In Heaven5 We are in a + rr% We cannot $o an' c+an$e o r 'e!tin% :n#e!! (e re0incarnate ?6 Ak n#e$ba0De!tin% (+ic+ i! a#tere' b% free (i## F6 Ak n#e%an0De!tin% a! a c+oice or act of free (i## Ifa te##! ! t+at (+en a !it ation beco"e! nbearab#e t+at (e " !t $o to o r De!tin%0Ori to ,ra% an' inve!ti$ate or e/a"ine o r ,! an' 'o(n I #ife6 Pra%er to one)! Ori 'ai#% (i## a!!i!t in !oot+in$ o r ,rob#e"! +ere in Ai%e T+en +o( 'oe! E! brin$ a!!i!tance or c+a##en$e to %o r c+aracterGI(a to Ori O'e9

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S+o #' o r ne/t e#e"ent of 'i!c !!ion be$in (it+ n'er!tan'in$ +o( E! 'oe!)! ro#e brin$ a!!i!tance or c+a##en$e9 T+i! i! ca##e' E! 1 t+e 'eve#o,er of I(a6 One of t+e rea!on! t+at I re"e"ber bein$ ta $+t in c#a!!e! on Ifa Co!"o#o$% at Ara Ifa I*o Or n"i#a in Lo! An$e#e! (a! ba!e' on t+i! ,rinci,#e6 Man% !t 'ent! a!k (+% are (e +avin$ t+i! 'i!c !!ion over an' over a$ain6 An' t+e in!tr ctor 3aba Fa!ina !ai' t+at if %o n'er!tan' t+i! co",#ete#% t+en %o +ave no , r,o!e of bein$ on Ai%e6 2o +ave tr #% co",#ete' %o r 'e!tin%6 Often ti"e)! ,eo,#e are !e#ective in t+eir +earin$ t+ ! t+eir n'er!tan'in$1 ,artic #ar#% (+en one !,eak! to c+an$in$ %o r!e#f6 C+an$e re> ire! Tr t+6 T+en1 it be$in! to !o n' #ike one i! takin$ a(a% a "a*or to% in %o r #ife6 W+at i! bein$ re"ove' i! E$o6 It i! E$o t+at !a%! to %o t+at %o cannot 'o t+i! t+in$ ca##e' c+an$e or I(a Pe#e0 $oo' c+aracter6 2et1 (+at i! ni> e to o r re#i$io ! trainin$ i! t+at once %o co"e n'er t+e circ#e of ,rotection or inf# ence! of Ifa an' t+e Ir n"a#e1 t+e Ir n"a#e E! !a%! %o (i## c+oo!e c+an$e eit+er I(a Pe#e or I(a 3 r k 03a' c+aracter6 3 t %o (i## not !it on t+e !eat of co",#acenc% an' 'o not+in$6 HFro" t+e ,a,er entit#e'1 7E! 1 T+e Deve#o,er of I(a8 O!e T ra !a%! Sore t+roat take! t+e $oo' fro" t+e ,#ate1 (a! t+e one (+o ca!t Ifa for a## t+e ,eo,#e on t+e eart+ (+en t+e% (ere aff#icte' (it+ i##ne!!6 E! !a%! t+at t+e !acrifice (i## be effective if t+e% (i## 'o a! +e

19

!a%!6 T+e ,eo,#e on Eart+ ca"e an' !acrifice'6 Fro" t+at ti"e on1 t+e (or#' be$an to be $oo'6 T+e E#e"ent of Wor!+i, Di!c !!ion on I(a I(a II

W+en (e H "an 3ein$! ca"e into t+i! (or#' ca##e' Ai%e fro" Or n1 We (ere in t+e co",an% of O"nificent 3ein$! be#on$! to t+e ,ant+eon of Or n6 O#or n 4;o'5 +a! t+ro $+ It! "o!t (on'erf # #ove for ! It! c+i#'ren1 $iven ! t+e o,,ort nit% to 'eve#o, an' $ro(1 !o t+at o r con'ition in t+e ,re!ence of O#or n I! e/ce,tiona# an' acce,tab#e6 It! 4O#or n5 ener$% i! !o ato"ica##% c+an$e' t+at It i! nab#e to +ave 'irect contact (it+ It! c+i#'ren an' t+e% ! rvive (it+o t t+e c+i#'ren ,re,arin$ t+eir !,irit! for t+at contact6 T+ !1 t+e nee' for I(a Pe#e6 One of t+e bein$! c+ar$e' (it+ t+e re!,on!ibi#it% of a!!i!tin$ H "an 3ein$! (it+ t+i! ta!k an' bein$ t+e 'eve#o,er of I(a i! 3aba E! 6 It i! t+e Mirror of o r C+aracter6 Ot+er co",onent! t+at are a!!i!tive in n'er!tan'in$ +o( (e !+o #' c+an$e i! H "i#it%1 Tr t+f #ne!!1 Doin$ ;oo'1 Non < '$"ent!1 #earnin$ t+e abi#itie! to (itne!! be+avior! in ot+er! b t not to * '$e ,eo,#e or in'ict t+e" for t+eir + "an frai#tie! an' t+e ro#e t+at F6E6A6R6 P#a%! in o r "antra for kee,in$ c+an$e o t of o r #ive!6 Re"e"ber t+at t+e !t '% of IfaGIr n"a#e i! a !erio ! n'ertakin$ an' !+o #' be a,,roac+ab#e an' a#(a%! a!!e!!ab#e6

20

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, E! 1 i! not a Trick!ter E! 1 T+e Deve#o,er of I(a A#e(ei!i!e1 (+ic+ i! a ,rai!e na"e fro" E! 1 (+ic+ "ean! t+e One (+o "ake! t+in$!1 +a,,en6 T+ere i! a ,rai!e na"e for O#o' "are (+ic+ inc# 'e! t+i! in It! na"e a! Oba A#e(ei!i!e1 t+e &in$ (+o "ake! t+in$! +a,,en (+ic+ brin$! an n'er!tan'in$ of O#o' "are an' E! !tron$ re#ation!+i,6 E! i! t+e O#o,a Or n or t+e

21

,o#ice"an of Heaven6 T+i! !+o(! t+e #ar$er ro#e t+at E! +a! in t+e ,ant+eon of Ir n"a#e an' in t+e H "an e/,erience an' e/i!tence6 W+en (e a! Dia!,ora H "an 3ein$! c bb%+o#e o r re#ation!+i,! to t+e Ir n"a#e (e are not !cra,in$ 'ee, eno $+ to retrieve t+e 'ee,er tr t+ of Ifa6 It i! t+e We!terniCe' "in'!et! t+at ! $$e!t t+at E! i! one t+at trick!6 T+i! i'ea "ini"iCe! o r re!,on!ibi#it% for o r be+avior!6 It ! $$e!t! t+at t+ere i! a 'evi# t+at "ake! ! 'oe! t+e ne$ative t+in$! i",e'in$ o r $oo' #ife a! o,,o!e to o r o(n foib#e! an' 'i!obe'ience to O#o' "are6 It i! ea!ier to (a#k in t+i! "in'!et1 (+ic+ for"a##% +a' it fo n'ation in C+ri!tianit% t+at even no( t+i! re#i$io ! for " i! c+an$in$ to a broa'er teac+in$ of t+e n'er!tan'in$ of 'e!tin% an' c+oice an' +o( t+i! i! ni> e#% an' c#ear#% t+e ro#e1 t+at i",act on a## + "an 'eve#o,"ent an' be+avior6 In Ifa tra'ition o r re!,on!ibi#it% i! #ive #ife in Tr t+6 T+erefore1 (e " !t !ee t+e ,rofo n' i",act t+at Tr t+ of O#o' "are +a! on o r #ive!6 Ifa i! Tr t+ an' Tr t+ i! t+e face of O#o' "are6 We nee' to !eek t+i! trainin$= t+i! tr e "in'!et t+at Ifa i! teac+in$6 Akakanika1 Akakanika1 A#akankannika1 A#a,a!!a,a0 i*aka)# A bir' f#e( vio#ent#% into t+e +o !e= Akanike i! t+e na"e $ive to Ifa A#akankanika i! t+e na"e $iven to O' 1 A#a,a!a,a0 i*aka)# i! t+e na"e $iven to E! 0O'ara6 A bir' f#e( vio#ent#% into t+e +o !e i! t+e na"e $iven to A*e t+e !on of O#ok n Son'e t+e &in$ of t+e ,#ent% (ater!1 O$o0O(oni6 E! O'ara t+o 'e#iver t+e ,+%!ician! of t+e to(n fro" bein$ !tarve' a! (e## a! t+e +erba#i!t6 I a" t+e 3aba#o(o

22

of t+e to(n I a" t+e ,+%!ician of t+e to(n1 E! O'ara 'on)t #et "e be !tarve'6 Sore t+roat take! t+e $oo' fro" t+e ,#ate8 (a! t+e one (+o ca!t Ifa for a## t+e ,eo,#e on t+e eart+ (+en t+e% (ere aff#icte' (it+ i##ne!!6 E! !a%! t+at t+e !acrifice (i## be effective if t+e% (i## 'o a! +e !a%!6 T+e ,eo,#e of Eart+ ca"e an' !acrifice'1 fro" t+at ti"e on1 t+e (or#' be$an to be $oo' O!e T ra W+en (e H "an 3ein$! ca"e into t+e (or#' ca##e' Ai%e1 fro" Or n 4Heaven51 (e (ere in t+e co",an% of O"nificent 3ein$! be#on$in$ to t+e ,ant+eon of Or n6 O#or n 4;o'5 +a! t+ro $+ It! "o!t (on'erf # #ove for ! It! c+i#'ren $iven ! t+e o,,ort nit% to 'eve#o, an' $ro(1 !o t+at o r con'ition in t+e ,re!ence of O#or n i! e/ce,tiona# an' acce,tab#e6 It! ener$% bein$ !o c+ar$e' t+at it i! nab#e to +ave 'irect contact (it+ != even in o r !,irit a# for" ! rvive6 One of t+e 3ein$! c+ar$e' (it+ t+e re!,on!ibi#it% of a!!i!tin$ (it+ t+i! ta!k of bein$1 7t+e 'eve#o,er of I(a8 in H "an 3ein$! i! o r 3aba E! 6 T+e!e are o r teac+in$ an' n'er!tan'in$ in t+e Ifa tra'ition6 E! in It! ca,acit% a! O#o,a Or n1 t+e ,o#ice"an of Heaven brin$! to o r tab#e 7C+oice86 3 t t+ere i! a "ore ,rofo n' n'er!tan'in$ t+at t+i! Deit% acco",#i!+e! for O#o' "are6 :n'er t+e 'irection of t+e E#eri I,in Ibeki*i O#o' "are Or n"i#a1 E! no( affi/e! t+e recor'! of eac+ bein$ (it+ a 'etai# acco nt of t+e 'ee'! of in'ivi' a#! for retrieva# ,on o r re0entr% back into Or n6 Ever% (or'1 ever% t+o $+t1 ever% "otion!1 ever% *o% an' ,ain t+at (e +ave (ro $+t in t+i! #ife for an' to ot+er!= E! i! t+e !nitc+1 t+e tatt#eta#e of t+e :niver!e1 t+e Deit% re!,on!ib#e for

23

co"" nication of t+e Tr t+ of Ifa An' in or'er to acco",#i!+ t+i! ta!k E! +a! beco"e t+e "irror t+at a#!o +a! a #i$+t attac+e' to it! !i'e !o t+at not+in$ +i'e! fro" vie(6 T+e #ti"ate ref#ector! t+at (+ic+ (e #ook into !econ' b% !econ' b% ever% c+oice t+o!e (e "ake6 Ever% b ", an' # ", t+at (e 'on)t (ant !een i! !+o(n6

24

25

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, E! i! not a Trick!ter E! 1 T+e Deve#o,er of I(a T+i! "irror i! not on#% e/terna# in t+e ref#ection of o r enco nter! (it+ t+e ,eo,#e of t+e (or#' b t a#!o interna# I o r t+o $+t!1 o r 'rea"!1 o r 'ai#% contact (it+ Or n (+ic+ i! contin o ! an' (it+ "an% b% o r atte",t! at !e#f0'ece,tion t+i! infor"ation i! o"ino !6 T(o of t+e !t 'ent!1 t+at are "e"ber! of t+e Ara Ifa I*o Or n"i#a in t+e Lo! An$e#e! area "a'e ,rofo n' ob!ervation! concernin$ t+i! Deit% in it! re#ation!+i, to t+e c+i#'ren of O#o' "are1 ' rin$ one of t+e ni$+t! (+en (e +a' c#a!! (it+ o t o r O# (o an' "o!t of t+e c#a!! a! (e##6 D rin$ t+e !tate"ent of t+i! %o n$ "an1 I (a! atte",tin$ to 'ivert "% attention to t+e ,re!!in$ i!! e of c+i#'care an' #i!tenin$ an' not 'oin$ a $oo' *ob at eit+er6 Fa#ana !ai' t+i! !tate"ent an' t+e ot+er %o n$ "an !i",#ifie' it to "% n'er!tan'in$6

26

Fa#ana !ai'1 7If (e for one "o"ent vi! a#iCe t+at E! !it! on t+e O,on Ifa1 t+e (or#' in it! center an' i! t+e ref#ection of a# t+e co",onent! of t+e tenet! of t+e #e$ac% of O#o' "are t+at (e !eek to incor,orate in o r #ife: A!e 'e o(o O#o' a"are1 S ra ni 3aba I(a1 S)Otito S) O'o'o1 an' O#o' "are Ni I'a*o0 A## Po(er i! in t+e Han'! of ;o'1 Patience i! t+e Fat+er of ;oo' C+aracter1 S,eak t+e Fact! an' Do $oo' a#(a%!1 No one can * '$e b t ;o'6 In o r 'i!cover% (e can !ee t+at E! acco",#i!+e! +i! ta!k ea!i#% b% "anife!tin$ t+o!e attrib te! b% eac+ breat+ (e take beca !e even t+i! i! a c+oice6 In E! )! ,o!ition it can (it+ t+e force! avai#ab#e to +i"= +e c+eck! ever%t+in$ an' ever%one o t an' fin'! t+e !o# tion to t+e ,rob#e" to +i! *ob6 Accor'in$ to 3aba *o+n Ma!on in t+e book1 7Orin Ori!a81 7E! i! not on#% t+e $ ar'ian of vita# #ife force b t i! !%non%"o ! (it+ it86 E! i! t+e "eetin$ ,oint= t+e cro!!roa'! t+at , t t+in$! to$et+er1 an' , ## to$et+er t+in$! t+at are a,art an' 'o not a$ree6 He ca !e! t+in$! an' "en to (ork in +ar"on% or ! ffer t+e con!e> ence!6 No( +o( 'oe! t+i! re#ate to t+e1 7Deve#o,er of I(a98 W+at i! +i! i",act on o r #ive!9 An' (+% !+o #' (e even care9 E! i! t+e ener$% an' voice (+en %o are in t+e ,roce!! of "akin$ a 'e!tin% 'eci!ion! i! t+at fee#in$ of a"bi$ o !ne!!6 T+e voice of in'eci!ivene!! an' T+e S,irit1 (+ic+ !a%! 'o t+i! an' %o !+o #' 'o t+at6 A! Ifa (or!+i,,er! an' 'evotee! it i! o r re!,on!ibi#it% to inve!ti$ate an' n'er!tan' +o( t+i! ener$% (ork! in o r #ive!6 T+e Move"ent6 We +ave $iven offerin$! an' ,ra%er!6 We ,#ea' an' be$ E! to carr% o r ,ra%er! to O#o' "are an' ot+er Ir n"a#e6 P#ea!e 'on)t conf !e ! E! 6 Let ! not !ee %o r (rat+6 An' %et

27

(e +ave #itt#e n'er!tan'in$ of +o( E! !e! o r ener$% to correct ! even nto 'eat+6 We to#' +i" to 'o !o in Or n6 We for$ot in o r ,a!!a$e an' tran!ition into t+i! #ife6 It i! o r ta!k to o,en o r Ori #ike a (on'erf # ne( f#o(er to t+e conver!ation! t+at (e +a' in Or n6 Ever% ni$+t an' 'a% o r ,ra%er !o a#!o inc# 'e an' a##o(! ! to re"e"ber t+e #ife of o r S,irit in Or n6 It i! i",ortant t+at (e invoke t+e ,re!ence of E! an' a!k for t+i! a!!i!tance6 A$ain fro" It! ,o!ition of t+e center of t+e (or#' i6e6 O,on Ifa1 E! !e! "an% of it! too#! at +i! 'i!,o!a# to beco"e t+e "irror6 T+e Ref#ector an' t+e A!e1 t+e ,o(er to "ake t+in$! +a,,en A#e(ei#e!e6 E! i! ever a$$ravatin$ an' coercin$ in'ivi' a# into interna##% #ookin$ to t+e c+oice! t+at $ive an i"a$e or #ikene!!1 (+ic+ (i## +ave t+e i"a$er% t+at i! e/,ecte' b% t+e contract (e entere' into before co"in$ into Ai%e6 One ! c+ (ea,on1 (+ic+ 'oe! not a,,ear to t+e nake' e%e1 %et i! t+e O$o6 T+e "a$ica# c# b (+ic+ tran!,ort! an' enab#e! E! to "ove t+ro $+ ti"e an' !,ace in a b#ink of an e%e +ence A#a$on$on t+e o(ner of !(iftne!!6 Rat+er t+an !to,,in$ t+e fi$+t +e E! , !+e! "en b% +an'in$ t+e" "ore (ea,onr% t+ ! forcin$ t+e a"enitie! of c+oice to beco"e $reat#% en+ance'6 T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, E! I! Not a Trick!ter E! 1 T+e Deve#o,er of I(a

C+aracter i! a (or' a!!ociate' (it+ t+e !,irit a# 'e!cri,tion of t+e ,er!ona#it% t+at i! banter aro n'

28

in o r tra'ition6 On !o "an% occa!ion! (e atte",t t+ro $+ t+e E ro,ean reference ,oint to n'er!tan' a 2or ba conce,t t+at conf !ion beco"e! !et into o r fra"e of reference6 A$ain t+i! i! E! 6 Makin$ ! 'i$ f rt+er for "ore n'er!tan'in$1 kno(#e'$e1 an' (i!'o" of It! e/i!tence in t+e (or#' an' It! i",act on o r #ive!6 I(a i! not * !t a !tate"ent of be+avior a! one of t+e i'ea! bro $+t in fr ition b% Web!ter or a !tat ! or ,o!ition t+ereof6 Nor i! it t+e ke% 'efinition of c+aracter a 'i!tinctive trait1 > a#it% or attrib te t+at ,attern of be+avior or ,er!ona#it% fo n' in an in'ivi' a# !%non%"o ! (it+ 'i!,o!ition or > a#it%6 E! t+ro $+ it "an% roa'! an' incarnation! !en'! eac+ in'ivi' a# in Ai%e t+ro $+ an% $iven e/,erientia# !it ation an' !cenario t+e abi#it% to 'eve#o, t+eir c+aracter 4I(a5 t+ro $+ t+e a !,ice of C+oice6 2o r Ori in Or n to#' O#o' "are t+at It co #' t+ro $+ t+e S,irit a# ,#ace of Ak n#e$ba an' Ak n#e%an1 acce,t t+e c+a##en$e! t+at (o #' an' (i## occ r in t+e *o rne% to Eart+ to acco",#i!+ I(a6 It i! t+ro $+ t+i! i",ortant contract t+at E! i! +ere to enforce6 One " !t a#(a%! $o to E! (it+ a , re +eart an' re"e"berin$ t+at Ori c+oo!e! to be +ere are t+e ke% e#e"ent! t+at (e a'+ere to in ac+ievin$ o r 'e!tin%6 T+e e#evation of c+aracter i! ,ri"e6 We +ave c+oice1 (+ic+ brin$! abo t con!e> ence an' re!,on!ibi#it%6 T+ro $+ o r $ i'e! a! (e a'+ere to t+e $oo' a'vice (e can re0enter o r +o"e in Or n6 In o r !ervice to O#o' "are (e " !t $ive to E! a! a trib te to t+e ever reconnection to t+e roa' "a, ,rovi'e b% Ifa t+ro $+ Or n"i#a6 It i! t+ro $+ E! )! creative i"a$er% t+at fa!+ion! an' "o#'! o r c+aracter to fit into o r ri$+tf # ,#ace6

29

T+i! accor'in$ to o r teac+in$ in Ifa (a! t+e tr e 7;o#'en A$e8 t+e O$ba A!e before t+e conf !ion ca"e an' be$an to !oar #ife in Or n6 We (ere a! one (it+ O#o' "are6 An' (ere ab#e to co"" nicate 'irect#% (it+ t+e Ir n"a#e an' Ori!a (it+ o r1 7;o' in S,irit a# an' H "an for"6 T+ere (ere no (ea,on!1 no (ar= t+ere (a! 3aba A$ba1 t+e ;ar'en of Perfection6 We + "an1 +o(ever1 t rne' o r back! on t+o!e teac+in$ an' no( " !t , r$e of o r "in'! of t+e fear (e acce,te' a! t+e nor" (+en (e e"er$e fro" t+e (o"b! of o r "ot+er! into t+e #an' of i## !ion!6 A! I (a! ta $+t in (eek#% c#a!!e! an' in t+e ,rivac% of ,rivate con! #tation (it+ Ori1 ot+er! an' I $o to t+e b#ack boar'1 (+ic+ i! o r !ecret O,on Ifa an' (rite t+e co'e' !cri,t: A!e 'e O(o O#o' "are in t+e ea!tern > a'rant t+e #e!!on! to be ab!orbe' b% t+e 'evotee)! of Ifa6 We te## t+e !torie! a!!ociate' (it+ o r 'ai#% #ive! corre!,on'in$ (it+ t+e #e!!on! #earn b% t+e ,artici,ant!6 An' %et 'o (e !ee t+e1 7Corner Man8 c+eckin$ ! o t even (ritin$ a! (e (rite an' ta#k abo t t+e #e!!on! of I(a6 S ra ni 3aba I(a e/,o n'in$ on ,atience an' (+at (e +ave not 'one or +ave 'one (it+ t+i! i",ortant a!,ect ' rin$ o r 'ai#% interaction! in t+e (or#'6 2et1 (e are not !eein$ +o( E! t+ro $+ t+e ,ro,+e!% of Or n"i#a1 t+e 'ictate! of Ifa an' t+e #e$ac% of O#o' "are1 ,atient#% a(ait! ! to !ee +i" !ittin$ in t+e corner not on#% in o r "in'! b t a#!o in o r ,+%!ica# !e#f6 Waitin$ for ! to n'er!tan' o r *o rne%)! en'6 S) Otito S) O'o'o even a! (e !a% !,eakin$ Tr t+ (e +ave a#rea'% #ie' abo t 'o $oo' an' !,eakin$ t+e fact!6 For it a## be$in! in o r t+o $+t!6 A! (e

30

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, E! I! Not A Trick!ter E! 1 T+e Deve#o,er of I(a

E/to##e' to !a% (+at (e " !t 'o an' (e +ave * !t ,a!! t+e be$$ar on t+e !treet ref !in$ to a!!i!t +i" an' t+i! i! E! 6 Or +ave !ai' (+% 'i' !+e ca## on "e to (rite on t+i! boar'6 We +ave e/a$$erate' o r e/i!tence b% "akin$ o r!e#ve! $reater t+an o r fe##o(!6 We +ave for$otten * !t t+at > ick#% o r , r,o!e i! to +ea# ot+er! an' be +ea#e'6 T+en E! (it+ +i! c '$e# on +i! !+o #'er! i! !in$in$ in A#icia &e%)! voice1 7 I kee, on fa##in$ in an' o r of #ove (it+ %o 81 Ain)t never #ove' no one #ike I 'o %o 86 T+e bri$+tne!!1 t+e #i$+t t+at E! !+ine! in o r face i! O#o' "are ni I'a*o1 (+ic+ i",act! ! at ever% t rn6 We * '$e o r!e#ve!1 (e * '$e ot+er!1 (e $o!!i,1 an' (e + rt1 (e (itne!! ot+er an' not co""ent (+en it i! 'oin$ irre,arab#e +ar"6 It i! not * !t "akin$ i'ea# co""ent! for !ake of !ee"in$ bi$$er an' better at !o"eone e#!e e/,en!e6 2et1 (+en (e 'eni$rate an' tear eac+ ot+er 'o(n for o r o(n $#or%6 W+en (e fai# to +ear an' nco"fortab#e !tor% abo t a Tr t+ (e kno( to (e##6 W+en (e !a% n'er o r breat+1 7 (+o 'o t+e% t+ink are8 or 7t+e% a## t+at an' a ba$ of c+i,!8 (it+ ro##in$ of t+e e%e!6 T+i! i! 3aba E#enini +ittin$ %o in t+e +ea' (it+ t+e O$o6 T+i! i! t+e #eft +an' t+at i! 'oin$ t+e bi''in$ of 'eve#o,in$ o r C+aracter (it+ #e!!on! of I(a Pe#e or I(a 3 r k 1 t+e $oo' or t+e ba' it i! %o r c+oice6 An' E! * !t #a $+!6

31

ONA ?6 Oni!e$ n0 Lor' of ob!tac#e! TO OVERCOME AND WARD OFF F6 I'i E! 0 T+e S+rine .6 Orita E! 0 T0< nction I6 E$ba Ona E! 0 Roa'!i'e J6 In O'e0 Far" E6 Eti O'e0 River bank K6 E+inkin#e0 T+e back %ar' L6 Ettin 3o'e0 ;ate of t+e co",o n' M6 E! I$bo0 T+e E! of t+e Fore!t ?N6 E! Ok n0 Ocean ??6 E! Oke0 A*a#ai%e 4(in'! over t+e "o ntain!1 eart+ it!e#f5 ?F6 O!e T ra0 to f#% over ob!tac#e! FORCES OF EOISTENCE ?6 E! Ebita0 T+e One in t+e be$innin$ of e/i!tence (it+ O#or n F6 E! O'ara0 T+e (on'er "aker !%non%"o ! (it+ Ebita .6 E! A#a$bara0 t+e ,#a%er of $a"e!

T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, E! i! not a Trick!ter E! 1 t+e Deve#o,er of I(a I6 E! Larao%e0 T+e O(ner of Tit#e

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T+e E#e"ent! of Wor!+i, O,on Ifa a! 2o r :niver!a# Teac+er De"on!tration

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O#o' "are Ni I'a*o

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Pre!ente' b% I%anifa Fa%o"i O"o'e#e Fa#o"o0Fa#a'e Mi"o I#e Or n"i#a I(o!an FNNI San 3ernar'ino1 Ca#ifornia MFINK

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