Ori
Ori Worship is our Foundation
The Orisa, including our personal Ori, always know what we need and yearn. However they are not in the the business of seeking us out. It is our job to find them. When a devotee prays she clarifies what it is that she wants or needs to happen. We want to make better choices, to free ourselves of some pain, to understand why something has happened. Prayer is as much for us as it is for the Divinity. We need to be sure we know what it is we are looking for in life.Sometimes we need only ask for something once, and wait. Indeed a lot of times the Ori needs to hear us say it once to know if and how it will assist us. Other times we repeat the petition over and over again because we need to be sure that we are ready for the blessing or that we are asking for the right thing to enter our life. Repitition is a proven aid in training the mind.Deviant behavior like worry and anger can take time to heal. It would be real convienant if Ori would clean us up overnight. Most of us would probably be [back at it] the next day. Changing, growing are as much spiritual events as personal choices. What would you do for a heavenly klondike bar? The clearer we are-the more we participate in the discipline of prayer-the closer we come to realizing our goals. You have to put in the work.Ritually, we feed the Ori with all the traditionally prescribed foods and gifts. Over the years our Elders have found shea butter, coconut butter and milk, palm oil, catfish, honey, bitter kolanut, as well as white pigeons to all work exceedingly well in placating our Ori in varying circumstances.
Our Ori knows where we came from, where we should go and the odds of whether we will make it. We can surrender to that Plan or petition for a new One, but ultimately we must know what was originally intended for our Life. Was I born to be a physician? Am I unhappy because I have not pursued that direction? Questions like these fuel our daily desires and objectives. In the spiritually evolved mind, petitioning a new or altered destiny is akin to running from a holy duty. They make do, rise to occasion and pledge to learn how to excel with the tools given. if you have a good relationship with your Ori it is not disheartening to know that being a billionaire is not in your Destiny. You know that every Destiny has it’s own route to bliss. You practice methods of opening up blessings within your own lifepath and you are happy to see others live their own lives.Ethically led, we want only what what we are destined. We know that our right to happiness is not necessarily a right to be a star in movies and being the boss of the corporation. We enter in the deep recesses of our mind to be guided by our Ori. “Show me which way to go, lead me to myself.”Points of Focus:
Ori worship stimulates increases spiritual powers such as intuition, prophecy, mental capacity and inspired decision making.
Ori worship is an invaluable tool in preventing and treating all forms of addiction, compulsive behavior, deep seated traumas and self concept issues
Ori worship is the first level of teaching ethical behavior and community values
We can insure that Orisa worshippers evolve spiritually by mandating correct and powerful Orisa rituals and Ori enhancing exercises.
All worshippers should know how to invoke (thereby strengthening) the presence of Ori through recitation of Iwure/prayers and participating in Ibori/cleansings.
All worshippers should know how to ritually appease their own Ori.
All worshippers should know how to use meditation as a way to “get to know” and surrender to the Divine wisdom and plan posessed by their Ori.
All worshippers should know how to access their own Ori to manage everyday life choices.
Oriki Ori – Praising the Inner Spirit
Bi o ba maa lowo,
If you want to have money,Beere lowo orii re,
Inquire of your head,Bi o ba maa sowo,
If you want to start trading,Beere Lowo ori re wo,
Inquire of your head,Bi o ba maa kole o,
If you want to build a house,Beere lowo orii re,
Inquire of your head,Bi o ba maa laya o,
If you want a relationship,Beere lowo orii re wo,
Inquire of your head first,Ori mase pekun de,
Inner spirit please do not shut the gate,Lodo re ni mi mbo,
It is you that I am coming to,Wa sayee fun awon omo mi di rere,
Come and make my life prosperous,Ase.
So be it.
May 23, 2011
seangayle