The graceful teachings of Èlà and the inner-life of a devotee of Ela

Èlà takun wa gureh! Àse! 

Èlà extend to us the rope of life! Àse!

Èlà is the embodiment of unconditional kindness, truthfulness, tenderness, moral-courage and sympathetic understanding. Èlà is the true master, teacher, refuge and guide of all. Èlà is the the divine countenance of love. Èlà is the divine fragrance of love. Èlà is the divine power of awe, wonder, admiration, irresistible authority and inspiration.

Èlà teaches us the secret discipline of authentic spirituality. Èlà says that the three virtues and proof signs of a devotee of Ela are (1) humility, (2) forgiveness and a (3) sweet temperament, virtuous disposition (iwa-rere). These three divine traits are the strong and sacred threads which bond Èlà and his devotees together. These three strings or threads of humility, forgiveness and sweet temperament, virtuous disposition (iwa-rere) form the unbreakable rope of life. These virtues are the door keepers of the Eternal Palace of Enitolodun -the Limitless Creator-.

Èlà omo Oyigiyigi bestows his comfort, healing and àse (grace, power and authority) to us through his divine instructions and presence. Èlà teaches us that he who speaks sweetly easily wins the hearts of others. He who from the heart expresses himself through kindness, honesty and sympathetic understanding easily disarms others of their doubts, fears and worries. Through sweetness, truthfulness and gentleness of speech we infuse spiritual life, vital strength, confidence and hope in others. Èlà teaches us that he who speaks with gentleness, sweetness and truth overcomes the ajogun and elenini of anger, arrogance, conceit and sense of superiority. 

One who is humble and knows that all are of Olódùmarè, that all are cherished by Olódùmarè, and that all are part-and-parcel of Olódùmarè will surely rise above the considerations of selfishness, possessiveness and pettiness. The humble devotee is always at peace with himself. The humble devotee of Èlà has no complexes of superiority or inferiority. The devotee of Èlà acknowledges no secondary causes in his life. The true and obedient devotee accepts all as the workings of the wisdom, love and power of Èlà. 

The devotee of Èlà entrusts his life, his joys, his victories, his challenges and his problems to Èlà, and because of this the devotee enjoys boundless peace, wellbeing, inner-strength and health. Èlà’s devotee fears no thing and no one. The concern of the devotee of Èlà is only with his divine master Èlà. The Èlà devotee has no other concern because he knows that in obeying and following Èlà all other things will be marvelously brought to a satisfactory resolution. Èlà will personally take care of all that is troubling one of his devotees. Èlà takes perfect care of his devotees. The devotee of Èlà need not go elsewhere for fulfillment, light, protection and solutions. Èlà supplies all the needs of his followers. Anyone attempting to harm, malign, manipulate or injure a devotee of Èlà has to face the corrective discipline of Èlà. Because of this intimate union of Èlà and his devotee, the devotee lives in true peace, safety, fearlessness and complete freedom.

Such a devotee is at peace with the Beloved Creator Olódùmarè Agotun. Such a devotee is at peace with the creation of Olódùmarè. Such a devotee is at peace with his own pure soul. Èlà reveals to us that in authentic humility one does not compare oneself with others. In humility and truthfulness there is confidence, pure intelligence, clarity, strength of mind, fearlessness, prosperity and serenity. The humble, straightforward and truthful devotee is always the most powerful, empowered, advanced and enlightened devotee. 

Ela teaches us that forgiveness is a divine characteristic and that only the spiritually realized and large hearted person can forgive the omissions, blunders, foibles, faults, weaknesses and offenses of others, thereby helping others towards perfection. 

Every human being we meet is a precious drop from the Ocean of Divinity, ENITOLODUN. Therefore Èlà teaches us that we should not hurt or break anyone’s heart. Every living being is a priceless jewel and is extremely dear to Olódùmarè. When we hurt others we hurt the sentiments of Olódùmarè and we hurt ourselves. When one selfishly and maliciously tries to break others one breaks and fragmentizes oneself! The ones who delight to engage in these mean and unwholesome activities are sure to hurt, injure, break and disease themselves beyond the possibility of human recovery. Only those who extend a helping hand to others in their time of need are the authentic devotees of Èlà. 

Aggression, coercion, anger and intimidation are not known to devotees of Èlà. Èlà is a power, intelligence  and being that is above aggression. Èlà is the owner and wielder of the divine science, authority and power of the irresistible word. What Èlà commands will be. What Èlà speaks is what will unwaveringly manifest! Èlà is Luminosity, Splendor, Freedom and Light. Ela has nothing to do with darkness or shadows of any kind. Èlà has nothing to do with bondage of any kind.

Èlà teaches us to live simple, honest, useful and contented lives. Èlà teaches us to let go of anger, hate, jealousy, conceit and arrogance, because these unwholesome qualities are all forms of wearisome suffering, pain and sorrow. When we are good to others we are good to ourselves. Our lives are one with all things, animate or inanimate. Our own wellbeing, peace, security and happiness is inseparable from the wellbeing, peace, security and happiness of others. 

How do we make these ideals and qualities our own? How can we make them real in our sentiment and life? 

By drawing near to the sublime master Èlà omo Oyigiyigi. When we open our hearts and minds to the uplifting grace, power and presence of Ela omo Osin, he communicates his heart, mind, asé, feeling, protection and sentiment to us. He fills us and surrounds us with the divine current, ‘electricity’, charisma and ‘magnetism’ of his own person. 

Once we taste and savor the grace, presence and power (àse) of Èlà we can never be the same. The presence, grace and power of Èlà (the saving, correcting, purifying and perfecting spirit) melts our stone-like heart and makes it alive, soft and pliable. Èlà imparts meaning, purpose, zeal and enthusiasm to us. Èlà reveals our divine nature and sweetness in which we can relish and find our peace, stability and joy. Èlà reveals to us what is in the hearts and minds of others. Èlà enables us to see things from the root and therefore we are not taken in by appearances. Èlà gives us power, charisma and sagacity to disarm, circumvent, divert and neutralize the negative energies and malice in others. Èlà’s devotee are not judgemental. They judge and condemn no one. Èlà teaches us that there is hope for everyone no matter how far off they seem to have gone. Èlà can recover (save) them. This is why Èlà is called the True-Remedy, the Power which Saves and the Sure (reliable and dependable) Refuge!

When we entrust ourselves to Èlà, the qualities of loving-kindness, contentment, truth, godly wisdom, penetrating insight, clear-sightedness and joyful acceptance of the divine-will, will arise in us. The devotee of Èlà is never passive or of a lazy disposition. Èlà infuses his devotee with dynamic zeal, energy, zest and enthusiasm.

The devotees of Èlà reach such a high degree of attainment that even the high and mighty of the world envy them and are puzzled by what they behold in the life of a follower of Èlà. Èlà bestows insight, genius, deep-understanding, graceful power, clear-vision and pure-divine intelligence to his followers. Èlà takes care of his own. Èlà takes care of the needs and concerns of all who have surrendered and entrusted themselves to his love, protection and guidance. Èlà is the true master.

The devotees of Èlà are the authentic followers, guardians, holders and dispensers of truth, light, grace and divine power. The devotees of Èlà know in what consists true power, ability, wisdom and efficacy. What is unknown and hidden to others is known and unveiled before the penetrating discernment and intuitive perceptivity of an Èlà devotee. The devotees of Èlà are not swayed by the praise or criticisms of others. They abide in peace, serenity and equanimity because their inner lives are anchored and united with Èlà. The devotee of Èlà is powerful, confident, unassailable and fearless because he is filled with and encompassed by, the presence, grace, protection, guidance and power of Èlà. 

Patient perseverance, calm in the midst of struggle and adversity, wholesome self-confidence, and courage in times of great challenge and difficulty are the divine signs, symptoms and attributes of a devotee and friend of Èlà.

The devotee of Èlà seeks the happiness, peace and wellbeing of one and all. The devotee of Èlà inspires confidence, wonder, comfort, hope and peace in others. The foolish one who would dare to attempt to obstruct, hinder, injure or malign a devotee of Èlà is only obstructing, hindering, injuring and maligning himself. No one can harm a devotee of Èlà. No one can attempt to deliberately and intentionally hurt, deceive, manipulate or injure a devotee of Èlà without experiencing severe corrective repercussions.

Great is the peace and wonderful the inner-life of the person who entrusts himself to Èlà and follows the divine instructions and pattern of Èlà. The devotee of Èlà after always doing all that is in accord with truth, compassion and uprightness, accepts with peace, joy and resignation, all that manifests in his life as the manifestation, blessings and workings of the Divine Will. Even the divinities express reverence to the devotee of Èlà. The divinities: the sublime, holy and lofty gods, -the protective functions of nature- on their own accord and without being solicited have undertaken, promised and volunteered to extend their full support, protection and service to the sincere and authentic devotee of Èlà!

Let us entrust ourselves to Èlà. Let us obey his instructions. Let us know peace, freedom, fearlessness, dignity and fulfillment by our relationship of true friendship with Èlà. Let us, via our conduct, behavior and actions, communicate to others the light, power, truth and love of Èlà. Let us serve others with sympathetic understanding, practical-love, intelligence and courage.

Èlà takun wa gureh. Àse!

Èlà extend to us the rope of life! Àse!

Èlà kot’ina ko to ro! Èlà omo Osin, mo wari ooo! Àse.

Èlà your ways are so refined, inconceivable and subtle that we cannot understand and grasp your unique greatness, manners and ways. Èlà son [manifestation and emanation] of Osin [Olódùmarè] we praise you! Àse!

Èlà ẹni tí ó ní agbára láti dá eniyan padà sí ipo.

Èlà you are the one who has the power to refresh, renew and rejuvenate our lives.

Orúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Orúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Oúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas The graceful teachings of Èlà and the inner-life of a devotee of Ela:

Èlà takun wa gureh! Àse!

Èlà extend to us the rope of life! Àse!

Èlà is the embodiment of unconditional kindness, truthfulness, tenderness, moral-courage and sympathetic understanding. Èlà is the true master, teacher, refuge and guide of all. Èlà  is the the divine countenance of love. Èlà is the divine fragrance of love. Èlà is the divine power of awe, wonder, admiration, irresistible authority and inspiration.

Èlà teaches us the secret discipline of authentic spirituality. Èlà says that the three virtues and proof signs of a devotee of Ela are (1) humility, (2) forgiveness and a (3) sweet temperament, virtuous disposition (iwa-rere). These three divine traits are the strong and sacred threads which bond Èlà and his devotees together. These three strings or threads of humility, forgiveness and sweet temperament, virtuous disposition (iwa-rere) form the unbreakable rope of life. These virtues are the door keepers of the Eternal Palace of Enitolodun -the Limitless Creator-.

Èlà omo Oyigiyigi bestows his comfort, healing and àse (grace, power and authority) to us through his divine instructions and presence. Èlà teaches us that he who speaks sweetly easily wins the hearts of others. He who from the heart expresses himself through kindness, honesty and sympathetic understanding easily disarms others of their doubts, fears and worries. Through sweetness, truthfulness and gentleness of speech we infuse spiritual life, vital strength, confidence and hope in others. Èlà teaches us that he who speaks with gentleness, sweetness and truth overcomes the ajogun and elenini of anger, arrogance, conceit and sense of superiority.

One who is humble and knows that all are of Olódùmarè, that all are cherished by Olódùmarè, and that all are part-and-parcel of Olódùmarè will surely rise above the considerations of selfishness, possessiveness and pettiness. The humble devotee is always at peace with himself. The humble devotee of Èlà has no complexes of superiority or inferiority. The devotee of Èlà acknowledges no secondary causes in his life. The true and obedient devotee accepts all as the workings of the wisdom, love and power of Èlà.

The devotee of Èlà entrusts his life, his joys, his victories, his challenges and his problems to Èlà, and because of this the devotee enjoys boundless peace, wellbeing, inner-strength and health. Èlà’s devotee fears no thing and no one. The concern of the devotee of Èlà is only with his divine master Èlà. The Èlà devotee has no other concern because he knows that in obeying and following Èlà all other things will be marvelously brought to a satisfactory resolution. Èlà will personally take care of all that is troubling one of his devotees. Èlà takes perfect care of his devotees. The devotee of Èlà need not go elsewhere for fulfillment, light, protection and solutions. Èlà supplies all the needs of his followers. Anyone attempting to harm, malign, manipulate or injure a devotee of Èlà has to face the corrective discipline of Èlà. Because of this intimate union of Èlà and his devotee, the devotee lives in true peace, safety, fearlessness and complete freedom.

Such a devotee is at peace with the Beloved Creator Olódùmarè Agotun. Such a devotee is at peace with the creation of Olódùmarè. Such a devotee is at peace with his own pure soul. Èlà reveals to us that in authentic humility one does not compare oneself with others. In humility and truthfulness there is confidence, pure intelligence, clarity, strength of mind, fearlessness, prosperity and serenity. The humble, straightforward and truthful devotee is always the most powerful, empowered, advanced and enlightened devotee.

Ela teaches us that forgiveness is a divine characteristic and that only the spiritually realized and large hearted person can forgive the omissions, blunders, foibles, faults, weaknesses and offenses of others, thereby helping others towards perfection.

Every human being we meet is a precious drop from the Ocean of Divinity, ENITOLODUN. Therefore Èlà teaches us that we should not hurt or break anyone’s heart. Every living being is a priceless jewel and is extremely dear to Olódùmarè. When we hurt others we hurt the sentiments of Olódùmarè and we hurt ourselves. When one selfishly and maliciously tries to break others one breaks and fragmentizes oneself! The ones who delight to engage in these mean and unwholesome activities are sure to hurt, injure, break and disease themselves beyond the possibility of human recovery. Only those who extend a helping hand to others in their time of need are the authentic devotees of Èlà.

Aggression, coercion, anger and intimidation are not known to devotees of Èlà. Èlà is a power, intelligence  and being that is above aggression. Èlà is the owner and wielder of the divine science, authority and power of the irresistible word. What Èlà commands will be. What Èlà speaks is what will unwaveringly manifest! Èlà is Luminosity, Splendor, Freedom and Light. Ela has nothing to do with darkness or shadows of any kind. Èlà has nothing to do with bondage of any kind.

Èlà teaches us to live simple, honest, useful and contented lives. Èlà teaches us to let go of anger, hate, jealousy, conceit and arrogance, because these unwholesome qualities are all forms of wearisome suffering, pain and sorrow. When we are good to others we are good to ourselves. Our lives are one with all things, animate or inanimate. Our own wellbeing, peace, security and happiness is inseparable from the wellbeing, peace, security and happiness of others.

How do we make these ideals and qualities our own? How can we make them real in our sentiment and life?

By drawing near to the sublime master Èlà omo Oyigiyigi. When we open our hearts and minds to the uplifting grace, power and presence of Ela omo Osin, he communicates his heart, mind, asé, feeling, protection and sentiment to us. He fills us and surrounds us with the divine current, ‘electricity’, charisma and ‘magnetism’ of his own person.

Once we taste and savor the grace, presence and power (àse) of Èlà we can never be the same. The presence, grace and power of Èlà (the saving, correcting, purifying and perfecting spirit) melts our stone-like heart and makes it alive, soft and pliable. Èlà imparts meaning, purpose, zeal and enthusiasm to us. Èlà reveals our divine nature and sweetness in which we can relish and find our peace, stability and joy. Èlà reveals to us what is in the hearts and minds of others. Èlà enables us to see things from the root and therefore we are not taken in by appearances. Èlà gives us power, charisma and sagacity to disarm, circumvent, divert and neutralize the negative energies and malice in others. Èlà’s devotee are not judgemental. They judge and condemn no one. Èlà teaches us that there is hope for everyone no matter how far off they seem to have gone. Èlà can recover (save) them. This is why Èlà is called the True-Remedy, the Power which Saves and the Sure (reliable and dependable) Refuge!

When we entrust ourselves to Èlà, the qualities of loving-kindness, contentment, truth, godly wisdom, penetrating insight, clear-sightedness and joyful acceptance of the divine-will, will arise in us. The devotee of Èlà is never passive or of a lazy disposition. Èlà infuses his devotee with dynamic zeal, energy, zest and enthusiasm.

The devotees of Èlà reach such a high degree of attainment that even the high and mighty of the world envy them and are puzzled by what they behold in the life of a follower of Èlà. Èlà bestows insight, genius, deep-understanding, graceful power, clear-vision and pure-divine intelligence to his followers. Èlà takes care of his own. Èlà takes care of the needs and concerns of all who have surrendered and entrusted themselves to his love, protection and guidance. Èlà is the true master.

The devotees of Èlà are the authentic followers, guardians, holders and dispensers of truth, light, grace and divine power. The devotees of Èlà know in what consists true power, ability, wisdom and efficacy. What is unknown and hidden to others is known and unveiled before the penetrating discernment and intuitive perceptivity of an Èlà devotee. The devotees of Èlà are not swayed by the praise or criticisms of others. They abide in peace, serenity and equanimity because their inner lives are anchored and united with Èlà. The devotee of Èlà is powerful, confident, unassailable and fearless because he is filled with and encompassed by, the presence, grace, protection, guidance and power of Èlà.

Patient perseverance, calm in the midst of struggle and adversity, wholesome self-confidence, and courage in times of great challenge and difficulty are the divine signs, symptoms and attributes of a devotee and friend of Èlà.

The devotee of Èlà seeks the happiness, peace and wellbeing of one and all. The devotee of Èlà inspires confidence, wonder, comfort, hope and peace in others. The foolish one who would dare to attempt to obstruct, hinder, injure or malign a devotee of Èlà is only obstructing, hindering, injuring and maligning himself. No one can harm a devotee of Èlà. No one can attempt to deliberately and intentionally hurt, deceive, manipulate or injure a devotee of Èlà without experiencing severe corrective repercussions.

Great is the peace and wonderful the inner-life of the person who entrusts himself to Èlà and follows the divine instructions and pattern of Èlà. The devotee of Èlà after always doing all that is in accord with truth, compassion and uprightness, accepts with peace, joy and resignation, all that manifests in his life as the manifestation, blessings and workings of the Divine Will. Even the divinities express reverence to the devotee of Èlà. The divinities: the sublime, holy and lofty gods, -the protective functions of nature- on their own accord and without being solicited have undertaken, promised and volunteered to extend their full support, protection and service to the sincere and authentic devotee of Èlà!

Let us entrust ourselves to Èlà. Let us obey his instructions. Let us know peace, freedom, fearlessness, dignity and fulfillment by our relationship of true friendship with Èlà. Let us, via our conduct, behavior and actions, communicate to others the light, power, truth and love of Èlà. Let us serve others with sympathetic understanding, practical-love, intelligence and courage.

Èlà takun wa gureh. Àse!

Èlà extend to us the rope of life! Àse!

Èlà kot’ina ko to ro! Èlà omo Osin, mo wari ooo! Àse.

Èlà your ways are so refined, inconceivable and subtle that we cannot understand and grasp your unique greatness, manners and ways. Èlà son [manifestation and emanation] of Osin [Olódùmarè] we praise you! Àse!

Èlà ẹni tí ó ní agbára láti dá eniyan padà sí ipo.

Èlà you are the one who has the power to refresh, renew and rejuvenate our lives.

Orúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Orúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Orúkọ ẹla mímọ!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Holy, virtuous [efficacious] and sacred is your name Èlà!

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas