FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Throughout history, people have used the name of God and religion for different ends and reasons. The story of the "Children of God" is one of the best historical lessons that serves as a good example.

The "Children of God Church" or officially "Family International" was a supposed church established by David Berg in 1968.

The Children of God Church preached Jesus and also promiscuous s!ex.

Women in the church have the responsibilities of going out for evangelism. But their type of evangelism was a bizarre one.

They used the Bible and sermons to evangelize and they also used se!x. To bring in new members to the "church" and make them "Christians", the women lure men into the church through casual sex. Female members of the "church" successfully lured over 100,000 men into their so-called church.

This practice of evangelism through casual sex, was based on a philosophy called the Law of Love. The idea behind the Law of Love is that, people should be willing to give their body freely to anybody as a way of showing their great love for God.  

Later when the story of rape, kidnapping, child abuse, incest and other cringe-worthy stories started making the rounds from the Children of God, the FBI declared that the Children of God was not a church, but a cult.

In connection with Interpol, the FBI got to work in shutting down the cult and also incarcerating its leader. But the leader, David Berg, was on the run.

Government investigation into the cult ended when David died in 1994. The cult also crumbled afterwards.

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION

One mistake you should never make in life, is to allow yourself to be recruited by someone, to hate another person who hasn't wronged you.

Hear this: “We must avoid taking hasty conclusion because of what others are saying about someone else".

What people say about others, says a lot about them. I am repeating this more directly: The things you say about others, says a lot about you!

I can tell a lot about a person by what they choose to see in others.

Character assassination is a pervasive and destructive phenomenon that is found everywhere.

You find it in families, places of worship, organizations  work places, Politics, Clubs, Academic Institution, Community etc.          

Character assassination is the deliberate, malicious, unjustified and sustained effort to damage the reputation or credibility of an individual or group.

Character assassination is the slandering of a person or group usually with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person or group. 

“Character Assassination” is the act of lowering one’s character in a bid to ruin the character of others. 

There are people that take maximum delight in ruining other's reputation. These set of people have what I will like to call ‘Destructive Tendencies’. They oil their own ego by pulling other people down. PhD (Pull him/her down).

False allegations are the most chronic form of mental abuse. When people can’t kill your dreams and purpose, they will try to assassinate your character. There are some people that your spirit will always irritate their demons! Once they realize hating isn’t working they start telling and spreading lies about you. People are assassinated once but ‘Character Assassination’ kills daily! Character assassination is a form of emotional violence against others.

Someone once said, “A friend of my enemy is my enemy.” One of the things that hinders us from living a fulfilling and inclusive life is bringing past bias and sentiments into present relationships. *A friend of your enemy is not necessarily your enemy; it all depends on intentions and contributions. God can use your enemy’s friend to bless you!

The 7 critical ‘DON’Ts' you really need to guard yourself against.

Refusing to getting trapped in them will help you live an unbiased, productive and a fulfilled life.and they are;

1️⃣ Don’t draw conclusions about people for reasons others say of them: Never draw up conclusions based on what others tell you about someone. It is a lack of social intelligence that makes people draw conclusions on others based on what other people say about them. I know you’ve heard about emotional and financial intelligence, but there is something called social intelligence. This is the kind of intelligence that keeps you sane even when others are trying to pollute your mind against someone else until you have thoroughly confirmed the veracity of the claims before you. Judges are trained to have this kind of intelligence in order to avoid biased judgments.

2️⃣ Don’t inherit other people’s enemy: It is total lack of education and enlightenment when you automatically make your friend’s enemies your own. Don’t make people your enemies just because they are not in good terms with your friends.

3️⃣ Don’t use your children as weapons of war: God can use your enemies to bless your children Stop using them to fight those you don’t like. Your children will need to discern their enemies for themselves; never use your parental influence to make your children hate others. You may often need to guard them with their choice of friends but never plant the seed of discord in the heart of your children against someone else.

4️⃣ Don’t gang up with othe to hate someone: Don’t join the majority to hate someone – you may realize that the person has no offence. Someone said, “If you don’t see it with your own eyes, or hear it with your own ears. Don’t invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth”. Never join the multitude to hate someone else.

5️⃣ Don’t be used as weapon in other people’s battle: It is not every battle that you must involve yourself in. Refuse to be used as weapons in other people’s battle. When people fight dirty,refuse to take sides. Observe deeply before concluding finally.

6️⃣ Don’t hate people just because they don’t behave like you: 

That someone is not your tribe doesn’t make them your enemy. It is a waste of education if the only people you like are those that are like you. The greatest proof of our education is in how we respond to people whose opinions are different from ours. People who think their opinions are superior to others are most prone to overestimating their relevant knowledge and ignoring chances to learn more.

The people who don’t think like you are your greatest source of enlightenment. It is normally people that are not like us that help us grow the most. Companies that had maximized growth are really those that value diversity and inclusion.

7️⃣ Don’t judge people until you know the whole story:

Someone once said, “Beware of the half-truth. You may have gotten hold of the wrong half”. Don’t judge other people’s choices without understanding their reasons.

If people say something bad about you or judge you as if they know you, don’t easily get affected. Remember this, dogs bark if they don’t know the person. People who are intimidated by you talk about you with hopes that others won’t find you so appealing. 

*Stay away from people who talk bad about others daily; these kind of people carry a negative spirit, and a negative spirit is contagious. The real problem is not that they are unhappy about others, but they are unhappy with themselves.

Stop the destructive habit of talking about people behind their back. Talking badly about someone else while they aren’t there to defend themselves says more about you than the person you’re talking about. When you have issues with people, try and discuss it with them. Stop discussing it with others. Someone once said, “Don’t talk about me until you have talked to me”. Stop spreading false information and rumours about others.

Rumours are:

1️⃣ CARRIED by HATERS

2️⃣ SPREAD by FOOLS

3️⃣ ACCEPTED by IDIOTS!

Stop creating walls of contention, rather help build bridges of understanding among people.

By MaryCrownCares

Èlà Ìwòri

Èlà Ìwòri: The supreme enlightener, purifier and protector. Èlà is pure power, intelligence and compassion.

Èlà takun wa gureh! Èlà kot’ina ko to ro. Èlà omo osin mo wa ri ooo. Àse.

Èlà is the celestial power, divine intelligence and wisdom which nurtures our character [purifies, activates and develops our interior faculties].

Èlà is the divine master who guides, illumines and develops our consciousness [intelligence, emotions, feelings, understanding, will and intent. 

Èlà is the power which moulds our character, refines our personality and purifies our actions [the intent of our actions].  Èlà makes us conscious of our spiritual nature and encourages [inspires and empowers] us to develop [cultivate] our spiritual nature. 

Èlà is the true master, friend and guide of all divine seers, sages and divine priests. Èlà is the true companion of all men and women of authentic [spiritual] knowledge and power. Divine knowledge, power and ability flows from Èlà. The power of divine discernment, insight and seership flows from Èlà. The divine energy and spiritual current of compassion, friendliness, humility, courage, rectitude and love flows from Èlà. 

The wondrous, miraculous and wonderful power which achieves the seemingly impossible flows from Èlà. The desire, motivation and inspiration to save, serve, uplift, protect and help others flows from Èlà. Strength, understanding, intelligence and forgiveness flows from Èlà. Overcoming, prevailing and persevering power flows from Èlà. Trust, certainty, assurance and confidence flows from Èlà. 

Whoever dedicates himself to following the path of Èlà will be surely be among the spiritual elite. Such a person will be truly worthy of trust and confidence. 

Divine-fire [purification and maturity], light, radiance, splendor, illumination, luminosity, brilliance and effulgence flows from Èlà. Divine-life [the divine quality that is true-life], energy, zeal, health, harmony, empowerment, peace and vitality flows from Èlà. The [true] devotee of Èlà omo osin asiwaju cannot be conquered by the evil, deceptive and malicious ones. The devotee of Èlà omo osin asiwaju can never and will never perish. The devotees of Èlà omo osin asiwaju can see, understand and perceive beyond the appearance of things. They can see thru things instead of merely at things. They dwell in the heart of Èlà and Èlà dwells in their heart. Great is the peace, and ever-increasing is the happiness [satisfaction] of the follower of Èlà.

Èlà is the spiritual light, energy and fire emanating from Olódùmarè which purifies [cleans, heals and harmonizes] and guides our interior being. This is why Èlà is called the savior, the salvation, the safety, the supreme security and the unassailable refuge. 

What is it that Èlà saves us from? What is it that is ruining and destroying our world, our personal lives, our collective lives and our relationships?

The answer is: Pretense [arrogance], indifference, deep spiritual-ignorance, inner-defilements [corruption], selfishness and hypocrisy. 

When pretense, selfishness, indifference, inner corruptive tendencies and hypocrisy are absent from our individual and collective lives, our world and quality of life becomes like a paradise, like heaven. When our hearts are saturated and overflowing with humility, valor, moral courage, compassion, moral cleanliness, honesty and sincerity, everything in life at all levels and functions of society becomes good, orderly, productive, wholesome and life-affirming. The condition of today’s world is an expression of the inner-state of the human beings which comprise it. It is what is in our hearts; your heart and my heart that is ruining the world. To this end the divine energy and power called Èlà manifests itself in our hearts to deliver us from ignorance, inner-defilements and the corrosive effects of inner-defilements. 

May Èlà manifest to us and extend to us the rope of Èlà! Àse.

Èlà himself is the rope of life. Èlà appears to cleanse our hearts, he manifests to purify and heal our conscience. The Èlà power descends [appears and manifests] to make us partakers of a wholesome, uplifting and sincere faith. This is why he is called Ela omo osin asiwaju. Èlà is the supreme or leading guiding power of Olódùmarè set apart to purify, cleanse and develop our interior-life, personality, character and inner-qualities. 

Èlà is light to illumine our path. Èlà is fire to burn out and remove the dross and impurities contaminating the gold of our inner-self. Èlà is nourishment for our heart, spirit and mind. Èlà is the divine potency which heals, adjusts, revitalizes and harmonizes our life. We cannot make the world better just by attempting to make external changes and adjustments. We cannot make the world better just by implementing external reforms.

The problems in our present life and world do not lie on the outside features of life. It is not a lack of natural resources or means which is ruining our society. It is the lack of inner-riches and inner-resources which is ruining us and causing us to misuse, mismanage and abuse the inner and outer resources that nature makes available to us. 

Only when we come face to face with this fact in personal experiences and in an accepting way are we then in a position to receive the relief, aid and transformative-wondrous inconceivable power of Èlà. Only when we really discern and feel our need are we able in sincerity to call out to Èlà. 

Èlà only responds when when we personally, individually and honestly perceive our deep seated need for renewal, change, spiritual reinforcement and reformation in the inner and outer aspects of our lives. 

When the interior life is healthy, clean, strong, whole, pure and vibrant, this inner state will be expressed and seen in the outer reality and practical day-to-day workings of our world. This is the meaning of the Ifá revelation which says, “Ifá will mend our world”. By ‘world’ Ifá means our personal and individual inner-life condition and state. By ‘world’ Ifá means the world of our will, feelings, thoughts, emotions and intent. Ifá teaches us that when we have reached the limit of our ability and strength that we should not despair or give up on ourselves. 

While continuing to apply ourselves diligently and wholeheartedly we should simultaneously acknowledge our limitations and should therefore call on Èlà for spiritual support, revitalization, reinforcement. This applies to the person who has been applying themselves diligently and wholeheartedly, because it is only the person who has been all along applying themselves that becomes aware of their true need, actual condition, lack and limitations. Èlà only supports the one who really feels and experiences his need for help, who really wants  to receive Èlà’s support and who intends to utilize it for his own benefit and the benefit of others. This is the individual and collective way in which Èlà Ìwòri is saving, guiding, protecting and benefiting us directly and indirectly.

Èlà takun wa gureh! Èlà kot’ina ko to ro. Èlà omo osin mo wa ri ooo. Àse.

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas

The true spiritual function of an authentic [spiritually awake], realistic, tender-hearted and down-to-earth oluwo and/or baba

Èlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà mo yin abosise.

What is the true, loftiest and most highest spiritual [esoteric] function of an authentic oluwo and/or a true baba? The SACRED, POWERFUL AND DIVINE SPARK of Enitolodun [the supreme absolute truth and power] is dormant [and sleeps] in the average person. The function of a [true] oluwo and/or a [true] baba is to ignite and set that spark on fire. The true function of an oluwo and/or baba is to encourage, to inspire, to uplift and to help others, and to live an exemplary life, setting an uplifting example of how one can live a truthful, honest, fulfilling and holy life within the realty of the topsy-turvy world in which we find ourselves living in today.

The true function of a true oluwo and/or baba is to inspire genuine faith, to awaken the divine in others, to reveal divine truths with grace, virtue, authority and power, to reflect divine dignity and to be an uplifting beacon of hope. The true function of an oluwo and/or baba is to help others to find themselves and to become settled in their own confidence, certainty, faith, power, convictions and mind. An authentic and duly qualified oluwo and/or baba brings out the best in others and helps others to discover their own true value, dignity, potential and beauty.

A true oluwo and/or baba is not a business man. The spirituality, wisdom, love, relief and power of a true oluwo and/or baba is not for sale. A true oluwo and/or baba does not barter with his faith, his virtues, graces [spiritual-powers] and spiritual vocation. A genuine and bonafide oluwo and/or baba is driven by love, compassion, generosity and sympathetic-understanding and not monetary greed, pride, conceit or arrogance.

A true [spiritually awake, mature and virtuous] oluwo and/or baba awakens the DIVINE POWER, ENERGY, TRUST, FAITH-POWER, RECEIVING-POWER, DISPENSING-POWER, UNDERSTANDING and CONFIDENCE in a disciple and/or sincere spiritual seeker. The [true] oluwo and/or baba leads and takes the disciple directly to Olódùmarè-Enitolaaye [to the direct experience of the sacred, divine and holy]. The true oluwo and baba seeks to establish the aspiring devotee in a direct, living and personal relationship of friendship with the SUPREME, SUBLIME, LOVING, LOVABLE, UNFAILING AND MOST EXCELLENT BABA, OLÓDÙMARÈ. 

The [true] oluwo and/or baba awo is an EMPOWERED, GRACE-FILLED, LOVING, LOVABLE, WISE, DISCERNING, CARING AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE AND MOUTHPIECE of the SACRED, DIVINE AND HOLY. Hence the DIVINE TRANMISSION of POWER, CERTAINTY,  GRACE AND COMFORT which comes from the oluwo and/or baba, in fact, comes directly and only from Olódùmarè-Enitolaaye [the supreme absolute truth].  Such a DIVINE TRANSMISSION OF SPIRITUAL VIRTUE, CERTAINTY, COMFORT, ASSURANCE, DIVINE KNOWLEDGE, STRENGTH and ÀSE becomes the foundation and catalyst for true change and the acquisition of peace, health, vitality and lasting happiness and fulfillment.

This ÀSE [divine light, virtue and power] accompanies, surrounds, fills, protects, guides, uplifts the disciple. It confers efficacious inner-power, strength, indefatigable inspiration, spiritual-vision, divine confidence, strength, health, wellbeing, clarity and protection. Therefore any spiritually awake, mature, spiritually developed and sensitive person can discern, know and find out through direct spiritual perception [experience] who has received the DIVINE TRANSMISSION [INITIATION] of ÀSE because such a person has also known, received and experienced the divine transmission [initiation] of àse. 

The sincere aspirant and devotee should never abandon or forget his oluwo and/or baba and the sacred transmission of DIVINE KNOWLEDGE [direct spiritual experience], LOVE, CLARITY, PEACE, COMFORT, BLESSING AND POWER which he or she has received. If the disciple continues to be true to this divine empowerment and continues to cultivate and practice the empowered truth and divine virtue that he or she has received, he or she is sure to become a veritable embodiment of the sacred, divine and holy and will be filled with virtue, grace, beauty and power.

The blessing, support, loving encouragement, teaching, personal example and divine transmission of a [true] oluwo and/or baba is one of the best endowments, blessings, benefits and protections that one can ever hope to have. The sincere aspirant and devotee should be never abandon, forget or neglect the divine àse that he or she has received. The sincere aspirant and devotee should be true to the àse received. 

The sincere aspirant and devotee should preserve, respect, honor and cultivate his or her initiatory empowerment in purity, cleanliness, gratitude and love. If one does this one will experience, see and realize wonders. One who does this will become an agent of grace, virtue, comfort, safety, hope and inspiration 

to others. 

A true oluwo and baba loves and unselfishly cares for his spiritual children and spiritual friends. A true oluwo and baba is loved and cared for by those who have been recipients of his love, care, attention, consideration and concern.

Demonstrated love, unselfishness, divine character, exemplary conduct, sincerity, empathy, manifest compassion and exhibited respect are the true hallmarks of a true oluwo and/or baba. Oluwo means one has has iwa and who is an embodiment or has fully integrated iwa into his life. Iwa is more precious than life itself to a true oluwo and/or baba. A baba is one whose life, being, words, actions and conduct are permeated with love, sincerity, patience, understanding empathy, affection, strength of character, divine knowledge, wisdom and divine virtue [power]. A true baba is a spiritual father and friend in the most highest and truest sense. If someone does not have, exhibit and/or display these divine qualities and characteristics then they cannot be a [true] oluwo and/or a baba. 

If someone does not have, exhibit and/or display these divine qualities and characteristics then have nothing to do with them, stay away from them. Spiritual leaders must live by and be held to a higher standard. If you expect little or nothing from your oluwo or baba then be prepared to receive little or nothing. Seek spiritually awake, virtuous, inspiring, humble and mature guides. Seek spiritual guides who live clean, respectable and honorable lives. 

It is better and more preferable to have no guide than to have a bad, insincere, deceptive, conniving, petty, stingy, immature, money-hungry, dishonest, unstable, irregular, impulsive, unreliable, unqualified and disingenuous guide. If you seeking and endeavoring to find a true oluwo and baba then be prepared to commit yourself to living by a higher value and standard. Be ready to rise above mediocrity, shallowness, nonsense and superficiality. 

The true oluwo/baba will inspire, encourage and ennoble your. The true oluwo/baba will relieve you of your fears, doubts, insecurity, anxiety, confusion and misunderstanding. The true oluwo/baba will steer you away from nonsense, superficiality, superstition and fantasy.

The true oluwo and/or baba elevates, strengthens and inspires the aspiring devotee, but it is equally true that the sincere and genuine devotee also elevates, strengthens, encourages and inspires his oluwo and/or baba. Both the oluwo/baba and the devotee shield, defend, protect, nurture, uphold and purify each other. They keep each other on the honest, straight, pure and upright path. They keep each other in check, in balance, in reality. 

Always remember that the truth will never and can never hurt you if you acknowledge it, receive it into your heart, embrace it and cultivate it.

Èlà descend! Èlà descend! Èlà descend! Àse.

Èlà Manifest! Èlà Manifest! Èlà Manifest! Àse.

Èlà extend the rope of life to us! Àse.

Èlà extend the rope of life to us! Àse.

Èlà extend the rope of life to us! Àse.

Èlà remove all hindrances, obstructions and obstacles and establish us in peace, health, happiness and prosperity. Àse.

Èlà remove all hindrances, obstructions and obstacles and establish us in peace, health, happiness and prosperity. Àse.

Èlà remove all hindrances, obstructions and obstacles and establish us in peace, health, happiness and prosperity. Àse.

Èlà fill us with divine love, rectitude, forgiveness and courage. Àse.

Èlà fill us with divine love, rectitude, forgiveness and courage. Àse.

Èlà fill us with divine love, rectitude, forgiveness and courage. Àse.

Èlà may peace, health and prosperity pursue us! Àse.  Èlà may peace, health and prosperity go before us! Àse. Èlà may peace health and prosperity be on our left and on our right. Àse.

Èlà awaken us and help us to understand the true purpose and precious value of our lives so that we can make the best use of our time which is a divine gift. Àse.

Èlà relieve us of our pain, suffering, melancholy and grief and establish us in a life of radiant joy, wellbeing, clarity and satisfaction. Àse.

Èlà bestow comfort, harmony, orderliness and balance to our lives. Àse.

Èlà look upon me and reach down to lift me up so that I do not drown in the ocean of stress, sorrow, pain and conflict in which I presently find myself in! Àse!

Èlà I am weary, discouraged and tired and I can no longer stay afloat. Èlà even if you descend and extend the rope of life to me I am afraid because I fear that I have no strength in me to take firm hold of it! So I ask you Èlà-asiwaju to take firm hold of my hand, don’t ever let me go and lift me out of the ocean of despair, sorrow and loneliness. Èlà-iwori  my own strength is not enough I need your help, I need reinforcement! Èlà-iwori breathe LIFE into my life, breathe FAITH into my faith, breathe HOPE into my hope and established me in unshakable strength, vitality and happiness. Èlà-iwori remove my confusion, misunderstanding and unclarity and establish me in clarity, brightness and serenity! Àse!

Èlà-asiwaju guide and bless me so that I can live benefit conferring lives. Àse. Èlà-asiwaju  guide and bless me so that I may be sensitive to pain and suffering of others. Àse. Èlà-asiwaju guide and bless me so that I can be true human beings. Àse.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Èlà...Èlà...Èlà...Èlà.

Oh Èlà! Èlà-asekanmaku! Èlà-ariwarehin! Èlà-alewilese! May our prayers rise to heaven and be received, accepted and approved! Àse!

Oh Èlà! Èlà-asekanmaku! Èlà-ariwarehin! Èlà-alewilese! May our prayers rise to heaven and be received, accepted and approved! Àse!

Oh Èlà! Èlà-asekanmaku! Èlà-ariwarehin! Èlà-alewilese! May our prayers rise to heaven and be received, accepted and approved! Àse!

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

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

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

Èlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà mo yin abosise.

/!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

/!!!\ The importance of cultivating your own inner-light and your own interior spiritual-powers: /!!!\

If you want to live a life of genuine spiritual freedom, maturity and confidence you must cultivate your own inner-light and your own interior-spiritual powers. The self-reliant, illuminated and realized person enjoys ever increasing confidence, certainty, stability and assurance.

One should not make oneself DEPENDENT on someone else’s inner-light. One should not make oneself dependent on the interior-spiritual powers and graces of others. One should rely upon ones  own discovered and cultivated inner-light and interior-spiritual powers. One should rely on ones own actualized interior spiritual powers. Whatever you make yourself dependent upon by that you will be regulated, controlled and limited. If you make yourself dependent on someone else’s degree of light and some else’s degree of interior spiritual unfoldment then by that will your life be regulated, circumscribed and determined. 

When you cultivate your own interior-light and interior-spiritual power you attract to yourself the assistance, protection and guidance of the protective and guardian deities of creation. When you cultivate your own interior-light and interior spiritual-power you nourish and activate the protective functions [and guardian deities] of creation and you simultaneously attract them and cause them to work on your behalf and for your benefit. There is nothing wrong in receiving light, assistance and benefit from someone else but it will be a great mistake to make ourselves dependent on that person, and it will also be a great mistake to restrict our outlook, growth and unfoldment based on the unique outlook and understanding of someone else. Accept no one else as a master. Consider others as mature spiritual friends and fellow companions on the path. Only one who is perfect, accomplished and fully mature can exercise the grace of masterhood. Masters are truly humble and unassuming and they never call themselves or think themselves to be anyone’s master. They don’t think or feel themselves to be better than or superior to anyone. Such accomplished human spiritual masters are a rarity in this world. This is why it is better to not accept another human being as one’s master. Accept your own inner-light and your own unfolding spiritual intelligence and your interior spiritual powers as master. If you need and want to accept another person as your spiritual master then accept Ori, Obàtálá, Òrúnmìlà and Èlà as your masters because they are humble, perfect, unassuming and mature. Accept Ori, Obàtálá, Òrúnmìlà and Ela as your masters because they will not ‘lord it’ over you. They will come alongside you as good friends and companions. Ori, Obàtálá, Òrúnmìlà and Èlà do not think or feel that they are better than or superior to you. Ori, Obàtálá, Òrúnmìlà and Èlà have a knowledge, experience and understanding of things much greater than our own, and they also have a sublime view and complete understanding of things therefore they are in an ideal and special position to benefit us as no one else can.

Discover, develop, realize, cultivate and perfect your own inner-light and your own interior spiritual powers. Have faith in this inner light and power and no one will be able to misguide, manipulate and mislead you. You will be able to see, deeply perceive and understand things and people with a discernment that is more accurate and penetrating than the x-ray! Learn how to trust and rely on your inner-root and foundation. Be established in the core of your essential being and find [experience] Enitolodun, the supreme truth, energy and guiding power who resides within you as the Spirit of your spirit. 

Until one discovers and abides in this inner-light and power ones life will be ruled by uncertainty, instability, doubt and lack of assurance. True self-confidence will be lacking in one’s life if one is seeking to live one’s life by relying on someone  else’s spiritual knowledge and power. Find out for yourself how to rightly direct and govern your own life. Why live a directionless life by depending on others whose true inner spiritual condition and qualifications are not known to you and cannot be known to you until you have first discovered and become established in your own inner-light and power? Why allow yourself to be led, guided and directed by immature and unqualified people who are themselves in great need of being led, disciplined, educated and rightly instructed? How can someone who has no true spirituality, no true foundation, no true spiritual power, no true spiritual vision and no true spiritual knowledge help you? How can you vouch for another or attest to the inner potency of another if you have not yet been able to vouch for yourself and have yet to exhibit your own inner light and power? 

Humility is not gullibility. Being an opened minded person is not the same as being a naive person. Being gentle and kind does not mean that one is powerless, weak and without efficacious means. Trusting in others does not mean that we stop trusting in ourselves. Having faith does not mean turning off our intelligence, common sense and ignoring our intuitive perceptivity. I share these truths and keys of knowledge with you so that you are safeguarded from the manipulation and deceptive ways of pseudo-spiritualists who would like to pose as great guides and masters only to take advantage of your credulity and sincerity. 

To believe means to have the ability to receive, but we cannot believe in all people and in all things. We can only receive light and power when we are believing in a genuine holder and communicator of this light and power. We can only receive light and power by receiving this light and power directly from the root sources of spiritual light and power. 

The power to believe and/or receive that we call faith also known as the power of receptivity [spiritual sensivity or perceptivity] arises from the center of truth, beauty and purity that is within ourselves, and this power of faith [spiritual receptivity and affinity] can only be directed towards something that is true [actual and factual], beautiful and pure, exactly like its own source and root.

So where do we begin if we want to discover, cultivate and perfect our own interior-light and interior spiritual powers? How can we become established in our own spiritual root and foundation of certainty, confidence and assurance? How can we become genuine blessings to ourselves and others? From where is Òrúnmìlà getting his knowledge, wisdom, understanding and power? How is he achieving this? How can we receive and achieve just like Òrúnmìlà? From where is Èlà getting his knowledge, wisdom, understanding and power? How is he achieving this? How can we receive and achieve this? How can we receive and achieve like Èlà? The same can be said of Ori, Obàtálá, Edan, Mother Odu, Elegbara and all irunmole-orisa, divine-powers, guardian-deities, protective-functions of nature and divine spiritual-intelligences.

Ifá spiritual science teaches us that the root and secret to acquiring and manifesting the interior divine light and power is to first of all to fearlessly pursue one’s own inner spiritual affinity and inspiration. Ifá spiritual science teaches us that what follows naturally from the above truth is that without compassion, truthfulness [rectitude] and moral-spiritual cleanliness we cannot devote ourselves to the spiritual sciences, and without being established in compassion, truthfulness [honest living] and moral-spiritual cleanliness we cannot endure, experience, cultivate and perfect the intense brilliance, splendor and radiance of the divine light and power that is within us.

You cannot build an edifice without first laying down the strong, firm and abiding foundation that will support and preserve it. Many would-be adepts want to go straight to the high-level of acquired light and power without any prior preparation, cultivation, dedication, discipline and study! These misinformed, immature and deluded people have failed to acknowledge and accept that the root and source of the acquisition and successful development of the interior light and power is totally dependent upon self-control, orderliness, patience and discipline. 

When we refuse to adopt self-control, humility, respectfulness, discipline, compassion, truthfulness and moral-intellectual-spiritual cleanliness we fall into the category of those who are selfish and therefore unqualified for training in the reception of the interior light and power. Without the above qualities one cannot transmit and manifest the power of love, virtue, inspiration and compassion to others. Without the above qualities one is unfit and incapable of receiving divine light and divine powers. The practice of the above principles serves as a catalyst for the release and manifestation of ones interior light and powers. 

Power, authority and influence are a dangerous thing in the hands of an undisciplined, immature, dishonest and angry person.  Anger, erratic behavior and irritability in a spiritual aspirant or spiritual practitioner are a sure sign of lack of self-control, lack of discipline, instability, laziness, powerlessness and immaturity. Where there is compassion, truth, zeal and cleanliness there is self-control, discipline, mastery, deep understanding and true power. 

It requires a peaceful, clean, joyous, focused, sane and wholesome mind to discover, cultivate and perfect the inner-light and power. An immoral, dishonest, lazy, foundation-less and undisciplined person cannot possibly have and enjoy a peaceful, clean, joyous, focused, sane and wholesome spirit and mind. 

When we practice with zeal the foundations of true spirituality our interior powers, light and intelligence become harmonized and unified. A desintegrated and deteriorated edifice is unfit and dangerous to live in. A person who has and cultivates a desintegrated, fragmentized and deteriorated spirituality cannot be a fit dwelling place and receiver of the divine light and power. It would be harmful and dangerous for the person in this condition to attempt to do so. 

The true wise ones [ogbon-i] are the ones who with intelligence, humility and patience qualify themselves to discover, receive, cultivate and perfect the manifestation of the divine interior lights and powers. Once these divine lights and powers arise in the genuine aspirant and practitioner, these lights and powers will themselves guide, illuminate, protect, empower and lead the humble sage student. These manifested interior divine lights and powers will be our true and sole masters, mentors and reliable companions. We will be blessed so that we can be a true blessing to others. You have been created for freedom and not for slavery of any kind, shape and form. Maintain, uphold and defend your spiritual autonomy and freedom. Let no one limit you. Allow no one to bind you with the ropes of ignorance, foolishness, arrogance and nonsense. 

See beyond the appearance and perceive the reality of what is before you! Rise above and transcend the moral-spiritual mediocrity, double-dealing, game-playing, foolishness and hypocrisy that surrounds you. Do not imitate  others. Find, cultivate and perfect your own original spiritual path. To others their own path and to you your own. The measure of others is only for themselves and not for you. Have no limit or restriction in your spiritual growth, potential and spirituality. Let no one limit you. Do not limit yourself. Ignite the fire of true faith and confidence in yourself. Acknowledge, respect, honor and cultivate your own interior-spiritual light and power and refuse to allow others to rob you and manipulate you. Refuse to be an imitation or a limitation of others. Be original. Be true to yourself. Be your [true] self.

This teaching is a profound and deep teaching. The wise will understand and see the great value and mystery of what has been written and the wise will understand and see the great value and unexcelled mystery of what has been revealed ‘in-between-the-lines’. There are many secrets, blessings and powers hidden and encoded into the above instruction. Those for whom this teaching is intended will see, marvel and gather them all.

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

The sublime, confidential and secret teachings [esoteric keys] of Ifá: /!!!\ The way to true power /!!!\

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin abosise.

[1] Òrúnmìlà advises us to evolve to a higher spiritual level. Òrúnmìlà imparts and shares with us his àse and words of guidance to assist us in our effort to change our ways of thinking and to change our attitudes. Without changing our ways of thinking and our attitudes we cannot evolve to a higher spiritual level. This is why Ifá in Iwori Meji tells us that we should initiate ourselves again and again by using our wisdom and intelligence. By so doing we will know the true cause of what is affecting us and how to find and apply the real [true] solution.

[2] To this end was Ifá revealed so that we can receive àse and guidance with the purpose of practicing and working into our own lives the instructions of Ifá. Without STUDY, REFLECTION and PRACTICE [personal experience] of the mysteries and teachings of Òrúnmìlà, authentic faith [confidence, clarity and certainty] cannot arise in us. Ifá gives us the wherewithal to change our manner of thinking and attitude. Ifá gives us true power to implement true change in our lives. Ifá reveals to us in Okanran Oturupon that it is through the constant STUDY, REFLECTION and PRACTICE of the teachings of Ifá that we come to know and understanding [directly perceive] the true meaning and purpose of life. When we know the true meaning and purpose of life we will then cease our aimless wanderings here and there.

[3] We have the privilege, responsibility and duty to improve the quality and condition of life for ourselves, our nearest and dearest loved ones and humanity at large. Only through the change of the individual [tranformation of thoughts, intent and attitudes] can we change our lives and the world in which we live for the better.

[4] Merely knowing about and/or reading these truths is not sufficient. We have to adopt the guidance of Ifá as our true and only standard for life. By living in harmony with Ifá we spiritualize and make divine our own lives, and we contribute to the moral-spiritual elevation of others. When our lives are in harmony with Ifá this means that we are in harmony with ori. When we live in unity with ori we become powerful, confident and efficient persons because we become ori-sa. Ori-sa is the person who lives a powerful, empowered and extraordinary benefit conferring life because he or she lives in harmony with Ifá and ori.

[5] This is what Ifá is leading us to. Ifá is leading us to the comprehension that we can become new and emerging orisa in the here-and-now. Aspire to actualize your divine and noble orisa nature in all you do and in all  of your relationships and daily duties. Become orisa. Be orisa by incorporating the mind, thought and attitude of Ifá into the fiber of your being through your continual communion, devotion to and association with Ifá.

[6] The person who has Ifá in his heart and actions has it all. Such a person is a living emerging orisa upon this earth. It is good to honor and worship the orisa. It is better to become an orisa by emulating and assimilating the noble spirit, thoughts and actions of one’s family orisa [one’s own main orisa]. Be an orisa to your friends, family, neighbor and acquaintances. It is good to honor and worship the orisa, but it is even better, and more advantageous to be an orisa in one’s thought, conduct, behavior and one’s manner of relating to others. We can become orisa [divine beings] if we want to, and if we set our hearts to this purpose. We become orisa to serve others and not with the intention of being served by others. We become orisa to reveal the true heart of isembaye isese [the sacred and ancient divine tradition] which consists of truthfulness, courage, usefulness to others, integrity and self-control [self-discipline]. We become orisa to reveal humility, hope, resilience and compassion. 

[7] The person who has Ifá in his heart and actions is an emerging orisa upon this earth. Such a person is not a common and/or ordinary person. This discovering, attaining and manifesting of your own orisa nature is what Ifá, Iponri and Ori will reveal to you, and will empower you to accomplish if you consecrate [dedicate] yourself whole-heartedly to manifesting this attainable reality in the here-and-now. Ifá, Iponri and Ori are dedicated exclusively to transforming us and helping us to become unique and emerging living orisa upon this earth. Honor and worship the orisa, but even more importantly become one. Be one. Be one now. Be one today and always. The ones who can understand, appreciate and discern the reality [truthfulness] of the above teachings are the true seers of Ifá and the legitimate students of Òrúnmìlà. 

[8] Always remember and never forget that Ifá is for everyone. Ifá ni oro Olódùmarè. Ifá is the divine instruction, refining virtue, empowerment, protection, enlightenment, confidential teaching, life-saving knowledge, the revealing-correcting virtue and purpose giving guidance of Olódùmarè for one and all. The guidance, virtue and power of all the irunmole-orisa reside in, and are fully contained within Ifá. Ifá [Òrúnmìlà] is the representative and mouthpiece of all the irunmole-orisa. The teachings of Òrúnmìlà include the heart essence of the combined wisdom, powers, blessings and teachings of all irunmole-orisa. The wisdom and power of Ifá is the supreme sacred science that was entrusted to Òrúnmìlà by Olódùmarè for the benefit of everyone. The person who studies and practices Ifá attains true-merit and accumulates true-virtue, true-understanding and true-power.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboru. 

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin abosise.

Ifá-orisa: Your heart determines everything. Believe in yourself. The path of self-reliance, determination and self-respect. You alone can realize your destiny

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà-Òrúnmìlà mo yin abosise.

Your heart [your faith, confidence, conviction and affinity] determines everything. If your faith does not uphold you and give you constant happiness and strength then what is the purpose of your faith? If your faith is not truly satisfying [if your faith is not satisfying you] then you are living a lie and betraying yourself. Hypocrisy destroys credibility, conviction and trust. Not only will others not believe and trust in you but you will end up unable to trust or believe in yourself. You will end up not being able to believe in anything or in anyone. Losing all support from within and from without your life will collapse and come to a pitiful, grinding, halting and unsatisfying end. Your whole life will pass you by and you will not have nothing to show for it, no gains, no achievements, just regret and remembrance of a life spent idly to no good purpose. It is a terrible thing to live such an aimless, fruitless and purposeless life, being carried here and there by life circumstances instead of by our determined will, effort and disciplined living.

We must advance, grow and evolve in our appreciation, perspective and understanding of things. We must outgrow childish, foolish and petty nonsense. We must grow up. We must be willing to let go of what has not truly benefited us. Why? Because what we set our hearts upon determines everything.

Our outlook, attitude and expectation determines not only what we see and experience in life but it also determines how we interpret what we can see and experience. A true faith and a genuinely satisfying outlook must make you strong, confident, unified, whole and fearless in a realistic manner and not in a theoretical manner. It is impossible to continue to try to make oneself believe in things that only weaken, fragment, divide and agitate ones heart and mind. We have to move and press forward to greater and more satisfying vistas.

Your spirit, your heart and your inner-life condition is what determines and conditions your faith, your confidence, what you can or will achieve and your very quality of life. You will go no further in life and achieve no more than than what your inner-life condition will allow and enable you to achieve. Our outer life is only the expression and materialization of who, what and where we presently are inwardly, of who we believe ourselves to be, of what we believe we can truly achieve, of what we really want.

Everything depends on our heart. If we decide that something is impossible for us then according with our attitude and determination, even possible things will become impossible for us. On the other hand, if we have the confidence that we can definitely do something then we are one step closer to achieving it, that is if we set out in a practical manner to realize it.

If you are a pessimistic person then be prepared for your quality of life and manner of living to be a pessimistic one. If you are a pessimistic person then be prepared to have your life on a permanent standstill. Negative thoughts, negative attitudes, negative feelings and laziness of heart will not fail to produce negative results. If you lack enthusiasm, practicality and faith, and if you lack confidence in yourself then everything will always seems far way, distant, impossible and unachievable to you even though it is actually close at hand and not particularly difficult to achieve.

If you are an optimistic person then be prepared for your quality of life and manner of living to be an optimistic one. Positive thoughts, positive attitudes, positive feelings and a motivated heart will not fail to produce positive results.

Pessimistic people lacking in enthusiasm and practical action will always create for themselves an unsatisfying, troublesome and hellish quality and condition of life that perfectly reflects their inner-state, their feelings, their attitudes, their inactivity and thoughts.

Study yourself carefully and honesty and you will discover why it is that your particularly quality and manner of life is what it is. Study yourself carefully and honestly and you will discover, understand and know all that you need to know to improve and elevate your inner-life condition and your overall quality of life.

Transform your attitude, feeling and thinking. Transform your life.

Optimistic people who have enthusiasm and practical action will create for themselves a satisfying, peaceful and heavenly quality and condition of life that perfectly reflects their inner-state, their feelings, their attitudes and their thoughts.

Do not force yourself to pursue things that you do not believe in. Do not allow others to put you on a journey that is not your own. Do not allow others to put into your heart and mind things that they themselves do not truly and completely believe. Refuse to let other seed your heart with fear, doubt, negativity and uncertainty. To them their own path and to you your own. Do not force  yourself to believe what you honestly do not and cannot believe. Do not try to wear old clothing that you have long since outgrown. Find your faith. Find your confidence and pursue that. Find your center and you will find true faith, confidence, peace and strength. Focus on yourself. Let others be.

Transform your attitude, feeling and thinking. Transform your life. Attitude manifests in your actions. Your practical actions will uplift, transform and improve your attitude and prospects.

Confidence and effort are the two wings that working together will take us to prosperity, honor, joy and fulfillment. We will fly and soar above all mediocrity, dissatisfaction, nonsense and lack. Stand alone if you must but be true to yourself and have no fear. Do nothing with a half heart. If you cannot suscribe to something and if you cannot pursue something will all of your heart and with the blessings of your conscience then no nothing. Suscribe to and pursue only that which enjoys the support of your conscience and that you can put your heart completely into it. 

If you want to be happy, truly free and fulfilled then you must learn the lesson that you cannot live your life and base your life on the conscience and beliefs of others. You must base your life, you must live YOUR LIFE and make decisions for yourself based on YOUR OWN conscience, true conviction and belief. Do not trap yourself. Do not allow anyone to trap you. Feel free to make as many changes and adjustments in your life as YOU feel are necessary.

Live YOUR life fully. Respect others and let them live their own lives. Direct your own life, and peace, joy, self-reliance and self-respect will be yours. Respect yourself and so will others. The courageous and true will always triumph. The courageous and true will always prosper and abide in peace and contentment. The herd mentality will ruin, frustrate and limit you. Transcend the herd mentality. Transcend the insecurity and fear. Rise above all the nonsense, hypocrisy and mediocrity. Stand alone if you must. Think for yourself. Find your happiness and fulfillment, and allow no one to take it away from you. Realize your destiny because you can. You have been created for great and wonderful things. You were not created to be like everyone else, to think like everyone else and/or to do things like everyone else. You were created to be original and uniquely creative to bring something fresh, new, useful and astounding to this world.

Think these things over and be blessed.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse. 

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

Èlà-Iwori: The divine being, power and energy that nurtures our character, purifies our interior faculties, and guides, illumines and develops our consciousness

[Èlà-Iwori is the divine power, celestial personality and creative intelligence that enhances, matures and perfects our intelligence, inner-feelings, understanding, will, intent and emotions.]

Èlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà mo yin abosise.

What is the greatness, glory and uniqueness of Èlà-Iwori?

Èlà-Iwori removes, destroys and eradicates the evil forces within and without. Èlà-Iwori removes, destroys and eradicates the ignorance, fear and misery which dominate our inner mind. The àse of Èlà-Iwori is indispensable [absolutely necessary] for subduing, removing, banishing and completely destroying the evil forces within and without. 

Èlà-Iwori is a pure, radiant, fire-like [fiery] and all conquering power. Èlà-Iwori can easily subdue, conquer, banish and destroy any kind of evil force. No evil force, energy or entity of any kind can dwell where Èlà-Iwori is present. Wherever the divine activity of Èlà-Iwori is present all evil forces, energies and attitudes will be set to flight,  will be subdued, removed and eradicated.

Èlà-Iwori is replete with limitless ability, skill and power. Èlà-Iwori is peerless and matchless. Èlà-Iwori abides in omniscience, immeasurable virtue and unparalleled divine pleasure, happiness, ecstasy and delight.

Èlà is the spiritual light, energy and fire emanating from Olódùmarè which purifies [cleanses, harmonizes] and guides our interior being. This is why Èlà is called the savior, the salvation, the safety, the supreme security and the unassailable refuge. 

What is it that Èlà saves us from? 

What is it that is ruining, deteriorating and destroying our world, our personal lives, our spirituality, our collective lives and our relationships? 

The answer is: Pretense [arrogance], indifference, deep spiritual ignorance, inner defilements [corruption], selfishness and hypocrisy. 

What is it that Èlà saves us from?

Èlà saves us from ourselves. Èlà saves us falling victim of evil forces, energies, entities and studies. Èlà saves us from the malicious, mean and evil intent of others. Èlà establishes us in spiritual purity and ushers us into a life of true prosperity, abundance, satisfaction and fulfillment.

When pretense, selfishness, indifference, inner corruptive tendencies and hypocrisy are absent from our individual and collective lives, our world and quality of life becomes like a paradise, like heaven. When our hearts are saturated and overflowing with humility, valor, moral courage, compassion, moral-cleanliness, honesty and sincerity everything in life at all levels and functions of society becomes good, orderly, productive, wholesome and life affirming.

The state of today’s world is an expression of the individual and collective inner-state of the human beings which comprise it. It is what is in our hearts; your heart and my heart that is ruining the world. To this end the divine energy and power called Èlà manifests itself in our hearts to deliver us from ignorance and the corrosive effects of inner defilements.

Èlà takun wa gureh! Àse. Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Àse.

May Èlà manifest to us and extend to us the rope of Èlà! Èlà himself, his virtue, intelligence and power is the rope of life. Èlà appears to cleanse our hearts, he manifests to cleanse and heal our conscience and to make us partakers of a harmonious life and wholesome [healthy and sincere] faith. 

Èlà is the supreme leading and guiding power of Olódùmarè set apart to purify, cleanse, develop, mature and perfect our interior life and inner qualities. This is why Èlà is called Èlà omo osin asiwaju! 

Èlà is light to illumine our path. Èlà is fire to burn out and remove the dross of impurities and inauspicious qualities that are contaminating the pure gold of our inner self. Èlà is nourishment for our heart, spirit and mind. Èlà is the divine potency which heals, adjusts and harmonizes our life. 

We cannot make the world better solely by attempting to make external changes and adjustments. We cannot make the world better only by implementing external reforms.  The problems in our present life and world do not lie on the outside features of life. It is not a lack of natural resources or means which is ruining our society. It is the lack of inner riches and inner resources which is ruining us and causing us to misuse, mismanage and abuse the unlimited resources that nature makes available to us.

It is our own selfishness, impurity, arrogance, ignorance and indifference which causes us to ruin, abuse, hurt [and take advantage of] each other.

Only when we come face to face with this fact in personal experiences and in an accepting way are we then in a position to receive the relief, aid and wondrous, transformative and unimaginable power of Èlà. Only when we really discern and feel our need are we able in sincerity to call out to Èlà.

Èlà only responds when when we personally, individually perceive our deep seated need for renewal, change, spiritual reinforcement and reformation in the inner aspects of our lives.

When the interior life is healthy, clean, strong, whole, pure and vibrant, this inner state will be expressed and seen in the outer reality and practical day-to-day workings of our world.

This is the [true] sense and meaning of the Ifá revelation which says, “Ifá will mend our world”. By ‘world’ Ifá means our personal and individual inner life condition and state. By ‘world’ Ifá means the world of our will, feelings, thoughts, emotions and intent.

Ifá teaches us that when we have reached the limit our ability and strength that we should not despair or give up on ourselves.

While continuing to apply ourselves diligently and wholeheartedly we should simultaneously acknowledge our limitations and should therefore call on Èlà for spiritual support, revitalization and reinforcement. This applies only to the person who has been applying themselves diligently and wholeheartedly, because it is only the person who has been all along applying themselves that becomes aware of their [true] need, lack and limitations.

Èlà only supports the one who really feels and experiences his need for support, who really wants  to receive Èlà’s support and who intends to utilize it for his own benefit and the benefit of others. This my dear friends and highly esteemed readers is the individual and collective way in which Èlà-Iwori is saving and benefiting us directly and indirectly.

The way and manner in which humanity today finds itself in the grip of immorality, hedonism, vices, hypocrisy, strife, confusion and an absence of true spirituality, humanity desperately needs the help of a divine power and capable masterful guide to purify, enlighten, heal and uplift humanity. This divine power and capable masterful guide is Èlà omo osin asiwaju [èlà-iwori], the irunmole-orisa of splendor, radiance, light, illumination, sanctity and wonder.

Èlà mo yin aboru.

Èlà mo yin aboye.

Èlà mo yin abosise......

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!

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas /!!!\ A.O.M.C. /!!!\

Èlà omo osin asiwaju: The great glory, wonder-worker, the great perfection and saving power. Do not disregard, neglect and forget Èlà omo Oyigiyigi

Èlà omo Oyigiyigi is the supreme divine manifestation of immeasurable compassion, gentleness and grace. Èlà is the supreme sage, wonder-worker and great glory. As the unique and peculiar irunmole of sanctity, Èlà purifies [heals, corrects, cleanses, harmonizes and uplifts] all who come to him and all whom he approaches. 

Èlà is the supreme security, safety, refuge and salvation. Èlà is the true giver of peace, comfort and happiness. Èlà is a powerhouse and overflowing fountain of healing, restoration and life giving àse.

Knowing Èlà and allowing him to inform and direct our lives grants us strength, wisdom, assurance, deep-happiness, confidence and peace. Even the name and sound Èlà is full of limitless virtues, graces, comfort, powers; and life strengthening [purifying] energies. It is not in vain that Ifá reveals to the discerning student that the wise and enlightened should call upon Èlà: 

Èlà takun wa gureh!

Èlà extend to us the rope of life! 

This rope of life consists of the diverse wisdoms, powers, intelligence, means and potencies of Èlà. In our current age of conflict, turmoil, anxiety, strife, false-friendships, moral-decline, superficiality and upheaval, only Èlà can bring us through. Only his power, influence, compassion, insight and wisdom can assist us to overturn the adverse tides and winds of conflict, aggression, anger, strife and misunderstanding. He is not called Èlà [the supreme safety, unexcelled savior, wonderful sage and perfect refuge] to no purpose. 

The fact that the divine personality called Èlà, is called Èlà [savior, security, refuge, unassailable protection, and safety] means that there is much in our lives that we need to be saved from, protected from and safeguarded from. The things which Ela saves us from we cannot save ourselves from: Only Èlà can do it. 

There are difficult, hard and mysterious things in life that are beyond our human power, ability and resources to resolve or resist. No matter how wise, diligent and resourceful we may be, we are still finite and limited beings. We are not as strong, clever and smart as we think we are. Only by cultivating excellence, humility, realism and spiritual perfections by undertaking spiritual practices, rooted in the science and ways of Ela omo Oyigiyigi can we break through to the next level of our spiritual, moral and intellectual evolution and unfoldment. [Oyigiyigi is one of the sacred, power-filled, mystical and praise names of Eledumare, which means the steadfast, unchanging, strong, firm, indomitable, unconquerable and eternal one]. Without the assistance of Èlà we will reach a limit and impasse that we will not be able to go beyond, no matter what we do and no matter how clever we are. 

There is wisdom in the awo mimo [noble-devotee], who remembers Èlà and trustingly calls upon him. The more mindful of Èlà we become, the more he reveals his mysteries, virtues and secrets to the eligible, sincere and qualified devotee. No one can hope to enter this path and succeed without humility, perseverance, determination and meekness. The Èlà power, intelligence and energy exists within his own Divine Name. Who can understand and explain this divine and glorious truth? This is an impenetrable and gorious fact and mystery. This is why Ifá does not attempt to explain it because it is something beyond words, it is superior to and greater than our capacity to understand it. It can only be experienced, verified and accepted by the divine power [or grace] of faith.

Faith means the power of spiritual receptivity, intuitive-perceptivity, intuitive-connectivity, spiritual sensitivity and responsiveness. The grace [virtue] of faith is also the power and means by which we are established in certainty. Grace [faith] resolves our doubts and eliminates [dissolves] our worries, anxieties and fears. Grace [Faith] is also the power of assurance and certainty and faith is also our innate and divinely given ability to be established in assurance and certainty.] Ifá instructs us to call on Èlà repeatedly and fervently.

Ela takun wa gureh!

Ela extend to us the rope of life! 

Without doubt, within this name, energy, intelligence and power manifested as Èlà, abides the origin, source and unfathomable reservoir of all the divine virtues, powers, mystical secrets and knowledge. Have full confidence in the reality and power of Èlà. 

Do not underestimate the power and efficacy of calling upon Èlà simply because it is a simple and uncomplicated practice. Cultivate confidence and trust in Èlà and he will surely come through for you. There is no need to go through a middle man to reach Èlà. No no no. Èlà wants us to come to him direct. Èlà will heal our moral and spiritual infirmities, and he will elevate, illuminate and edify us by filling us with his own thoughts, feelings, understanding and power. 

The word, name, character and personality of Èlà are the core, root, source and origin of all that is pure, of all that completely satisfies, and of all that gives meaning. 

When we open the doors and windows of our homes the rush of incoming fresh air and light drives away the unhealthy stale air and darkness. In like manner when we entrust ourselves to Èlà and call upon him, he takes it upon himself to drive away and eradicate to the root, all vices and disharmony, and he causes all divine virtues, graces, wellness [health and harmony] and divine powers to emerge and bud in our lives. 

When we flip the light switch in our home the invisible energy and power called electricity flows, making our appliances to come alive and work. In like manner when we flip the spiritual switch and connect with Èlà by calling upon him in good-faith and sincerity, the current and flow of his àse enters our being, life and home, giving us true spiritual life, peace and power [confidence] which makes us spiritually alive, vibrant and efficient in all we do. 

Èlà, Èlà, Èlà, Èlà... Be mindful of Èlà. Entrust your life, circumstances and problems to him and see how Ela wonderfully manifests his solutions, remedies and cures through his superior wisdom and immeasurable compassion. He will reveal your true divine nature and will cause you to walk along paths of sanctity, dignity, gentleness, peace, strength, and wisdom. 

No costly rites, ceremonies or rituals are needed to receive the inconceivable potencies and immeasurable benefits of Èlà omo osin asiwaju. Bring to Èlà, and offer to Èlà the entirety of your heart, mind and sincerity. Be open, honest and frank with him. Do not attempt to hide or conceal anything from him. Without fear lay everything out before him and turn it over to him. Entrust to him your worries, fears, anxieties and problems and leave them in his hands and with assurance be mindful of Èlà. Allow Èlà to work his wisdom, compassion, gracefulness and power in your life. Èlà will NEVER discard, neglect or reject you.

Open your heart and mind to him with sincerity and truth, and this direct openness, straightforwardness and sincerity he will accept from you. At that singular moment of thought where you experience that Èlà has heard you, has taken hold of you and your life, know that he will NEVER abandon or discard you. He will continue to do HIS works and he will continue to apply HIS wisdom, power and remedy to your own unique situation. Each one must know and experience Èlà for themselves. 

Do not concern yourself or worry yourself about whether you have great, little, wavering or no faith.  It is not your own individual, personal and finite faith, wisdom, ability or strength that you are now being called upon to rely upon. Whether you have a full faith, a broken faith, wavering or no faith, it poses no obstacle to Èlà and it matters not to Èlà!!Èlà  is not depending or relying on own own individual and finite faith, ability, wisdom or strength to bring us out of our troubles! Èlà depends only on his own limitless love, concern and compassion towards us. Ela relies solely on his promise, power and vow to assist and uplift ALL without discrimination and without exception who feeling their need for help and assistance will take up the practice of calling upon Èlà! Ela extend to me the rope of life! Èlà extend to me the rope of life! Èlà extend to me the rope of life! Èlà, Èlà, Èlà, Èlà.

Whether you are full doubts, or are free of doubts, your particular measure of confidence or faith, or lack of confidence or faith cannot not hinder the power, works and efficacy of Èlà.  If you feel your need. If you know you need the workings, support, relief and assistance of a POWER greater than yourself. If you have or are experiencing the truth that the best of your sincere, honest, diligent and persevering efforts are not sufficient or adequate in themselves to bring relief, comfort, breakthrough and health to your heart, mind and life. If this is you, then Èlà is waiting for you. The moment that you experience the light of hope and the nearness of assurance at hearing about Èlà and his singular vow or promise, know that Èlà has already taken complete hold of you and that things are changing for the better. Be at peace. Be serene. Enjoy coolness and refreshment, and have no fear. Èlà, his person, his character, his love, his power and his name are one. This is a mystery and truth of Ifá. Our personal understanding and appreciation of it, or our lack of personal understanding or appreciation of it, adds or takes nothing from the reality, work, power and unrivaled efficacy of Èlà omo Oyigiyigi. Forget about yourself, your abilities, your particular measure of faith or lack of faith, your wisdom etc. etc. entirely. Forget yourself entirely and entrust yourself to Èlà. Even the ability, willingness, power, determination, inspiration, willingness and disposition on our part to entrust ourselves to Èlà and to pursue his way are the result of the actions, wisdom, will and activity of Èlà  alone. In his own way and timing Èlà will make his reality, gracefulness, sweetness and power known to you.

Approach Èlà at the sacred shrine of your inner heart and mind. There you will meet Èlà. Just you and him.  Hear Èlà and feel Èlà compassionately calling out to you and perfectly embracing [protecting-comforting], accepting and empowering you through your respectful recollection, remembrance and recitation of his name, Èlà, Èlà, Èlà, Èlà.

Èlà extend to me the rope of life! Èlà descend and manifest in my life, in my circumstances and in my situation! Èlà my unique problems and challenges are beyond my personal ability and effort to resolve alone. Having done my diligent and honest part to resolve them I have falling short of my intended goal, I entrust my life, situation and problems to you. 

Èlà, I entrust the outcome of my sincere, wholehearted, diligent and sincere efforts to the workings of your limitless wisdom, your immeasurable compassion and your inconceivable power! Whatever is lacking you will more than compensate for it wondrous Èlà.

Ela extend to me the rope of life! 

Èlà will surely take me upward and forward!

So whether you feel encouraged or hopeless, peaceful or frustrated, confused or clear-sighted, assured or lacking in assurance, whether you have or perceive faith-power in yourself or not nevertheless call upon Èlà. If you do not do anything else just do this one thing: Continue to call upon Èlà. Relish in the sweetness of the name. Its power will reveal itself to you and manifest in your life. Èlà will definitely personally appear and manifest to you and in your life circumstances in the way and manner that is best for you. 

If you touch fire you will feel and experience its heat, illuminating and burning activity whether you intended to touch it or not. In the same way you will experience the warmth, illumination, uplifting and cleansing [healing, comforting and corrective] power of Èlà if you call upon Èlà irrespective of the the measure of your personal  faith and trust or lack thereof. The entrusting power of Èlà will be revealed and manifested in you. The benefits of the name, presence, power, vow and promise cannot be and will never be secured through your own individual and personal faith, intelligence, strength, willingness, understanding and confidence. Èlà alone and by himself will establish you in a vital union with himself. Through his virtue, presence and power filled name, Èlà will share and give [communicate] to you HIS OWN faith, intelligence, understanding, knowledge, clarity, peace, wisdom and power. The above knowledge is the gift of Èlà to you. The name of Èlà is the gift of Èlà omo osin asiwaju to you. The name appears to be something small and insignificant but the the name and our recitation of it is pure power, bliss and wonder. 

For those of you who have felt that the spiritual path is so confusing, complex, complicated, difficult and contradictory, here is the opportunity for you to enter upon the path of simplicity, clarity, direct-vision, satisfaction and serenity.

To receive the blessings and benefits of Èlà there is no need for your to consult with priests or intermediaries of any kind. There is no need for you to sponsor expensive and uncertain rites, rituals or ceremonies. There is no need for you to subject yourself to the supposed authority or power of another human being or of a religious-spiritual institution. 

You do not need to be a perfect, flawless or a highly accomplished human being to enter upon and derive the full benefits of the divine activity of Èlà. Humility, honesty and meekness will be a great asset to you but even if you are lacking in these qualities right now Èlà can and will still apply his kindness, goodness, love and efficacious power in your life. Èlà does have his priests, priesthood  and initiates but they are unlike other priests, initiates and priesthoods. The devotees of Èlà do not point people to themselves but to the wisdom, power and recognition of Èlà. The initiate, priests and devotees of Èlà do not take or accept monetary compensation from anyone for anything that has to do with the dispensation, lineage, wisdom, teachings and empowerment of Èlà. 

The devotees of Èlà take freely upon themselves a standard, manner and quality of life that is above all that is mediocre, superficial, insincere and disorderly, but this is a topic for another day. But you, my dear friends, do not lose hope and do not despair. Even now Èlà is appearing in your life. By his personally directed activity alone are you now reading this and contemplating this. He is coming into your life to confer blessing, upliftment, courage, meaning, strength and hope. You are blessed and fortunate indeed. Èlà is integrating you into his LIFE. Ela is integrating his LIFE into you. Call upon Èlà. Be willing to experience and know Èlà omo Osin asiwaju. Do not underestimate the holy name of Èlà. Èlà, his name, his power, his compassion, his wisdom and his character are One. The divine name, vibration, power and sound Ela, descends from the divine spiritual realm. It is not a human creation, neither it is a humanly contrived activity. It has been divinely appointed, instituted and revealed at this time for the benefit of those to whom Èlà is now directing his affectionate, compassionate,  sympathetic gaze and attention to you.

Èlà kot’ina ko to ro. 

Èlà you are so small [subtle and untraceable in your divine activity] that we cannot speak about you [the ways of Èlà are so great and inconceivable that they transcend our ability and capacity to adequately understand, express and comprehend them].

Therefore the ways and activities of Èlà are beyond our ability to speak concerning them. They can only be experienced, directly known and felt each personally for himself.

Èlà omo Osin, mo wari o.

[Èlà omo Osin we praise, appreciate and acknowledge you]. Only those who know Èlà, the true-refuge and wonder-worker, and are experiencing his greatness, wonders, workings and virtues can praise, appreciate and acknowledge him. Unshakable divine faith, virtue and confidence arises in us by the power and activity of Èlà. This faith, virtue and confidence is different from the one that is born of human effort. This faith, virtue and confidence descends to us and is received by us from [as a gift and endowment from] Èlà and it complements our individual, personal and humanly circumscribed cultivated faith, virtue and confidence. 

Èlà takun wa gureh. Àse. Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Àse.

Èlà takun wa gureh. Àse. Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Àse.

Èlà takun wa gureh. Àse. Èlà extend to us the rope of life. Àse.

Èlà ko’tina ko to ro. Èlà omo osin mo wari ooo. Àse.

Èlà mo yin aboru. 

Èlà mo yin aboye. 

Èlà mo yin abosise.

Èlà, Èlà, Èlà, Èlà.

By Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas

Stealing Reduces a Man

Never in my life have I met humans as civilized as the Japanese. They're the true resemblance of image of God.

During my first trip to Japan, a colleague from the US forgot his laptop at the park, of all places. We rushed back there and the place was closed for the day.

Everyone was relaxed except me and my friend. Even the taxi driver wasn't bothered. He promised to drive us there by 9:00 a.m. next day because Park opens 8.45 a.m.

He assured us we would get it back, that Japanese do not steal because stealing reduces a man.

That statement almost knocked me to the ground. This was 2012 not 1912.

I think anybody who is afraid of making heaven should visit Japan before dying because that's closest to the best humans can get to.

And that will give the person a picture of how organized heaven might be.

These are people who apologize because you heard the sound of their ringtone.

About 90% of Japanese leave their phones on silent mode so as not to disturb the next person.

They all have earpiece and are thinking of stopping having horns in cars because nobody uses it.

Long and short of the story is that we got there the next morning and the attendant took us to where we sat and behold the laptop was there.

It’s not by mistake that they are that prosperous. The gross mentality and personality of a people determines their level of wealth.

"Stealing reduces a man" - Can we just have this on a billboard in every open place in Nigeria, including Aso Rock. 

Thank you.

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