Ile Iwosan

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple
NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER EDITION
Lessons in Ogbe Se, Oh What A Journey!



It has come to a year’s time since the first newsletter came out. We have placed in the community some thoughts on Ifa, philosophy of Ifa, and other ideas and way of life in this tradition. As per our mission statement for our temple we want to excite the minds, inspire our people to actively pursue Ifa worship with passion, dignity, love, and compassion.
In looking over the newsletters per each month; it also marked the thoughts and actions of what and who we are in the tradition of Ifa.
What our aspirations are and truly in this mind what are our accomplishments thus far.
History in this country has been made with the election of a new president of the United States. Its significance is far more evolutionary because it is a Black man; for this has never happened openly in this country’s history. We have much to be proud of as Africans born in America. Yet, it also signals a change in our responsibilities not only as citizens but as members of the Human race.

We have talked about the paradigm shift in the conscious mind and spirit of Human beings and what this means for our growth and evolution in the universe and if to coin a new word phrase “inner universe”.

Paradigm simply means to show how something should be done. And spiritually, we are assessing that there is a marked ‘consciousness movement’ that will cause a catalytic change, visible to all living beings for all people will feel the change.

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple has completed all the licensing projects and now comes the very mundane part of putting new policy in place and begins the hard work of making our dreams happen.



What a project and creating in the desert, a place of worship of Ifa! Yes, there are iles-houses of worship of Orisa in this town but they are sequestering to their own groups membership and rarely integrate beyond Orisa worship to a few and certainly not beyond their own walls.
You, see for 7 years I wanted to see Ifa spread and be of assistance to the world community and seen as a integral part of the religious societies of this country.

Therefore, in undertaking this venture it was incumbent upon me to make some serious assessments of why I would want to do this and once understanding this-come the how?
Was it self aggrandizement? Or did I have the spiritual maturity to see something like this develop and mature. Ideas are great and wonderful in the mind of a mad man but it is now a reality of bringing into fruition the promise I made to Ifa and Orisa in Igbodu.
There are also in this course of action those people who are supporting the vision of a temple in the mist of Bible Belt Heaven. Those supporters-mentoree’s who do not even live in this state but who have been with you some for over 20 years in our mutual journey of Ifa worship. But they believe in Olodumare, Ifa, Irunmole, and Egun and know the pitfalls of this way of life.

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple
Newsletter November 13, 2008
Edition


This place here is the capital of Spiritual Centers of Metaphysical Healing. There is Sedona, Arizona where millions come every year to heal in the vortex psychic mountains. The restful mountains of the Grand Canyon where you can truly know that there is a God for who could have created this by themselves. However, Phoenix itself has its own spiritual landmarks and dry healing heat with natural flora, fauna, and minerals driving away many types of diseases that are infected upon the human body and soul.
So why bring an African religious tradition to this place, that is still so foreign; because it is the right thing to do and because Ifa told me too.




It has come to a year’s time since the first newsletter came out. We have placed in the community some thoughts on Ifa, philosophy of Ifa, and other ideas and way of life in this tradition. As per our mission statement for our temple we want to excite the minds, inspire our people to actively pursue Ifa worship with passion, dignity, love, and compassion.
In looking over the newsletters per each month; it also marked the thoughts and actions of what and who we are in the tradition of Ifa.
What our aspirations are and truly in this mind what are our accomplishments thus far.
History in this country has been made with the election of a new president of the United States. Its significance is far more evolutionary because it is a Black man; for this has never happened openly in this country’s history. We have much to be proud of as Africans born in America. Yet, it also signals a change in our responsibilities not only as citizens but as members of the Human race.

We have talked about the paradigm shift in the conscious mind and spirit of Human beings and what this means for our growth and evolution in the universe and if to coin a new word phrase “inner universe”.

Paradigm simply means to show how something should be done. And spiritually, we are assessing that there is a marked ‘consciousness movement’ that will cause a catalytic change, visible to all living beings for all people will feel the change.

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple has completed all the licensing projects and now comes the very mundane part of putting new policy in place and begins the hard work of making our dreams happen.



As I look at the piles of receipts, files, papers sitting on the desk and workstation, I laugh at how did this happen. What was I thinking about when envisioning this?
My Oluwo Fasina Falade used to give this lecture on ambition and the unworthy pursuit of this in the light of Ifa worship. Though I at the time agreed with this philosophy; for often ambition in an unhealthy venue can be damaging. It is this same energy that in some case is the fuel to move us out of stagnated and putrid waters of complacency.

What a project and creating in the desert a place of worship of Ifa. Yes, there are iles-houses of worship of Orisa in this town but they are sequestering to their own groups membership and rarely integrate beyond Orisa worship to a few and certainly not beyond their own walls.



You, see for 7 years I wanted to see Ifa spread and be of assistance to the world community and seen as a integral part of the religious societies of this country.

Therefore, in undertaking this venture it was incumbent upon me to make some serious assessments of why I would want to do this and once understanding this-come the how?
Was it self aggrandizement? Or did I have the spiritual maturity to see something like this develop and mature. Ideals are great and wonderful in the mind of a mad man but it is now a reality of bringing into fruition the promise I made to Ifa and Orisa in Igbodu.
There are also in this course of action those people who are supporting the vision of a temple in the mist of Bible Belt Heaven. That supporters-mentoree’s who do not even live in this state but who has been with you; some for over 20 years, in our mutual journey of Ifa worship, have stayed in the vision even though it was not their vision. But believe in Olodumare, Ifa, Irunmole, and Egun and know the pitfalls of this way of life.

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple
Newsletter November 13, 2008
Edition


There is a story that is in the Odu Ifa of
Ogbe Ose that is so important to me not only because two very dear friends in Chicago are born by this Odu but because in one of the ESE Ifa of this odu tells the importance of my own personal journey. In S. Solagbade Popoola’s work called, “Practical Ifa Divination, Ifa Reference Manual Volume 3 one of the stories speaks of Ogun clearing the path of success and self actualization.




The story begins with Orunmila wanting and needing a change. For me it was not a wanting, it was a desperate need, for California had become distinctively too high priced for me to afford to stay in the place which became my adopted home. So when beginning to look for that place where I needed to start over I looked at my options and divined; as well as had my elders look at other states that I could live. Where it would not be too hard on us financially and where I could put down roots for Ifa. Phoenix was the
place that had the least amount of problems and at least one relative that I could stand for more than two minutes.
Orunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa mo lo di okerekere
Dia fun Orunmila
Ifa n sawo relu awon omo eku
Ori o yi de bi Ori o jojo o Orunmila
Orunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa mo lo di okerekere
Dia fun Orunmila
Ifa n sawo re lu awon omo eja
Ori o yi debi Ori o jojo o Orunmila
Irunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa mo lo do okerekere
Dia fun Òrúnmìlà
Ifa n sawo rè ‘lu omo eye
Ori o yi de’bi Ori o jojo o Orunmila
Orunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa no lo di okerekere
Dia fun Orunmila
Ifa n sawo rè ‘lu omo eran
Ori o yi de’bi Ori o joko o Orunmila
Orunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa no lo di okerekere
Dia fun Orunmila



Ifa n sawo rè ‘lu Eniyan
Ori o yi de’bi o jojo o Orunmila
Orunmila lo di okerekere
Ifa mo lo di okerekere
Dia fun Orunmila
Ifa n sawo rè ‘lu Ogun
Ori ma ma debi Ori o joko o Orunmila
Ilu eku ko se e gbe
Ilu eja ko se e gbe
Ile eye ko se e gbe
Ile eran ko se e gbe
Ile eeyan ko se e gbe
Ilu Ogun n lo dun-un gbe o Orunmila
Orunmila says that, it is little by little


I respond that, it is in a gradual manner
These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of rats
Your Ori had not yet reached it final destination, oh Orunmila
Orunmila says that, it is little by little
I respond that, it is in a gradual manner
These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of fishes
Your Ori is yet reached its final destination, oh Orunmila
Orunmila says that, it is little by little
I respond that, it is in a gradual manner
These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of the birds
Your Ori is yet reached its final destination, oh Orunmila
Orunmila says that it is little by little



I respond that it is a gradual manner
These were the declaration of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of animals
Your Ori is yet reached its final destination, oh Òrúnmìlà
Orunmila says that it is little by little
I respond that it is in a gradual manner
These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of Human Beings
Your Ori is yet reached its final destination, oh Òrúnmìlà
Orunmila says that it is little by littler
I respond that it is in a gradual manner
These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila
When going on a spiritual journey to the land of Ogun
Your Ori had now yet reached its final destination, oh Orunmila
The land of rats is not suitable for living
The land of fishes is not suitable for living
The land of birds is not suitable for living
The land of animals is not suitable for living
The land of Human Beings is not suitable for living




The land of Ogun is the suitable place for
living.

Now, going on a journey in the same fashion as that of Orunmila himself, it became latent with holes that were created by what was remarkably like what Orunmila started out, in bringing his community, family, and friends with him on the fast track to a new dream. Only differences was at least Orunmila had these two pigeons to do the cake walk dance and sing, to let him know if this was the place to settle in and stay. What we had was the Odu Ifa that the journey was born under.
Of course the ebo has been done but sometimes it may be a requirement that you must do multiple ebos for your dreams to be realized from the potentiality of Orun to the actuality of Aiye. And for every pitfall, I said that in the least, Orunmila had these pigeons to sing Ori o ma yi de ibi Ori o joko o Orunmila, Ori o ma yi de ibi Ori o joko o Orunmila. Your Ori has not reached its final destination Oh Orunmila! Your Ori has not reached its final destination, Oh Orunmila!
The people, Orunmila, family, friends, community got tired of hearing the same song and dance from these daggonit birds and from moving from place to place that by the time they made it to the land of Human Beings, they were ready to string Orunmila up to the tree and not move another step. They had to move four times to different locations, loading and unloading their belongings, not being settled. But, these people did not understand the greater lessons of obedience to Olodumare which is the Source of all our being and our Creator.
So, disheartened by the response of his friends and family, Orunmila in faith moved on to the land of Ogun, which is in Orun. His family told him to go on without them for they had found where they wanted to reside. With tears in his eyes Orunmila pack up his belongings, and began his trek to Ogun’s land in Orun.
Once Orunmila set the birds down on the ground, they immediately started to sing and dance: Ori o ma yi de ibi Ori o joko o o Orunmila! Your Ori has now reached its final destination, Oh Orunmila!
When Orunmila look around the place it was desolate, stark, unkempt and totally uninviting... Sounds like Phoenix to me. He met Ogun who was shabby, smelly and rough around all his edges. Orunmila wanted to cry and did wail, wondering how Olodumare would send him to such a horrible place. Just like the Orunmila, this place here has very little community of traditional Ifa and people are not as willing to create an African religious tradition in the Southwest.
After the good cry and tears falling in to the sand, Orunmila decided to do what he was told to do and went to clean Ogun and the place up. Ogun was so grateful for Orunmila taking the time and effort to help him clean up that he promised Orunmila that he would bring the people to him for worship. Ogun assured Orunmila that he was in the best place ever. He would give Human Beings tools to conquer the rats, fishes, animals, and birds thus getting all the items he needed to feed his Ifa for the kindness that Orunmila extended to Ogun.

It has been abundantly clear that this building of a place to worship is hard, it is equally difficult to provide programs that will one day help our family here to have a better more productive life. However, rather than be down trodden over the look of the place, it is time to roll up our sleeves higher, put on our high boots, and dig in the trenches deeper for making a solid foundation for Ifa worship in the Phoenix Arizona area.

This month we cancelled our monthly worship services to go to the Gila river here in the Avondale area to wash Ori’s and give offerings to Orisa Osun. It was a powerful and amazing experience and we hope to repeat this time very soon.
Sunrise: May 9, 1903Sunset: November 9, 2008Ofun OwonrinTravelers of earth and travelers of heaven we will see each other again.Termites do not scatter without coming back together again.This was the teaching of Ifa for us humans who were mourning the dead.They said the place from which the people of earth come is where they are returning.What are the tears for then? Why the sorrow?What is the raising one up and down for?And why is there fasting?He who sends us is he who calls us to return home.It is death which takes the child so that he may know heaven.We will know darkness then.Speak to me that I may speak to you.It is by our voices we recognize each other in the darkness.If a child does not know her father, the world is not right.They people of the world were advised to sacrifice.They heard and they practices sacrifice.So that they might live long on earth.And that they might experience goodness...Yesterday, November 9, 2008, in the quiet of her home in Queens, NY, Iya Irene Lamont Hinson made her transition peacefully in her sleep, back to Olodumare, the Mother/ Father of us all.Born May 9, 1903, she has seen over 105 years of history, life, and transformations in the world. She has lived through two World Wars, seen the dramatic changes for African people world wide and the catalyst for the paradigm shift that we are experiencing today...She was a remarkable woman who loved, laughed, and enjoyed life and being surrounded by her beloved family.She was mother to many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. We asking you to send prayers and support during her family's beginning preparations of sending Iya Hinson home.
The services will be held at St Phillips Episcopal Church in Brooklyn-Bed-Sty. The viewing is 9:45am until 10:15 am. The funeral services begin at 10:30am.
The interment will be at the National Military Cemetery, Farmington, NY.It is also our prayer that you to send prayers and love to Awo Idileke Eduyemi Aworeni( Nathan Busch), her grandson, to assist him and send uplifting words of encouragement during this time.He is a valued member of the Aworeni family, Ile Ife and that of Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this time.Oyeku MejiConstantly shifting is a boat on waterAnd so are Human Beings.This was the teaching of Ifa for Ona IshokanWho was a child of the King of Oyo.One who is brave?Should not assume the voice of the timid.And one who is timidShould not talk like one who is brave.The King does not allow us to make war on a town of women.So that we may go with them.Let us conduct ourselves with gentlenessSo that we may pass peacefully.And so that our children can stretch further their hands fullyOn us in burial...


Our Next Worship Service is the First Sunday of December again at 10:30am until 12:00pm. Location: 4311 North 80th Lane, Phoenix Arizona, Temple phone 623.849.7179 or cell 909.856.9197.

It is our prayer that those in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the surrounding counties and states will be able to attend.

The order of service is Iwure (prayer) with Ifa, Ori, Irunmole-Orisa, Egungun Nla, songs and finally the



lesson that was presented to us by Ifa through Odu Ifa for this week. Dafa that has been performed is the text from which our lessons are derived.

We have immediately after the services food and further discussions on Ifa.

We ask those worshipers that come to bring offerings to Ifa and the Orisa with the suggested but limited to the following items:

Epo pupa-palm oil, Emu-palm wine, Obi abata-Kola nuts, Orogbo-bitter Kolanuts, Eso-fruit, Abela-candles, Owo-money, Eko-corn flour, Iyan-Pounded Yams, Amala, Ede-shrimp, Eku-rat, Eja-fish, aso-cloth,

We are also asking those participants to bring food dishes that will feed 2-4 people as we share as a community with each other.
We hope to see you Sunday morning for worship with Orunmila and the Orisa.

Those who would like to help in writing to the prisoners designated through our prison ministry component please let us know and we will discuss how this project program works. We also would like to give a special thanks to Babalawo Ifalana- Peter Dammar and his wife Hermena for their invaluable help and assistance with Ifa and Orisa work in the last few weeks. Often times the average participant does not realize the tremendous amount of leg work and physical work that is involved in doing ebo riru that occurs during the course of Ifa spiritual work. It is time consuming but loving work that is done in the name of Ifa and anyone committing this type of sacrifice is to be commended. Modupe pupo for you and your family’s help.
If you would like to make a donation to our organization it can be done at Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple at PayPal. We are a501©3 Non Profit organization and an Arizona State Not for Profit Corporate file Number 1463946-4. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=1140652

Board Members:
Awo Idileke Aworeni
Awo Ifaforiju Aworeni
Awo Awobodede Aworeni
Iyanifa Fayoyin Awolowo
Awo Ifakunle Ajamu
Iyanifa Ifabanke Oyaseeke
Iya Thandiszwe Chimurenga
Iyanifa Fayomi Falade Aworeni Obafemi
Members
Baba Sangobunmi Ifatokun

Iya Omitoki Yvonne Dove

Iya Osunnikantomi Dada

Iya Irene Gomes
Baba Sangosanya Ojerinde
Stephanie Martinelli
Nathan Brown
Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple
Phoenix Arizona 85033-2306
Temple Phone: 623.849.7179
Cell Phone: 909.856.9197


My Ori said to me during a dream: For I would rather be the progenitor of Truth; Than be carried by the riches of a thousand lies; For the Truth that I see allows me to know; the sound of a rose opening at the morning's dawn.., Fayomi Falade Aworeni, Iyanifa