Saturday, May 2, 2009

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple Newsletter April Edition

Death the Great Equalizer
A Song for Iyagba
She walks with love in her hands,
Hair locked in motion
Winds kiss her forehead with loving kindness
She walks with love in her hands,
No one never knowing just who she really was
Osun danced in her stride,
Hips moving to the silent motion of the earth
Mother who on bended knees danced to the sound of Bata drums
She walked with love for us all in her hands
Speaking with the experience of the Ancient ones
No one knew her real name
Elegant strides of pain
Jazz notes ringing of off key lyrics of Miles
Melancholy melodies that caused our bodies to sway with old memories
Her gift to us
She walked with love for us in her hands
My sister now stands in a secret garden
A place of serenity and gold
Humming birds now light and kiss her fingers
Invisible love surrounds her space
Rivers ripple with sweet waters succulent to taste
Grass under her body
Sweet green grass knowing that her destiny has been
fulfilled
The love that holds her to the heavens
Is released to the stars
She walks with love in her hands…
Jackie Medina Iya Iyagba passed away a month ago but we and no one else knew as she waited for someone to find her. Her death rings clear notes of concern about the state of the Ifa and Orisa community. Though it is an isolated case; how many of our people in the community of Ifa and Orisa looked out for each other, check up, or even call to find out if we are ok physically, spiritually or even psychologically.


When I left Los Angeles the Leimert Park community where the Ara Ifa Ijo Orunmila Temple was located, brought a thriving but sometimes disjointed community. Yet, one of the unique aspects of this community was there was a concern and care about its members. Iya Iyagba was a member. However, it is of great concern that after only 7 short years, this woman who was a fixture in the Leimert Part area, passed

away in her home and no one knew that she was dead. It is a concern for all of us worldwide to consider our state of humanity and compassion for another soul, when anyone one of us can leave this world, for death ultimately comes for us all and no one would know that we died or even cared. We must think about more than our own personal problems and issues and look to our left and right and see the connections that we have to each other-Ori Isese, this connects us to Olodumare. Part of our gaining spiritual insight through Ifa , is also to apply this insight and awareness to how we interact in the world and bring about a better world, society not only for ourselves but the world through healing balm of Ifa given to us by Orunmila our prophet. When the bulk of our ebo’s and prayers are said in how to protect ourselves from each other because of hatred,
Death the Great Equalizer
Prejudices, inflated egos and in some cases just downright mental health issues. In the temples and Iles across the country and certainly throughout the world how many people communicate with other temple members? Or even those people who are not in the central core members but are on the fringe and have not found their niche in your community. Do you know who they are? Do you call just to say hello and how are you doing? Do you feel well? Or are we so suspicious of each other that we miss those wonderful opportunities to gain the friendship and care of another human being. Here in the 21st century, while the world is becoming more sensitive and at least politically correct, our communities in Ifa consider our roles as healers and how we accomplish this task. Our spiritual agreements are showing the uglier side by the results of situations such as this unnoticed death of Iya Iyagba. Her death says we as a community have not got the lessons set forth by Olodumare to its children
*******************************************************************************

“Sometimes, it is difficult to see beyond the canopy illusions created by those who intentions are self serving and at best dangerously corrupt.”
Papa Gede


COMMUNICATION IN IFA


While it is theologically stated that Orisa Esu is a great communicator because of its ability to transcend time and communicate with human beings, Orisa, and all sentient and non sentient beings; it is Ifa that has initiated all Orisa through the will of Olodumare and Örúnmìlà‘s ability to commune through his spiritual, metaphysical and mental examples. However, in this lesson we are looking at Orisa Ogun’s unique license to cut through difficult conversation with simplicity and in peace in order to accomplish direct and clear conversation that leads to prosperity and serenity.
In the great Holy Odu Ifa of Ogunda Meji which classically shows the profoundness of Orisa Ogun to cut through mediocrity and foolishness, in order to resolve conflict and thus received tremendous reward and satisfaction:
The powerful person craves the crown. This was the teachings of Ifa for Ogun. He was advised to sacrifice. The ‘symbols’ of the sacrifice: a sword, a rooster and a roasted yam.
Ifa said that it was the sword which Ogun would use in the pursuit of prosperity. And that he should carry it with him everywhere. Ogun was advised to eat the roasted yam and he ate it. When he became thirsty, he went to the river to drink some water. When he finished drinking the water he saw two people quarrelling over a fish they had caught. Ogun told them that they should be patient. And that they should divide the fish and go home. They refused. The first person said he came from the West. The second person said she came from the East. After hearing what they both had to say
Concerning the matter, Ogun took the sword which he had in his hands and cut the fish into two equal parts for them. The first person thanked him and said that he wanted him to open a way for him so that he might reach his city. He said that Ogun would become a prosperous person. He said that Ogun would acquire an abundance of good things. He said that he would suffer no hardship before reaching his city.



COMMUNICATION IN IFA


The second person also thanked Ogun. And she asked that Ogun
not neglect to open the way for her to her city in the same way.
Ogun told them that he understood. Therefore, since that day Ogun divided the fish into two for the tow people who were quarrelling; He has been called Ogunda Meji, Ogun who divides into two equal parts has made a metaphysical and binding contract in the world not only of prosperity but of spiritually bringing about communication that had been hindered and unproductive to that


Which now is a productive relationship between the two warring parties.

It is through the directives of Ifa, which Orisa Ogun was able to be productive in solving the dilemma that these parties faced. Orisa Ogun in his mighty wisdom
By complying with Ifa, created effective communication and healed a relationship that could have ended in death rather than the lives that are now saved. Within this ese Ifa are also other sacred elements of that lend itself to communication that we as worshippers of Ifa should see and attest. Don Miguel Ruiz the author of the book, The Four Agreements a Toltec Warrior Way of Wisdom” speaks of a spiritual domestication that all human beings enter in contract before and after they enter the world. A type of conditioning that is called agreements which infect our whole way of communication and thus our belief system. What and who we are is a taught process from our genetic lineage, mothers, fathers, and our outside systems such as our societies. Judgments that impede our every move in life and it effect keep us from true communication and freedom that we deserve as a gift from our Creator Olodumare. Touching upon truth and speaking the absolute truth in communication become difficult for we fall to the easy posture of “victim” and create the internal stories that make our side seem the only side of the equation. We become continuously trapped in the cycle of deceit and are doomed to the repetitive illusion of freedom unless we choose to change how we think by changing our agreements in the world. We blame, find guilt with others rather than find the essence of truth within ourselves: we except the responsibility of our own creation of lies and deception of our life by living our lives in truth and courage. Recognizing that the stories and communication begin with our walk in the world of Truth. When people speak to us in derogative statements of,” you are stupid, you are ugly, you are fat, you are sorry, you are evil, and “we" believe these statements even when they are wrong. They are reinforced by gossip and other negative environs that we use to keep us in the space of slavery to the world. What Ogun is telling us in this Odu Ifa that freedom that we seek to become better human beings is close at hand if we would step back from our useless forms of negative communication and embrace the blueprint that Ifa has for us.


Ile Iwosan Örúnmìlà Mimo Temple


Our Temple

Mission Statement & History
2004 Iyanifa Fayomi Falade Aworeni The mission of the Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo/Orunmila Healing Spaces is to bring “good Ifa” to those who love Ifa. Our objective is to worship Olodumare and the Irunmole incorporating those principles given by the mandates of Olodumare through the auspice of Ifa. We promote the education, health, and culture of the Yoruba of Nigeria and their religious pursuit given to them 12,000 years ago by their Prophet Orunmila.
We are affiliated with a number of Ifa temples throughout the Diaspora and in Nigeria. The Lead Iyanifa Fayomi Falade Aworeni.
The Temple Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo is members of the International Council of Ifa Religions and an adopted member of the family of the Araba of Ile Ife, Awoyemi Aworeni Adisa Mokanranwale by virtue of Dafa, and “A Child of Oke Itase". We are a Not-For-Profit 501©3 organization and we welcome donations for our programs.
We are a bridge that connects Nigerian Yoruba Ifa with that of the Yoruba Diaspora, investigating ways to improve our relationships, protect and care for our own at home/families. We, in this house of worship pledge to honor our elders and support the growth and development of Ifa corpus here and in Yoruba land.
Iya Fayomi's lineage is the Ara Ifa Ijo Orunmila in Los Angeles, Ca. under the leadership of the Olubikin of Ile Ife, Oloye Fasina Falade who was initiated by the past Araba Agbaye of Ile Ife Ifasuyi Omiporiola. Iya Fayomi also has ties with Ile Jalumi in Chicago.

Our past roles in Ara Ifa Ijo Orunmila were the Secretary of Orunmila Youngsters USA, Los Angeles Chapter, Secretary for Yoruba Olodumare Ile, Los Angeles
We have a rich history and lineage with many historical relationships of pioneers of Ifa in this country. We are a revolutionary temple in that we are making strives to create a better face of Ifa in the world as well as create, through Ifa, a place where the healing of Human life begins.
© All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed, copied, printed, or stored without the owner's written consent.

IFA WORSHIP SERVICES

CELEBRATE AND LEARN THE TRADITIONAL YORUBA RELIGIOUS CORPUS OF WORSHIP Ifa.

WORSHIP SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY FROM 10:30AM UNTIL 11:30AM

IFA STUDY CLASS 11:30 – 1:00 PM

ANCESTOR STUDY CLASSES EVERY 2ND AND 4TH SUNDAY FROM 1:30 – 2:30PM
Please call 623.849.7179 before worship during the week.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Divinity of Human Beings

The Divinity of Human Beings

It must be you, my love I seek,

But the Love that is ever presence and all knowing

Love is the Ultimate truth,

We are the same being…T’gore

What is meta-biological evolution-Joseph Sach?

Agiriyan ni morere eerun

Asuwa ni morere Eniyan

Asuwa da Orun

Asuwa daa sile

Asekan suwada nigbati Iwa se

Asekan suwada nigbati iwa gun

Asuwa nigb iwa roo

Ire gbogbo wa d’asuwa

Irun pesusu won gbori

Irun agbo pe susu won di ojontarigi

Igi pe susu won di igbo

Eruwa pe sus won dodan

Agbon pe sus fowo tile

Ita pe susu bo ile

Alasuwada, a pe o

Ko oran iwa sus wa

Ki won ko ire gbogbo waa ba wa

The Divinity of Human Being

Asuwa ni toyin

Asuwa leeran nihu ninu oko

Asuwa ni to susu owo

Asuwa leeran nihun ninu aare

Asuwa ni ti Elegiri

Asuwa ni ti Elegiri

Asuwa laa bodan

Asuwa lesu nfiijoko

Asuwa opo suuu la ba ikan ninu ogan

Asuwa laa ba ekunkun leti omi

Asuwa laa ba oore lodo

Asuwa laa ba lamilami

Asuwa laa beja egbele lokun

Ewe adosusu kii duro loun nikan

Iri tu wili tu wili

Lari dale aye

La bu da ile

Kire susu ko wa su piripiri

Ire gbogbo d’asuwa

Nje bori kan ba sunwon

A ran igba

Ori mi to sunwon

Lo ran yin

Ori yin to sunwon

Lo ran mi

Bori kan ba sunwon

A ran igba

The anthill is a place for deliberation

Of eerun ants

Asuwa, a grouping together in harmony, is the place of deliberation of human beings

It was through the principle of grouping together, that earth was created

And it was in the form of collectivities that beings descended together

that beings descended on earth

All inclusive was the grouping together

When human beings were first created

All inclusive was the grouping together

When beings were completed

Formed into collectivities were beings

When they rained down on earth

All goodness became a grouping together in harmony

The grouping together of the strands of hair covered the head

The groupings together of hairs on the chin

Became an object of attention

The grouping together of trees became a forest

The grouping together of the eruwa grasses became a savannah

The grouping together of the beehives hold up the roof of the house

And the grouping together of the ita ants

Led to their covering the earth

Alasuwada, Great Being who creates all beings in groups, we ask you humbly

That you grant us things gathered in groups

So that they bring together all things good to us

Bee form swarms

Eeran plants grow together on the farm

Brooms are formed from bundles of twigs

Eeran grass growns in bunches on the plains

And the elegiri bird’s form flocks

It is as swarms that the locust consume the farm

It is in several colonies that we find the termites in their mounds

It is in grooves that we encounter the ekunkun trees on the water’s edge

It is in schools that we find the egbele fish in the ocean

It is in groups we encounter this dragon fly

And the adosusu leaf is never found alone

Dews pouring lightly, pouring lightly

Were used to create the world

And likewise was done to create the earth

So that goodness of togetherness could come forth at once

Indeed all goodness took the form of a

Gathering together in harmony

Now, if one ori (mind/heart) encounters good

It will spread out and touch two hundred

If my mind/heart is good

It will spread out and touch you

And if your mind/heart is good

It will spread out and touch me

For if just one mind/heart experiences good

It will spread out and touch two hundred…Osa Gunda

A wonderful thing that happened this morning, the epiphany thought that enveloped my mind, was the community of Ifa, while still comprising of ancient cultural mores’ of oral tradition, are and should be elevating spiritually but are not. What I mean by this is, that as a community of many different social backgrounds, ethnicity, genders, and of course nationalities; we are, each day, involved in the struggle of becoming human. And in that human struggle and development as individuals we sometimes forget the divine messages and mandates that have been given to us as guides for our life on this earth and what the ancient ones saw as a future problem if we failed to follow their instructions.

Recently, during one of my periods of study of philosophies of the world I choose to re-visit the works of Deepak Chopra and found another understanding of meta-biological evolution in which the scientist Joseph Sach wrote of how mankind in their beginning development in pre-historic times were faced with the enormous challenge which cause either the ability to flee a dangerous circumstance or stand and fight. Mankind was faced with great dangerous in the beginning of animals that found human beings to be a delectable and tasty morsel, so human beings learned that they could either stand and fight or flee to fight another day. This syndrome of flight or fight however, over the centuries created in man the physiological and metabolic change in the human body. Within the brain, in the areas of the Peripheral Nervous system, Autonomic Nervous system, and Somatic Nervous system are changed as well as in the brain Sensory Thalamus to cortex and to amygdale, genetically over the centuries to compensate for the consistent force of action that this challenge brought on the mind/body for it to significantly change the human structure. We are now physiologically predisposed to levels of violence brought on by fear and challenges. It is this physical phenomenon that keeps us in war, want, illness, violence and spiritual pain. Ultimately, we bred within ourselves that syndrome that has kept us in distress for millenniums.

Ifa, in the Ese Ifa of Osa Gunda is telling us just as in recent times and with other world philosophers centuries ago the same thing. We were not created for the violence, the hatred, and all the “isms”, which represent illogical human and spiritual responses to fear, where we also use our religious belief to justify our reason for committing acts of violence in all forms now in the name of Olodumare. We have according to Ifa an opportunity and window to change this syndrome for the next generation by stopping the madness in our lifetime.

In this verse what Ifa spoke to us of was, in the beginning of time we human beings were in harmony with each other just as the all life was in synchronization with each other. We were in collectives designed to provide protections and unity amongst the specie. All embracing community of harmony was the way of Olodumare and the forces of the universe. Our evolution changed when we found the entity of FEAR. We then became the unconditioned spirit trapped in the conditioned body. We sleep, dream and wake in the triad of consciousness always seeking to find the missing something that is within our grasp but never quiet touching. We created the Ego as another form of protector but lost control over its force thus giving us the sense that it is a reality when in fact it is truly an illusion of our own human creation. However, it is our Ori-heart and mind outside of ourselves and within ourselves simultaneously that is ever seeking to escape the boundaries we created. We believe that it is our understanding of the 7 levels of freedom that will bring what we want in life.

What is it that I want-freedom

Success

Escaping the prison of the known

The ability to make spontaneous correct choices

To become free of time

Removing the traps of the conditioned form

Become the timeless consciousness and away from the trappings of the world

Now again this is not hocus pocus, we are spiritually predisposed to live in the miraculous because we are direct descendant of Olodumare. This is our birthright and heritage but we had a clause in the will so to speak. We had to work for our greater good and in harmony with each other and all living things. Yep! Partners we can change even our physical being and more by thinking and doing the good and live in goodness. It is science! We keep ourselves loaded in the drug of fear, pain, illness, hatred, lust, greed, avarice and for what- so our ego can have its own life and power as an illusion-phantom of power working off of your energy and effort. A nothingness that keeps us forever locked in the cycle of human flaw and capriciousness.

Read Osa Gunda carefully, line for line and then compare it with the beginning lines. I realize that I put a lot of information on the page but I truly pray that someone hears the divine spirit of Ifa in what is being said and inspired. Disassociate from ego and the physical form by while listening to music or someone speaking, stop listening to the outside form and listen to you listening. There is a silence that comes that is you spirit and Ori. In the verse of Osa Gunda is tells you that you are never alone, we are the genius of the Creator Alasuwada, Eleda, Olorun, Olodumare, and more names. We are created both with the core of good and evil within us always at our choosing. We are the ones who can become or already became Orisa those who in the human arena transitioned to this form.

Ori, our great connection to the creative forces of the universe shows us that in every blade of grass in divinity, every bird is divinity; every piece of dirt that is on the earth is another human being who has passed into the dust. Whose spiritual essence has transcended back into the ocean of being-ness.

If you are a drop of water, what are you when pour back into the ocean. This is why as Ifa/Orisa practitioners, we used the nature and the elements of the universe to work our medicines, for the ancient ones were great observers of the universe and knew how to use the works of life itself. To dream is only another aspect of life to be used as a mechanism of travel from one realm of existence to another, to sleep in yet another vehicle to unravel the universe. Our waking is just as real as the state of dreams ready to explore all possibilities and connect the dots of fragile ego giving it a funeral for it keeps us from our understanding of our divinity.

Fayomi Falade Aworeni, Iyanifa

Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple

4311 North 80th Lane

Phoenix Arizona 85033-2306

623.849.7179

Copyright©2009 Ile Iwosan Orunmila Mimo Temple

[i]Deepak Chapra-The Way of the Wizard


Joseph Sach-Meta-biological Evolution

Maulana Karenga-Odu Ifa Ethical Teachings, pg 261,202:1

David H. Barlow-V. Mark Durand Abnormal Psychology An Integrative Approach,5th edition Chap. 2 Neuroscience and its contributions to psychopathology

Friday, November 14, 2008

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