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The longer I practice,
and teach, Ifa, the more convinced I become that our physical contact
with Nature is critical and essential.
Yet, the vast majority
of you live in urban areas. You live in an environment where your contact
with the energies of Nature is either virtually impossible, or limited
to the plants in your home, or the parks surrounded by concrete buildings
and automobile traffic. Within this environment you may well have your
Orisa, your Esu etc., but the very real question is "does your living
in this urban atmosphere prevent your full realization of contact with
the Orisa?" The answer, I fear, is yes.
Let me explain. Our
senses are designed to provide us with the information necessary for survival
and fulfillment in our lives. When you live in a large urban area, your
senses adapt to a survival technique, which is essential.you block out
energy. You block out the constant sirens, car alarms, honking and a cacophony
of other sounds which, if allowed to penetrate your consciousness, would
deafen and deplete you. So, you block them out. When you walk the streets,
rather than deal with the sad energy of the homeless or psychologically
impaired, who occupy an increasing measure of the urban landscape, we
block them out. You are careful not to make eye contact with those walking
by, or occupying the next seat on the train or bus. In today's urban atmosphere,
the wrong eye contact could lead to confrontation and bodily harm. On
every level, survival in an urban environment requires cutting ourselves
off from the energy around us.
In a rural or natural
setting, the opposite is true. Our survival depends upon opening up, sensitively
feeling the energy around us. From the impending storm, to the thorns
on the bushes, or the animals in the woods, our survival and well being
depends upon being open to the subtlest of energies around us. Blocking
our vision will hardly protect us from stepping in the Poison Ivy, and
shutting down our hearing will not identify the buzzing of the Hornet's
nest.
In every way, our
successful relationship with Nature is dependent upon our opening up our
senses to their fullest. It was in this way that we were meant, and most
able, to contact and feel the energy of the Orisa.
So, what is the urban
dweller to do? First, is to recognize the reality of this situation. Second,
to make a conscious effort to spend more time opening your shut down senses
in order to communicate with your Orisa. It is impossible to walk into
your home after leaving work, fighting traffic or the crowds on public
transportation, and segue immediately into having some meaningful communication
with Orisa energy! Instead you must condition yourself to unwind, open
up, relax. Perhaps music, perhaps simple meditation in a quiet environment
will allow the transition from closed to open to occur. Quiet, for the
urban dweller, is essential to this process, for it is noise that you
are constantly shutting down from. Once this transition begins to take
place, then begin the process of communicating with your Orisa. The results
may astound you.
Finally, try and
get out of the urban environment as often as possible. Our own move to
Ola Olu was a permanent solution to this problem, but for many of you
a simple weekend in the country can go a long way towards re-establishing
your natural born relationship with Nature.
You might want to
seriously consider visiting the Orisa gardens at Ola Olu, or attending
one of our workshops. Here, in the nurturing atmosphere of our relationship
with both Nature and the Orisa, you may find the bridge that will allow
your crossover to a more natural and balanced state of consciousness.
It's the reason we
came. It's the reason we have built the retreat for others.
- The Classroom - Index
of Articles
- Experience and learn about the
Orisas from Babalawos, Iyalawos and priests by attending the Orisa
Workshops.
- Call 877-811-7316 (toll-free)
for more information.
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