- Student...
Thank you for
agreeing to the interview. Here are the basic questions I would like
you to answer. If there are other aspects you think are important,
or other information you believe would be relevant, please include
it as well.
Do you believe
that Ifa was changed to adapt to modern society? If so, what are some
examples of these changes? Do you believe such change is a positive
negative thing?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
The reality
is that Ifa has not changed at all. Ifa is a series of universal,
timeless, Truths that automatically adjust to, and become contextually
relevant to the situation to which they are applied. It is when we
try to apply out of context observations - either as a result of societal
differences or freeze frame mentality - that these "differences" appear.
It would be nonsense to insist someone use a hand crank to start the
engine of a 1990's automobile.
- Student...
In your book
"The Way of the Orisa," you state that '...either we learn to integrate
the spiritual and the material or we can never be happy and fulfilled."
One way I interpreted the material is the activities and parts of
everyday life. Is this an acceptable interpretation, and if so, do
you feel that the spiritual would be required to adapt along with
the culture of the society, which defines what 'everyday life' involves?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
I'm not sure
what your interpretation implies. I am sure that the energies of Orisa
automatically adapt to the context they are used in. It is not a matter
of "requirement", it is a matter of logic.
- Student...
One of my overall
feelings about "The Way of the Orisa" is that it is centered around
how Ifa is applied to everyday life. Is this a fair assessment?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
Yes. Ifa is
not, as are so many philosophies, an inherent dichotomy between your
temporal and spiritual existence. It is the ultimate recognition,
along with the operative rules, for having both work productively
with each other.
- Student...
Throughout
your experience with Ifa, do you feel it has adapted differently depending
on the culture in which it is practiced, as in the United States vs.
in Africa? How do you feel these adaptations have affected Ifa, and
was it positive or negative?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
There have
been no "adaptations" in the sense you are continually attempting
to identify. The same energy principals apply everywhere, and automatically
supply the answers to the time, culture and situation you live in.
If an Odu warned about travel, it would be just as applicable to someone
walking, riding a horse, driving a car or taking a plane. If you are
looking to Esu for Opportunity, that opportunity would be available
in Lagos, Bloomington, or New York city. BUT, it would express itself
differently depending upon the context of the situation. Do not confuse
the expression of orisa energy with the Truth of it.
- Student...
While exploring
your website, I noticed you offer Divination both over the phone and
through e-mail. In my class, the professor (aGregorio AdyMcDonald)
described and demonstrated a Divination ceremony. Could you please
explain how the phone/e-mail Divinations differ from a traditional
Divination?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
It differs
only as to the fact that the client is not physically present.
- Student...
- Also, in a traditional Divination,
the follower is to whisper his/her problem or issue to the Divination
chain, so the Diviner cannot hear.
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
That is part
of the Bascom's mythology. In truth, the client prays to Orunmila
for answers, direction and blessings. The concept of "whispering"
to the chain so the diviner would not hear is both insulting to the
intellectual Truth of Divination as well as illogical. As I have written
before, the Western observation was that the diviner would simply
recite a series of Pataki after casting. The client would stop him/her
when the correct subject or problem came up. As I said, this is both
illogical and insulting, and reflects the Eurocentric/Afrophobic viewpoint
of most of Academia. It is Orunmila that defines the energy the individual
is currently involved in ...and the paths/problems/solutions that
energy provides. More than 50% of the time the individual has no real
understanding of the energy imbalance that creates their "problem."
This concept of Bascom's made the diviner little more than a trained
recording machine. It truly reflects the arrogance of Cartesian Western
attitudes.
- Student...
Is this still
a part of the phone/e-mail Divinations, and if so, how is this done?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
I believe I
have answered that above.
- Student...
If possible,
could you discuss your feelings about how Ifa is able to serve its
followers in everyday life, versus traditional western religions (Christianity,
etc.).
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
Ifa doesn't
"serve" anything. That is your Christian background rearing its head
:-)) If is simply the result of an ancient and thoughtful people (
the Yoruba) discovering the Natural Laws and rules of the Universe
we are part of. The understanding, and application of these observations
will make anyone's' life better as well as the family, community and
planet they are part of.
- Student...
From my experience,
western religions are not well suited to adaptation to service cultural
changes, yet from my very limited experience with Ifa, it appears
much more suited to change. (without knowing your background, I don't
know if you have sufficient experience it make this type of comparison).
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
This has been
addressed in several previous answers
- Student...
Near the beginning
of my class, the professor stated that "...a culture which refuses
or is unable to adapt will die." What is your opinion about this statement?
Do you believe this is true?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
Growth and
change are two natural laws of the universe. To refuse either is to
perish.
- Student...
Religions such
as Voodoo, Candomble and Santeria are based upon Ifa.
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
This is simply
not true. Parts of each, less than you might think, are based on Ifa's
principals. The rest is a potpourri of Catholicism, French Spiritism,
Fon and Congo.
- Student...
and have adapted
to the culture where the religion was started. Do you feel where would
be any truth to the claim that these religions are adaptations of
Ifa (albeit radical?)
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
NO
- Student...
Another book
we read in class was "My life in the Bush of Ghosts" by Amos Tutuola.
Though the book is based on traditional Yoruba stories, I noticed
references to modern technologies, such as electricity, wristwatches,
etc. Are such "modernizations" of traditional stories important to
retain the relevance of the stories to current generations?
- Oluwo Philip Neimark...
Hopefully you
will be able to figure that out from the previous answers
- Student... Thank
you again for agreeing to answer my questions. Whatever information
you could give me would be great.
