Templo Yoruba

AUTHOR: Kathryn Forestal, Olorisha Oni Yemojaá
DATE: 24 january 06

Raising the Bar: Reclaiming the Community
Recently, an elder in my Orisha community died; the circumstances in which he made his transition were of a violent nature, not of natural causes. He was beloved and respected many of his elders, godchildren and friends. As a priest, he was very organized and methodical when performing with Orisha ceremonies. When he hosted fundamentos or wemileres, they were always done with elegance and good taste. His house grew to exceed over sixty initiated godchildren, with a waiting list of people wanting to be ordained with him. Generous was he, to both priests and practitioners. However, his human flaws took precedent over his obedience to the advice of the Orisha., and his resistance cost him his life. Now the community has been left stunned and fragmented.

As I'm approaching my ninth year of ordination toYemonja and twenty years as a practitioner, I feel abandoned and lost; I'm questioning my purpose and spiritual future, as a result of this elder's loss. Currently, there seems to be a distortion between credibility, reputation, and imagery. What characteristics constitute a good house? By what means are we defining our spiritual path and what house to join? Large numbers of godchildren, do not make a good house; hits on a website, do not make a wise elder; nor does publishing, make one an authority.

At a disturbing escalation, I've witnessed people joining the Orisha religion, so to defy the law and beat the legal system; with no regard for the Regla de Ocha. The Orisha may assist those in need ; however, those seeking help from the Orisha are expected to make the changes as determined by divination, listen to their advice and eliminate negative behaviors that might be considered disrespectful and socially unacceptable. The orisha make the rules, not your dollars! By no means, can anyone manipulate the orisha and lower their standards or principals. We need to seriously question why and how our spiritual values have declined and how to "raise the bar" where our religious practice is concerned.

Our guidelines have become jaded, and we are immersed in hype and "the show" rather than looking for elders who represent and demonstrate ethics, integrity and purity of intention. Only Olodumare and my mother, Yemonja, know my destiny; yet destiny has led me to educate and enlighten, while attempting to dispel the negative myths associated with religions of African heritage. At present, I feel my attempts to open and educate the minds of the public are being sabotaged through the disrespect of "spiritual users," with ulterior motives and no respect for the orisha.

When we participate as a community, our ethics and values remain in check, for all olorishas are representatives and messengers of the orishas. In a community gathering, the ashe' strengthens and heightens the spiritual experience and communication with the orisha. In spite of our challenges and losses, we must remember that we are part of a spiritual family and by practicing together, we remain united. Most importantly, we must follow the guidance of the orisha. For our lineage is the same, our ancestral spiritual seeds began in Ife, birthplace of humankind.
COMMENT

BACK TO BLOG INDEX