Spiritual Alignment

Central to the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe tradition is the importance of spiritual alignment. If we use a simple analogy of a car, one will notice that over time a car can become misaligned. Even though a car may be driven down a long straight road, one will need to keep correcting the direction of the car through the steering wheel as the car can veer to the left or right by virtue of its misalignment. In the context of the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe tradition, states of misalignment and alignment between self and the universe are all part of the human experience. The path of least resistance and fundamental principle of living a perfectly aligned life is by coming into greater inner alignment with ones divine nature. 

Spiritual alignment is the key principle in the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe tradition. When we access divine intelligence through the Ifá divination system we are brought into a state of awareness about our spiritual nature and how closer to and further from alignment we are. As spiritual beings experiencing the physical realm who become conscious of the importance of leading an aligned life; we are constantly seeking to optimize our felt and experienced sense of alignment with divine order. When one is aligned with their innate sense of divinity, ones intuition is enhanced and clarity of mind and purpose are experienced - in the pursuit of their divine mission and vision. Spiritual alignment is a state of being that ebbs and flows with nature in harmony with the seasons of life. 

Our alignment and perceived distance between self and creation is influenced by a principle known as Èèwọ̀ in the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe tradition. Èèwọ̀ is what can be likened to a spiritual allergy; it is commonly known as a taboo. Essentially it is anything which can compromise your intrinsic alignment between self and divinity. The teaching is that there are things, actions and reactions that can all bring us further from alignment with our innate sense of divinity Our Èèwọ̀ are unique to each and every individual and creation. Humans are divine creations seeking awareness of our divinity; some of us are closer to this realization than others. The path of least resistance is a journey towards awareness of our innate divinity encompassing the blessings of physical existence. Humans therefore exist in a state of flux, between balanced and imbalanced states of perfection and perceived separation from the divine. It is our Èèwọ̀ which can enhance our felt sense of separation and can make our sojourn on earth more exhausting and cumbersome; or with awareness of, it can free us from the bondage and constraints of limited awareness. When we know what our spiritual allergies are, we enhance our relationship to the dynamic forces of transformation and change acting from a inner place of alignment and awareness. 

Èèwọ̀ are given in the context of Ifá divination as prescriptions for clients to follow. They are prescribed as life long observations at significant rites of passage; they are also passed down to others dependant upon family and lineage. Èèwọ̀ are also observed by members of whole communities as an observation of the spiritual energies present at the inception of those communities. Fundamentally, the observation of our personal and communal Èèwọ̀ are central to human beings ability to come into a broader sense of awareness of their innate divine nature. 

Aboru Aboye.

~ Ifawuyi Opeifa