It often seems that my time is equally divided between learning the subtleties and Truths of Ifa, and attempting to get others past their resistance to accepting and integrating them. It is this conscious choice to refuse to integrate logical understandings that troubles me most. Perhaps it is because I am a child of Obatala. Mine is an energy that continually seeks understanding and clarity, and can only achieve mental and emotional peace when the results are clear.

30 years ago, when my license plate said: "A is A", when I had never heard of Ifa, and had long before cast aside the contradictions and irrationalities of Western religions, I was fascinated by writer Ayn Rand. Her rational philosophy was called Objectivism, and it was pure Aristotilian. If you couldn't prove it, you assumed it was false. Based upon this scientific paradigm, and its laboratory rules of replicating identical results, God could not be proved. Therefore, one was an Atheist, not a Theist or Agnostic.

The years have demonstrated that she was only half right, that the intellectual side of our matrix must work in conjunction with our emotional/spiritual capacities, on one point she was absolutely correct. That was: Unlike animals, which are born with an instinct for survival, man's survival, in literal terms, depends upon our intellectual capacity to learn. Don't confuse a desire to survive with an instinct. A baby animal instinctively runs from fire, smoke, and a possible predator. They don't walk off cliffs, fall out of trees, or eat poison plants and vegetables. No one has taught them to do this. It is a survival instinct that Oludumare has given them. Man, on the other hand, has no such instinct.

Our babies would walk off that cliff, or into traffic. They will light the match or place their hand in the pretty flame.unless one of two things happens: they are taught not to, or they survive and learn from the pain. Both are intellectual, left brain, processes.

The power and beauty of Ifa is that it brings the intellectual decisions into partnership with our emotions. Unlike the dichotomy created by Western religion, where you could be either spiritual or temporal.but you could not be both, Ifa says you must be both! But, without one more critical component, it can all be as useless as the pure objectivity of Ayn Rand, or the pure mysticism of Catholicism. That component , which was understood as critical by the Yoruba that fashioned this philosophy, was Iwa Pele! For it is good character that allows us to weigh the intellectual decisions and put them into acceptable energy/emotional actions.

One of these primary decisions relates to the philosophy you accept, and the religion you practice. It is not that intellect replaces the power of emotions and spiritual energy, it is that intellect defines the rules and conditions under which that power can be practiced and made useful.

For example, the child that grows up being sexually molested, or physically mistreated, sees that behavior as how the world works. Their own behavior, their inability to trust and love in an open and honest way, is a result both of the horrible physical injustices AND the foundation they created for the child's world view. As an adult, they have two choices. They can spend the rest of their lives protecting themselves from commitment and potential harm (and subsequently a fulfilling relationship) or they can intellectually understand what it takes to make a good relationship, and, using good character, force themselves to act upon it. Just as the child learns not to put their hand in the flame, the adult can learn the rules of genuine relationships, and in disciplining themselves to act in that fashion can ultimately create a successful series of emotions that replace the fear and pain.

So, these individuals can use the energy and power of Ifa to create lasting and loving relationships.or they can use it to continue to control, manipulate and protect themselves from genuine commitment. Their ability to use their intellect in combination with good character will decide the results.

The same is true for the Black American, who, seething from years of continued injustices, sees that as how this world works. While they will admit that Ifa is absolutely clear in its call for inclusion of all races and genders, they cannot accept that it is their life that must be an example of this openness and inclusion. Just as the molested child, they must intellectually understand, and integrate, the concept of inclusion into their lives.and by acting upon this intellectual understanding with good character, create meaningful and trusting relationships with those worthy of them.

The same intellectual judgments apply in a thousand critical areas of our lives and world view. The concept of a God that punishes, or sets a series of unattainable goals, and then allows your failure to place you in Hell, is simply intellectually unacceptable. It makes God an uncaring, almost sadistic entity.hardly an acceptable premise for going forth on our destinies with confidence and trust. The concept that God created men and women, in all shapes, sizes, colors, and sexual orientation, yet created some more equal than others, is also untenable. Is it a God that plays games with us? Hardly. By definition, God is all knowing and all powerful ( otherwise He/She is not a God, but simply a powerful entity) so why play games? Did God create Truth for only one special group? Why didn't He/She simply see that that group was the only one to use it? Logically, Truth is for all God's creatures.

Yet, most of you were raised in world view's that suggested the irrational ideas listed above (and hundreds more) were to be accepted without question. You were to be "unthinking" and accept on "faith" these inconsistencies.despite the fact that God had provided you with reason as your primary tool for survival!

Yet, while you understand these concepts, it is difficult for you to shake the fear. That's where Iwa Pele comes in. Good character, for the most part, results from doing those things that are difficult, that we fear, but know are right. It seldom stems from doing those things that give us short term gratification. While it is easier to believe that sacrificing a hen to Osun will totally repair our relationship issues, it simply is not true. It is only half the partnership. The other half has to do with intellectually examining your behavior, your attitude, and the behavior and attitude of the individual you care for..and making the appropriate changes through good character. Then, and only then, will the repair be lasting and meaningful!

That is the basis of American Ifa... to re-unite the intellectual capacity with the spiritual power in the partnership they were originally intended to be. To strip away the encroachment, malignancy, and manipulation of Western religions that sought to usurp and control these universal truths. In so doing you will free yourself to achieve that Destiny that you have chosen.

Think about it. Then act on it with good character.

Blessings!...
Philip Neimark
Oluwo