Isn't it time you stopped playing a rigged game? Isn't it time you finally began to have the loving relationships, monetary comfort and physical health that are your birthrights?

There is nothing wrong with using the energy and wisdom of Ifa to get what you want. There is something wrong with "wanting" the wrong things. Our culture has created a set of ideals and images that are not only unrealistic, they are destructive.

For example, we are told we can't be too rich or too thin... and part of us smiles while the other part buys into the idea. We are told we should lust after, or be lusted for, a taught, toned, lean body with a butt that looks like it was cast from iron, breasts that are large and magically upright, or toned delts and biceps. We are supposed to drive a fashionable sports car, have a big house, 50 inch TV., Palm Pilots and Laptops....OR ( and here is
the catch ) we won't be happy!

The Truth is this: The images we are asked to aspire to are incredibly difficult to reach, and impossible to maintain! The very process of attempting to achieve these goals will consume all your time and energy, leaving nothing left over for the truly important aspects of your life. In the unlikely event you do manage to reach these ideals, it will be
impossible to maintain over any meaningful length of time. You will grow older. And, if you are a 40 or 50 year old desperately attempting to compete with 19 year old body images, you are guaranteed failure on every level. Finally, I know and work with many people who have achieved, and attempt to maintain, these images. I don't know one of them that are truly happy, genuinely content, in the important aspects of those concepts!

I used to wonder why people bought into these "guaranteed losing" propositions. I used to think it was just a result of being inundated, virtually brainwashed, by TV, movies, magazines etc. Today I believe there is more to it than that. I think people have been conditioned by a Christian religious world view that sets equally impossible standards to
achieve...standards that are not realistic...not genuinely representative of human behavior. Having accepted the idea that we are born to play a rigged game spiritually, it is a short step to buy into the Madison Avenue rigged game of what makes us happy.

Ifa was, and IS, different. Ifa understood the reality of our humanity. Indeed, the Pataki, or stories, that described the energies of Nature (Orisa) were designed to NOT set up unattainable goals and behavior for Ifa devotees. These stories spoke of three themes: 1. The necessity of good character 2. the failure to exercise it 3. the energy necessary for
restoring it. Heck, if the orisa could screw up, so could we.

So, whatever mistakes you have made, whatever hurt you feel, it's o.k....AND, it's old news! Through the energy of Ifa you can obtain the committed love of another human being who accepts/loves you for what you are totally...not simply your outside shell; you can find your work/career both fulfilling and satisfying , not fearful, distasteful and frustrating; you can achieve the health that comes from feeling good inside, not just looking good outside; you can have responsible, loving children and family, not self-absorbed and confrontational relationships; and you can have it all BECAUSE YOU ARE A HUMAN BEING, NOT DESPITE IT!!!!

The Ifa world view of a benevolent God ( Oludumare) assures that. To presume that an all knowing, all powerful creative energy ( God) would not understand the genuine human condition, would not be aware of our needs and our frailties, would not understand that in the reality of His/Her creation were wrinkles, injuries, too much and to little weight, sagging butts and sagging breasts, is to make that creative force either less than God, or in some way sadistic and mean. Sadistic and mean is simply not an acceptable definition of God.

Instead, through the application of energy, the use of the other Creative forces that He/She created, we were given the instructions and tools to protect, repair and fulfill our lives. Good character is not a requirement, it is simply the tool that makes the use and application of energy to our lives work in the long term.

Isn't it time you stopped playing a rigged game? Isn't it time you finally began to have the loving relationships, monetary comfort and physical health that are your birthrights? If you have finally come to that point. Finally decided the pain, sense of failure, illness and loneliness are enough, then begin , and continue, the process of Ifa. It WILL bring you what you both want and need!

Blessings
Philip Neimark