Three Schools of Thought on Olódùmarè

Before going further into the realm, history, and nature of the other divinities, we must first examine an essential question:

Who is Olódùmarè?

Is Olódùmarè an Irúnmọlẹ̀, an Òrìṣà, an Ènìyàn—a human being—an Ẹ̀mí—a spirit—or something that transcends all these classifications?

This is a profound question because our knowledge concerning the true nature of Olódùmarè is limited.

According to the little knowledge available to us concerning the nature of Olódùmarè, He or She is an Irúnmọlẹ̀ of the highest form. He or She is Òrìṣà. He or She is a self-created or self-formed entity and an infinite energy—or infinite energies—that reigns supreme at all levels of existence.

There are three principal schools of thought that I would like us to examine.

THE FIRST SCHOOL — OLÓDÙMARÈ AS MASCULINE

The first school believes that Olódùmarè is a male entity.

This masculine understanding dominates many Ifá traditions, myths, stories, prayers, expressions, and teachings.

According to a popular saying from Odù Ifá:

“Ìbà rẹ Olódùmarè, Amí Igbó,
Ọba Atẹ́ní-lẹ́gẹ́lẹ́gẹ́, f’orí ṣàpèjì omi.”

This may be translated as:

Reverence to You, my mighty Olódùmarè.

The infinite King and Leader who spreads the vast and delicate mat and uses His head as a fountain of rain.

The phrase speaks of the masculine nature of Olódùmarè and His infinite capacity to act, create, sustain, and spread Himself throughout all parts of the universe.

Within this school, Olódùmarè is therefore frequently described as He, the supreme masculine spiritual authority and creative power.

Yet this is not the only understanding.

THE SECOND SCHOOL — OLÓDÙMARÈ AS FEMININE

The second school of thought understands Olódùmarè as a female entity or feminine energy.

Although the masculine nature of Olódùmarè dominates many Ifá traditions, myths, stories, and rhetoric, considerably less is commonly discussed concerning Her feminine nature and attributes.

Yet we must examine Odù.

Odù is energy.

Odù may also be understood as the cosmic womb from which things are conceived and brought into existence.

The owner of Odù is called Olódùmarè or Enitolodu.

From this perspective, if Odù represents the cosmic womb and the generative energy through which existence manifests, then Olódùmarè may equally possess profound feminine attributes.

Olódùmarè may therefore be understood as She—the primordial feminine energy from which creation continuously emerges.

We should not attribute only masculine characteristics to Olódùmarè.

We must also recognize and reinforce the feminine attributes of Olódùmarè through an understanding of Odù as feminine creative energy within existence.

Consider also the pure love and eternal mercy shown toward all creatures.

From this perspective, Olódùmarè may be contemplated as the supreme feminine energy—the nurturing, sustaining, loving, generative, and creative force of existence.

The capacity of Spirit to reproduce Herself or Himself and continuously bring forth existence can therefore also be associated strongly with feminine creative energy.

Thus, the feminine interpretation should not be discarded.

THE THIRD SCHOOL — OLÓDÙMARÈ AS COLLECTIVE COSMIC ENERGY

The third school presents another profound understanding.

According to this school, Olódùmarè is not simply a singular male or female entity but a collective power—a bundle or agglomeration of self-existing energies, vibrations, forces, and powers.

From these energies arise all other energies.

From these vibrations arise other vibrations.

From this primordial source arise Odù, and through Odù the different manifestations and creatures within creation become possible.

In this understanding, Olódùmarè is not limited to the image of an individual man or woman sitting upon a throne somewhere in existence.

Olódùmarè becomes something infinitely greater:

Energy.
Energies.
Power.
Powers.
Vibration.
Vibrations.
Spirit.
Spirits.
Wisdom.
Light.
Love.
Creative intelligence.
And the infinite source from which existence proceeds.

This third school of thought—the understanding of Olódùmarè as bundles of self-created and self-existing energies—resonates strongly with me.

Nevertheless, because our human understanding of Olódùmarè remains limited, I accept the wisdom contained within all three schools of thought.

CAN THE HUMAN MIND FULLY UNDERSTAND OLÓDÙMARÈ?

No human being has completely comprehended the true nature of Olódùmarè.

What we possess are fragments of understanding transmitted through Odù, Ifá, Orí, Òrúnmìlà, Irúnmọlẹ̀, Òrìṣà, nature, spiritual experience, and existence itself.

Whatever way we understand Olódùmarè—He, She, or They—we must recognize Olódùmarè as pure vibration, infinite energy, wisdom, light, eternity, and love.

Olódùmarè existed.

Olódùmarè exists.

Olódùmarè will continue to exist.

The greatest Deity—or Deities—the supreme Divinity or Divinities, exist beyond the ordinary realm of human reasoning.

Olódùmarè does not require a physical body to operate throughout the universe.

Therefore, attempting to reduce Olódùmarè merely to the image of a man or woman occupying a throne risks limiting something whose nature may be far beyond the conceptual capacity of the ordinary human mind.

ONE SOURCE — MULTIPLE ENERGIES

Ifá teaches us to consider that everything within existence ultimately springs from one Source.

That Source is called Olódùmarè.

Yet the multiplicity of existence is sustained through different energies, forces, vibrations, and Odù.

The universe displays unity and multiplicity simultaneously.

There is a Source.

Yet from the Source arise innumerable manifestations.

There is energy.

Yet energy manifests through countless vibrations.

There is creation.

Yet creation continually expresses itself through innumerable forms.

This provides another way of approaching the mystery contained within the name Olódùmarè.

The vast creative activities of the cosmos remain ongoing.

Creation has not stopped.

These cosmic activities are supported and reinforced by diverse energetic dynamics that cannot always be explained by the ordinary mind but may be approached through profound spiritual wisdom.

THE THREE SCHOOLS MAY EACH HOLD WISDOM

The three schools therefore present three ways of approaching the same enormous mystery:

Olódùmarè as masculine.

The infinite Father, King, authority, and creative force.

Olódùmarè as feminine.

The cosmic womb, Mother, nurturing force, mercy, generative energy, and source through which existence is conceived.

Olódùmarè as collective energy.

The infinite agglomeration of energies, vibrations, forces, intelligence, light, love, and creative power from which the multiplicity of creation emerges.

Each school possesses arguments worthy of contemplation.

Our limited human knowledge should therefore encourage humility rather than dogmatism.

OLÓDÙMARÈ IS WISDOM

Whatever way we understand Olódùmarè, we must ultimately understand Olódùmarè through wisdom.

Odù is infinite.

Knowledge is infinite.

Therefore, the human being must continue seeking wisdom until the final breath in the jungle of life.

Never believe that you have reached the end of knowledge.

Never allow spiritual pride to convince you that the mystery of existence has been completely understood.

The more we learn, the more we recognize how much remains beyond our understanding.

OLÓDÙMARÈ IS LOVE

Olódùmarè is love.

Therefore, we must show love toward one another.

Love is not weakness.

Love is a spiritual force through which we develop our wisdom, character, and spiritual capacity from the beginning to the end of our earthly journey.

If we claim to seek Olódùmarè while cultivating hatred, wickedness, envy, revenge, and destructive behaviour, then we contradict the very qualities we attribute to the Source.

OLÓDÙMARÈ IS ÌWÀ AND ỌKÀN

God is Ìwà—character.

God is also Ọkàn—the mind, heart, and inner consciousness.

Therefore, if we wish to manifest the power of God within our lives, we must cultivate good character.

And if we wish to align ourselves with the creative intelligence of Olódùmarè, we must develop our minds.

We must think.

We must learn.

We must create.

We must develop wisdom.

We must love.

We must improve ourselves.

And we must use our abilities to add value to creation.

The creative mind of the human being reflects, at its own level, the greater creative principle operating throughout existence.

Therefore:

Develop your Ìwà.
Develop your Ọkàn.
Seek wisdom.
Create.
Love.
Learn.
Remain humble before the mysteries of existence.

Whether we understand Olódùmarè as He, She, They, Spirit, Energy, Energies, Òrìṣà, Irúnmọlẹ̀, or the infinite Source beyond all human classification, our responsibility remains the same:

To seek wisdom.

To develop good character.

To manifest love.

To use our creative power positively.

And to remain eternally grateful for existence itself.

Nothing but infinite gratitude and thankfulness should be offered to the greatest One—the greatest Source in creation—called Olódùmarè.

Ìbà Olódùmarè.
Obeisance and reverence to Olódùmarè.

May Olódùmarè illuminate our minds.

May Olódùmarè strengthen our character.

May Olódùmarè increase our wisdom.

May Olódùmarè teach us love.

May we continue seeking knowledge until our final breath in the jungle of life.

Ìbà Olódùmarè.

Àṣẹ.