Another reason we should take care of our body, called Ara in Yorùbá, is that the body goes beyond the physical structure of the individual. It extends into both the paternal and maternal lineages. It includes the body we possess today and what we pass on to present and future generations.

A tree will never produce a completely different species from itself. Likewise, if the body is not properly nurtured, its weakness may affect not only the individual but also what is transmitted to future generations.

We cannot separate the body from the soul, spirit, head, mouth, tongue, voice and language. Why? Because the body houses many sacred forces and divinized aspects of our existence.

Among these is Orí, represented physically by the head but extending far beyond the physical head. Orí is our essence, our inner consciousness, and is connected with our mental and emotional state, our feelings and our patterns of thought.

When Orí is well, aligned and blessed, the entire being can exist in greater light, wisdom, peace and harmony, aligning with the positive energies within and around us.

ÈDÈ — LANGUAGE

The body also houses Èdè, Òrò and Ohùn.

Èdè is language—the language peculiar to a people, culture, custom and tradition. Èdè comes alive through vibrations, some of which may be known to us and others beyond our immediate understanding.

Language is sacred. Therefore, use your language wisely and positively.

When language is deliberately used to gossip, intimidate, humiliate, destroy or cause sadness, its consequences may eventually return to the speaker.

As the teaching says:

“Ọ̀kọ̀ tí a bá sọ mọ́ ọ̀pẹ, lọ́pẹ̀ ń sọ mọ́ni.”

What we throw toward the sacred palm tree eventually returns to us.

Therefore, guard your language. What leaves your mouth becomes part of what you introduce into creation.

ÒRÒ — THE POWER OF WORDS

Òrò, in this teaching, refers to the word and communicative expression—not to be confused with Òrò as an ancestral divinity.

Òrò is expressed through the sound and voice of language, producing understanding and communicative vibrations in those who hear us.

Ask yourself:

What kind of sound do I send into the world every day?

Do your words lift you, your family and the people around you? Or do they destabilize, denigrate, demoralize and disturb others while simultaneously placing your own mind into confusion?

Words can develop us or destroy us.

Learn to use them to build yourself, strengthen your family, support your generation and contribute positively to the lives of others.

Within this teaching, the word itself becomes a ritual—a daily ritual through which life and destiny are continually moulded.

Every day we speak something into ourselves and into our surroundings. Therefore, what we repeatedly say deserves discipline and consciousness.

OHÙN — THE HIGHER POWER OF UTTERANCE

Ohùn represents an advanced dimension of Òrò: words formed through Èdè and uttered by the Ológbọ́n Ènìyàn—the wise person—with spiritual understanding and disciplined intention.

Within this teaching, Ohùn is understood as a power capable of addressing and commanding the forces of nature through spiritually charged utterance.

It rests upon the Ahọ́n — tongue and Ẹnu — mouth.

But Ohùn is not developed simply by speaking loudly or repeatedly. Its power requires discipline.

You cultivate Ohùn by bringing your words into alignment with:

mental stability, emotional equilibrium, calmness, patience, discipline and freedom from uncontrolled anger.

Through this discipline, the individual seeks to allow the wisdom and vibrations of Olódùmarè and the divinities to work through the human being and outward into creation.

ẸNU AND AHỌ́N — MOUTH AND TONGUE

The body also includes Ẹnu, the mouth, and Ahọ́n, the tongue.

Take great care with what you say about nature and about other people, because humanity itself is part of nature. When we continually bad-mouth, condemn, humiliate or seek to destroy another person through our words, we are also introducing those destructive qualities into the environment in which we ourselves live.

Your mouth should never become the instrument of your own destruction.

Instead, train it to become an instrument of development, wisdom, prayer and blessing.

Let your words produce:

peace, harmony, happiness, joy, serenity, wisdom and blessings.

The disciplined use of the body therefore extends far beyond food, exercise or physical appearance. Taking care of Ara also means taking care of the sacred faculties housed within it:

Orí — the inner head and essence.
Èdè — language.
Òrò — the word.
Ohùn — spiritually empowered utterance.
Ẹnu — the mouth.
Ahọ́n — the tongue.

The body is therefore not merely something we possess. It is the vessel through which thought becomes word, word becomes action, and inner spiritual potential becomes visible within the physical world.

Make your Ara strong, disciplined, peaceful, harmonious, calm and prayerful. Nurture your body, purify your thoughts, discipline your tongue and use your words to build rather than destroy.

May the divine forces within and around your being support you.

May your Orí guide you.
May your Èdè communicate wisdom.
May your Òrò build rather than destroy.
May your Ohùn carry positive power.
May your Ẹnu pronounce blessings.
May your Ahọ́n remain disciplined.

May the blessings produced through a well-nurtured Ara extend from generation to generation.

Àṣẹ.