Remember that Orí and Ìwà are the same reality expressed and explained from different perspectives.

A wise person understands that a good Orí—a positive mental state, a good head and a properly directed inner essence—induces Ìwà rere, good and positive character.

Orí teaches us to look inward and to look afar.

Look inward before acting.

Look outward before deciding.

Examine your thoughts before transforming them into words and actions.

Through this inward and outward awareness, good thoughts and wise decisions can eventually translate into inward and outward blessings.

The ultimate source of wisdom and the builder of positive mental capacity is Olódùmarè, otherwise known as Ẹlẹ́dàá, the Creator of man and destiny.

Olódùmarè is also called:

Olórí Pátápátá — the Head of all souls, the Leader of all creatures, the Lord of all life and all beings.

Therefore, when we strengthen and properly direct our Orí, we are bringing our individual essence into greater alignment with the ultimate source from which life, wisdom and destiny originate.

ÌWÀ — CHARACTER, CONDUCT AND BEING

Ìwà means character, conduct or being.

When a person dwells in good character, we may say:

Ó ṣe ìwà — he or she demonstrates character.

Oníwà — a person possessing character.

Oníwà rere — a person of good character.

The leader and source of all positive character is called Olú-Ìwà, which is shortened to Olúwa—the Lord of good character, the Leader and Source of being.

Therefore, blend your life with good character and dwell continually in Ìwà rere so that you may establish and attract good fortune from the Source of good character.

Good character induces monumental blessings into one’s life and destiny through Olú-Ìwà.

The Yorùbá teaching says:

“Ìwà rere l’ẹ̀ṣọ́ ènìyàn.”

Good character is the adornment of a human being.

Good conduct and positive character define the quality of a person’s existence and help shape the manifestation of destiny at all levels of existence.

HOLD YOUR ORÍ AND PRAY

When you are walking, praying or spending time alone, you may hold your Orí—your physical head—and speak directly to Olórí Pátápátá through prayer.

This is Ìwúre tọkàn-tọkàn—prayer arising from deep within the heart and mind.

Pray:

“This Orí of mine belongs to You, Olórí Pátápátá. Redeem, redirect and redefine my destiny so that it may conform to Your infinite blessings, light, victory, success, prosperity, riches, happiness, longevity, good health, wealth, peace and harmony.”

Àṣẹ Orí o!
Àṣẹ Orí Òyè!

Prayer to Orí should not merely come from the mouth. Allow your mind, emotions, character and actions to participate in the prayer.

If you ask your Orí for peace, cultivate peace.

If you ask for wisdom, seek knowledge.

If you ask for prosperity, work diligently.

If you ask for good relationships, demonstrate good character.

If you ask for divine guidance, discipline your mind sufficiently to recognize that guidance.

YOUR CHARACTER DEFINES YOUR EXISTENCE

Your character defines the quality of your existence.

Connect yourself with Infinite Energy through positive character.

When you continually demonstrate good character, the vibrations of your conduct become aligned with the power of Olú-Ìwà. Through this alignment, your life can be transformed and the blessings of your character can extend into the lives of your future generations.

Therefore:

Let your Ìwà blend with Olú-Ìwà.

Allow your individual character to resonate with the Source of good character so that your destiny may be redeemed, strengthened and blessed.

Your Orí is your essence.

Use it well.

Think properly before acting.

Look inward before looking outward.

Examine consequences before making decisions.

Never allow a fool to think for you.

Never surrender the authority of your mind to someone whose character, wisdom and discipline you cannot trust.

Your Ìwà should demonstrate outwardly the quality of the thoughts cultivated inwardly by your Orí.

In this sense:

Orí is manifested through Ìwà, and Ìwà reveals the condition of Orí.

A peaceful and disciplined inner state should produce peaceful and disciplined conduct.

Wisdom within should produce wisdom outside.

Love within should produce loving actions.

Good thoughts should eventually manifest as good character.

ANGER AND VICES DISTANCE US FROM OLÚ-ÌWÀ

Be careful with anger, especially within your home, family and workplace.

Continual anger distances you from the peaceful and infinite support of Olú-Ìwà—Olórí Pátápátá.

Vices and negative actions detach us from the circle of light, love and wisdom of Olódùmarè and His numerous divinities.

Therefore, do not merely pray for a better destiny.

Develop the character capable of carrying that destiny.

Work upon your habits.

Work upon your conduct.

Work upon your thoughts.

Work upon your reactions.

Work upon your patience.

Work upon your discipline.

Work upon your relationship with others.

Work upon your Orí.

And continually cultivate Ìwà rere.

A person may seek blessings through prayer, sacrifice, ritual and initiation, but good character must accompany spiritual practice.

The blessings you ask your Orí to attract should find within you a character capable of sustaining them.

Therefore, protect your Orí and cultivate your Ìwà.

Let Orí guide your thoughts.

Let Ìwà govern your conduct.

Let Olú-Ìwà become the standard toward which your character continually strives.

And let Olórí Pátápátá direct your destiny toward the purpose for which Ẹlẹ́dàá created you.

May Olórí Pátápátá bless you today and forever.

May Olú-Ìwà (Olúwa) shower you with infinite mercy, wisdom, power, understanding, love, peace, harmony, wealth, good health, longevity, happiness and joy.

May your Orí guide you.

May your Ìwà rere beautify your destiny.

May the blessings of your good character extend to generations yet unborn.

Àṣẹ Orí o!

Àṣẹ.