Your attitude towards yourself and others strongly influences how far you will go in life. People are naturally drawn to individuals who demonstrate good character, responsible conduct and positive behaviour.

Neither human beings nor the divinities favour people whose character is habitually dishonest, questionable or harmful. We must therefore examine ourselves and determine whether our conduct agrees with divine, spiritual, mental and physical principles.

Ifá teaches us to regard character as seriously as we regard religion and faith.

Orunmila and His First Wife, Iwa

The importance of good character was established in the heavenly realm before humanity entered the physical world.

When the great sage, saviour and spiritual teacher Orunmila prepared to journey from heaven to the world of matter, he was advised to marry Iwa. In the Yorùbá language, iwa means character, conduct, behaviour or the essential nature of a person.

Orunmila did not hesitate. He accepted the instruction and married Iwa as his first wife.

This sacred account teaches that wisdom, divination and spiritual power cannot be separated from character. Before Orunmila could fulfil his mission in the world, he first had to unite himself with Iwa.

Good Character Can Repair a Difficult Destiny

One of the teachings of Odù Ifá states:

Ko si bi ori kan se ma buru titi lotu Ife, ki iwa ma tun se.

No matter how difficult a person’s destiny may appear, good character can repair and improve it.

This teaching does not deny the importance of Ori or destiny. It explains that the way we live, speak, decide and relate to others can change how our destiny unfolds.

A person may possess intelligence, spiritual gifts, wealth or opportunity, yet poor character can destroy these blessings. Another person may begin life under difficult circumstances, but patience, honesty, discipline and good conduct can gradually open the way towards progress.

Ifá Is Iwa, and Iwa Is Ifá

Oluwo Ogunsina teaches:

“Ifá is Iwa, and Iwa is Ifá.”

This means that Ifá cannot be reduced to divination, sacrifice, initiation or ritual knowledge. The wisdom of Ifá must become visible through the character of the practitioner.

A person cannot claim to follow Ifá while continually displaying dishonesty, cruelty, irresponsibility or betrayal. Spiritual knowledge should transform conduct.

Some Ifá scholars go further and identify Iwa with being itself—with the true nature of the eniyan, the human person. This understanding is profound because character reveals who a person truly is.

Words may conceal intention for a time, but repeated conduct eventually reveals the condition of the heart.

Character Defines the Human Being

A person without good character may possess a physical life but remain disconnected from the deeper purpose of existence. Such a person struggles to establish trustworthy relationships, a stable family or a respected place within the community.

Poor character can cause people to lose friendships, opportunities, trust and spiritual support. Homes, partnerships and communities often suffer when those involved refuse patience, honesty and responsibility.

When a person takes care of their character, Infinite Intelligence supports the remaining areas of life. Good character attracts confidence, cooperation and respect, while creating a firm foundation upon which other blessings can rest.

The Qualities of Good Character

Good character grows through:

• Discipline and patience
• Honest work
• Trustworthiness and truthfulness
• Morality and integrity
• Positive and constructive thinking
• Careful and responsible speech
• Healthy companionship
• Divine love and wisdom
• Faithfulness to promises
• Respect for other people
• The conduct we maintain when no one is watching

What we do in private is an important measure of character. True integrity does not depend upon praise, reward or public recognition.

Good character means choosing what is right because it is right.

Good Character Is the Beauty of Humanity

Yorùbá wisdom teaches:

Ìwà rere l’ẹ̀ṣọ́ ènìyàn; tọ́jú ìwà rẹ.

Good character is the adornment and beauty of a human being; take care of your character.

Physical beauty may attract attention, but character determines whether trust, respect and love can endure. Wealth may create opportunities, but character determines how those opportunities are used. Spiritual power may command attention, but character determines whether that power becomes a blessing or a burden.

Examine yourself regularly. Correct your conduct when necessary. Practise patience and allow the wisdom of Ifá to become visible through your daily life.

There is nothing to lose through good character and much to gain. Take care of your Iwa, and your Iwa will help take care of your destiny.

Be patient.

Ase.