Morality, Purity, Patience and the Path of Òrìṣàálá

Continued

The morality, righteousness, uprightness, purity, peaceful and calm character, and extraordinary patience of Obàtálá Òṣèrèmàgbò are qualities to be copied, embraced, and accepted as the truest way to fulfil destiny and enable us to tread the path of the light, love, and wisdom of Olódùmarè.

Because of these great qualities, we say:

“Òrìṣàńlá aláṣọ funfun tí ń ráyé apẹ̀sìn.”

Òrìṣàálá, the white-clothed divinity who attracts universal reverence.

Heepa Imole.
Heepa Òrìṣàálá Aláṣọ Funfun.

Reverence to you, great divinity. Obeisance to you, Òrìṣàálá, the divinity clothed in white apparel.

THE MORAL TEACHING OF ÒRÌṢÀÁLÁ

Òrìṣàálá teaches us to embrace strict monogamy.

He teaches us to overcome immorality, adultery, fornication, infidelity, anger, fury, impatience, bad character, and resentment.

According to the myth, Òrìṣàálá married Yemowo as his only true wife.

There is, however, another myth that speaks of a marriage between Òrìṣàálá and Odùduwà. We shall explain more about the meaning and mystery of this spiritual marriage in our next text or lesson.

According to the tradition:

“A kò lè gbé àárín ọ̀pọ̀ ènìyàn, kí ẹnu má sì wí.
Òrìṣàálá rí igba aya nílé,
kí ó tó fi ọwọ́ mú Yemowo nikan.
A kò lè gbé ayé Olúfẹ̀, kóràn ká ya púpọ̀ jẹ́ kógun.”

The teaching may be understood as:

It is difficult, if not impossible, to live among numerous wives or women without becoming involved in excessive words, disputes, or falsehood.

Òrìṣàálá saw the possibility of marrying many wives, yet he chose and remained with Yemowo alone.

One who shoulders the responsibilities and rulership of the sacred city of Ifẹ̀ cannot succeed if, at the same time, he must cope with the responsibilities and complications of numerous wives.

ONE PARTNER AND THE FULFILMENT OF DESTINY

The myth teaches every observer of tradition—the Ọmọ Erinwo—to remain with one wife or one husband so as to fulfil his or her destiny at all levels of existence.

This teaching extends beyond marriage itself.

It speaks about discipline, faithfulness, responsibility, concentration, honesty, and control over one’s desires.

A person who desires peace must learn to cultivate peace.

A person who desires faithfulness must first become faithful.

A person who desires purity must discipline his or her actions.

A person who wishes to fulfil destiny must avoid those behaviours that continually create disorder within the mind, family, relationships, and spiritual life.

This is part of the example established by Òrìṣàálá Òṣèrèmàgbò.

IMITATE THE CHARACTER OF ÒRÌṢÀÁLÁ

We should embrace and imitate the life and character of Òrìṣàálá Òṣèrèmàgbò if we want to live peacefully, honestly, justly, and righteously here and hereafter.

Morality is not merely something we speak about.

It must become character.

It must become behaviour.

It must become discipline.

It must become the way we conduct ourselves when nobody is watching.

Anything less than morality can become a source of disaster and misfortune of great proportions, with consequences capable of extending from one generation to another.

Therefore:

Beware of immorality.

Immorality detaches us from the strong vibrations of Olódùmarè and His numerous divinities. It frustrates our plans and interferes with the fulfilment of our mission, vision, and destiny.

The purity associated with Òrìṣàálá is therefore not simply represented by the colour white.

The white cloth represents a deeper principle:

purity of character,
purity of intention,
purity of conduct,
peacefulness,
patience,
faithfulness,
honesty,
righteousness,
and disciplined living.

To walk with Òrìṣàálá is to strive continually toward these qualities.

May we possess the patience of Òrìṣàálá.

May we embrace his peaceful character.

May we remain upright when confronted with temptation.

May we remain faithful when confronted with immorality.

May our character align us with the light, love, and wisdom of Olódùmarè.

May our conduct help us fulfil our mission and destiny at all levels of existence.

Heepa Imole.
Heepa Òrìṣàálá Aláṣọ Funfun.
Heepa Obàtálá Òṣèrèmàgbò.
Heepa Irúnmọlẹ̀.

Àṣẹ.