The second treasure you need to protect in order to fill your life with infinite blessings and victory, and to fulfil your destiny in the jungle of life, is your mouth. The Yoruba call the mouth Enu.

According to Yoruba tradition, the mouth is described:

“Enu Oni-bo-bo Tiri-bo-bo Baba Enu.”

“Enu won la n bo ni Ife Ooye, tabi lotu Ife, ki a to se ebo.”

“Ki enu mi ma se pa mi, ki enu mi ma se ko ba mi.”

These expressions are extremely difficult to translate literally without losing some of their spiritual meaning. However, within this teaching, they may be understood as:

“Mouth, the mysterious and sacred place, point and power. We give obeisance to the power of the mouth in the sacred city of Ife before offering sacrifice or undertaking an important endeavour. May my mouth never become the source of my downfall or failure. May my mouth never become the cause of my untimely death. May my mouth never lead me into problems, lack or sickness.”

Àṣẹ.

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE MIND AND THE MOUTH

There is a profound connection between the first treasure—the mind—and the second treasure—the mouth.

Out of the weakness of the mind, the mouth speaks unguided words.

Therefore, if we learn to control our minds, it becomes easier to control our mouths. Thoughts arise within us, but through the mouth those thoughts can be transformed into words, declarations and actions that affect both ourselves and others.

This is why control of the mouth begins with control of the mind.

THE MOUTH CAN BUILD OR DESTROY

We will examine two dimensions of the mouth.

The mouth can become a source of pain, sickness, lack, enmity, problems and even untimely death when it is not properly controlled.

But the same mouth can become an instrument for attracting infinite blessings, monumental prosperity, great fortune, good health, longevity, peace and victory for ourselves and our loved ones.

The mouth can help shape our destiny, but it can also mar our fate when it is not properly directed.

It can open doors of opportunity.

It can strengthen our lives.

It can illuminate our paths at all levels of existence.

A good word uttered today may positively shape the destiny of humanity far into the future. Likewise, a destructive word uttered without wisdom may create consequences not only for the person who speaks it, but also for others.

Therefore:

Control your mouth.

Learn to speak words of wisdom, peace, prayer, encouragement and positive manifestation.

The less unnecessary speech we engage in, the easier it becomes to protect ourselves from the consequences of uncontrolled utterances.

ÒRÒ — THE WORD WITHIN ENU

Within Orisa Enu, according to this teaching, resides another Orisa called Òrò, also referred to as Òrò Gbàngbà or Òrò Kabiti.

Here, we must make an important distinction.

Do not confuse Òrò, referring in this teaching to the Word, with Orò, the ancestral divinity.

Òrò—the Word—resides within the mouth.

This teaches us something fundamental:

The less we speak without purpose, the better we can protect our lives.

Silence is not weakness. Knowing when to speak, what to speak, how to speak and when not to speak is an expression of wisdom and self-control.

OHÙN — THE HIGHER POWER OF UTTERANCE

Òrò has a senior or superior expression described as Ohùn or Oùn.

Ohùn represents, within this teaching, a mysterious and advanced formation of words rooted in the concrete divine and spiritual codes of life.

There is therefore a progression from ordinary speech toward spiritually empowered utterance.

According to the teaching associated here with Ejiogbe, both Òrò and Ohùn are described as children of Orunmila Bara Agbonniregun.

Another school of thought maintains that they were servants of Orunmila.

There is also Olugbohun—the energy or force that receives or captures our words and transforms them toward powerful manifestation before the utterance ultimately becomes Àṣẹ, the authority or power through which what has been spoken is established.

This is precisely why our words should never be treated carelessly.

The mouth is not merely an organ for speaking.

Enu is a sacred instrument through which thought becomes word, prayer is expressed, spiritual intention is communicated and human relationships are either strengthened or destroyed.

Protect your mind so that you can protect your mouth.

Protect your mouth so that your words do not work against your destiny.

Speak with wisdom.

Speak with patience.

Speak with good character.

Speak blessings rather than destruction.

And sometimes, allow silence to speak for you.

Ki enu wa ma se pa wa.
Ki enu wa ma se ko ba wa.

May our mouths never become the source of our downfall.

May our words attract peace, wisdom, longevity, prosperity and infinite blessings into our lives and generations.

We shall continue with the teaching on Enu, Òrò, Ohùn, Olugbohun and Àṣẹ in the next lesson.

Àṣẹ.