Aki legbe laye, ki a ma ni torun.

We cannot have associations in the physical world without corresponding associations in the heavenly realm.

This Yoruba teaching expresses the relationship between our earthly associations and our spiritual or heavenly companions. The people with whom we share worthy purposes in the physical world may reflect, support, or connect us with our Egbe Orun—our heavenly association.

We should therefore value the sincere relationships, families, communities, and spiritual groups that support our mission and vision. We should not carelessly abandon people who are connected to our growth, responsibilities, and destiny.

However, honouring association does not require remaining in a harmful, dishonest, or abusive group. Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is founded upon good character, wisdom, peace, and responsibility. Any association that continually encourages destruction, immorality, or harm must be approached with caution and spiritual discernment.

Your Egbe Is Part of Your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe

Your Egbe is your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Your Ori is your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Your parents and ancestral lineage are your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Your Ifá is your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Your work or business is your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Your family and community are your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

Everything that connects you with your origin, purpose, responsibilities, sacred identity, and destiny forms part of your Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. We must care for these sacred relationships so that the spiritual and physical foundations of our lives may also sustain us.

Taking care of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe means caring for our character, Ori, family, work, spiritual obligations, ancestral inheritance, and relationship with Olodumare and the Irunmole.

What Is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe?

What, then, is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe?

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is a profound term with mysterious, supernatural, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, divine, and mythical meanings. Its full significance cannot be contained within an ordinary definition.

To me, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is a divine expression of tradition that transcends the boundaries of life, culture, religion, and social values. It is not merely a collection of rituals. It is a complete way of understanding existence and living in alignment with one’s sacred nature.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is reverence for the divine source, the forces of nature, the ancestors, Ori, Egbe, Ifá, the Òrìṣà, the Irunmole, the family, and the community. It connects the visible world with the invisible foundations of existence.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe as a Way of Life

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe may be understood as the sacred tradition through which an individual aligns with his or her divinised and deified potential.

It is a tradition of:

• Good character and personal responsibility
• Mental focus and constructive thinking
• Physical alertness and disciplined action
• Emotional balance and self-control
• Intellectual development
• Spiritual wisdom and devotion
• Respect for family and ancestors
• Harmony with people and nature
• Reverence for Ori, Egbe, Ifá, and the Òrìṣà
• Recognition of Olodumare as the ultimate source

Through Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, we learn to look beyond the surface of events. We develop the spiritual capacity to view fortune and misfortune, joy and difficulty, victory and apparent defeat from a higher perspective.

Everything originates from one divine source and ultimately returns to that source.

The Life Force Within Creation

Everything in existence carries an energy related to its nature and purpose. According to this teaching, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the life force and sacred wisdom that enable us to recognise these relationships and live responsibly within them.

It creates harmony between:

• The individual and Ori
• The person and the family
• The living and the ancestors
• Earthly companions and Egbe Orun
• Humanity and nature
• The visible and invisible worlds
• Personal destiny and divine purpose

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe teaches that nothing exists entirely alone. Every person lives within a network of visible and invisible relationships.

The people near you and those far away may form part of your greater association. Your actions can influence your family, community, spiritual lineage, and future generations. You must therefore learn to live peacefully and responsibly with creation.

Harmony Does Not Mean Passivity

Living in harmony with all things does not mean tolerating injustice, remaining silent in the presence of abuse, or refusing to protect yourself. True harmony requires wisdom, boundaries, courage, and good character.

To have spiritual dominion over a situation means first having dominion over your own fear, anger, speech, reactions, and behaviour. The person who cannot govern the self will struggle to govern the circumstances surrounding the self.

Through discipline, prayer, wisdom, and patience, we learn how to respond to life without losing our spiritual balance.

Egbe and Egbe Orun Within Ìṣẹ̀ṣe

Egbe refers to association, companionship, or a group. Egbe Orun refers to one’s heavenly companions or spiritual association.

Within Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, Egbe becomes an important tradition of reverence and spiritual responsibility. It reminds us that our journey is not undertaken in complete isolation. We possess visible relationships in the physical world and, according to the tradition, corresponding spiritual connections in the unseen realm.

A healthy relationship with Egbe is associated with:

• Support for one’s mission and vision
• Harmonious relationships
• Progress in work and business
• Emotional balance
• A sense of belonging
• Fulfilment of destiny
• Cooperation and companionship
• Protection against isolation and unnecessary struggle

Ifá may prescribe prayers, offerings, sacrifice, or appeasement to Egbe when such steps are necessary. These observances should be determined through proper divination and guided by a knowledgeable and trustworthy Babalawo, Iyanifa, Oluwo, or qualified Ìṣẹ̀ṣe practitioner.

Care for Your Earthly Associations

If you seek the support of your heavenly companions, take good care of your worthy earthly relationships.

Respect your family. Honour your parents and elders. Support sincere friends. Contribute responsibly to your community. Remain loyal to those who act with honesty and good character. Work peacefully with people who share a meaningful mission.

Do not seek support while refusing to support others. Do not expect harmony from Egbe Orun while creating unnecessary conflict within your earthly associations.

The peace we establish here may become an invitation for greater spiritual harmony.

A Prayer for Ìṣẹ̀ṣe and Egbe

May my earthly associations reflect wisdom, peace, loyalty, and good character.

May I recognise the people who genuinely support my mission and destiny.

May I possess the discernment to leave associations built upon harm, deception, or destruction.

May my Ori guide my relationships and daily decisions.

May my Egbe Orun support my worthy mission and vision.

May my family, work, business, and community become expressions of sacred responsibility.

May I take good care of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe so that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe may support me.

May Olodumare and His numerous divinities guide me at every level of existence.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe a gbe wa.

May Ìṣẹ̀ṣe bless, uplift, and support us.

Egbe ko ni fi wa sile.

May our Egbe never abandon us.

Ase.