To Be an Ifa Priest

It saddens me to say that the people in this religion have forgotten the true meaning of its existence. It is too unconditionally support an individual through religious work; and their lives/karma becoming better as a result of our interaction. This is what I witnessed at home coming up in this religion, and I believe to be following in their footsteps. Granted in a more modern way. Yet, their principles and work ethics are imbedded within me.

Not everyone is born to be a priest or nun. Not everyone is born to be monk. Just the same, not everyone is born to become a babalawo or Olorisha priest. To be a priest is to serve mankind. To be a priest is to let go of all worldly desires, physical, emotional, and material ties. To be a priest is to put God, his universe, & divine forces, first before yourself, your parents, your family, mate, children, politics, people, etc.. One is to serve as a beacon and example of what it is to live righteous. Of course, we humans are by far perfect. Never the less, one does not stop striving towards perfection in spirituality, humanity, morality, & high ethical standards. To be a priest is to sacrifice oneself; to be an intermediary between man, divine forces, & God.

The examples which I was shown growing up in a santeria religious environment, from long gone elders of the past; was one of discipline, rectitude, fortitude, honor, respect, conformity, contentment, dedication, dedicated service; unconditional love of God, divinities & mankind. These folks were open hearted, opened housed, fearless, regal, and most of all loved their religion.

Throughout my travels. I have come across countless individuals that have met up with thieves, and heartless person's which should be ashamed to be called priest. These are people that charge outrages prices for religious work, and do not deliver. Granted most peopled are easy prey, because they want to think this religion to be of hocus-pocus, I dream of genie magic. They come across someone that says that they are a shaman, voodoo, witch doctor, curandero, medium, or other. Which sell themselves by saying they have these great powers. The then, desperate individual comes to them because their back is against the wall over some traumatic situation that has occurred in their lives. Then, these folks tell them that they will work their santeria magic to fix the situation for x,xxx.xx number of dollars. They perform a false ritual, it does not fix the situation, and the person is worst than they were before. What I have found in most cases is that these false people, are not priest of any kind at all. They have not been formerly initiated, trained, or have any creditable background in this or other religions. Those that do have the back ground and things do not work, are because they have fallen out of grace with God and the divine forces.

Just the same I have met with priest which complain about folks that have taken them for granted and utilized them and their grace. The individual resolves, then never pays or show gratitude. There are those that are always crying misery, despair, in order to obtain a free ride. These people not only do this with the religious, they normally are this way with everyone. Free loaders will always be that. They will never get a head. Because, they will never learn to sacrifice for themselves, or for divine grace. Yes, we all have divine grace. The Yoruba term for this is "ASHE" pronounced "AH-SHEA."

Folks in this religion have lost much ah-shea. This is because they have become more materialistic due to societies standards, and peer pressure. They have turned to measuring their success as priest or priestess by the car that they drive, or how many they have in their garage. By how much house they are able to afford or keep. Finally, by how many godchildren or how famous those people that they attend are. They forget about where they came from and loose site of the little people that need as well. They have no discipline, dedication too and for themselves. It is all done for profit, never mind the individual resolving or not. Never mind them cultivating a relationship with God and the divine forces for the grace to assist in the resolution to peoples situations. It takes great dedication and sacrifice.

I have a blog site. Although, I have base standard set of prices for services shown there. I do not hold anyone to those prices. I will always work irregardless of what they send in. The same with folks which come to visit me personally, or those which I travel to serve outside the comforts of home. I find it very difficult to give a set price to people because everyone is different, and each individual has a different economic situation. I work according to what they are able to afford. The biggest cost in Yoruba Lucumi ritual work is in the materials needed to perform the ritual. Never mind the payment for services. This is a give or take, negotiable, based on consideration and gratitude. Yet, the bill for the materials at the time, needs to be paid by the individual which needs the work done. This is true of myself, as well. There are rituals which I need to perform to myself as part of my priestly duties. How well I adhere to the discipline of nourishing my connection to God and his forces; Is how I believe will be measured the strength of my as-shea. With this comes the grace to resolve. Then too, I must do and perform great good/goodness, in order to receive great good/goodness. I have to spend more money on myself (believe it or not), in order for my divine grace to be uplifted. Then, what people could possibly fathom. This is called sacrifice. He that giveth shall receive.

There are many folks which believe that religious spiritual devotion and practice is for free. They probably do not understand or believe that one has to work twice as hard, than most people in order to achieve the radiated grace of God, for things to work. The dedication is not free. Just like in physical training the phrase which comes to mind "No Pain, No Gain"; the same holds true for spiritual strength and fortitude. Part of this grace, fortitude, and divine spiritual grace comes from surrendering oneself to the belief system. One must take a big blind leap of faith. My answer to this is that "THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING." As in, PUT UP or SHUT UP. It either works for you or it does not. One can not force spirituality, religiousness, with rectitude upon anyone. It is something that one is born with. It is already inside. Then, once it is unlocked and it feels right. It becomes right. It is so right that you can actually live conforming to a way of life, through ones religious practice.

I love what I do. I love the services which I render. This is why I work my religion and give of myself unconditionally. I work and give folks the opportunity to experience beautiful things that this religion has to offer. While making it affordable for them. I had made more money as a programmer analyst in the past, than what I am making as a babalawo today. Yet, I feel, and know to be successful. Because, when you have found your calling in what ever it is. You won't think of your practice as a job, but a labor of love. The economic well being will come all on its own.

I live according to what people are able to afford, in support of work that I do. I live via referrals for my service. I have more clients from word of mouth than from what the internet has ever done for me. I write in order to give folks a perspective of this religion from someone on the inside, in which the Yoruba Lucumi Religious practice, is their way of life.

Many blessings to All Baba Sixto IfaOdara; better know as Papacho...