My foundation on IFA worship was very weak. Although I have been "practicing" Orisa and Ancestor worship for 10 years with an elder, and had received initiation this summer, I felt as if I was lacking in the knowledge of concepts, access to IFA elders, teachers. [My city] has a strong Santero community, but I felt a little uncomfortable in that community, and wanted to find a means to IFA concepts. A friend on Face Book shared one of the links to your FB page. From there, I really enjoyed your video clippings, and ongoing posts. I wanted to build a stronger foundation of Orisa and Ancestor worship because they are the ones who I want as guides in my journey here on earth.
[What makes this class special and unique] is how open you are to questions. I've taken classes before, but the teachers didn't really invite the opportunity for discussion. Really appreciated that about this class. Not only that, but there was an egbe forming between the students of the class! were people had the opportunity to share their insights, and there was a sort of community that formed between students and you. [This is] the beginning blocks of a firm foundation, that can be applied to all aspects of my life! What i'm most exited about is how this class is connecting my writing to my spirituality! I've always known that my writing was spiritual, but through your teachings I was able to have a concrete understand on not only how it connected to my spirituality, but how important my owo is for my spiritual development!!! Thank you again! E. Orisa Devotee 
Once I decided to follow the "Way of the Orisa" learning the fundamentals on how to live the lifestyle was the next step. I took this particular class because of this phenomenal mentor and teacher. Obafemi starts with the basics. Personal Spiritual Development. What I have learned in this class I could not have learned on my own or from just reading a book or praying. Obafemi has shown us our fundamental purpose as human beings. We have been given the information to understand the core of our existence, tools to help us think critically as we grow in relationship and harmony with our heavenly ancestors and the Orisa to complete our earthly mission. I'm not just living I'm living with purpose and in principle. I will not return home with my work undone. Thank you Baba Obafemi for your service.
Mrs. G, Registered Nurse |
I felt that a formal class about orisa (especially one taught by Baba Obafemi) would be a great foundation for the practice of the tradition. Books are available, but there's nothing like a class that provides the opportunity for explanations of concepts and feedback from the instructor and fellow classmates. [Through the Fundamentals 1A class] I have been exposed to foundational concepts that I have never heard from other priests or other practitioners . Obafemi covered a huge amount of material BEFORE addressing anything about the orisa themselves. Moreover, he explained why it was of the utmost importance to do so. These foundational concepts were presented in a "life application" format. For instance: Many of us who have explored orisa lifestyle have heard of the term "Iwa Pele" and its general definition of "good character". This class unpacked this core concept and connected "Iwa" with "Ori Inu". We were taught what character actually means. Then we were taught what that looks like in everyday life and how to develop it. I have attained workable knowledge of core concepts. I'm no longer a novice, but I'm far from an expert. I have something I can build on.
Rev. G, Minister 
[I am] always, always looking for words of wisdom from spiritual masters - sometimes even just to drown out the noise of voices of the living. It's customary in India, among Hindus, to constantly seek spiritual talks/lectures etc., definitely a part of the culture. It is rare, though, in this day and age, to find quality. Your genuineness and integrity stands out among the crowd.
Your insights are rare and you are authentic, the real deal, it was clear before even taking the class, (but more so after of course). [One outcome of the class has been the realization that] I don't have to fight or be scared of my inner nature and true self. Rather, I can trust and must give respect and appreciation, stay open to my inner self. This is huge for me, and I'm hoping to find out that my inner self supports my dreams in this life/world. The internal feeling of this is totally different though, like a huge weight of my chest, and I can feel the cauldron brewing with alchemy. Thank you so much for your teachings. And for coming here and doing this work, taking on this enormously heroic task... Dr. B, Psychologist |
I was looking for a class about Orisa because I needed to further understand ori and Ifa and be able to apply them to my life. I found the class to be richly informative and transformative. I enjoyed the sharing a safe space to be introduced and engaged in the fundamentals of Orisa lifestyle. I am amazed at the transformation of my consciousness and my outlook on life. I now look forward to living life in a fuller sense and doing putting my work in the marketplace so that others can I use what I create to reach the Good Condition.
There is no one in the Midwest who will take the time to explain these basics to folks just beginning to explore Ifa and Orisa. I love to study, learn, and apply and the class seemed like it would help me see things clearer. I also decided to take the class because I... needed a steady, guided walk into understanding the elements of orisa lifestyle as opposed to just reading and studying on my own. There are many scholarly articles on the Ori and all orisa, but I have never understood Ori fully until taking this class.
This class is special and unique because all elements of Orisa lifestyle are introduced before the Orisa themselves. In my experience with other traditions, Ori, Egungun, and Oja are barely given the importance that is needed. The instructor was very attentive to the questions of all students and I was able to learn from the questions of other students. Those questions lead to great discussions. Excellent reading material is also provided and helps reinfornce the lecture. It is one thing to read tons of scholarly articles and chat threads on Ori, Egungun, and Orisa and then an entirely different situation to have each element taught to be applied in your life through written and oral instruction reinforced through each other. There is too much misguided stuff on the net not to take this class, for real! Sometimes I can bite too much information in one sitting or try to swallow understanding through one single article, but Obafemi Origunwa's voice and presence has made so that I have an ascending knowledge of understanding and application of Orisa lifestyle. I am glad for this and I know I’m on a challenging path of growth now.
I know my purpose in life now and I am not ashamed to devote myself to it anymore. And being true to myself is part of iwa pele and influencing factor of my success in the Marketplace. And that is beautiful because because it gives me peace and my peace can rub onto others enabling their own peace.
Shamelssly Devoted to Progress, Chicago Area
There is no one in the Midwest who will take the time to explain these basics to folks just beginning to explore Ifa and Orisa. I love to study, learn, and apply and the class seemed like it would help me see things clearer. I also decided to take the class because I... needed a steady, guided walk into understanding the elements of orisa lifestyle as opposed to just reading and studying on my own. There are many scholarly articles on the Ori and all orisa, but I have never understood Ori fully until taking this class.
This class is special and unique because all elements of Orisa lifestyle are introduced before the Orisa themselves. In my experience with other traditions, Ori, Egungun, and Oja are barely given the importance that is needed. The instructor was very attentive to the questions of all students and I was able to learn from the questions of other students. Those questions lead to great discussions. Excellent reading material is also provided and helps reinfornce the lecture. It is one thing to read tons of scholarly articles and chat threads on Ori, Egungun, and Orisa and then an entirely different situation to have each element taught to be applied in your life through written and oral instruction reinforced through each other. There is too much misguided stuff on the net not to take this class, for real! Sometimes I can bite too much information in one sitting or try to swallow understanding through one single article, but Obafemi Origunwa's voice and presence has made so that I have an ascending knowledge of understanding and application of Orisa lifestyle. I am glad for this and I know I’m on a challenging path of growth now.
I know my purpose in life now and I am not ashamed to devote myself to it anymore. And being true to myself is part of iwa pele and influencing factor of my success in the Marketplace. And that is beautiful because because it gives me peace and my peace can rub onto others enabling their own peace.
Shamelssly Devoted to Progress, Chicago Area
I enjoy learning in a class format and desire a directed/structured study of Ifa Orisa with a teacher who can explain the tradition in plain language. [The Fundamentals of Orisa Lifestyle class] stimulated me to want to understand and to learn more. Reading the curriculum, hearing the lecture and observing the lecture discussion has been a rich experience. I love learning and value learning from Obafemi Origunwa. He inspires me to want to learn and grow to show up in the world fully conscious of who I am and why I am here. The format, the curriculum and the instructor are special and unique. The format permits students to engage the reading material individually and then collectively discuss it in person and online. The curriculum is providing the foundation for understanding the tradition as a lifestyle and not just a religion. The instructor is offering more than mere facts, but is feeding the students as he exhorts us to be clear about our relationships with ourselves, what our relationship with Orisa lifestyle consists of, and how our relationships are working for us. I have been blessed to receive some of the basic understandings of Ifa Orisa Lifestyle, which the continental leaders of the tradition expect me to possess prior to full initiation. I am being initiated in preparation for full initiation.
Avid Learner, California
Avid Learner, California