Orí
This is the most fundamental aspect of Orisa-Ifá and it’s off-shoot lineages in the diaspora.
Orí, literally means head. When the word Orí is thrown around losely, it’s usually in reference to Orí inu which is the inner head. The Inner Orí is also the energetic manifestation of Soul/Destiny, and it’s our spiritual task to align ourselves with our Orí (destiny).
Ifá says, that before one is reincarnated (atunwa), our Orí choses its triumphs and failures for its impending experience on earth. When the person is born, the Orí forgets everything that it set out for itself, and is now on its journey to remember its place and meaning.
The orí in itself in terms of reincarnation, is the vast accumulation of the knowledge of the collective ancestors. The Yoruba believe that people reincarnated within their own family lines.
The indirect objective of Orisa-Ifá is to attain Ori tútú, which means “cool head”. This means someone who’s cool and collected even in the face of provocation. The success in cultivating a personal culture of orí tútú is called Iwa Pele, which translates to Gentle Character. This gentle character can be translated to be like a state of Zen. When someone’s head is cool and their character is gentle and conscious, the blessings of Olodumare (non-gendered supreme being) gravitate towards us like bubbles underwater effortlessly rising to the surface.
