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With Respect for Our Mother

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:53:34 +0100

Blessed greetings and Happy Earth Day 2013!

The issues of environmental protection and preservation are particularly important to me. One of my dearest friends even regards me as something of a fanatic in that regard and you know... I can't disagree with her! *laugh* As I spoke of in this post, Ifa-Orisa practitioners – as well as practitioners of many other earth-based and indigenous religions – regard the earth not as a "thing" over which we have dominion and which is simply there for our use, but as our mother and a sacred being. She is called by many names including Mother Earth, Pachamama and ile ogeere a foko yeri.

For us, respecting and caring for her is a duty, not an option.

No one would throw trash onto the floor of a mosque or stand idly by as others pour oil into the holy water in a church, but many of us throw trash onto our mother’s back and say nothing as the holy waters that run in her veins to become more and more polluted by the day. It may seem like too big and widespread of a problem to change but, as Mohammad Ali said, “Impossible is nothing!” -- especially in the hands of the dedicated.

Every day is another chance to reverse the damage and to teach our children -- and impress upon those around us -- respect for our mother. While it is easy to doubt the impact of our individual actions, remember that the ocean is composed of single drops of water. Know that you can indeed make a difference.

Today and every day, let us commit to being and doing better! Here are some helpful tips for getting started.

~Funlayo

What I learned from a Fortune Cookie

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 06:39:16 +0100

Alaafia family! I must say that the first quarter of 2013 has been phenomenal for me and I pray that your year is also beginning in a wonderful way. I would like to take a moment to thank the the fantastic group who participated in our Spiritual Journey to Peru in January -- they truly embodied the power of positivity. Soon, I’ll be revamping the website to include a travel section and I’ll look forward to seeing some of you on future trips. Speaking of which, if you’re interested in going to Nigeria this summer, please visit our partner the Orisa Community Development Corporation who is organizing a trip this August to the world-famous Osun Festival and other wonderful sites. I’ll be there and I hope that you will join us! I’d also like to invite you to join me and a host of wonderful scholars for the African and Diasporic Religious Studies Association’s inaugural conference at Harvard University on April 5th. Baba John Mason will be the keynote speaker and a host of other wonderful scholars and practitioners will discuss traditions from around Africa and the Americas.

You know, I don’t eat Chinese food very often anymore but whenever I do, the fortune cookie is always my favorite part of the meal – it’s the diviner in me *laugh* The last time I partook of some wok-prepared goodness, my fortune was so profound and timely. It said:

In order to give light, one must endure the burning

Often times when people embark upon a path of spiritual enlightenment, they believe that suddenly – magically – all of their problems will melt away and that struggle will become a thing of the past. Reality is, though, that moving closer to spirit – becoming initiated, ordained or going through other spiritual training – does not make our problems disappear. What it does do is give us the tools to navigate the obstacles that may arise along our paths. If we wish to shine bright, we must know that we will have to withstand a little bit of heat and our spiritual tools are what enable us to do that. Through divination, ritual, and spiritual counseling we are able to ensure that our inner flame does not consume us, but helps us to become a beacon of light which will attract the people and things we need to be successful and fulfilled.

Today and every day may your fire burn bright and strong. May it warm your spirit and the spirits of those around you, attracting all that you need and repelling all that you do not. Ase!

Standing in Awe of Our Mother Earth

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:22:13 +0100

A peaceful little oasis in midtown Manhattan
I pray that you are well and well-rested as time has “fallen back.” I am doing very well, and I’m elated by the fact that President Obama has been re-elected. While no human, president or government is perfect, I truly believe he was the better choice and, thankfully, many of you agreed.

On the flipside of my happiness about the election, my heart is feeling very heavy for my brothers and sisters in my home city of New York, and all of the Atlantic locales – including Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic – who were hard hit by hurricane Sandy. To give an idea of its magnitude: Sandy was the largest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and is the second costliest hurricane in US history after hurricane Katrina. Light and elevation to those whose lives were lost, and much ase and healing energy to those who have lost their homes, cars and other life necessities.

Though media coverage has slowed down, the rebuilding has really just begun and will be underway for quite some time. Material things, like clothes and food, as well as volunteers are needed up and down the East Coast. To help out in New York, click here, for other locales, click here. Having gone to New Orleans to volunteer post-Katrina I understand all too well the devastation and loss, but also the resilience and generosity of our human spirits that can help to mediate the hurt.

When these types of disasters occur, it can be hard to remain positive. We wonder: Why do things like this have to happen? Why do we have to lose people and things that mean so much to us? So many questions…

It can be hard to accept that our Mother Earth runs on cycles: there are times of destruction, times of rebirth, times of death, times of life, and times of renewal. We as humans have sought to make the earth conform to our way of life when, really, it is we who must conform to hers. Even as we seek to control and abuse her, she arises and reminds us that she is the mother on whose back we ride and that no matter how many machines, skyscrapers, or highways we build she can shut it down in a matter of hours. She can make even “the city that never sleeps” lay down and take a nap.

It’s deeply humbling.

As we bind together in these difficult moments, we begin to realize that our greatest capital is still each other. The power of hugs, smiles, loving hands handing over blankets or warm cups of soup, children who still laugh and play without any of the things we think they “need” to be happy -- these things are worth more than all the currency flowing through Wall Street. While there are always those who will use experiences like these to spread negativity and blame, there are many more who use them to spread love, exhibit hospitality and display generosity.

In the Ifa-Orisa tradition, the orisa (deity) associated with the wind – and also with the Niger River and, thus, with water – is known as Oya. Among other things, she is a fierce warrior and a harbinger of change, a bringer of destruction that in turn springs into creation. Since hurricane Sandy, I have been asked if I believe that the hurricane occurred because Oya was “angry.” I must offer an emphatic “no” in answer to that question.

Destruction does not only occur because of “divine anger” or retribution, destruction is a necessary part of creation. So no, I don’t believe Oya was angry, I believe she was doing what she is supposed to do: assisting the necessary cycles of life and death to occur. Razing some things so that others will grow. Removing some energies so that others can flow in. Forcing us to pause and remember what is truly important.

A friend on Facebook remarked that her power loss after the storm led her to take refuge at her sister’s house. She and her sister had been “too busy” to spend a lot of time together lately but this situation forced them both to pause and take some quality time for each other and they have since pledged to do so more often. These are the types of reminders seeming adversity can provide and they are lessons that are much needed in our hustle bustle society.

For me, the essence of being a positive person is accepting the cycles of life – though I may not like or fully understand them – and flowing along with them. It is certainly not easy, but it is necessary if we are to continue to live and thrive.

Today and every day, may we be strengthened to ebb and flow with the cycles of life. Let us remain humble and act as stewards and lovers of our mother earth, not as dominators and abusers. Let us remain connected with one another that we may help each other through these ordeals as we always have. Each time Oya's winds calm and the waters recede, may we find ourselves renewed and better than we were before. Ase!

Odu Reflection: You’re Not Waiting in Vain

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:11:44 +0100

Alaafia from Gainesville, family! The sands of summer have slowly slipped through our fingers and the time has come to get back to the grind. Time flies when you’re having fun, eh? I’m blessed to be spending the semester down in the sunshine state as a visiting student at the University of Florida’s Center for African Studies. The welcome and the weather have both been quite warm and I’ve hit the ground running: studying Yoruba, writing, and reading for my upcoming comprehensive exams (yikes!). I'm also very excited to be planning a trip to Peru this January – you're invited to come along!

In the world we live in, focused as it is on movin', shakin', planning ahead and “making things happen,” it can be very difficult to take a deep breath and just… wait. To speak our desires, put the wheels in motion and give them a chance to roll. Patience is not one of my strong suits – I like to know what’s going to happen and I want it to happen not now but right now *laugh* Much to my chagrin, as I prepared to head down here, everything was a whirlwind and several of my plans were up in the air. Just as I was feeling the most anxious and impatient, as always, while sitting with my Baba taking notes for a client an odù and a refrain came up that was just for me to hear.

The odù? Ogbe Ogunda which reminds us that “Suuru ni Baba iwa” (“Patience is the father of character”). Truly, impatience can cause people to behave in the most unbecoming fashions and is, in fact, at the root of many of life’s issues. You don’t have the patience to work for what you want? You steal. You don’t have the patience to wait on a suitable partner? You settle for someone who doesn’t deserve you. You don’t have the patience to study and work hard to get good grades? You cheat. You don’t have the patience to work through a problem? You throw a valuable relationship away or, worse, resort to violence. The list of the ills caused by impatience goes on.

In my case, impatience almost caused me to miss out on something I really wanted. Instead of giving my mojo a chance to work and waiting to hear back, I anxiously kept looking and searching and almost settled for something else. When I finally got “the call” I nodded my head, smiled, and remembered the lesson of Ogbe Yonu. I pray that you remember it the next time you get a little antsy. Rest assured, you're not waiting in vain – you're developing your character. May you have all that you need, much of what you want, and the patience to allow that which you desire and deserve to come to fruition. Ase!

Jump in!

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:58:53 +0100

Se alaafia ni, family? I pray that all is well and that you are immensely enjoying the bright sunshine and warm temperatures of summer. I have been having great times with my family and friends and am looking forward to a fantastic weekend – there’s still time for you to register and join me in the beautiful Pocono mountains. Also, if you’re in New York City, treat yourself to this fabulous event on Wednesday evening being hosted by my friends at WURArts and other great organizations featuring Mãe India of the Terreiro do Bogum in Bahia, Brazil.

Earlier today, a good girlfriend and I took a dip in the pool. I jumped into the cool waters and, as I eagerly hollered to her to follow suit, she confided in me that she had never actually leapt into a pool before. Although she swims well, she had always safely climbed down the ladder rather than jumping. Well, all that was to change today!

“C’mon, jump!” I exclaimed, and then I counted to 3 for her a few times to no avail. She stood on the side, nervous and hesitant; the thought of lifting both feet off the ground seemed too much to bear. A gentleman sunning himself in a nearby lounge chair joined in the cheering, encouraging her to take the plunge. After a few minutes she worked up the nerve and with little ado, she bounded into the air and landed in the pool with a triumphant splash, shouting:

“That was great, I’m gonna do it again!”

Have you ever been standing on the side, afraid to jump in? Are you standing there now? Whether it is a new hobby, career change, budding relationship or any other undertaking, you’ll never know how it will turn out until you jump in! Now, of course, if you can’t swim... please, stay out of the deep end. But if you know you have the necessary skills, don’t let a few butterflies in the stomach and the fear of doing something new hold you back. Jump in and feel the refreshing sensation of a job well done! And don't forget to surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you every step of the way – steer clear of those who will project their fears onto you and try to hold you back.

Today and every day, I pray for you the courage of Ogun. May your path be clear, your heart strong and brave. May your confidence soar and may you have success – and fun! – at each of life’s turns. And each time you dare to take a leap of faith, may the arms of the Divine catch and embrace you. Ase!

Pamper Yourself with… Easy Summer Meals

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:51:57 +0100

Blessings and more blessings fam! I hope your summer is starting in a wonderful way. Now that school is out, I’m definitely living my life like it’s golden and have already taken a few summer sojourns to California, Puerto Rico, and a few other places in between. I’ve communed with Olokun on the shore of the Pacific ocean, and with Obatala and Osun at the El Yunque National Forest and I’m feeling refreshed and so ready for our Embracing Emi summer retreats coming up in just a few weeks. There are still a few spaces left, one of them has your name on it *smile*

I don’t know about you but my appetite – and desire to cook – tends to take a little bit of a nosedive in the summer. When our energy levels get low, we sometimes have a tendency to eat unhealthily because it's convenient, but we can still keep it easy for the summer without totally compromising our health. Here are a few of my favorite easy summer eats, let me know if you try ‘em out. You can find a few of my other easy, healthy recipes here. I'll be making a few of them at the retreats, can't wait to share them!

Fruity Yogurt Parfait

What's in it
½ cup granola
½ cup fresh fruit, diced (I like strawberries, bananas, peach and mango best)
½ cup plain or vanilla yogurt (I like organic Stonyfield yogurt)
1 tsp pure maple syrup

How to make it
With this, if it’s only for me I’ll just dump it all in a bowl and stir it up. But if you’re entertaining summer guests, layer it in a clear glass (a margarita glass or ice cream dish works very well) for an attractive treat. I like to do granola, yogurt then fruit on top and drizzle the syrup, but you layer however you like! Here's a nice one.

Easy Quiche (pictured above)

What's in it
2 deep dish pie crusts (buy the pre-made frozen ones or make it yourself)
6 eggs
2 cups half and half
1 10 oz. package pre-washed baby spinach, shredded
1 bunch scallions, diced
1 TBSP olive oil
2 cups shredded cheese (1/2 cup reserved; I like cheddar, cheddar jack or Swiss)
2 TBSP garlic power OR 8 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp ground thyme
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and diced (optional)

How to make it
Heat olive oil in a pan and add spinach and scallions (and garlic, if using fresh garlic). Heat just until spinach is wilted and you begin to smell the scallion, then remove from heat and let cool. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream and spices. Stir in cheese, spinach and bacon, if using. Pour half of the mixture into each of the two pie crusts and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until set. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy and stay cool! Remember to thank our mother earth for her gifts. Ase!

Moving Through the Intersection

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:21:46 +0100

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

E pele o family! As always, I hope that this message finds you well and bright. While my posts on the site haven’t been as frequent lately – don’t worry, that will change once the semester is over – many of you are keeping in touch with me on facebook and twitter and I thank you for your energy! I also offer a hearty thanks to those of you who attended Sacred Healing & Wholeness in Africa & the Americas, the Symposium that I hosted at Harvard University a few weeks ago. If you missed it, you definitely missed a really dynamic event, but there will be lots of written and multimedia output coming soon so stay tuned. The workshop with Yeye Luisah Teish was also phenomenal! I am so grateful to her for her grace and wisdom and am honored to count her among my spiritual elders.

The spring has proven wonderful and I am looking forward to sharing more energy with you this summer. Believe it or not, with each new step I take down this road of life and learning I get extremely nervous! Nervous about getting it wrong, about disappointing myself or others, about what people will say – or won’t say – about… everything.

As much as we try to avoid nervousness, the truth is: if you don’t get nervous, you don’t care enough. Doing anything that we feel is important should make us nervous, because any time we step out and do something – especially something that hasn’t been done before – we face the threat of failure.

But remember this: threat and opportunity exist at a crossroad, and you can’t reach the opportunity without going past the threat. There is always a chance that things won’t turn out the way we plan, but the only way to truly fail is to let the threat prevent you from taking advantage of the opportunity. We are strong, we are capable and we are people of faith and action! Once it has been read, Esu has opened the road, and Ogun has cleared the path, it is up to each of us to push through the nervousness and doubt that will naturally arise to claim what is ours.

Today and every day, I pray for all of us the strength to move through the intersection of threat and opportunity. Let us embrace our nervous energy and then turn it up a notch and channel it into greatness. Ase!

You Are Black Gold (With a Diamond Soul)

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:30:53 +0100

Blessings and more blessings, family. Like so many of us, my heart has been hurting over the loss of our young brother Trayvon Martin, as well as over the deaths of Rebia Boyd, Shaima Alawadi and all of those who have been slain in acts of violence and discrimination in the past weeks. I pray light and elevation on their souls and that the orisa Ogun and Sango deliver swift justice where justice is due. Ase.

I knew that I could not let these events pass by without saying something, but what to say? Words seem trite in the face of so much destruction, sadness and anger at injustice.

As well, as angry as we may be, many of us are also hurt. Some, especially our young ones are no doubt wondering, as my nephew asked me when I first explained some of the historical treatment of Black people in America: “Why us?” and “Are we that bad?” Hearing these questions from my young Black prince brought tears to my eyes, but before they fell I managed to say: NO!

NO! We are not bad. No, we do not deserve the hate. No, we do not deserve the death. No, we do not deserve the enslavement. No, we do not deserve the injustice. YES! We are beautiful. Yes, we are proud. Yes, we stand tall no matter how many times we are beaten and shot down. Yes, as much rage as we may feel inside over what’s wrong, we still have room to love what’s right.

As I searched myself for some encouraging words today, music, that universal language, has once again filled in where my own words have faltered. Not music to fuel anger, but words to stimulate soul healing and the strength to move forward in our demands for justice and our promotion of love and positivity.

I pray that we will always remember that, as sister Esperanza sings, we are Black Gold with a diamond soul. We are powerful. We are worthy. May our ways and traditions strengthen us mind, body and soul. Let us band together in love for one another, and let us not be discouraged. As the Japanese proverb says, “fall down 7 times, get up 8!” Ase!

If you have not signed the petitition pushing for the prosectution of Trayvon Martin's killer who admitted to killing him, yet has not been charged with a crime, I invite you to do so here.

Pamper Yourself with... Sweet Osun Bath

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:22:04 +0100

Alaafia family! Wow… is it really 2012? And is it really February already? Time surely flies when you’re having fun and I pray that the first two months of 2012 have brought some fun, love, clarity and all kinds of positive energies into your life.

Aside from being Valentine’s Day (did you know the day is in honor of a martyred Catholic saint?), February 14th is my mother’s birthday so I say e ku ojobi to my mother, Rev. E. Regina Hoist, and salute her for bringing me into the world. The Yoruba say, Iya ni wura iye biye, ti a kole fo wora (a mother is priceless, more precious than gold) and she is, indeed, so very precious to me.

My personal reading for the year also reminded me to pay a lot of attention to my divine mother, Osun. She is an Orisa of love, communication, healing and relationships (both romantic and platonic) among many other attributes. She is embodied in the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria and, by extension, in the “sweet” (fresh, drinkable) waters of the world. If you’re interested in knowing more about Osun, this book edited by Joseph Murray gives a wonderful picture of how she is conceived of in Africa and in the Diaspora.

As a tribute to Osun, I decided to make a sweet Osun bath for some of my fellow lady-scholars. We hold weekly meditations (more on those soon!) and, since it so happened that we had meditation today, I was moved to share a little gift of love from my heart to theirs. I posted the picture above on facebook yesterday and gave the Ase Ire facebook family a chance to guess what it was. That was a lot of fun!

Want to try some for yourself? Here’s what I used:

5 cinnamon sticks
5 drops each of 2 sweet perfume oils (I used Golden Blossom and an Egyptian queen oil)
5 pinches of fresh lavender
5 small dashes of sweet liqueur (I used Chambord)
1 teaspoon of honey

All these ingredients I dissolved in a medium pot (about 1 ½ quarts) of warm water. I then turned the pot on very low – the water steamed but never came to a boil – for about 15 minutes until the bath took on the brownish hue that you see in the picture. I then allowed the bath to cool, poured it into the jars and refrigerated it. During the steeping process I made prayers over the bath, asking that Osun would bring good connections, healthy, beneficial relationships and sweetness into the lives of those who would use the bath. If you try it, make your own prayers as you steep the bath on the stove.

I can’t wait to hear from the ladies how this bath made them feel! If you try it, do let me know how you enjoy it. Remember that any fresh bath you make should be kept refrigerated and used within 7 days.

May love of self, of others, and all the sweet things life has to offer be with you today and every day. Ase!

Spotlight! on Peggy Robles-Alvarado

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:01:51 +0100

Alaafia! I pray you are all very well as you read this and that those of you who may have celebrated any of the winter festivals of lights enjoyed spending time with your friends and families. I thought we’d bring 2011 to a close with another installation of Spotlight! the place where Ase Ire highlights people who are doing positive things. Today, I'm delighted to present a talented young woman who has some wonderful advice for us all to carry into the New Year. Peggy Robles-Alvarado is an artist, wife, mother, educator and author of the book Conversations with my Skin (see the promotional video here). She has dedicated much of her time to enlightening herself and others; here’s what she had to share with me about her life and journey.

Who is Peggy?
I was the girl who denied the truth.
I was the girl who became a woman after 12 hours of labor one stormy night.
A girl who didn’t know how to be a woman, but knew she could no longer be a girl.
Now, I am the woman who has accepted the truth, forgiven herself and become a resilient matriarch.
I am a woman who brings pride to my family.

How did you get into writing and educating?
Writing has always been my strength and it is the gift that allowed me to become an educator. Since I was able to write personal statements that sounded more like poetry and prose, with messages of personal triumph and distinction, I earned several scholarships, grants and stipends that allowed me to earn a bachelor’s degree in English. My love for learning and words motivated me to apply and receive a fellowship that provided me with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education.

While in college, I began writing poetry as part of literature assignments, but I still did not own the title of writer or author. That identify was fostered in me when I decided that I needed to heal myself from memories of my past as a teenage single mother and a victim of relationship abuse. Writing poetry allowed me to transform feelings of pain, fear, anxiety and insecurity into healing. I became a writer when I wrote my first book, Conversations With My Skin, dedicated to my daughter and our journey together.

Today I continue to teach students in the South Bronx the value of their words. They heal, transform and inspire change within themselves and others.

Any new areas you are branching into?
I was recently hired to write and perform five original spoken word poems for a stage production that incorporated Latin dance. This form of performance poetry was an exciting challenge in that I had to write about four specific honorees, yet I had to relate to the audience who may not have ever heard of these accomplished individuals who all had achieved the American Dream on different levels and in various ways. It was spoken word meets mambo!

This project opened the door to another on stage production where I will be writing four original poems that will be performed as songs in a musical set in the South Bronx to be completed next year.

I am also partnering with several community service and non-profit organizations to empower youth through the arts. In addition, I am lending my support to the development of women centered documentaries that promote character building and education for at risk teens as well as women who have survived trauma.
Finally, I am working on my second book of poetry dedicated to women who have guided, inspired, and taught me strength by example. It is a bilingual collection of poetry and prose titled Homage To The Warrior Women/ Homenaje A Las Guerreras.

What is your biggest aspiration? What would you do if money was no object?
One of my aspirations is to establish a quality educational and social foundation for young mothers and female victims of sexual abuse to gain life skills through education, counseling services, vocational training and spiritual awareness. The goal of this organization would be to create a community of young educated women who can find healing through the arts, and spiritual development and aid in the healing of others by encouraging the idea of reciprocity as a tool for empowerment.

Words of advice for the readers?
Be perfectly imperfect and always hold your head high
Reiterate and proclaim you are worth every breathe
Exude confidence in all that you do
Be resilient and do not accept defeat
Continue to walk, live, dream and speak Head High!

E se gan ni (thank you very much), Peggy, for your time and energy. For more from Peggy, visit www.robleswrites.com.