be initiated into an Orisha based tradition

Chile, I don’t know what to write about Orisha-based traditions and my initiation into them anymore.

I have been so disgusted by the behaviour of Lukumi/Santeria practitioners, by Trinidad Orisha practitioners… I can honestly say, I think my instinct to go towards traditional Ifa will remain.

Right now, I have to stay silent and bide my time, because I am not an initiate and people who have been initiated are going around just doing as they please, ripping off people, deceiving people, engaging in sexual misconduct, all manner of wicked shit.

I don’t know… I was drawn to the Orishas for spiritual growth, for development and to help my community. Yet, the more I learn the harder it is for me sometimes. I find I encounter the most dishonourable kind of people, who first seek to control me, and then when they realise they cannot turn on me in the nastiest possible way. Even when I do not disrespect them.

I am disillusioned. I admit it.

I now no longer wish to follow any path right now but my own. I pray to my Ori. I pray to my Egun. I pray to Almighty God, and the Orishas. I put my faith in them, and as far as I am concerned the human community can just sod off as far as I am concerned.

Mostly, I am so wary now, that I trust almost no one in this religion…

It took me a long time to decide about this. To decide to be initiated in the Lukumi system.

I always thought I was going to go the Nigerian route to initiation, and was committed to doing so up until about six months ago.

However, I’ve made a couple of friends that have done more to introduce me to the Lukumi system, without playing down the weaknesses of the tradition, or bringing down the Nigerian system for it’s weaknesses. It’s been a balanced examination of practical pragmatic concerns.

Certainly, to date I have been wholly unimpressed with the shucksters and jivers who are are in this religion to make money. There are so many people who want you to believe that because they’re an elder, you cannot question them. I’m so tired of that, and when you tell them that they cannot silence you, you’re being disrespectful.

However, I subscribe to John Henrik Clarke’s adage that if you do not question things, you become a slave to those people who would keep you ignorant and silent.

There are so many dishonest people out there whose only real interest is control and domination; to create cults and cult followers.

So for me, the effort centres around being careful about the sort of people I let into my sphere of existence. I focus now on praying to my Ori, working with my Egun and such. I don’t business too much with these people hear? Me ain’t able…

It’s kind of hard, because I know I am a little overdue now to make ocha. However, I think taking my time has been beneficial, and allowed me to choose and think for myself.

In this tradition, LET NO ONE DO YOUR THINKING FOR YOU! Keep your mind free, and QUESTION EVERYTHING. BY THEIR ANSWERS JUDGE THEM!