5 spiritual reasons to initiate into IFA

FIVE SPIRITUAL REASONS TO INITIATE INTO IFÁ AND ORISA

Ifá and Orisa are deeply spiritual systems that offer tools to align our lives with our destiny. Personal (Aṣe) outlined by Olódùmarè, the Supreme Being. This path not only promotes a reconnection with our cultural roots but also acts as a process of spiritual, psychological, and behavioral transformation. Below are some of the main reasons to initiate from a spiritual perspectives in ifa and orisha.

Reconnection with ones ordained Destiny

In Ifá philosophy, negative events and challenges we face can lead us away from our original destiny, specially when the "head" (mind or inner guidance) doesn't know how to take control, resulting in confusion and imbalance. Initiation is seen as a “spiritual reset” that allows the practitioner to return to the original plan designed for their life. It brings them back to the point where the destiny was diverted, so they can continue along their intended path—now equipped with a powerful tool to help them return to it. In addition, through ceremonies and rituals, accumulated negative energy is cleared and harmony with the cosmos is restored, making it easier to fulfill one's ordained destined path.

Clearing Negative Behaviors and Habits

Initiation into Ifá or Orisa offers the opportunity for deep reflection on one’s actions, thoughts, and behavior patterns. With the guidance of the Itá (the divine message revealed during initiation) and adherence to ewo (prohibitions and taboos), initiates are guided to unlearn old customs and bad habits that hinder their spiritual growth. This process encourages the adoption of new ways of being and acting—more aligned with one’s destiny and with principles of ethics and balance.

Honoring Isese: The Ancestral Tradition

Initiation is also an act of respect and continuity with Isese—the traditions inherited from the ancestors. By following the spiritual practices of their community or family, initiates honor their ancestors and preserve a valuable cultural and spiritual legacy. This connection to ancestral lineage strengthens the sense of belonging and enriches the spiritual identity of the practitioner, just as it has historically done in families who have preserved traditions through ancestral linages in recognized temple or egbes or spiritual houses.

Spiritual and Psychological Transformation

One of the most profound benefits of initiation is the personal transformation that practitioners experience. This process promotes emotional healing, self-awareness, and the overcoming of traumas or limitations. As initiates work on improving their virtues and eliminating flaws, they evolve into more balanced and harmonious versions of themselves. Additionally, constant spiritual guidance helps cultivate patience, compassion, and responsibility.

Becoming Better Human Beings through Transformation

Initiation in Ifá and Orisa not only aims to align practitioners with their destiny but also to make them better human beings. This process of transformation encourages self-reflection, emotional balance, and a deeper understanding of how our actions affect others and the environment. The connection with the Orisas and adherence to spiritual teachings promote a state of inner peace, resilience, and a greater capacity for empathy. True initiation is forged through deep changes in consciousness.

Initiating into the religions of Ifá and Orisa represents an opportunity to redirect one’s life toward the destiny that each human being chose before birth. This spiritual path provides the tools necessary to unlearn negative habits, adopt new ways of living aligned with Aṣe, ( innate spiritual power and honor ancestral traditions that are ancient. It also offers profound psychological and spiritual benefits that contribute to becoming better human beings, strengthening inner balance and the sense of belonging to a rich spiritual tradition with continues to connect us to the divine within.