Ori say’s, It’s time for a Soul-Full Realignment.
I strongly believe that we're currently witnessing an unprecedented level of spiritual dislocation from our physical and mental selves. But what exactly does that mean? Let's break it down.
The term "dislocated" consists of three parts: "DIS-" which signifies negation or the opposite of, "LOCATE" which means to pinpoint the exact position of something, and "-ED" indicating the past tense, suggesting something that once was but is no longer.
So, when we say someone is spiritually dislocated, we imply that at some point, they were whole, integrated beings, but along the journey of life, whether in childhood or adulthood, they became separated and fragmented. This dislocation could stem from various experiences such as:
· Trauma based parenting: toxic habits
· Broken homes : missing parents , lack of village support
· Abusive environments: Sexual, physical or emotional abuse
· Poverty/Neglect : stuck on survival mode not having acres to basic needs, lack of knowledge or connection with self or roots.
· Over parenting and Under parenting
· low self-esteem caused by: over critical parents, raised by parents with substance abuse disorder or un managed mental health or physical health condition.
Consider the analogy of dislocating an arm. Initially, there's pain and discomfort, and to heal, you need more than just pain medication. While medication might alleviate the pain temporarily, true healing involves realignment and abstaining from further harm. But imagine if the injury never fully heals or if coping mechanisms become dependencies; this leads to a profound disconnection between mind, body, and spirit.
Many enduring conditions, like those stemming from childhood trauma or systemic injustices, can't be simply treated with medicine or abstinence. They require love, resilience-building, positive relationships, and skill development like emotional intelligence and cognitive behavioral techniques.
In Ifa tradition, we recognize that children raised in abusive or dysfunctional environments often develop a fantastical worldview where their suffering is seen as noble, and they cling to the hope of being rescued by mythical beings. This perspective persists into adulthood, leaving individuals vulnerable to manipulation by predators who exploit their vulnerabilities. A prominent symptom of this condition is the refusal to accept personal responsibility for their problems. In such cases, the child's spirit becomes dislocated during childhood, likely influenced by dislocation in the parents' spirits as well. According to Ifa belief, we reincarnate through our children, so if the parents are spiritually dislocated, there's a high likelihood that the child will be too.
Unresolved conflicts breed tension and anger, pushing the mind to seek alternative outlets for frustration. Many of us struggle with "Elenini," self-generated demons resistant to change. Unlike real demons, these creatures thrive on excuses and evade exposure of their true origins, the root of the condition. They can only be dispelled by taking personal responsibility for their creation, rather than attributing personal problems to external factors like the devil or mental illness, or relying solely on Western medicine for spiritual healing.
The only way a person can destroy Elenini, is to starve it to death. To starve Elenini, one must confront internal conflicts gradually, paving the way for spiritual relocation or a new spiritual orientation. Ultimately, only the individual who created these demons can destroy them, but this requires accepting responsibility for their existence. Seeking guidance from someone who has effectively transformed their own issues is crucial in this process. This is where sacrifice comes into play “am I willing to give up the things that make me SICK ? Am I willing to relinquish the things that contribute to one's spiritual sickness. It's a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation, requiring courage and commitment to break free from the chains of spiritual dislocation.
Our task as humans is to align our spiritual selves with our physical selves, overcoming the conditioning that leads to dislocation. This alignment requires embodying good character and making sacrifices to heal ourselves and future generations. It's a journey of acknowledgment, transformation, and reclaiming our true destinies.
Every day, billions of dollars are generated from the perpetuation of inherited and self-induced spiritual dislocation, which tragically impacts future generations yet unborn. It's a sobering reality that calls upon us to recognize our responsibility to heal ourselves. But before we can embark on that journey, we must acknowledge that we are the children who have now grown into adulthood, carrying the burdens and traumas of our past into our present lives. Only by confronting this truth can we begin the vital work of healing and breaking the cycles that threaten to undermine the well-being of future generations. It's a profound call to action, demanding introspection, accountability, and a commitment to transformation for the betterment of ourselves and those who will come after us.
We are the Child, the child is the Adult self.
Esi- Aworonke