Let us close our eyes and pretend to be dead,
So that we may know who will mourn for us.
Let us walk unsteadily and pretend to stumble
So that we might see who will express concern.
It would not be a bad thing, even if we could
count on only one person.
But who will remain is difficult to determine.
This was the teaching of Ifa for Orunmila
When he was going to make people think
that he was dead.
So that he might know who were his true friends.
He was advised to sacrifice.
He heard and he complied.
From the Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings, translated by Maulana Karenga. The Odu Ifa is a body of sacred African texts designed to answer questions of human life.
6 comments:
Haven't read that in a while.
Sondjata,
You mean this particular passage or the whole book? The book is fascinating and contains such vast wisdom. I love it!
You know.. This is really speaking to me today.
Thank you for this. I can't wait to get a copy.
Sondjata,
If we have only one person that will stick by us, we should consider them to be GOLD. I know I've learned to appreciate those who I know are committed to me, NO MATTER WHAT! It's been a hard lesson, learning that not all who say they care and love us, REALLY do.
Alicia
Minister Faust,
It's well worth the read. FULL of lots of advice and wisdom.
Enjoy it!
Alicia
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