Insights from Okana

The esoteric symbolism of Okana is 2 faces exactly the same. This represents the dual forces, and teaches us that everything is ruled by one force who contracts and another that expands.

As we can see, this is a beautiful lesson to our way of life and for our behavior--it is teaching us the perfect balance that must be in all our life. The world has the translation movement, one force attracts it to the sun and another one expels to the universe, and like this we have a lot of examples about the 2 forces in our lives and in nature.

Its not good to live just a material life. We have to take care about our spiritual life too, and these are 2 forces that well balanced can bring us joy. To have all the money is not happiness, even if you think it's okay it isn't. Money can help a lot; for instance, in case we have an illness that all the money in the world can cure, but what is money power really for? If we only are religious and live like a lame, without taking care about our body, sons and family, I really doubt that we can fulfill our path on this earth. If I know everything but I don't practice what I say or believe, those are dead things. The best way to preach is to do and show what we think and believe and not only chat--that anyone can do. If I am the best padrino in the world but don't love and care for my Ocha family, if I instead just care for the money, I don't really believe but am just a trader in the religion. That is why I shout to the 4 winds that I am the best because I need publicity; the real Padrino is that one who cares and loves his Orisha House, his Religion and his beliefs, balancing the material things with the spiritual matters. All the secrets of this world are in balance, the perfect balance, so we can walk and not crawl in this world.

The impulse for talking has to be stopped by the force of thinking. I must think if what I am going to say is going to leave something good for anyone or is it just a way to increase my vanity. It is better to let other people talk about my knowledge and not myself. It is better to have balance between my spiritual and material life then to be a fanatic or a materialist. It is better to share both ways than to give without recieving. So let us stop and think about Okana's teachings and apply them to our lives so we can become better humans, priest and parents.

- Oba Alafi Ayai

Oba Alafi Ayai is a Shango priest who resides and maintains his Ocha house in Mexico City.