WHAT IS THE MEANING OF IMULE/COVENANT? HOW IS THIS TERM APPLICABLE TO INITIATION INTO
IFA/ISESE PRIESTHOOD.
In the Yoruba language, “ìmúlè?” (imule) comes from the root:
“mú” = to hold, secure, establish
“il?`” = ground, earth, foundation
Ìmúle` is the act of consciously establishing one’s foundation so that the Ori can function with clarity, steadiness, and authority. In this lesson, grounding is not treated as a casual mood, but as a sacred discipline. Grounding has recently become a thought of mine. I noticed that I have begun to collect clutter. I start a project and some vital element to proceed to completion is not available, in adequate or over looked. I then set the project aside, order or secure what is missing, then return to complete the project. As the projects become more expansive the delay between initiation and completion expands. What I expect to take 2 hrs, takes 2 months and while waiting for parts or missing components to arrive other projects are revisited and initiated or embarked upon. As a result, I have accumulated several projects over several years- now I call clutter.
I revisited some divination implements being made for a group of Iyawos a few months back and could not settle on the type of glue to use. I revisted the project and observed that dust had settled atop some boxes which triggered for me the concept of 'inertia'. From physics, this is one of the 1st laws explored. Inertia is a resistance to change. This gave me pause. What change am I resisting? When difficulty arises am I too quick to delay completion? I can consider cautiously what gets my attention and explore assets needed for completion with redundancy before embarking. My head, my hearts, my hands and my feet are needing a realignment.
As this relates to initiation and Ifa/Isese, this resistance is at the core. The spiritual inertia of attachments and resistance to resist the comfort of the familiar propels the initate forwards or delays meaningful advancement toward enlightenment. The initiation bears little lasting effect and the familiar and comfort of meaningless interactions lead back to unconscious effects.I will start with completing the exhaust on my 1997 beater jeep before 6pm this sunday. I accomplishing this mundane task, principles upon which I stand will be challenged overcome. Start with the basics.
Ask inwardly: “What is my condition?” When I feel the need to delay or abandon, I will pause breath and continue until the task is completed. The exhaust is completed.
Ìmúle` is the silent prerequisite to accurate perception. Where there is no grounding, devotion becomes irregular, words lose force, and wisdom becomes distorted by instability. When foundation is properly established, however, the student becomes more capable of clarity, discipline, and right interpretation.
In this sense, Ìmúle` is not the end of spiritual work, it is the start of physical work. It is the condition that makes deeper work trustworthy.
“Little by little".
