E kaabo! Welcome to Orisa-Focal Meditation with me, Iya Funlayo! I developed this meditation technique during my time as a junior fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard University. It is meant to help both new and experienced listeners tap into the energy of the orisa and in so doing, to connect more deeply with themselves.

The orisa are divine spiritual beings born of the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria. They have traveled and become beloved throughout the world, especially in the African diaspora, in places like Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

The orisa are archetypal energies representing principles such as opening, clearing, love, peace, connection, going to the depths to gain clarity, and going to the heights to gain perspective.

These archetypes are reflected in the elements--earth, water, fire, and air-- in numbers, colors, our bodies, rivers, oceans, hills, valleys, animals, and every part of the natural world that surrounds us.

In this volume of meditations, we explore five of these energies by going to where they live in nature. The sacred soundscape was carefully crafted using natural sounds and instruments associated with each orisa. Listen to them all at once as a deep journey or enjoy them one at a time as the spirit moves.

Esu o! We begin the journey on the path to ESU’S HOUSE, the guardian of the crossroads who carries our prayers to both sides of the universe. He reminds us of the infinite possibilities and challenges us to make good choices.

Ogun ye! Next we go into the forest to find OGUN’S TREASURE. Ogun is the great hunter warrior who works ceaselessly like the heart. He challenges us to move toward our goals with strength and integrity. He along with Esu, Osoosi, and Osun (not to be confused with the river deity) make up the “warriors,” those energies meant to protect us as we walk the path.

Ore Yeye o! We come out of the forest and go down by OSUN’S RIVER. Osun is the patron of the Osun river in Osogbo, Nigeria and of rivers more broadly. She was the first feminine energy on earth and reminds us of the power of women and of our connection to ourselves and each other.

Omi o! All river’s flow into OLOKUN’S WATERS. We next journey to the depths with Olokun, the owner of the sea, who is also the owner of deep knowledge. Ifa says “no one knows what lies at the bottom of the sea.” Similarly, no one knows what lies deep within us--sometimes, not even ourselves.

Eeepa Orisa o! Finally, we’re going to OBATALA’S MOUNTAIN. Obatala is the orisa who was commissioned by Olodumare to craft the first human beings and who continues to craft them in the womb. Obatala challenges us to be patient, and to always consider the bigger picture and scope of things. One of his major symbols is undyed cloth-tala-- as

I pray these meditations help you to relax, release, and delve more deeply into yourself and emerge with more peace and more clarity. Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth, creating a sacred cycle of air through your ori (head). May your ori always bring you good things. Ire owo, ire omo, ire aiku (wealth, children, and long life). Ase!