The Ifa Foundation of North America is proud to introduce American Ifa.

American Ifa is the result of more than 25 years of study and examination of the ancient philosophy of the Yoruba culture of West Africa.

Long before the advent of what we now consider scientific truths, the Yoruba discovered, and utilized, the basic energies that comprise the matrix of our planet. Far from being primitive, or simplistic, these Truths required brilliant analytical techniques, and analysis. The understanding of these Truths, and the sophisticated instructions for utilizing them, allowed the Ifa Devotee to maintain health, balance and fulfillment in their life. With them, the future could be glimpsed and the present could be modified.

As other philosophies encroached on the Yoruba culture, these universal truths, which had been freely open to adapt to change and cultural differences, suddenly became codified. This desire to "freeze frame" the inherently fluid YorubaTruths, by writing them down as "the word," began to castrate the power and truth the energies had to offer.

Other corruption's of these Truths came along. The Christian Missionaries imposed a "Devil"; Tribalism, Nationalism, Catholicism; all took increasingly devastating bites from the effectiveness of these universal truths. Each and everyone had their own agenda.and it was no longer the agenda of understanding and utilizing the inherent energies of the universe for the benefit of all.

Equally destructive, as the freeze frame western religions retreated from the Cartesian logic of Science, they turned away from the secular world. They offered you the proposition that you could either be spiritual, or you could be temporal, but you couldn't be both. In so doing they took the integrated holistic view of the Yoruba philosophy and ripped it into two parts.

American Ifa is based upon putting those parts back together again. We are stripping away the Nationalism, fear, dependence and contradictions that have adhered themselves like barnacles to the hull of this beautiful and powerful philosophy. It is about effectively freeing these basic universal truths to function in the Western society we are part of.

Most important, it is about being able to practice and utilize these truths without segregating ourselves from the rest of society or our community. It is not a philosophy for the superstitious and uneducated. It is a powerful system designed by, and for, thoughtful, intelligent individuals who want the very best from this lifetime.

If you seek to go back in time, if you thrive on the psychodrama of evil eyes and spells, this is not the site for you. If, however, you want to be successful, if you want long, loving and lasting relationships, if you want to be a worthwhile part of your family and your community, if you want to be involved in a career that brings you challenges and rewards, then American Ifa can give you the tools to do so.

American Ifa

After more than 25 years of examination and study, The Ifa Foundation of North America has reached the following conclusions:

1. Religion was meant to be the repository for the highest levels of practical knowledge and wisdom
2. Religion was meant to demonstrate the practical application of Universal, and timeless truths, for improving our lives
3. For Truths to be Universal and timeless they MUST be able to adapt, and apply, to the context and culture they are to be utilized in
4. Ethical behavior and good character are the only logical ways of applying these truths
5. Timeless and Universal Truths must apply to all people, regardless of race, nationality, gender or sexual orientation, in order to be valid
6. For a philosophy to be meaningful, it must address all aspects of our existence. This includes the temporal/monetary aspects of our lives as well as the spiritual and emotional components of our energy matrix.
7. Ifa is a philosophy for applying practical Universal truths to achieve success in all aspects of our lives.
8. Truth, regardless of where it is discovered, belongs to all people
9. For truth to be worthwhile, and meaningful, it must create independence and personal empowerment
10. Fear, control, manipulation and dependence destroy, and render useless, those Truths
11. Truth, as wisdom, must continue to grow and adapt if it is to be meaningful
12. Truth must enhance the symbiotic relationship between individual, family, community and Earth if its capacity for change is to be worthwhile

In the coming weeks we will explore each of these areas in order to provide thoughtful Westerners' the logical understanding of Ifa.

Blessings,

Oluwo Philip Neimark

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