Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition by Tobe Melora Correal Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition
Book Review: This is a must read for anyone interested in indigenous African Spiritual Traditions
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been an Orisha worshipper since 1993 and I was lead to the faith by Oshun (Goddess of Fertility and all the good things in life). I have rarely come across such a powerful book on the Orisha tradition. This book absolutely blew my socks off.
Correal's teaching joins the ranks of John Mason and Awo Falokun Fatunbi as a pinnacle body of work that Orisa devotees will read for generations to come! I was so impressed with the book that I have referred elders to read it. When I am blessed enough to have my own God children. I will make this mandatory reading before seeking out the path of spiritual development of Lucumi.
Most books that I read were fluff, magical, and Hollywood mysticism. The many books on Orisa worship do not do the faith justice and keeps it shrouded in veil of mystery and occultism that keeps the religion in the dark ages. The most insipid effects of those types of writings can often lead to the misconception that all things African are evil and nonsensical. Anyone who knows anything about African religion knows that there is popular belief in Western culture (spawned by racism) that Vodun and Santeria are somehow related to satan worship. What most do not know is that Africans only believed in a Supreme being and the devil is not viewed as a polar and equal opposite. In some African faithes, the Devil did not exist at all until the influence of missionaries who brought evil to the continent.
Correal's substantive writing on the subject of egun (ancestral worship) and Orisa begins the revelation of truth about African religion as a valid and beneficial path to spiritual liberation. She also reveals some of the important rhyme and reason behind these all encompassing aspects and concepts of the faith.
Correal gets to the core of the faith which is development and evolution of mankind. I won't give the whole book's contents away but, suffice it to say that anyone who purchases it WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT REGRET IT.
ALL I can say to Correal is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!
Book Review: This book is a blessing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book several years ago, and I return to read different pieces of it again and again. As I am getting ready to make santo in a few months, it has been an invaluable resource. Correal offers a helpful reminder that although there are many things to be accomplished before and during the ceremony- the initiation itself is just an amazing door that opens up onto a lifetime of work, reflection and commitment.
It is by far one of my favorite books about this tradition (Vega's "Altar of My Soul" and Murphy's "Oshun Across the Waters" coming in tied for second place). Correal gets real about some of the difficult aspects of these traditions, like elders who lose their humility, or people who try and use the hierarchical structure of the ile to get power over somebody else. She reminds us that whether we are Santer@s or aleyos, we are all worthy of respect. She points out the ways that iles can become places where people act out their own issues (and anyone in these communities knows that can happen big time!!!) and challenges us to look deeply into those patterns and work through them, so that we might continue our work in becoming the vessels through which the divine breathes.
What I appreciated most about this book is the explanation of the Yoruba WORLDVIEW which is admittedly often a difficult concept to explain. Almost every other book I've read tends to focus on smaller building blocks of the tradition, like "Oshun takes yellow", and "Obatala's eleke looks like this" etc. Of course, anyone who has opened their hearts up to Orisha knows that these small details do not nearly begin to do justice to explaining the immense power of the Orisha and the spiritual worldview in which they are rooted. I love the Correal doesn't waste paper with "love spells," and instead shares with her readers a small book in which every page is densely packed with challenging questions and her own deep wisdom.
Book Review: Spiritual Growth and Development
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was so interesting, I could not put it down. Most of the content directly related to my personal experiences with Yoruba, and in addition, it sheds insight into the various levels of spiritual growth and development so that you can better understand yourself and others and most importantly, how God works within humans. I found the book to be remarkably well written, concise and to the point and refreshing for the mind. Thank you for having it available at a time when I needed it the most and could not find it anywhere else.Book Review: Truth & Tradition
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading "Finding Soul" gave me a great sense of priorities. As a Yogi, my practice is to go inside first and outside next. Tobe took me inside of her journey of Yoruba, and I appreciate it greatly. My Guru, Yogananda, teaches that external ritual is moot without an inner attempt to commune with the Divine. I think Finding Soul teaches us that same truth. I think that the author took her her tradition and enhanced it without compromising it, and then she invited us in much as a friend might invite us into her living room. Thank you.Book Review: Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa
Summary: 5 Stars
I found what I've been looking for. The book explains well in detail the aspects of the path or looking for God as we see her/him. Great for anybody who wants to know more about the path of the orisa and the spirituality within ourself and everithing around us and God. Thank you for reccommending this book. I will buuy more of them to pass on to my family and friends or anybody who wants to know more about my spiritual path.