Garnering much experience in the Ifa community, and in my capacity as leader of Togbe Lason, I have grown to appreciate the just, unyielding, unequivocal and immutable will of Heavenly Olurun. This will cannot be supplanted or abrogated by the wiles of man, including the greatest magi in our midst. In surrendering, we align ourselves to the Tao, the cosmic rhythm of God. Indeed, we practice the highest truth that leads to enlightenment and true liberation.Notably, Togbe Lason and The Empyrean Echelon, a body of cosmic teachers that relay the highest truths to the custodians of our sacerdotal chamber. The ‘Echelon’ is our rudder, our compass, our First Eye. Short of surrendering, we are captive to the whisperings of darkness that aim to corrupt the human spirit. How then do we explain the selflessness, the greed, the anger, and the violence that pollute societies? Even the holiest of traditions are fair game to the long arm of evil. I am driven by the Echelon to usher in a new dispensation that brings forth timeless truths that once shaped advanced societies that were steeped in humanity until they too fell under the guile of the perpetual enemy. Mindful that we are nearing the end of Kal Yug, we are duty-bound to succeed.

The leadership of any organization must be exemplary those entrusted with the levers of power must be accountable to those they guide. In essence  they are the principal servants of the people who are enshrined by a power far beyond their comprehension. Thus, they must answer to those they serve, and to the power that facilitate their ascendancy. There’s no room for delusions of exceptionalism. Leaders are yolked to their work, tirelessly and assiduously extracting the best from themselves for the welfare of those they serve. Leadership is never a quixotic venture or some invention of the narcissistic mind. I declare that is the foundation of virtue, and it is only by this merit that can I, as the foundational representative of Togbe Lason,  can guard against the snares of evil that knock on the doors of every religious and spiritual establishment. Every member of Togbe Lason is called to submit to Dharma – noble, incontrovertible truths embedded in every culture. Equanimity, compassion, gratitude, kindness, generosity, and other perfections we strive for. They are not shaped by rituals or cultural interpretations. They are organic expressions of the human heart. These we aim to express in both, speech, and mind. Dharma is the cornerstone of Togbe Lason. Therein lies enlightenment. We honor all sentient beings, all of nature included. The trapped discarnate the pretas, and the mischievous ones who aim to sway us from the straight path, we pray for all. I am admonished  by the ‘Echelon’ to teach with patience. I honor the pearls they are gifted me, and have vowed not to recklessly disburse  to the vengeful, the vainglorious, and the curious. This vow is nailed to my chest.

I implore  those who lead their flock to reflect on the very scripture they recite. Reflect. Spirituality is so much more than words fancifully delivered. It requires habituation toward selfishness, toward a life of virtue. Honoring God and his spirit messengers requires discipline, forbearance, humility, and Job-like patience. Hypocrites have sullied our hallowed halls of worship. Darkness speaks to them dangling spiritual gifts before their covetous eyes. But these promises only quicken their ruin. There’s a clear divide between the sacred and the profane. Evil cannot drink from the well of truth for bitter is the water. Leadership demands right conduct, only then will the veil parting the worlds fall apart in the most majestic of ways; only then will truth be made manifest. This unfoldment was experienced by the sages of yore. The wisdom of Solomon owe much to the dissolution of this partition. Leaders of African spirituality are heirs to Solomon, but alas, we have been rendered inert by our own delusions. The reclamation of the Solomonic Key is the duty of Togbe Laso’s priestly body. Guided by the Empyrean Echelon and the Chief Servant, our priests are rigorously vetted and trained to serve the spiritually weary, nothing more.

This guarantees integrity and legitimacy in our spiritual architecture and is part of an in-depth plan orchestrated by the ‘Echelon’. Know that I am periodically consulted by this celestial body. Of its counsel, I am indebted. I remain a student of Spirit, and to my root Guru, Elders and seasoned Babas, I ask also for guidance. In humility, I teach. Experience is the greatest of all teachers and I ask all members to live and learn, and to listen to the many voices that speak. I implore all to resist the allure of the astral plane and the temptations of malevolent divination, sorcery, necromancy, and mediumship. Seek wisdom of its own sake. We communicate with enlightened beings through intense purifications, and we guard against the wizardry and wickedness of astral denizens. This form of spirit communication defines Togbe Lason. We embrace an animism and a Vodun that are clothed in dharma, and not by the fancy of men. Divination and the Akashic records we study dutifully for the edification of mind.

And we are evermore mindful of the Tree of Life, for in the end, we return to the One. We dabble not in the mantic arts, and we seek not to control anyone or anything, for there’s nothing that can be controlled in earnest. To attempt such is a destructive folly. The leaders that have fallen to the snares of darkness are too many, and alas, they pass down their corruption to every strand in their community. Today, the clarion call of Togbe Lason must not be ignored. Too much is at stake. I bear witness that God is our sovereign. And to his councils and messengers, we take heed. Our future is the present. We invite you to study and grow with us. Wisdom is a gift bestowed only to those who strive for truth.

Baba Dwayne T.B. Whitted