Igo Mmuo: Ancestral Meditation Ritual in Igbo spirituality
Igo Mmuo is a spiritual tradition in Odinani, it serves as a ritual that keeps the link or connection between the physical and spiritual realms active, at an individiual level. This ancestral meditation practice, usually involves the use of support tools like Water or Nzu or Edo or Oji or Incense or Candles or Bells or Music or Chants or a combination of these tools, to propel the practictioner into higher states of consciousness, enabling us to connect with our higher selves and reshape our realities.
“By performing rituals, participating in the myth, one is being calibrated into alignment with supreme wisdom.” - Nze Chukwukadibia E. Nwafor, author of Leopards of the Magical Dawn: Science and the Cosmological Foundations of Igbo Culture.
Understanding Igo Mmuo
At its core, Igo Mmuo is about meditating, to become familiar with one’s spirit guides or higher self. The ritual involves communion with the spirit world, where one enters a trance state to connect deeply with ancestral and spiritual energies. By consciously vibrating at a higher frequency with the help of the support tools we mentioned in our introduction, practitioners can call in their desires and creations, effectively aligning their present and future realities with their highest good.
The Process of Igo Mmuo
Entering the Trance: To begin the Igo Mmuo practice, one should at least attempt to enter a state of trance. And in Odinani, entering a state of trance simply means cutting out all external distractions to be by yourself. It means to be completely grounded and focused on the spiritual fellowship about to take place. This can involve making contact with earth if you are in an environment where you can go outside, or settling down into a comfortable position (sitting or standing), and simply having a focused intention to connect with the spirit realm. The aim is to quiet the mind and raise one's vibrational frequency to become receptive to spiritual energies. It’s important to note that this cannot be achieved without taking spiritual hygiene into consideration first, which can simply involve the use of water to wash the main parts of the body believed to be entry points for energy to all other parts e.g the face, feet and palms e.t.c Or the use of Ose oji to rid one’s aura of negative energies (Uchu).
Communion with Spirit: In this elevated state, practitioners engage in communion with their ancestors and spiritual guides. This communion allows for the exchange of wisdom, guidance, and support, that can provide insights that can help in everyday life and spiritual growth. It is also the moment for one to give thanks and also lay down their burdens if they deem fit, as well as make affirmative declarations through Igbo incantations or other means over their life.
Conscious Creation: With a higher state of vibrational frequency achieved, practitioners can consciously call in their desired creations. This aspect of Igo Mmuo is about manifesting intentions by aligning with the energies of the spirit world. It's a powerful process of co-creation, where one's thoughts and desires are infused with spiritual energy to bring about desired outcomes. This is the moment when the practitioner speaks affirmative declerations using Igbo incantations or other means to speak of and declare the things they want to see manifest in their life. It is not the moment to speak of anything negative or detrimental.
Recalibrating Epigenetic Memories: A unique aspect of Igo Mmuo which most practitioners are not usually consciously aware of is the recalibration and reassignment of epigenetic memories that takes place. Through Igo mmuo, practitioners inevitably tap into higher dimensions that allow them to shift their present and future realities. By accessing the causal realm, they can move and transform energies to align with their highest self and greatest good.
The Importance of Consistency and Repetition
For Igo Mmuo to be truly effective, consistency and repetition are crucial. Regular practice helps in reprogramming one's DNA and RNA, leading to lasting spiritual and physical transformations. This consistent engagement strengthens the connection with the spirit world and reinforces the desired changes in one's life. Igo mmuo is not a practice taken on for short term gains. It is a spiritual practice to be engaged in for the long term and forseeable future, way beyond and regardless of life’s current challenges.
With consistency and repetition over time, practitioners may be surprised to find that Igo mmuo has the ability to meet even present needs in dire situations, but that aspect or possibility should not be the main motivation to take on the practice.
The Role of Procedural Memory
Procedural memory, the type of memory involved in performing tasks and routines, plays a significant role in Igo Mmuo. With repeated practice, procedural memory will eventually kick in and help embed the meditative processes into the unconscious, conscious, and subconscious levels of the mind of the practitioner. This is why new comers should not worry about having a slow beginning with the practice. With consistency, Igo Mmuo will become a habit, allowing practitioners to access heightened states of awareness and spiritual clarity more effortlessly over time.
Spiritual Effects on Different Levels of Consciousness
Unconscious Level: At the unconscious level, Igo Mmuo can help us release and heal deep-seated traumas and negative patterns. This healing process occurs as the higher vibrational energies penetrate and cleanse the unconscious mind, paving the way for spiritual growth and clarity.
Conscious Level: On the conscious level, the practice enhances clarity, focus, and intentionality. Practitioners become more aware of their thoughts, actions, and their alignment with their spiritual goals. This heightened awareness can foster a more intentional and purposeful way of living.
Subconscious Level: The subconscious mind, which influences much of our behavior and perceptions, is also positively impacted by Igo Mmuo. Through consistent meditation, the subconscious is reprogrammed with new, empowering beliefs and patterns that support spiritual and personal development.
Final Thoughts
Chesi (1985:7), emphasizing the potency of rituals in Africa, stated that “people say that in former times all men carried a share of the gods in them, and vice versa. The task of the ritual is to activate and to intensify these shares so as to enable man to be divine for a certain period of time.”
Igo Mmuo is an ancient ritual that helps us activate and intensify these shares of godliness and ancestral wisdom we all carry within us. It keeps us close enough to the divine for a certain period of time, that allows us to be in tune with divine intelligence all the other times, even when we are at our lowest points. The ancestral belief is that when we go into that state we hope to enter through Igo mmuo, we are tapping into higher levels of consciousness enabling us to act from superpositions and shift present (future) realities into ideals that match our highest good. It is recommended that every Odinani practitioner has at least one market day a week when they practice Igo mmuo, and for those with a higher spiritual calling, more than once should suffice.
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Recommended Resources:
Holy Ezumezu II | Alusi Pablo (Music on YouTube)
Nature Prayer to get your day started | Igo ọfọ ụtụtụ | Sevics Africa (YouTube)
Igo Mmuo - Why the ancestors entered trances (Clip) | Medicine Shell (YouTube)
How Our Ancestors Prayed - Igbo Spirituality | Medicine Shell (YouTube)
Understanding the 'Ofo' - What does 'Ofo' mean in Igbo Spirituality? | Medicine Shell (YouTube)
What role does the Igbo affirmation process "Igo ofo" play in our lives | Igbo Shrine (YouTube)
How to do Igo ọfọ in Igbo | Nwaanyi Amechi Okunano (YouTube)
Mbido Igo Mmuo | Ezenwanyi Opuruiche Amuma (YouTube)
The Power of The Igbo Ofo | Ikenga Nation (YouTube)
Igo Mmuo/Igo Ofo For Beginners | Dibia Nwangwu Uchendu (YouTube)
How To Pray With Ọjị, Nzú and Èdó, In Odinani Ìgbò - Ịgọ Ọfọ | Voice Of The Sun (YouTube)
