USA Africa Dialogue Series - BENIN OLOKUN SYMBOLISM AND THE DEPTH OF BEING

                                         

                                        BENIN OLOKUN SYMBOLISM AND THE DEPTH OF BEING

                                                                          Toyin Adepoju

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                      Ohinmwin Ame n'Ogboi I Khue

                                                                   The Depth of a Big Sea Which a Novice Dares Not Try





I entered into unknowing,
And there I remained unknowing,
Transcending all knowledge.


I entered into unknowing
Yet when I saw myself there
Without knowing where I was
I understood great things;
I shall not say what I felt
For I remained in unknowing
Transcending all knowledge.


That perfect knowledge
Was of peace and holiness
Held at no remove
In profound solitude;
It was something so secret
That I was left stammering
Transcending all knowledge

I was so whelmed,
So absorbed and withdrawn,
That my senses were left
Deprived of all their sensing,
And my spirit was given
An understanding while not understanding,
Transcending all knowledge.

He who truly arrives there
Cuts free from himself;
All that he knew before
Now seems worthless,
And his knowledge so soars
That he is left in unknowing
Transcending all knowledge.

The higher he ascends
The less he understands
Because the cloud is dark
Which lit up the height
Whoever knows this
Remaining always in unknowing
Transcending all knowledge.

This knowledge in unknowing
Is so overwhelming
That wise men disputing it
Can never overthrow it
Whoever knows this
For their knowledge does not reach
To the understanding of not understanding.
Transcending all knowledge.

And this supreme knowledge
Is so exalted
That the power of man or learning
Can grasp it;
He who masters himself
Will,with knowledge in unknowing,
Always be transcending.

And if you should want to hear:
This highest knowledge lies
In the loftiest sense
Of the essence of God;
That is a work of his mercy,
To leave one without understanding,
Transcending all knowledge.



Benin Olokun Igha-ede image from from Norma Rosen, "Chalk Iconography in Olokun Worship" African Arts, Vol. 22, No. 3 (May, 1989), pp. 44-53+88

Benin Olokun devotee's expression and translation from Norma Rosen, "Chalk Iconography in Olokun Worship".

St.John of the Cross,'Stanzas concerning an ecstasy experienced in high contemplation'

Accessed on 03/07/10

from

St. John of the Cross: The Collected Works Trs.Kieran Kavanaugh & Otilio Rodriguez, Thomas Nelson & Sons, London, 1964, pp. 718-719.

Also blogged at Olokun Waters

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