Change and the Fear of Losing Self: A Yorùbá Reflection on Transformation and Becoming

Change is an unavoidable principle of existence. In Yorùbá cosmology, it is not merely an event but a rhythm within Ayé (the material world), governed by the animating power of Àṣẹ—the divine force that enables all transformation. To live, therefore, is to participate in motion. Yet, for many, the experience of change evokes fear, anxiety, and resistance. Beneath this discomfort lies a deeper apprehension: the fear of losing oneself. This essay examines that fear through a Yorùbá philosophical lens, interwoven with psychological insight, arguing that transformation—rather than erasing identity—reveals the enduring essence of Orí, the inner head and divine consciousness that anchors human existence.

The Comfort of Familiarity and the Nature of Ìwà

Human beings are rhythmic creatures, drawn to routine and continuity. Familiarity creates psychological safety, allowing the mind to rest within predictable patterns. In Yorùbá terms, this attachment to rhythm mirrors Ìwà, which means both “character” and “existence.” To have good character—Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́—is to maintain harmony between one’s inner being and the surrounding world. However, the same familiarity that fosters stability can also lead to stagnation. The Odu Ifá Òsá Méjì teaches, “Omi tí kò lọ, yóò dùnà”—“Water that does not flow becomes stagnant.” When individuals cling to outdated versions of themselves, they interrupt the natural current of destiny.

In psychological terms, this resistance can be seen as a manifestation of cognitive dissonance—the inner conflict between who we believe ourselves to be and the changes life requires of us. Ifá wisdom encourages a middle path: to remain rooted in virtue while flexible in form. This balance reflects the essence of Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́: steadiness without rigidity. Change, therefore, is not a threat to character but an opportunity to refine it.

The Illusion of Control and the Dialogue with Orí

Modern psychology often emphasizes the importance of control. People are taught to shape their circumstances, to will outcomes into being. Yet Yorùbá thought introduces a humbler and more holistic view of agency through the concept of Orí—the inner head that chooses one’s destiny (ayànmọ̀) before birth. While humans possess the freedom to act, Orí ultimately governs the path’s unfolding. The Odu Ìrosùn Méjì affirms, “Orí t’ó fẹ́ ire, kò ní rí ibi”—“The head that desires goodness will not meet misfortune.”

When change arrives, it often disrupts the illusion that we are in control. From a psychological perspective, this loss of control activates the brain’s threat system, producing anxiety and resistance. From a Yorùbá standpoint, it is a moment to remember alignment rather than mastery. The task is not to overpower circumstance but to cooperate with the divine intelligence of Orí. This shift parallels the practice of mindfulness in psychology—releasing attachment to outcomes and responding with awareness rather than fear. Surrender, in this sense, is not defeat but a return to spiritual order.

The Fear of Loss and the Mystery of Transformation

At the core of resistance lies the fear of loss. Change often means the death of something familiar: a role, a relationship, a version of self. In Yorùbá cosmology, death—Ikú—is never final. It is a transformation, a necessary passage within the cycle of existence. The ancestors (Ègún) embody this principle; though they have left the visible realm, their Àṣẹ continues to guide and protect the living. The Odu Ògúndá Òfún states, “Iná ló ń jó, ṣùgbọ́n erù rẹ̀ ni ń rú”—“It is fire that burns, but it is its ashes that rise again.” The lesson is clear: every ending carries the seed of renewal.

Psychologically, this mirrors what Carl Jung called individuation—the process by which the self integrates shadow and change to approach wholeness. What dies in transformation is not the true self but the false identities that once confined it. For the Yorùbá, this truth is embedded in the concept of atunwa, the continual renewal of being. To resist change, then, is to resist life itself.

Integration: Orí, Àṣẹ, and Ìwà in Psychological Adaptation

To navigate transformation successfully, one must harmonize three key forces: Orí (destiny and consciousness), Àṣẹ (creative power), and Ìwà (character and moral stability). Together, they form the foundation of human resilience.

1. Orí – Conscious Alignment: Psychologically, awareness of Orí resembles the cultivation of self-awareness in therapeutic practice. It calls for listening inwardly, honoring intuition, and trusting one’s deeper knowing rather than reacting from fear.

2. Àṣẹ – Energy and Agency: In modern terms, Àṣẹ corresponds to motivational drive—the inner capacity to act with purpose. It is not brute force but flow, the same life energy that animates thought and creation. When one acts with Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́, Àṣẹ moves harmoniously, producing stability even amid change.

3. Ìwà – Ethical Grounding: Character provides continuity. While outer roles may shift, Ìwà anchors identity in moral and spiritual integrity. As the Odu Ògúndá Méjì teaches, “Orí burúkú kì í ṣẹ̀gun ìwà rere”—“A bad destiny cannot conquer good character.”

Together, these principles reflect what psychology calls “psychological flexibility”—the ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining core values. Where psychology speaks of resilience, Yorùbá thought speaks of tútù orí—a cool, composed head that remains calm within the storm.

Embracing Impermanence: The Cosmology of Renewal

For the Yorùbá, time is cyclical, not linear. Ayé ń lọ, Ayé ń bọ—the world goes and the world returns. This worldview redefines impermanence as continuity through transformation. The movement of the Òrìṣà embodies this rhythm: Ọ̀bàtálá reshapes creation with patience, Ṣàngó transforms chaos into justice, and Ọ̀ṣun restores flow where life has become stagnant. Each change in nature mirrors a change within the human psyche.

Modern psychological theories of growth—such as positive psychology’s emphasis on meaning-making—echo this insight. The process of adaptation involves reframing challenge as opportunity, loss as initiation. In both perspectives, the goal is not to avoid uncertainty but to participate consciously in its unfolding.

Conclusion: Change as Alignment, Not Loss

Resistance to change, whether understood psychologically or spiritually, reflects a misunderstanding of identity. We fear losing ourselves when, in truth, we are being invited to meet our truer selves—the self aligned with Orí. The Yorùbá conception of destiny offers a compassionate framework for this journey: change is not random disruption but a movement orchestrated by Àṣẹ to restore balance between heaven and earth, spirit and body, consciousness and circumstance.

To embrace change is to honor the continuity of being. The elders teach, “Bí ọ̀nà bá dín, Orí ni yóò tọ́ ni”—“When the road narrows, it is the head that guides.” Thus, the challenge of transformation is not to hold on to who we were, but to walk faithfully with who we are becoming.

Ultimately, both psychology and Yorùbá philosophy converge on the same truth: growth requires surrender. Whether called mindfulness or ìfọkànbalẹ̀ (inner calm), the practice of awareness allows the mind to release fear and align with the natural flow of Àṣẹ. In doing so, the individual discovers that change does not erase identity—it purifies it.

The fear of losing oneself in change arises from mistaking the temporary for the eternal. The self that fears loss is the surface self; the self that endures is Orí inú, the inner head, eternally connected to source. When we honor that truth, change ceases to be a threat. It becomes what it has always been in Yorùbá understanding: the sacred motion of life itself.

Change does not destroy identity; it reveals it. In Yorùbá thought, Orí—the divine consciousness—chooses ayànmọ̀, one’s destiny, before birth. When life shifts, it is not chaos but Orí guiding us toward alignment. What we fear as loss is often the shedding that allows Àṣẹ to flow again. To honor change is to celebrate the rhythm through which destiny fulfills itself.