Meet ONYI LOVE | Healing Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with ONYI LOVE and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ONYI, how do you think about risk?
When I consider risk, the question that comes to mind is: “What are you willing to let go of in order to experience or be something different [or one thing in particular]?” Some people that participate in extreme sports/other activities are willing to let go of their physical lives in order to feel whatever exhilaration there is in those brief moments. Some who navigate various realms and tiers of business are willing to let go of their current capital (financial and otherwise) for the potential return of exponentially more in the future.

In my case, much of my risky behavior has been around my spirituality and self-development; my relationships with others; and my trust in Life and Existence. I take risks in all these areas despite what many of us are told about how things are and how the world works.

I let go of adherence to a dominant world religion and delved into an indigenous African system—risking the approval of family, friends, and society at large. What I gained was a remembering of my true self; a powerful connection with my Ancestors and various deities/energies; and a deeper appreciation and reverence for all practices of the world(s) through the recognition that we each complete the puzzle called The All That Is / Universe / Multiverse, etc.

I let go of the behavior of silencing and in other ways not showing up as myself, and conversely though related, the urge to run from challenging interpersonal situations—risking connection to and acceptance by others. What I gained was a recognition that being someone other than myself is the loneliest thing in the world; I am not actually alone (none of us are); and there are those who love and appreciate me for ALL that I am in ALL ways that I am.

I let go of the belief that success looks certain ways, and that in order to sustain myself, I need to operate how society dictates—risking my livelihood and all things associated. What I gained was a profound trust in myself and Existence; the intellectual and experiential knowledge that I will always have what I need (though it may not always be what I want); and the most joy and peace I have ever known in my life.

I have learned that operating from the conditioned idea of just surviving and/or doing what everyone else is doing is not worth risking my authentic self and excitement.

Years ago, a friend said to me about me, “You’re really courageous”. It hit me in that moment that I had never perceived myself as such. And today I say, “Fuck yeah I am courageous!” I continue to take the risks—experiencing constant death and rebirth—that allow me to chip away at everything that isn’t me, so that all that is left is who and what that truly is.

If you would like to join me, I’ve got an extra chisel. Let’s get to play!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Healing Artist. My brand, ONYI LOVE, is dedicated to supporting humanity on its evolutionary journey of re-imagining spirituality; being at peace and in joy; and remembering its power, beauty and multi-dimensionality. The primary ways I am going about this work is through blending the healing and creative arts, and curating/participating in transformative group spiritual events.

I am a musician—primarily a vocalist, though I play a few other instruments. My joy is creating and collaborating on musical works that are uplifting, speak to the divinity within and outside of us, and remind people of their connection to the unseen but very present beings and realms. In addition to doing stage performances that are entertainment or educational in nature, I conduct what I call Sound Immersions (many know them as Sound Baths). Within them, I utilize whatever instruments or materials will create sounds that support the collective healing—my voice, singing bowls, hand percussion, etc.

I have always loved to sing and was a member of church and school choirs growing up. As a child and teen, I listened mostly to R&B and Pop music. It was in college that I was introduced to Afro-Latin music and began learning folkloric chants—in particular those originating from the Yorùbá people of West Africa. From there I expanded my musical tastes to include “World Music” (which is a funny category to me because, aren’t we all a part of the world?), and other genres and styles. Now when singing, I incorporate non-word vocalizations, folkloric and other devotional music, and lyrics in different languages. The journey of wielding my voice as a multi-faceted and healing instrument has been such a sweet one. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Another healing modality I conduct is called PureBioenergy, which involves laying of hands using various techniques within protocols that are specific to individual conditions/challenges/dis-ease or categories of them. It is focused on boosting and supporting the immune system (which includes much more than we often think), and bringing one back to a state of health—whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. While it is similar to Reiki in some ways, in other ways it differs. Currently, I am one of less than 25 people in the world certified by Zoran Hochstatter, the official teacher of this specific lineage. I’ve witnessed, experienced, and supported powerful shifts and healing through this modality, and it excites me to share it with more people.

What glues everything together is my spirituality, which I am constantly cultivating. I easily tap into and sit quite comfortably in the realms of spirit, metaphysics, esotericism, and all things related—though I believe that “spirituality” is not limited these concepts. The nature of Existence and our role(s) as part of it are consistent topics I ponder. It all fascinates me. I came from a very Christian upbringing, which served as a strong starting point. I then moved away from that religion and began learning about others, especially African Traditional Religions (ATR). I am now initiated into the priestesshood of Ọ̀ṣun and Ọbàtálá (deities within Ìfá, the indigenous system of the Yorùbá people) under Awo Falokun Faṣegun and Iya Fayomi Oṣundoyin Egbeyemi, within the Adesanya Awoyade lineage of Ode Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

My love for mysticism, mystery, and magic is deep. I connect with practices, deities, symbols and tools across many cultures and lands. And I also see the magic in the mundane and power in simplicity. ALL of life is a beautiful orchestration filled with so much synchronicity. I become more aware of and inthralled by the multiple (and at times singular) threads that connect all things at any given moment. I utilize my innate gifts alongside learned practices within the intuitive ceremonies and rituals I conduct. These events support people in grounding, clearing, sweetening, and seeing things from new perspectives–healing overall. I know how to hold space(s); and it is within them that one can experience the profound effects of the amalgamation and alchemy of much of what I do and who/how I am.

Given my themes of exploration, there is not much separation between my work and life. The balance point is me seeing it all as what my spirit came here to explore, and knowing that the All That Is gets to experience itself through the piece of the puzzle that I represent.

I live my life as a work of art–wide brushstrokes here, fine lines there, a few splotches in between, and every so often (actually, more often than not) a new canvas to start again with. A major element of what I do for myself is reflecting on my thoughts, words, and behaviors; and recapitulating my experiences. I ask many questions: What was my part in everything? Am I being transparent and saying what there is? What have I learned? What do I continue attaching to? Whatever doesn’t serve me or align with my peace and joy, is what I get to break through, integrate, release, and in other ways transform. This practice of work on self is the foundation of the healing work I contribute to the collective and what makes it effective: I am being the reflection of the world(s) I want to see and be a part of.

Where the “healing” work and “artistic” work begin/end for ONYI LOVE—the person and the brand—is not always apparent. What delineates it all is a really thin, transparent and porous border…if one even exists.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A weekend through LA, ONYI LOVE style, version 1: I’d start us off by partaking in or watching a Saturday morning adult beginner’s capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial arts) class at Brasil Brasil Cultural Center (BBCC) in Culver West. Depending on how long we stayed, we would either head a little south-east into Culver City for brunch at Cafe Laurent, or keep a little closer to BBCC and have lunch at Samosa House West. After going home to rest and refresh ourselves, we’d venture downtown to California Plaza to attend a concert (whoever is performing that evening as part of the Grand Performances series, if it is summertime). We would end the evening with dinner and drinks at Perch, which is at the top of the Pershing Square Building, also downtown.

On Sunday, we’d begin the day at SoHo Dance LA in West LA for Oricha Dance Therapy—Afro-Cuban Dance, Music & Story telling—with Kati Hernandez. For lunch, sharing a few dishes at Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine in Palms would really hit the spot. We’d then close out the evening and weekend with a trip to Hermosa Beach. Equipped with blankets and a basket full of fresh juice, snacks, and simple dishes prepared with a mixture of produce from Northgate Market in Hawthorne and Mother’s Market in Manhattan Beach, we would enjoy a lovely evening watching the sunset, listening to the sound of the waves hitting the shore, and being in proximity with people and other beings as they go about enjoying life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
While I always honor the fact that every single person has had an impact in my life, regardless of the length of our encounter or the forum/environment within which it took place, I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my mother and father. I thank them for bringing me into this physical incarnation; ensuring that I survived and had all my needs and a good portion of wants met; and instilling in my character so many beautiful elements that I continue to cultivate to this day. I appreciate them for being who they were for themselves, their communities, my sisters and me. As the two adults I had the most significant contact with during my upbringing, they mirrored so much that I have been able to learn from, continue, and transform. Through the preferred and non-preferred, joys and sorrows, challenging and easeful times, they have always been there for me–doing the best that they can with what they know. As I navigate adulthood and reflect upon my childhood and adolescence, I am really understanding the depth of their love and extent of their sacrifice. Words can’t really express their significance in my life.

Website: https://www.onyi.love/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyi.love/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onyilove/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONYILOVE_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onyiloveone

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCntRrhAQbeWHQsYBGvzB0tg

Other: Songs of Soothing Album: https://album.link/v8j2hvv7gnfm9 ONYI LOVE Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cy8881w4iE

Image Credits
Acid Smile Studios William R. Greenblatt Kelly Kristin Imagery By Chi Katya Quinonez