Inspirations and Creative Thoughts In Sacred Remembrance of Divine, Indeed Remembrance of The One without partner is the Sublimest | This is a branch of ancient and timeless School of Love, Mazhabe-'Eshq | Ahlan wa Sahlan, Welcome to Your Home! Search INSIDE Inspirations and Creative Truths :: Real peace be with you, not as the world giveth, but as Beloved giveth unto the worlds. al-hamdu li'Llahi Rabbi al 'Aalamin, ar Rahmani ar Rahim Read MysticSaint blog right from your Inbox | Enter your email address to subscribe: Monday, June 30, 2008 glad tidings in the secret garden .......of yours, ......while kneeling before the rose, you beheld the luminous emptiness. bewildered, ......you taste the fragrance .......arriving from essence of the Essence. someone is calling your name ...... somewhere. a turkish robin sings the glad tidings: ..... here! here! (c) MysticSaint June 29, 2008 + dedicated to friend and artist, Michael Zulli art collage: Sadiq kneeling before the rose digital mixed media Labels: art, mysticsaint poetry, poem, poetry Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 12:18 PM post 5 comments links to this

Sunday, June 29, 2008 The Sacred Meaning of Mystical Expressionism, Art and Beauty ( art. wild birds. by Zed ) 1. Lo! Indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with beauty ... - The Quran 37:06

Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely is made for the eye of one who sees. - Rumi, Mathnawi I:2383 The nature of creation is that it is progressing always towards beauty. 'God is beautiful, and He loves beauty', says the Prophetic tradition. The nature of the body is to beautify itself; the nature of the mind is to have beautiful thoughts; the longing of the heart is for beautiful feelings. - Sufi Master Inayat Khan Allah, Al-Musawwir God, The Shaper of Beauty, The Fashioner, The Grand Artist Allah, Al-Bari' God, The Maker of Order, The Maker from Nothing He... creates every thing and determines its nature in accordance with His own design. - The Quran 25:2 2. The goal of the practice of mysticism is contact with the Divine through various meditative and spiritual disciplines. In mystical painting, the artist cultivates a meditative state clear from thought, imagination and fantasy. When this clear state has been achieved, images and archetypes are projected from the spiritual Reality. The state of the painter of mystical paintings is very much the same as a state of meditation, a clear open state in which the mind is at rest and into which archetypal images and forms are projected from the suprasensable realm. The mind needs to be at rest so that the mind will not subject the pure images to conscious (common) associations of logical color and form relationships. Only a small fraction of painting can truly be described as mystical. Most of this art would be better labeled as fantasy since it happens within the conscious mind of the artist, the mind being encouraged to free-associate interesting or unique combinations of forms or situations and producing pictures which startle or intrigue the mind of the viewer. They are not windows to other realities but rather something which appeals to the curiosity and wonder of people. True mystics realize that the source of all multiplicity of form, experience, thought and feeling in which we partake is found in oneness, in pure essence. This oneness/essence we call Allah, Lord, God and Beloved. If we choose to align ourselves with this oneness we will receive pure guidance. Depending on the capacity of the receiver, the guidance may be received in visual, musical, poetic or other form. If we choose to pay no attention to the oneness, we lack guidance, our life proceeds in a confused haphazard way. Since the Oneness is the Source of all things, including our being and life, we cannot make demands upon it. We are completely dependent on it in all ways. If we wish to attract some guidance to us, we must create a receptivity for the Guidance to flow into. Mystics down through the centuries in various traditions have followed different methods designed to entrap the senses and quiet or clear ones being of thought, emotion, fantasy, etc. In the case of mystical painting, images come when they will, with no regard to the situation of the artist. They come as mercy, as a gift. The images come complete or incomplete. If they are incomplete it is simply a matter of waiting

for the missing parts to be sent. [>] article credit, sufi art 3. Mystical expressionism is a new mode of art-making that combines the scientific insights of our new age with humankinds ancient wisdom. (read in details) 4, Insight. The original purpose of "the arts" was to guide & document the process of getting aligned to the Great Mystery. Compared to this, the contemporary attitudes of self-expression or holding a mirror up to society, while useful, may be seen as somewhat superficial or indulgent. - Michael Green 5. My image-art can be characterized as paradoxical space that undermines "point of view". That undermining allows for a tacit glimpse, or intuitive sense, of the transcendental condition of reality- totally beyond and prior to "point of view". My process of image-art is always purposed to transcend "point of view" and, if the resultant images are received seriously and viewed seriously, they are a means for tacitly feeling the perfectly egoless condition of that which is perceived. By making image-art, I am making "space" for what is beyond and prior to "point of view" and ego-"I". My images are about how reality is - and they are also about how reality appears, in the context of natural perception, as a construction made of primary shapingforces. My image-art is, therefore, not merely "subjectively" or, otherwise, "objectively" based. Rather, the images I make always utterly coincide with reality as it is. Therefore, I have called the process of the image-art I make and do "Transcendental Realism". My images are created to be a means for the fully participating viewer to locate fundamental light - the world as light, all relations as light, naturally perceived light as absolute light. Ultimately, when "point of view" is transcended, there is no longer any separate self at all - but only love-bliss-brightness, limitlessly felt, in vast unpatterned joy. [>] selection From Transcendental Realism, by Adi Da Samraj (Middletown, CA: The Dawn Horse Press, 2007) credit # . . . . Related Thoughts on Art work and its meaning Who's Art is it, anyway? Fusion Art and the Artist Rassouli Jamali and Mystical Expressionism

Labels: art, creative, creative thoughts, inspiration Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 9:51 PM post keeper of a laughing heart 8 comments links to this

in keeping a laughing heart, the elect ones affect their quality of being. when you can do that, lo! you have perfected the highest art of being already. become the keeper of a laughing heart! (c) MysticSaint the esoteric law of mirroring promises this simple spiritual truth: the moments when we become the keeper of a laughing heart, life and everything in our personal universe laugh back at us. the challenge is to sustain those moments and expanding it in whole of life to the extent that it becomes integral element of our being. in far eastern buddhist iconography the laughing heart is the image of laughing laughing buddha too. when we become the manifesting the laughing buddha within. archetypal spiritual figure of keeper of a buddha. inside all of us we carry a keeper of a laughing heart, we are already may your laughing buddha be-come too!

. Image of his holiness Neem Karoli Baba, the one who embodied a laughing heart in his whole of being. may God sanctify his soul. . Neem Karoli Baba Labels: creative thoughts, inspiration, mysticsaint poetry, poem, poetry, saints Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 1:35 AM post Friday, June 27, 2008 arrival of majestic presence Beloved o' mine, arrival of Thine majestic presence in the heart-space dims all stars, sun and moon in cosmic-space. all false pride give away, all illusions return to nothingness, my whole body and spirit starts singing like a single instrument string. rising an indescribable bliss 7 comments links to this

in the nectar of my being! lo! all flowers in my garden gather at Thine feet, O Beloved. my eyes remain still, nothing else in this world are worthy; amidst my heart-space, all i see is Glory of Thine Beauty. O King of the infinite! in my heart-space blessed be Thy Presence. (c) MysticSaint 27 June, '08 Los Angeles, CA Inspired by Tagore's song, titled: Maharaj eki shaje, ele hridoyo puro majhe (in Bangla) [>] Listen to the song here via Imeem God declares: "Neither My heaven nor My earth could contain Me, but the pristine, humble heart of My believing servants can contain Me." - sacred saying mentioned by Al-Ghazali in Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din. "Truly, God has vessels from amongst the people of the earth, and the vessels of your Lord are the hearts of His righteous servants, and the most beloved of them to Him are the softest and most tender ones" - in the authority of al-Tabarani, related from Abu 'Utbah al- Khawlani. The real abode of God is in the heart of man; when it is frozen with bitterness or hatred, the doors of the shrine are closed, the light is hidden. - Hazrat Inayat Khan

art credit: Sadiq, titled: Heart-Space, water color on paper Labels: love, mysticsaint poetry, mysticsaint prayer, poem, prayer Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 10:22 PM post Jesus in the Eyes of the Sufis In the Name of the Transcendent, the Holy Jesus, as a Prophet of God, manifested the human qualities of sincerity, purity, love and charity. Prophet Muhammad always referred to him as a brother and Quran makes repeated mention of him with the highest praise. The Sufis have attempted to preserve the memory of Jesus as he really was, alive in their minds, and in the minds of others, and to keep him in their hearts. In Sufi literature, Jesus is the 9 comments links to this

paragon of a perfect human being and the example par excellence of a true master. Throughout the centuries, the master of sufism presented him as a perfect sufi. The hermitage of Jesus .... Is the Sufi's table spread; Take heed, o sick one, .... Never forsake this doorway. - Rumi, Mathnawi :: The Spiritual Station of Jesus The gnostics amongst the Sufis distinguished four kinds of sainthood (welayat, literally means friendship with God): 1. that which is the inner dimension of prophethood (nabowwat). 2. that which is confined to (moqayyaedah) a given prophet. 3. that which is absolute (motlaqah) within every prophet. 4. that which is common (ammah) that is, attainable by all who seek it. The sufis say that the common sainthood began with Adam and ended with Jesus, who is the Seal of Common Sainthood. :: The Way of Jesus and His Methods The way of Jesus was the path of striving, of seclusion and of self-abnegation. In a sufi manner, he enjoyed solitude and disliked ceremony, being detached from the world and its attraction.

Jesus sought, by seclusion, To set the world aside; Till his Beloved conceded him closeness To his heart's desires. - Sa'di, Qasaed

Hasan Basri said of Jesus that he dressed in coarse wool, ate what he could pluck from trees and slept wherever night found him. Jesus was the ascetic among the prophets, attaining the highest station of asceticism (zuhd), which is total abandonment of the world. Jesus was dedicated to poverty (faqr), and his practice of poverty is proverbial. Junaid said, "The sufi is one whose heart, like Abraham's, has become immune from attachment to the world and complies with God's command; and whose submission is that of Ishmael, and whose sorrow is that of David, and whose poverty is that of Jesus, and whose patience is that of Job, and whose yearning is that of Moses engaged in prayer of supplication and whose sincerity is that of Mohammad." It is written that Jesus, son of Mary, never settled down and was forever wandering from place to place. When asked why, he replied in humble heart, 'Perhaps I might set foot one day where a saint has trod and stepping in his tracks, find intercession.' Attar in his Diwan writes:

If for only a moment you free yourself From this prison all around you, You will be like Jesus, Unique in detachment. :: Jesus Patchwork Cloak of Wool Jesus, son of Mary, had a patchwork cloak, which he wore when he ascended into heaven. One of the masters of the Path once said that he had seen him in a dream, wearing that same old patchy woolen cloak, and that beams of light shone from every patch. He explained, "I cried, O Christ, how come these beams of light from your dress?" And he replied, "These are the rays of my misery. Every rip and tear which I had to mend, the Good Lord turned to light, representing all the pangs of suffering which have strung my heart." - Hojwiri, Kashf al-Mahjub :: The Dream of Jesus by Hasan ibn Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad Hasan the son of Ali and Fatima, dreamed one night that he saw Jesus, son of Mary, whom he asked, 'As I would like to obtain a ring, what should I have inscribed upon it?' Jesus replied, 'Put, "There is no divine reality but God, the true and clear Sovereign". That is what is said at the end of the Gospel. Were the Holy Spirit to favour us once More by its Grace, others too would Perform all the works of Christ. - Hafez # Credit: Jesus in the Eyes of the Sufis by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, may God sanctify his Sirr. # Related: . Jesus, the Sufi Master . Jesus, the Murshid . What Jesus run away from? Labels: Christ, Christology, Jesus Christ, sufi, sufism Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 1:37 PM post Thursday, June 26, 2008 Vision of Christ | Sharing of Sacred Experience 1. Happy news, O heart! ..... The Jesus-breath has come! From his wholesome spirit ..... wafts the fragrance of the One. ................. - Hafez, the mystic and master sufi poet 2. I had a vision just as I was awakening several years ago. Jesus was standing before me, and I stood in front of him trying to take the vision in and comprehend what I was seeing. It was that mystical time between sleeping and waking, before I am completely awake. Jesus was wearing the crown of thorns, and there were drops of blood on his forehead where the thorns were piercing his skin. 7 comments links to this

I reached up to touch him, to feel the blood on his skin, and it was warm and real. I asked him if it is painful all the time. He told me that it was not painful, not anymore, because he was lifted beyond it. We didn't speak aloud, but it was communicated telepathically, in that I knew his thoughts and answers, and he knew mine. It was the communion of love. Since he was more than just the physical body, I asked if it would be possible if I could look through his eyes to see what he sees. He told me that I could do that. I was to direct my vision and thought to move inside his form and image, and I would be there. So, I did, and I felt myself looking out of the eyes of Jesus, who was now the consciousness of Christ... the spiritual Light of Love. I was aware that it was still my awareness within him, and yet I felt the surrounding warmth and grace of the Pure Love that he was. Everything I looked at, I saw with indescribable Love. I stepped out to that was a peace him. He asked if was stunned, but face him again. I was surrounded by an aura of light, a glow, he gave me. I told him how beautiful it was and how much I loved he could focus his presence within me and look through my eyes. I answered immediately, that of course, he could!

I felt the presence of the Christ energy of light within me, and I could feel his gaze through my eyes, and I could feel his breath through my lips, his heart beating around mine. I was exalted by it in a way I could never describe with words. It was ecstasy. He stepped in front of me with a glowing smile. for he knew what I was feeling. I told him it was the most wonderful moment of my life. I asked if it would be possible to move within his form once more. He laughed gently, and told me yes. I stood silently within the consciousness of Christ giving myself to it as completely as I could. I moved out and let the love I was feeling radiate the beauty of the union I was experiencing. I asked how I could ever thank him for the gift of such love. He told me I already had... and he faded from my sight. I didn't move for over an hour. I just remained in the stillness and the miracle of what had just happened. My eyes were wide open, still seeing. It was more real than anything that has ever happened to me in my life. It was years ago when I had that vision, and I can still recall it as if it were happening now in this moment. Of course, it changed my life, and it changed the way I see everything and everyone. I have never been the same. Yet, I have had to live into the creative power and beauty and truth of what I saw and felt through the years. - a precious and very personal vision, a sacred experience shared by Naomi, may God's love be with her always. it's very kind of her for sharing such profound inner experience and giving permission for sharing. Naomi also writes @ New Mother, New Earth Night Song blog. 3. "A good vision / dream is from God." "When one of you sees a dream that one loves, then it is from God. One should praise God for it and relate it to (others)." "When the end time draws near, the dream of a faithful can hardly be false."

"Those of you who reach Jesus, son of Mary, give him salaam, the greeting of peace from me." - sayings of beloved Prophet Muhammad, benedictions to him, as recorded in Islamic sacred wisdom tradition. # art credit 1. top .. Messiah by Rassouli 2. middle .. The Garden of Gethsemane, 1860 by William Dyce # Related: Dreaming Prophets .: Interpretation of Dreams .: Secret of True Dreams Labels: dreamwork, spiritual, spirituality Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 8:00 AM post Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Testament I always return to see how God has been coming through me. Here, He is a dream of arrows; there, He is the slingshot and the giant. I am always waiting for the one to come with the ring: the reminder of why I've been sitting so long, the reassurance that we will be reunited. His Name is the thing that makes rocks float. He says it isn't His power, we are the magicians traveling His galaxies. He watches in awe while we pray and learn to walk across the water. (c) Margaret James immeta@earthlink.net Labels: poem, poetry Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 11:52 AM post the sudden awakening you can't help a baby giraffe enters the world. from six feet above dropped to the ground. 0 comments links to this 6 comments links to this

existence just found! from dark womb world to realm of bright light. it just can't help sudden awakening! the zen master with closed eyes announces slowly: S a t o r i. walks Moses straight to the burning bush. totally unprepared perhaps, sudden awakening arrives. the sudden awakening has got no r e s i s t a n c e. either it drops on you or you drop on it, by complete (paradoxical) chance. (c) MysticSaint Denver Int'l Airport June 24, 2008

Trivia: Mother giraffe often gives birth while standing so that the newborn's first experience outside the womb is a 6 feet drop! In the birthing process, the embryonic sack usually bursts when the baby falls to the ground. Satori is a Japanese word used in Zen Buddhism for the phenomenon of Sudden Awakening, that Place where the distinction between Experiencer and experience, Knower and known, is erased, and the separative sense of personal self ("I am me, and you aren't") is extinguished. A similar word Kensho is also cited in Zen to signify the experience of awakening or of self-realization and especially the initial experience of awakening. .: .: .: .: .: .: Satori in Zen Buddhism Six points on Satori Satori Kensho Laughing Buddha, Weeping Sufi Selected poems of Laughing Buddha, Weeping Sufi

Labels: mysticsaint poetry, poem, poetry, zen, zen mind Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 5:43 AM 6 comments links to this

post Monday, June 23, 2008 Love Thine Enemies 1. Love thine enemies because they are the instruments of your destiny. - Joseph Campbell 2. a good friend of mine recently shared the following insight which probably has the same theme about people whom we consider an obstruction, shadows, enemies, notfriendly in our life adventure; think again, who they really are for you... my friend wrote: The author of eat, pray, love (elizabeth gilbert) on Oprah was talking about one of her life-changing realisations, regarding the concept of a soul-mate. She mentioned very really that her expectations were biased by what she had seen in movies and read from books, as someone who is alike to you as they complete your sentences and bring mostly joys. Yet a soul-mate is really someone who acts as a mirror of your good and bad someone who enables you to grow from that. It can be someone volatile and quite temporary in your life she said. sometime we are at a stage of our life, where some of our worst habits / weakness that have been our sole burdens need to be dealt with, yet we feel incapacitated to deal with them alone. we realise that ultimately we do it alone guided by the people that hold the mirror reflecting our own souls These are our soul-mates. And as seekers of truth, lets not be anything less than mirrors to each others souls, which means trust and openness... 3. Love manifests towards those whom we like as love; towards those whom we do not like as forgiveness. - Sufi Master Inayat Khan # past post. // what happens when mirrors fail? Labels: creative thoughts, inspiration, love, thoughts Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 10:10 PM post God's Benevolence and Severity | Being mindful of both Man 'ashiq-e lutf o qahrash bi-jedd; ay 'ajab man 'ashiq-i een har do zedd. I am a lover of His Benevolence and Severity; 5 comments links to this

it's amazing that I am loving these opposites. - Rumi It is admittedly difficult to taste the rahma (mercy) lying within the core of the fruit of God's anger (ghadab/ghazab) or severity. So we seek refuge in the Sustainer of humanity, the Possessor of humanity, the God of humanity (Rabb innass, Malik in-nass, Ilah-in-nass), remembering that His mercy outstrips and is in fact the foreground for His severity (sabaqat rahmati ghadabi), remembering to seek refuge as did the Prophet Muhammad, may God's mercy be upon him, in God from God (audhu bi-ka min-ka). - a precious comment made by 'Abd al-Haqq (Dr. Alan A. Godlas), may God be pleased with him, in Sufis without Borders Yahoo Group. ... I the Lord, your God Am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject Me, but showing steadfast benevolence love to the thousandth generation of those who love Me and keep my commandments. - part of Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:5,6 Labels: God, islam, prayer, quote, sufi, sufism Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 6:40 AM post Sunday, June 22, 2008 Skin and Clay A bird sings. Behind it's song is yours. I cannot hear. I cannot hear. My face Streaked with tears, Wreathed by the ashes Of my failure. I cannot hear. I cannot hear. My legs bruised With endless kneeling, Fists full of dust. I cannot hear. I cannot hear. The song of the world Sings in my ear, Like bells and drums. Oh! my dear God, That's all I hear. 7 comments links to this

That's all I hear. A bird sings. Behind it is your song. But I cannot hear. I cannot hear. - M. Zed. Labels: poem, poetry Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 11:05 AM post 0 comments links to this

Saturday, June 21, 2008 Approach to an Unknown God: Religion collapses back into Mysticism | Sanctuary of no-thing-ness 1. Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? - Jesus Christ at the Cross at ninth hour, Matthew 27:46 My God, My God, why have You veiled YourSelf (from me)? - a mystical interpretation of mysticsaint 2. In the end, religion collapses back into mysticism as it recognizes that after we have said all we can say about God, we are still surrounded by an imprenetrable silence. Thomas Aquinas devoted his most rigorous thinking to trying to establish how we could speak about God based on analogies taken from human experiences. But after our minds have erected the ladder of analogy as high as possible toward God, he concludes, "we remained joined to Him as to One Unknown." Augustine, after writing endless words trying to explain the Trinity, admitted in the end, "I only write in order not to be silent." Mysticism counsels us to follow the via negativa, to honor the infinite distance that separate the finite and the infinite, to live within "the clouds of the unknowing" (Jacob Boehme), to respect the silence of the Godhead where nobody is at home (Meister Eckhart), to recognize the hiddenness of God (Martin Luther's "deus absconditus"), to understand that we can only speak about God in symbolic, parabolic and poetic way. We are caught in a paradox called human condition. If you are beginning to experience metaphysical vertigo, a fear of falling into the endless interlocking mysteries, don't worry. Relax. Yield to the vertigo and the falling will become the flying, the no-thing-ness will become the sanctuary. - Hymns To An Unknown God, by Sam Keen 3. The idea of God can become the final obstacle to God. - Meister Ekhart

How can we live without the Unknown before us? - Rene Char Mystery within Mystery. The gateway to all understanding ... The Tao that can be told is not the Eternal Tao. - Tao Te Ching Qul huwa Allahu Ahad. Allahu as Samad. Lam yalid walam yoolad. Walam yakun lahu kufuwan Ahad. Affirm: The Divine Being Is Absolute Oneness, The Eternal, The Absolute Is. Divine Being begets not, nor is begotten. And Is beyond the realm of comparison. - The Quran 112.1-4 4. In the Islamic tradition, the affirmation of faith access the Transcendence of God by the via negativa first, in the sacred mantra of La ilaha - illa Allah. La ilaha, there is no other Divine Reality; illa Allah, except One Divine Reality. The beginning part, La ilaha, is the via negativa. It is the Zen like emptying out of all created, imagined concepts generated through paradox of human conditions about GodHead. The Honorable Prophet Muhammad said: "Meditate upon God's blessings, but not upon His Essence [dht]." God in His very Essence, as Ibn 'Arabi often remarks, remains unknowable to us. No created thing can know God as God knows God. What we can know is simply what God chooses to disclose to human consciousness. In Sacred text of Quran it's revealed 2:255 "They encompass nothing of His knowledge save as He wills".

There is a beautiful prayer in Isha Upanishad, the Hindu sacred text, which, after accepting the mysticism of Unknown God, utters the heart prayer: O my Lord! Sustainer of all that lives, Your Real Face is covered by Your dazzling effulgence. Kindly remove that covering and exhibit YourSelf to Your pure devotee.

Labels: esoteric, God, mysticism Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 10:40 PM post Friday, June 20, 2008 Shams of Tabriz | Spiritual Portrait 3 comments links to this

Shams of Tabriz: A Fire of Roses by Zed medium: graphite 1. The extra-ordinary spiritual portrait of Shams is by artist and darvish, Zed. During the birthing process of the painting, the artists heart was open to Shams e Tabriz's spirit-guidance. It is not simply a portrait, but embodies a higher meditative quality of the boundless spirit of Shams, the mad lover of God. (for larger version of the art, click on the picture above) My deep appreciation to Zed for sharing this beautiful art work of heart. May your path and work continue to be guided and blessed. 2. If everyone could see what love is, each would set up a tentpole in the ocean. The world's population pitched and living easily within the sea! What if inside every lover's tear you saw the face of the Friend: Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, the impossible-possible philosopher, the glass diamond one, Shams Tabriz? - Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks 3. Show me the way to the Ocean! Break these half-measures, these small containers. Let my house be drowned in the wave that rose last night out of the courtyard hidden in the center of my chest. - Selection from The Diwan of Shams e Tabriz by Rumi 4. May God's profound peace be with you Ya Shams! O master of the heart! Don't forget us, those who loves you never seeing you. O friend of Friend! send your guidance to our hearts who loves you and your elect friend Rumi. Ya Shams e Tabriz! Labels: art, rumi, spirituality

Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 11:41 AM post

4 comments links to this

Thursday, June 19, 2008 Meetings with Remarkable Men | Gurdjieff's Search for Hidden Knowledge In 1920, an unknown man appeared in Europe having lived through some extraordinary experiences in the East. His name was George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff. Meetings with Remarkable Men is the story of his early years. It is the second volume of the All and Everything trilogy, as well as Gurdjieff's personal autobiography, originally published in 1963. The book takes the form of Gurdjieff's reminiscences about various "remarkable men" that he has met, beginning with his father. They include the Armenian priest Pogossian; his friend Soloviev, Prince Lubovedsky, a Russian prince with metaphysical interests, and a couple of others. In the course of describing these characters, Gurdjieff weaves their stories into the story of his own travels, and also into an overarching narrative which has them cooperate in locating spiritual texts and/or masters in various lands (mostly Central Asia). Gurdjieff calls this group the "Seekers of Truth". Gurdjieff's referring to Sufis by the term "Seekers of Truth" is much more authentic in a sense because sufism is a terrible misnomer for it has this '-ism' in it. Thus talking about sufis as "Seekers of Truth" as the object of search is not any "-ism" but search of Truth Itself - is a great testimony how well Gurdjieff understood and internalized the way of the sufis, the way of the Truth.

The book was made into a 1979 feature film directed by Peter Brook. The film shot on location in the forbidding, rarely photographed mountains and deserts in Afghanistan. The story involves Gurdjieff and his companions' search for truth in a series of dialogues and vignettes, much as in the book. Unlike the book, these result in a definite climax- Gurdjieff's initiation into the mysterious Sarmoung Brotherhood. The film is noteworthy for making public some glimpses of the "Gurdjieff movements". You can watch the movie via Youtube. Following are the links of it by parts: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: Meetings with Remarkable Men, part 1 of 11 Part 2/11 Part 3/11 Part 4/11 Part 5/11 Part 6/11 .. Meeting with Enigmatic Sufi Dervishes Part 7/11 Part 8/11 .. Entering Sufi Order Part 9/11 Part 10/11 .. Gurdjieff's exposure to 'movement' with Dervishes Part 11/11

Google Video has the whole movie as single video. [>] Watch Meetings with Remarkable Men via Google Video :: Some rare footage of Gurdjieff himself, tribute

# More Resources .: Gurdjieff International Reviews .: Gurdjieff Studies .: La Teca .: Gurdjieff Internet Guide Labels: esoteric, movie, mysticism, spiritual materials Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 8:56 PM post Wednesday, June 18, 2008 Sacred Movement of Gurdjieff 1. G. I. Gurdjieff (Jan 13, 1866 - Oct 29, 1949), the brilliant spiritual master and mystic developed the sacred movement based on ancient temples (sufi tekkes or lodges) dances he witnessed in Central Asia among Sufis whom he called Seekers of Truth. Gurdjieff took the sufi movements to a new height by incorporating principles of cosmic law which he discovered in his extensive spiritual searches throughout Asia and the Middle East. "Imagine that in studying the laws of movement of the celestial bodies, let us say the planets of the solar system, you have constructed a special mechanism for the representation and recording of these laws. In this mechanism every planet is represented by a sphere of appropriate size and is placed at a strictly determined distance from the central sphere, which stands for the sun. You set the mechanism in motion, and all the spheres begin to turn and move in definite paths, reproducing in a lifelike way the laws which govern their movements. This mechanism reminds you of your knowledge,. In the same way, in the rhythm of certain dances, in the precise movements and combinations of the dancers, certain laws are vividly recalled. Such dances are called sacred." - Gurdjieff, Views from the Real World The Gurdjieff movements are taught as part of the work of self observation and self study. Gurdjieff's teaching mainly addressed the question of people's place in the universe and their possibilities for inner development. He taught that higher levels of consciousness, higher bodies, and inner growth and development is possible. In his teaching Gurdjieff gave a distinct meaning to various ancient texts such as the Bible and many religious prayers including that of Islamic prayers. He claimed that those texts possess a very different meaning than what is commonly attributed to them. "Sleep not;" "Awake, for you know not the hour;" "The Kingdom of Heaven is Within"... are examples of biblical statements that point to a psychological teaching whose essence has been forgotten. Gurdjieff taught people how to increase and focus their attention and energy in various ways, and to minimize daydreaming and absentmindedness. According to his teaching, this inner development in oneself is the beginning of a possible further process of change, whose aim is to transform a man into what Gurdjieff believed he ought to be. 2. 2 comments links to this

"What you cannot discover in your own body, you will not discover in any place of the world..." (Idris Lahore) Gurdjieff Sacred Movements awaken these deep and estoeric questions: . Who inhabits this body of flesh and bones ? . What immensity does exist within the limitations of the body ? . How to answer this nostalgia of the higher, the better, and this call for truth that once in a while grabs ones own soul ? . How to live more passionately the inner fire ? Given very precisely by Gurdjieff as a powerful tool for growth, the practice of movements creates exceptional conditions for transforming the body machine into a place where the forces of intelligence, heart, and action can freely expand, through the development of a certain quality of attention and relaxation. 3. Osho Boulder Meditation Center presented the Gurdjieff Sacred Dances this June 11 to 15th in Boulder. Amiyo Devienne, who is one of the foremost teachers of the Gurdjieff Sacred Dances in the world today was the teacher in the workshop. She has been teaching the Sacred Movement for 20 years across the world including groups in France, Russia, India and US. It was an honor for me to be given the opportunity to participate in the workshop. For sometime now as i have read Gurdjieff's writings and teachings, specially his book, Meetings with Remarkable Men really attracted me. Beyond his news ideas, the personality of Gurdjieff has a very strong magnetism that captured me immediately when i read his books for the first time. This workshop thus provided a great window to be part of the actual movements taught by Gurdjieff as he was inspired from ancient sufi orders and estoeric brotherhoods. It was like receiving the spiritual transmission from ageless practices. The sacred movement teacher Amiyo shared her involvement with Gurdjieff Movement and her inspirations with a brief interview for Inspirations and Creative Thoughts blog, which i wish to share in coming post, God willing. May God bless the noble soul of G. I. Gurdjieff, the mystic and sanctify his Sirr. # Further: . Gurjdieff Sacred Movement via Wikipedia . Gurdjieff-Dances . Sacred Dance Process, Consciousness Expansion . Sacred Dance: The Search for Conscious Harmony Labels: esoteric, gurdjieff, mysticism, spiritual Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 10:22 PM post Tuesday, June 17, 2008 Time to live now, Shams meant Rumi the poet was a scholar also. But Shams, his friend, was an angel. By which I don't mean anything patient or sweet. 2 comments links to this

When I read how he took Rumi's books and threw them into the duck pond, I shouted for joy. Time to live now, Shams meant. I see him, turning away casually toward the road, Rumi following, the books floating and sinking among the screeching ducks, oh, beautiful book-eating pond! - from Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award winner poet, Mary Oliver's book 'What Do We Know: Poems and Prose Poems'

.: graphics collage: Rumi, Shams and Drowned Book by sadiq, inspired by Mary Oliver's poem Labels: art, poem, poetry, rumi Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 9:45 AM post Monday, June 16, 2008 Body as Mirror of the Soul 1. A sacrament is a visible sign of invisible grace. The body is a sacrament. All our inner life and intimacy of soul longs to find an outer mirror. It longs for a form in which it can be seen, felt and touched. The body is the mirror where the secret world of the soul comes to expression. The body is a sacred threshold; ... this sense of the body is wonderfully expressed in an amazing phrase from the Catholic tradition: The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. To describe the human body as the temple of the Holy Spirit recognizes that the body is suffused with wild and vital divinity. This theological insight shows that the sensuous is sacred in the deepest sense. The body is your only home in the universe. It is your house of belonging here in the world. It is a very sacred temple. To spend time in silence before the mystery of your body brings you toward wisdom and holiness. We should avoid the false dualism that separate the soul from the body. The soul is NOT simply within the body, hidden somewhere within its recesses. The truth is rather the converse. Your body is in the soul, and the soul suffuses you completely. Therefore, all around you there is a secret and beautiful soul-light. 2. Recognition of soul-light suggests a new art of prayer: close your eyes and relax 5 comments links to this

you body. Imagine a light all around you, the light of your soul. Then with your breath, draw that light into your body and bring it with your breath through every area of your body. ... you are bringing the soul-light, the shadowed shelter that surrounds you, right into the physical earth and clay of your presence. One of the oldest meditation is to imagine the light coming into you, and then on your outward breath to imagine you are exhaling that darkness or an inner charcoal residue. When you bring cleansing, healing soul-light into your body, you heal... - John O'Donohue. selection from Anam Cara 3. Allahu nooru as samawati waal-ardi ... Noorun Aala Noorin! God is the Light of the heavens and the earth ... Light upon Light! - The Quran 24:35 4. That light within is as pure as the lightening's light. It is light that is great and red. It is the light of God that beams jnana (divine wisdom). It is the light of chakras above. It is the light born of constant awareness of the pure sound, Aum. It is the light that is blended from all these lights. - Tirumantiram, sacred hindu text of tamil origin, 10th century BCE # related past post: Light is Generous Labels: integral spirituality, meditation, spiritual, spirituality Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 11:01 AM post Saturday, June 14, 2008 give yourself up without regret | meditative Rumi listen, o drop, give yourself up without regret, and in exchange gain the OCEAN. listen, o drop, bestow upon yourself the honor, and in the arms of the SEA be secure. who indeed should be so fortunate? an ocean wooing a drop in GOD'S NAME, IN GOD'S NAME, SELL AND BUY AT ONCE! give a drop, and take this SEA full of pearls. 2 comments links to this

- Rumi may God bestow upon us, the sleeping ones, the blessed realization of Mevlana Rumi, connect us with his spiritual haal (hate) and bless his soul. may we all taste what it means to give up the drop and gain the OCEAN - Hu Allah. La ilaha illaAllah. Balaa man 'aslama wajha-huu lillahi wa huwa muhsinun falahuuu 'ajruhuu 'inda Rabbih Wa laa khawfun 'alayhim wa laa hum yahzanuun. Nay, but whosoever gives up his own desires while serving God and does good acts, his reward is with his Lord; They shall have no fears And neither shall they grieve. -- Qur'an 2:112

.: photo credit via flickr Labels: love, poem, poetry, quote, rumi, sufi, sufism Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 5:50 AM post Friday, June 13, 2008 on politeness | a sufi story This true story is from my guide Sidi mentioned in his eloquent book, Music of the Soul. Sidi's full name is Muhammad Sa'id al-Jamal ar-Rifai as-Shadhuli. He is the Head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. He is also teacher at the Holy mosques at al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. This story is from the time when he was with his own guide, Sidi Abd ar-Rahman, may God be pleased with them both, in Damascus at zawiyya or sufi lodge. 1. There was a troublesome man there, everyday who would throw stones at the zawiyya. This was an old man and each time the incident of stone throwing happened, Sidi's guide would say, "Send him mercy. If he wants food, give him food. If he wants clothes, give him clothes. If he wants money, give him money. Give him what he wants." When Sidi according to the advice of his guide provided him, he would gather his sons and would throw more stones at the zawiyya. Sidi asked, "What is the wisdom?" Then he would further go to this old man and gave him some food and some money and some clothes from his guide, but at the same time Sidi felt something very strong about this person. His guide said to him, "There are many messages when this old man throws stones at the zawiyya." 6 comments links to this

Then one day the old man became sick and Sidi's guide sent Sidi to him. When he arrived at his house, he woke up and asked, "Who is there?". Sidi mentioned his name and the old man began to weep and he started to say Astaghfirullah (seeking forgiveness to Allah). And after some days, he came to live in the zawiyya. He became a holy student under the guide. While Sidi wrote down this story, this man was already one hundred and five years old. Later when Sidi met him in Amman, Jordan, he said, "Sidi, excuse me for throwing stones at zawiyya. But if I had not hit the zawiyya, I would not have reached God. How could I have known the guide and the way, if I had not thrown stones?" The guide saw the wisdom of his actions and know that this old man was one of his students. 2. This story has a strong and holy picture, as Sidi mentions later. The picture is of the date tree. Be like this tree, advices Sidi. When any person throws something to hit the date tree, it gives him back sweets. This is the right way. Sidi continues to advice: If anyone makes something bad for you or speaks in an unkind way, understand Who speaks and Who hits. After this you will know and you can take what you want. Be sweet and give to everyone who wants sweets because after the fire is the garden and after the darkness is light. It is necessary to see within everything, to see where it is coming from and to return it to God. Be polite! Everything is the Face of your God. Know that the politeness is the greatest door through which you travel to reach your God. Without politeness you cannot reach. 3. Lo! those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord: such will be companions of the Gardens of Bliss; they will abide therein. - The Quran 11:23 And give good news to the polite ones .. - The Quran 22:34 Once more the humble shall rejoice in the Lord .. - Isaiah 29:19 Blessed are the polite ones* for they shall inherit the earth. - Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 5:5 * Original Hebrew word is Anawim which is often translated as Meek in Bible. Anaw also mean humble, polite. # related: . Thoughts on Beatitudes | Understanding the deeper meanings . the wasp that demonstrated what it means "to love thy neighbor" . Sufi Story | from the life of Hafiz of Shiraz . Sufi Wisdom: The Story Of The Two Lights

Labels: Shadhiliyya, spiritual, sufi, sufism, sufism wisdom, wisdom Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 2:58 AM post Thursday, June 12, 2008 bless the space between the hearts words rising from mind stimulate and open knowing in new ways, but know, o lost traveler! words given birth from heart arrive like a zen arrow from bow drawn back by hands of angels that lets an arrow fly closing the gap between one heart and another, blessing the space between. when you feel the blessing like that, lift your hands, o friend! and hold them over your heart, witness love's vibrating essence. let go of all self-seeking in love but hold fast to heart's longing that summons the purity of divine love through forms and faces. behold the secret! right there, right there it is the highest creativity, the deepest capability in this human form. what else could you ever do that flows so beautifully between hearts given to God than to treasure these precious moments. o drunk lovers! ask no more, ask nothing else, but ask to bless the space between the hearts. (c) Naomi and Sadiq .: art credit. Michael Green's illuminated rumi prints 5 comments links to this

Labels: love, poem, poetry Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 7:55 AM post Tuesday, June 10, 2008 assembly of remembrance | zikr 5 comments links to this

No assembly ever meets to remember Allah which is not attended by the Angels and not covered by Allah's Mercy and where Allah the Almighty does not remember those among them who are close to Him. - saying of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him Above is a hadith or islamic tradition, along with inspiring Quranic verses on remembrance of God, are the basis of the assembly of remembrance or zikr (also written as dhikr) practice as preserved by the sufis, gnostics and also by muslims who don't necessarily call themselves sufi. Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of God and of the Truth which has been revealed .. - The Quran 57:16 And remember God in abundance that you may be successful. - The Quran 62:10 ... and certainly the repeated remembrance (Zikr) of God is the greatest. - The Quran 29:45 The sacred tradition of assembly of remembrance was also practiced by Jesus Christ, son of Mary, with his holy companions, peace and blessings be upon them. One such zikr in a circle assembly with praise of God led by Christ himself as the Shaykh is recorded in early Christian Gnostic text, the Apocryphal Acts of St. John. St. John records: Now before he was taken by the lawless, who also were governed by the lawless serpent (satan), he gathered all of us together and said: Before I am delivered up unto them let us sing an hymn to the Father, and so go forth to that which lieth before us. He bade us therefore make as it were a ring, holding one another's hands, and himself standing in the midst. (see Hymn of Jesus) In Islamic wisdom tradition the practice of remembrance of God in assembly goes back during the time of Prophet Muhammad as recorded by his holy companions. The hadiths record: In the lifetime of the Prophet it was the custom to celebrate Allahs praises aloud after the congregational prayers. (Bukhari, v1, b12, n802, narrator Abu Ma'bad) Ibn Abbas reported: Dhikr (mentioning the name of Allah) in a loud voice after obligatory prayers was (a common practice) during the lifetime of the Apostle of Allah; and when I heard that I came to knew that they had finished the contact prayer. (Muslim, b4, n1211)

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Shaykh Muzaffer Ashki al-Jerrahi (1916 - 1985), rev. Guide of Halveti-Jerrahi sufi order conducting a zikr in assembly of dervishes # . . . . Related posts Prophet Muhammad's advice on Zikr, Divine Remembrance On the Recollection (Dhikr or Zikr) of God A sufi tale | dhikr of la ilaha illa Allah On Remembrance of the Divine | Sufi Wisdom

Labels: hadith, Muhammad, Prophet Muhammad, sayings of Prophet, sufi, sufism Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 8:54 PM post Gathered Memory | the spiritual wisdom of Hafez So long as on Earth you live, do value your strength; the wheel of life buries all weakness in the end. In the school of transformation, in the tavern of alchemy, each seeker has its own course, unique pathway. Still, there are one curriculum common to all of humanity, past and present ... is what mystic philosopher and sufi master Hafez calls, Khater-e-Majmou, the Gathered Memory. The gathered memory is a condition of unity created by weaving disparate thoughts, emotions and personalities into one sharply focused images. It emerges both from within and without, arising in each person as the world of both one's self and one's double - that ancient metaphysical shadow being that is said to be an image of the self as it appears in the spirit world. You sometimes may experience gathered memory as completely relaxed composure. It is a peaceful state obtained through a momentary, yet complete flash of aggregate memory. You know who you are, where you've come from and who and what you are related to. This is not a matter of family or ancestry but, more expansively, a fact of interconnectedness with the rest of creation - past, present and future. This realization, if arrived at with authenticity and depth of perception, can evoke instantly a deep feeling of support and a nurturing environment for perseverance and visionary forward motion. Gathered memory is a timeless, personal mission, a divine intent on Earth. All answers are within, not outside. One's focus must be inward to see personal divinity. No amount of grieving about the outside world will result in clarity of vision. Don't get down on your knees in futile mourning; daily bread does not grow or shrink with your grief. Because these futile cries bring no benefits, be farsighted or sorrow becomes heart's thief. Gathered memory activates an intelligence so fierce that it is fearless of limitations that stop others. This fierceness is devoid of guilt, repentance and pity. Gathered memory is the field of surrender for abandonment of the world's pain and pleasure. Ordinary, everyday affairs become fields of sacred practices and spiritual transformation. The mind and heart are feed from ego concerns to 34 comments links to this

move on to deeper activities. True freedom results only when you abandon your worries about the outer world and commit to trusting the competent mystery of creation. Hafez, if you leave your affair to God's wisdom, you can have a lot of fun with your destiny. - Quoted from Haleh Pourafzal and Roger Montgomery's book, The Spiritual Wisdom of Hafez - Teachings of the Philosopher of Love. Just sit there right now. Don't do a thing. Just rest. For your separation from God is the hardest work in the world. - Hafez Labels: hafez, hafiz, mysticism, spiritual, spirituality, sufi wisdom, wisdom Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 3:36 AM post Monday, June 09, 2008 Reincarnation | Islamic Perspective | part.2 1. Beyond our historical mind One of the challenges of human mind is that its often caught in historical mind. That also explains, whenever an enlightened person, a new prophet arrived, a new concept was put forward, masses are caught in their historical mind frame and fail to see the truth, fail to think outside the box and the ignorance sometime turn into arrogance. "Alas for My servants, there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him". - The Quran 36 :31 When it comes to bridging the universal truth found in different religions in all of humanity, its again the historical mind that blocks us to even be ready to listen, let alone realize. For thousands of years, all religion has trained systematically to reject spiritual truths, just because its found or pre-exist in another faith tradition, ignoring the universality of the truth. When it comes to the idea of Reincarnation, if we are talking about spirit entering and re-entering the flesh, then the very concept is always there in all religions either subtle or more pronounced. i will mostly focus on Islamic perspective in this post for the case of reincarnation. 2. Before earthly existence When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful". - The Quran 7:172 3 comments links to this

The above verse tell in a metaphysical language, about the primordal existence of all children of Adam, all the souls as they were in flesh (carnate) already as a resting place in Primordal Adam. Thus our this birth itself is reincarnation already in exact Quranic context, since from Primordial Adam the soul again entering to another body in this lifetime. 3. Signposts in The Quran There are certainly powerful verses of the Quran which hints to the very idea of soul's journey from stage to stage. Off-course the deep metaphysical nature of these verses are multi-dimensional in terms of the ability of the readers to absorb. Instead of exoteric, outer (zahir), literal meaning, if one probes more into the esoteric, internal (batin) meaning, there are more message there than just the apparent. Following are few of such signposts verses that focus on soul's journey: It is God that takes the souls at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect. - The Quran 39:42 Thou O God makest the night to pass into the day and Thou makest the day to pass into the night, and Thou bringest forth the living from the dead and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living, and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest without measure. - 3:27 Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing - not even mentioned? Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled fluid, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight. - 76:1-2 See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?- generations We had established on the earth, ... yet for their sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generations. - 6:6 It is God who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a later feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known: for God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful. - 16:70 Now if God were to take people [immediately] to task for all the evil / mistakes that they do, He would not leave a single living creature upon its face. However, He grants them respite until a term set... - 16:61 And say not of those who are slain in the way of God. "They are dead." Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not. - 2:154 And God has produced you from the earth, Growing (gradually), And in the End He will return you Into the (earth), And raise you forth again. - 71:17-18 The Rose Sufi Crescent site offers: Quran Surah 18:45 is another passage that hints at reincarnation: "Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world: It is like the rain which we send down from the skies: the earth's vegetation absorbs it, but soon it becomes dry stuble, which the winds do scatter: It is God Who prevails over all things." Explanation from the site, 'The image here is powerful. The "rain" symbolizes the descent of our higher self (Ruh - sparks of light, spirit) to the earth. We are absorb here in the world of matter. Like the vegetation, where some are roses, others lillies, others trees, we all reach up towards the heavens, the sun, the moon and the stars. We blossom. We give off fragrances (manifesting good/ill deeds

and accumulating Karma). Each has his/her place in the eco-system (the divine plan and cosmic structure). Then we die. The wind (the Spirit) scatters our souls (referring to both the scattering of our karma into the world and the reincarnation of our lower souls nafs - into other bodies). And the process begins again, with the rain (Ruh) descending to the earth. Eventually the Source (God) "prevails" over the cycle of reincarnation by drawing all things back to Itself. ' 4. Mutu qabla anta mutu / Die before Die Is the Prophetic statement, "Mutu qabla anta mutu" or "Die before Die", a very central theme of islam's esoteric spirituality, is the key to accelerate our moksha (liberation) or nirvana or freedom from cycle of birth and death? Is the dying before physical death in a conscious and realized state, is equivalent to many more unrealized life and death - and thus a key to be free from the Matrix? i don't have a definite answer, but the clues are all out there. Truth has many ways to approach. 5. Why the reincarnation or rebirth is not explicit? Wisdom behind why the knowledge of reincarnation / rebirth is not made common knowledge. As we know, all esoteric truths were not revealed to mankind at the same age, but over many thousands of years and more, over many cosmic ages. Just like in the development of a individual human being, different life experience and truth are revealed to him or her gradually, so it is for mankind as a whole. Human collective consciousness with time has progressed and through different enlightened beings, avatars, prophets and messengers different spiritual and esoteric truths were revealed. Different age has its essential nature, so is the message and progress of humanity associated with it. i have a feeling that reincarnation was suitable for the ancient mind, thus we find it much more prevalent in earlier religious and faith traditions such as hinduism, buddhism, other past and indigenous religious tradition etc., whereas modern, monotheistic religions hardly makes it explicit. There is a profound reason why the newer stages of human religious wisdoms (such as Judio-Christian or Islam) don't have reincarnation explicitly mentioned and it has to do with the age and its evolution of consciousness. Perhaps sufi Master Inayat Khan's criticism gives a clue why. According to him, the idea of reincarnation as unhelpful to the spiritual seeker's quest for unity with God, as it focuses the aspirant's attention on the past and the future, rather than achieving spiritual transcendence in the present moment. Not all knowledge is beneficial. Not every truth made apparent is helpful for our journey. Thats why although many children, people have remarkable past life memories, rest of the people, majority of human race have no conscious, traceable memory of past lives. ... so that they know nothing after having known: - 16:70 Sometime knowledge which is veiled or made forgotten is helpful. For example, the knowledge of our death is kept hidden from us. We know we all will die, yet most of the time the consciousness of death, the thought of death is veiled. Knowledge of certain things sometime can be a heavy burden. On no soul does God place a burden greater than it can bear. - The Quran 2:286 If everyone always knew exactly when we will die, that very knowledge could be a

distraction and burden and would prevent us from many things which essentially makes life interesting. 6. The secret is here, the secret is now, why look elsewhere? Just yesterday, as i walked into the Border Book Store at 29th Street, Boulder, Colorado, as i casually picked up a book on life quotations by Paulo Coelho, the first page i opened randomly from the middle, the first few lines eyes got struck were these: The Secret lies in the Present. If you pay attention to the present, you will be able to improve it. And if you improve the present, whatever happens afterwards will be better too. Each day brings us Eternity. Although we may have lived many lives before, its only this current and present life is where everything is. May be we were born before, may be we inherited our tendencies from past lives, may be we haven't - but all it really matters is this life, the present moment, the Now. Thus its a spiritual paradox that from present life perspective "we" always have one life, one death, no matter how many past lives we may have. Nor will they there taste death, except the first death; - The Quran, 44:56 The reason is hidden in the secret of "what is i", "personality", "sense of self", because even though it may be the same soul in many body, when it took another body, it had different personality. Previous "me", previous "i" may not necessarily what we can call "me" or "i" in present life, even though its the same spirit or soul journeying. Thus for us, for you, when you die, its always your first death for this 'self'. Afterall, all selfs are illusory sense, maya, immersed in false identity most of the time or unless its truly liberated, unless its truly enlightened and realize its oneness. 7. There are more things in heaven and earth that we ever will know May be the idea reincarnation as we understand it, as generations of past have tried to describe it, is totally off target, very far removed from what reality truly is, as is the case for most sacred esoteric realities. We are like people in cave of Plato's Republic facing the wall, who perceive only a dim reflection of reality. No one knows the true mystery of soul except the Creator of Soul. That could be another reason why its not at all discussed in relatively modern spiritual traditions. The inner realities always remain beyond language and description of limited mind. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He wills. - The Quran 2:255 We are no longer living in an age of static belief system or organized religious power structure. Those ages are over. Humanity is moving towards integral understanding of reality. In our age, what is really important is not belief system, but beyond. Belief is too limiting, too imposing as compared to what our heart and soul can contain. Integration and being open to new possibilities for realization is what will be the next evolution of collective humanity. Enlightenment for a single person is over, humanity shall be enlightened

collectively. As Naomi puts in one of her comment in past post, "Rather than thinking of reincarnation as a belief that develops in a linear succession of "other lives", isn't it also possible to feel the experiences of another through the gift of Oneness of divine love from the Creator of all life? ... For me, the answers to the mysteries will never be proven through evidence, but are shared and felt in the heart through the unending miracle of the graces of Love." And God knows the Best. Allahu Al-Alim, God is the All-Knowing. "And I do not make myself free of blame, for the human soul is inclined to ignorance, except what my Lord has mercy on. Surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful." - Quran, 12:53 # Related posts: . Reincarnation | Islamic Perspective | part.1 . Reincarnation / Rebirth | Signs Labels: esoteric, mysticism, Quran, reincarnation Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 5:09 AM post Saturday, June 07, 2008 Reincarnation | Islamic Perspective | part.1 1. Reincarnation | Where traditional Islam stands? In the orthodox / traditional / mainstream Islam at its later version doesn't talk about reincarnation. The idea of reincarnation is not discussed in Quran explicitly, the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, never had to confront this idea since the very concept was absent mostly from the arab society and minds of his time. Offcourse the idea of hereafter was there, the idea of final resurrection is there, but the continuing cycle of life and death is simply not discussed openly. During the time of Quranic revelation, people of Jewish community came to the Prophet and asked about the mystery of soul. Prophet remained silent and waited for answer from God and it was revealed through the Angel Gabriel as inspiration: And they ask you concerning the soul. Say: "The soul is one of the things, of which the knowledge is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little." - The Quran, Al-Israa' 17:85 alternate translation: They ask thee concerning the spirit. Say: "The spirit (cometh) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O mankind!)" Its quite clear, even after so much advances in collective human knowledge - the mystery, the metaphysics of the soul is something which is still beyond rational understanding. It's not a subject that can be theorized, or publicly debated. The subject matter of soul / spirit is a highly sacred mystery of which little knowledge is allowed to the physical plane. Thus its understandable on exoteric level that the journey of soul from the world of unseen to its manifestation, and whether or not it goes through different 5 comments links to this

cycles as reincarnation or transmutation as part of evolution and as opportunity for self realization - is not a public domain knowledge from Quranic perspective. 2. What is traditional Islam, anyway? The history of Islam, like all organized religion, has gone through many changes. The traditional or orthodox Islam in the form and ideology that we see today is far more different than the original spirit of Islam of the Prophet, his holy companions and holy family. In earlier days, specially during first few generations, intellectual exchange, love for sacred knowledge and metaphysics, probing into the mysteries of the universe was considered as gnosis of God or means of knowing God, as everything in cosmos spontaneously declares glory to the Creator, affirms Islam. Just to give an example, at one point there were 135 schools of thought thrived in Islamic wisdom tradition, which implies there were much more openness and acceptance of pluralism, inclusive, more acceptance of different mode to approach sacred wisdom. But now its reduced to about 4 or 5 school of thoughts. As a result both inner and outer knowledge were suppressed over the ages and control freak so called religious clerics continue to play monopoly on sacred knowledge as they wish, by labeling them as heretic or blasphemous, totally ignoring universal spiritual truths shared by whole of humanity. 3. Does esoteric aspect of Islam has room for it? Now lets go back to the subject matter of Reincarnation and its position in Islamic wisdom tradition. Its worth reminding, i am not an expert or claim to be such on this subject. i am simply presenting few resources which i came across in the journey to understand spiritual truth. i dont place much importance to what majority thinks / believes, because majority rules doesn't apply to seekers. Quran testifies too, that majority never gets it most of the time: Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? - The Quran 25:44 Its quite clear that mystery of soul, including whether reincarnation exist or not, is an esoteric subject. To find whether relevant knowledge exist in esoteric circle, one needs to turn to people of esoteric wisdom in Islamic tradition. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq, who inherit the holy bloodline of Prophet Muhammad through Fatimah and Ali, is a tremendously scholar figure of Islamic wisdom tradition. Imam Husayn, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad was the grandfather of Jafar asSadiq. Imam Jafar was not only a religious scholar but at the same time he was a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. Now Mufadhal ibn Umar al-Ju'fi, a prominent companion of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq, is attributed to the book called, Kitab al-Haft wa al-Adhilla. Temple of the Living Imam mentions about the book that discusses Reincarnation from Islamic context. It is an intense piece of gnostic Shiite literature, the book is a kind of Hermetic presentation of ostensibly hidden doctrines. The disciples of Imam Sadiq ask him routine theological questions to which he gives the most perplexing answers. The Shadow-world of preexistence, seven eras each with its own Adam, the reincarnation of initiated souls into better and better human forms, and the reincarnation of non-initiates into baser animal forms, all the hallmarks of the mystery cults are here in Kitab al-Haft, beautifully rendered into an Islamic context. This book alone gives a rare glimpse into that esoteric islam do acknowledge the idea of soul's evolution, its journey from stage to stage. By the afterglow of sunset, And by the night and all that it enshroudeth,

And by the moon when it comes to fullness, That ye most certainly shall journey on from stage to stage. - The Quran, 84:16-19 In a number of sufi orders the concept of dawriyyah or cycles, which is almost equivalent in philosophy of reincarnation (tenasukh) do exist. Traditionally sufis have always looked at Quran for inspiration and by Prophetic tradition, its known that Quran contains many levels of meaning. Thus through inspiration of the more esoteric passages of Quran, a number of sufi orders do believe that there are hidden hints of reincarnation / soul's journey from stage to stage is mentioned in Quran. 4. Why the opposition to reincarnation idea then? From earlier times Islam came to lands where other religions (both in east, where Hinduism, Buddhism as well in west where Egyptian indigenous religion) had the concept of reincarnation so strong, as simple reactionary mind (from cultural reactionary trend), the opposition of the idea of reincarnation came into place. It is also a kind of phobia of exclusiveness, either-or tendency. Often time there are misunderstanding because of differences in terms of language and culture. For example, when Islam came to India, since reincarnation was something very central idea of Hindusim, through reactionary attitude, religious authority started to label reincarnation exclusively Hindu idea, thus made it automatic outsider. They missed the essential point that Islam neither talk about it, nor does it deny it explicitly (if we take Quranic exoteric, literal meaning as well as Prophetic tradition as primary source of Islamic theology, which is the case). 5. Does Quran hint for soul's journey? For majority are the knowledge of past lives kept hidden for good reasons? i hope to share this in part.2 of this post. Read Islamic / Quranic perspective on reincarnation, part 2. # Previous Post: . Reincarnation / Rebirth | Signs . Secret of Transmutation of Soul | Rumi # . . . . Reference: Reincarnation via wikipedia Reincarnation, yes its true A Sufi View of Spiritual Rebirth: Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Reincarnation in Islam

Inayat Khan's take on Reincarnation . The Phenomenon of the Soul: Reincarnation . Karma and Reincarnation . Impressions Gathered by the Soul Before Coming on Earth . The Phenomenon of the Soul: The Law of Heredity Opposing View Point . Does The Holy Qur'an Support the Reincarnation theory? by Khurram Shahzad Labels: esoteric, islam, reincarnation, spiritual, spirituality

Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 3:25 PM post journey from stage to stage | meditative quranic verses

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Fala oqsimu bialshshafaqi Waallayli wama wasaqa Waalqamari itha ittasaqa Latarkabunna tabaqan AAan tabaqin. By the afterglow of sunset, And by the night and all that it enshroudeth, And by the moon when it comes to fullness, That ye most certainly shall journey on from stage to stage (enter one state after another). The Quran, al-Inshiqaq, 84:16-19 Labels: meditative quranic verse, Quran, quranic Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 12:00 AM post Thursday, June 05, 2008 The Highest Secret of Transmutation of Soul | Rumi First He pampered me with a hundred favors. Then He melted me with the fires of sorrows. After He sealed me with the Seal of Love, I became Him. Then He threw my self out of me. 3 comments links to this

- Rumi . Inna li'Llahi wa inna ilai Hi raji'un. (The Quran 2:156) Surely We are God's and toward Him We are the Returning Ones. graphics collage: Sadiq M. Alam, with photo credit to Carolyn E. Scripps Labels: poem, poetry, reincarnation, Resurrection, rumi Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 10:19 PM post Wednesday, June 04, 2008 Reincarnation / Rebirth | Signs 1. Reincarnation "Krishna taught it; Plato believed in it; the Buddha revised it; Augustine considered it; Emerson wrote about it; Freud rejected it; Tolstoy was passionate about it; Sagan was curious about it. All of these great minds were fascinated, entranced, or troubled by one powerful idea: reincarnation. Of the many ways in which humans have tried to understand what happens after death, reincarnation is one of the most common and most enduring. Contrary to popular belief, it is not merely an Eastern notion but one that has flourished in cultures around the world.." - WIE magazine on this subject, sometime back i read a special issue of What is Enlightenment (WIE) titled, Death, Rebirth, and Everything in Between which presented extraordinary scientific and philosophical exploration of reincarnation idea. [>] Read for yourself the full cover story. 2. Cases of children who "remember" past lives when it comes to adult who might have psychological projection in terms of past life recollection, but there are mind blowing evidences of many children (as little as only few years) across the world, across culture who have powerful past lives memory and are studied. Memory of such children alone are great signs of reincarnation. William was born with a birth defect, a serious heart condition in which the main pulmonary valve has not formed completely, keeping blood from flowing properly into the lungs. Aside from this he was an ordinary, healthy boy. When he was 3, he started spontaneously talking about the life of his grandfather. He related details he could never have known. For instance, William told his mother the names 6 comments links to this

of the pets she used to have when she was young. Once, when his mother warned him she would spank him if he didnt behave, he said, Mom, when you were a little girl and I was your father, you did much worse things and I never hit you! And William remembered details about the death of his grandfather, a policeman in New York who was shot six times during a robbery. The deadly bullet entered his body through his back where it cut open an artery in his lungs. Was William the reincarnation of his grandfather? In his office at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, assistant professor and psychiatric clinic director Jim Tucker keeps files filled with such stories. But proof? No. He wont call it evidence; rather, signs of reincarnation. Tucker is extremely cautious when he talks about his research into the stories of William and more than 2,000 other children in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, all of whom report memories of a previous life. WIE Senior Editor Carter Phipps spent almost a year in the field examining the data on reincarnation. Phipps noted striking similarities: Most children start talking about past lives at the age of 2 or 3 Those lives often involved people who lived fairly close by When they talk about it, their tone is factual and much calmer - almost like an adult - compared to when they talk about everyday things They have specific knowledge that other children of their age dont have, such as the 2-year-old girl from Sri Lanka who knew curious details about making incense, including brand names not available in her area Over 70 percent of these children talk about a life that ended suddenly, often in a violent way, such as a suicide, murder or traffic accident about which they appear to remember every ghastly detail. (credit) 3. Who Reincarnate really? Responding in a discussion at an event where people raised the question of Reincarnation to Father Thomas Keating, himself a Cistercian monk and priest, made a wonderful comment which i will never forget and which has very deep esoteric implication. I paraphrase from my memory about which he said, 'Even if reincarnation happens, its not "us" or "I" who reincarnate.' sitting and listening it came to me that Father Keating made a very powerful remark right there. The realm of soul and its journey is one of the most mysterious one. He was pointing to that mystery because part of it is really in the identification of who "we", our "sense of self" is? can we really claim that the soul belongs to us? Perhaps the answer to this great mystery is hidden in this mystical statement of the Quran: Kullu man AAalayha fanin; Wayabqa wajhu Rabbika, zul al-Jalali waal-Ikram. Everyone that is thereon shall pass away; remaineth but the Face of your Lord, Master of Majesty and Generosity. ( Quran, ar-Rahman, 55:26-27) 4. Kabbalistic Jewish wisdom tradition has reincarnation ideas embedded in it one way or another. Reincarnation is mentioned in numerous places throughout the classical texts of Jewish mysticism. "As long as a person is unsuccessful in his purpose in this world, the Holy One, blessed be He, uproots him and replants him over and

over again." (Zohar I 186b) Gnostic and early Christians also believed in reincarnation; only later on church removed all such texts and branded those heretic. History records that the early Emperor Justinian in 545 A.D. was able to apply the full power of Rome and his authority to stop the belief in reincarnation. He forced the ruling cardinals to draft a papal decree stating that anyone who believes that souls come from God and return to God will be punished by death. The actual decree stated: "If anyone asserts the fabulous preexistence of souls, and shall assert the monstrous restoration which follows from it: let him be anathema. (The Anathemas against Origen), attached to the decrees of the Fifth Ecumenical Council, A.D. 545, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2d ser., 14: 318)." credit There are sayings of Jesus that points directly to his knowledge on this subject in gnostic gospels. In the Secret Book of John, written by 185 A.D. at the latest, reincarnation is placed at the center of the discussion concerning the salvation of souls. Jesus says, "This soul needs to follow another soul in whom the Spirit of life dwells, because she is saved through the Spirit. Then she will never be thrust into flesh again." (Secret Book of John 14:20) "His followers said to him, 'When will the rest for the dead take place, and when will the new world come?' He said to them, 'What you look for has come, but you do not know it.'" (Gospel of Thomas, saying 51) (credit) 5. In the next post God willing, i would like to post something about the idea of reincarnation from Islamic wisdom tradition. One thing needs to be cleared that Quran or Islam doesn't reject the idea of reincarnation. The subject is simply not discussed and that doesn't mean its rejected. Though not explicit, yet there are certain verses of Quran which esoterically point to rebirth cycle and human journey from stage to stage. There are certain sufi schools of thought who talk about reincarnation. Also there are certain higher wisdom in not making it explicit and i would love to share my two cents of thought on why the knowledge of reincarnation / rebirth is not made explicit and common knowledge. if you happen to know / aware of other material related to this subject, will appreciate pointing to such resources in comment / email. # WIE, Issue 32 / MarchMay 2006 Death, Rebirth, and Everything in Between # How Reincarnation works? # via Youtube . Reincarnation, children remember past life, Part 1, Part 2 . Reincarnation, the amazing story of a scottish child, Part 1, part2, part3, part 4, part 5 # Reincarnation # Reincarnation in Early Christianity # Does Judaism believe in reincarnation? # Universal Law of Reincarnation Labels: death, esoteric, reincarnation, spiritual, spirituality Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 5:03 AM 11 comments links to this

post Tuesday, June 03, 2008 Krishna | Christna | Christ | Christos 1. Mathura, North India 3127 B.C. The moon was in the constellation of Aldebaran and it was the 8th lunar day of the dark fortnight in 3127 B.C. The blessed virgin, Devaki, was about to deliver a baby boy; Krishna was to be his name. His birth had been heralded by the astral formation of a Rohini Nakshatra, a most auspicious astrological sequence. His father, Vasudeva was a carpenter. Unfortunately, a wise Brahmin had predicted to King Kansa, the ruler of Mathura, that a son born to Devaki would destroy him. Kansa ordered the death of all male babies on the day of Krishna's birth to prevent the prophecy from coming true. Luckily for Krishna, his father was prewarned and fled with the child to Gokul where he could be brought up safely. Hinduism has long worshiped the Holy Trinity of Brahma - the Creator; Vishnu - the Preserver and Shiva - the Destroyer. Krishna, it was believed, was the second entity in this trinity. Much like the second entity in the trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The name Krishna is sometimes spelled as "Christna". The entire story of Krishna was written in Hindu epic of 100,000 verses before 500 B.C. 2. Bethlehem, Judea, 7 B.C. A triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in a given year was very rare indeed. This conjunction in which the two planets seemed to almost touch one another occurred on May 29th, October 3rd and finally on December 5th in the year 7 B.C. The three Buddhist (*) wise men observing this astronomical miracle were convinced. A reincarnation had indeed arrived on Earth and it was finally time to meet him. They would then need to convince themselves that he was indeed the one that they were looking for ... They needed to visit Jerusalem. . Quoted from The Rozabal Line by Shawn Haigins * some evidences say they were from India and Buddhism had great influence in India that time. other scholars are of the opinion that the three wise men were from Persia. 3. Christ (Yeshua) and Krishna | some notable similarities . Both were called Savior, and the second person of the Trinity. . Krishna and Jesus were of royal descent. . Both were visited at birth by wise men and guided by star. . Both Yeshua and Krishna withdrew to the wilderness as adults, and fasted. . Christ was called "the lion of the tribe of Judah." Krishna was called "the lion of the tribe of Saki."

. Both claimed: "I am the Resurrection." . Both referred to themselves having existed before their birth on earth. . Both performed many miracles, including the healing of disease. One of the first miracles that both performed "to make a leper whole". Each cured "all manner of diseases." . Both cast out indwelling demons, and raised the dead. . Both were meek, and merciful. . Both were criticized for associating with sinners. . Both had a woman (Radha, Mary Magdalene) who played significant influence on their respective lives. Interestingly in Hindu tradition Radha is celebrated as a partner of Krishna whereas the Christian Church suppressed the status of Mary Magdalene who's traces can more openly be found only in the Gnostic Gospels. 4. And for every nation, there is a Messenger ... (Qur'an 10:47) And verily, God has sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): "Serve One God, and keep away from everything that is false". (Qur'an 16:36) And, indeed God has sent Messengers before you; of some of them God related to you their story and of some God has not related to you their story... (Qur'an 40:78) (Say) We make no distinction between any of them (Messengers and Prophets sent to mankind), and unto God we have surrendered. (Qur'an 2:136) # Related . Reading on Krishna . Krishna and Muhammad Labels: Christ, comparative religion, krishna, religion Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 1:07 PM post 11 comments links to this

Monday, June 02, 2008 Singularity Meditation | alchemy of turning ordinary into sacred ( .about. ) This is a meditation to achieve a mental state which is singular. Sufi mystics and Zen masters both have such spiritual goal ingrained into their traditions. ancient warriors also arrived consciously to this state before they went into battle, ritualistically accepting their impending death so they could function unencumbered by fear.

(( .method. )) close your eyes. turn inward. inhale deeply. be mindful to what are you inhaling. you are inhaling not only air but also the Spirit of Light that encompasses everything; spanning from eternity to eternity, from infinity to infinity. with closed eyes internally concentrate on the breathing

and shift your focus to your heart area where the heart chakra is. alternatively you can focus in the middle of your forehead. this is the seat of soul where singularity consciousness appear. now say with your whole being, Hu Allahu Ahad. allow your 'self' to disappear. be free. know that your soul is always free, absolutely free. be free from your mind. free of doubts and limits. become free to focus on nothing but Singularity. now say: Bis.mi.Llah. (pronounced as bismillah) and slowly turn outward with a deep inhale and exhale, slowly open your eyes and engage what you need to be engaged with. ( .awareness. ) this meditation can be done before starting any action. before engaging into any work to bring the singularity awareness into what we do. every action then becomes sacred action. its an effort and intention of stepping from limited to limitless flow of energy field. it is also an initiation. an alchemy of turning ordinary work to sacred work. the sufi wazifa associated with this meditation is Al-Ahad, Echad in Old Testament language. bring the awareness of the Sacred Oneness in the heart while stepping into singularity Ahad is a Quranic key upon which its commanded to meditate. Allahu Ahad. translates as, Say the Divine is One. (112:1) The Grand Singular. Grand Singularity, the meditation. Allahu Quran says, Qul Huwa

in arabic, Bis.mi.Llah literally translates as, In the Name of God. sounds simple, yet it holds the mystic key: the divine consciousness. it's the alchemy that turns any ordinary action into sacred. many enlightened sufis simply using this seemingly ordinary statement, fusing with higher consciousness, performed extra ordinary miracles including powerful healing. many of them still do in our time. may it also be your mantra to heal yourself and to bring healing to everything you do. Labels: meditation, sufi, sufism, zen, zen mind

Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 9:46 PM post Sunday, June 01, 2008 All I Have is All You Gave

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Only You I choose among the entire world. Is it fair of You letting me be unhappy? My heart is a pen in Your hand. It is all up to You to write me happy or sad. I see only what You reveal and live as You say. All my feelings have the color You desire to paint. From the beginning to the end, no one, but You. Please make my future better than the past. When You hide, I change to a Godless person; and when You appear, I find my faith. Don't expect to find any more in me than what You give. Don't search for hidden pockets, because I've shown You that. All I have is all You gave. - Rumi translated by: Nader Khalili [>] Listen to this poem Only You via Imeem.

[>] if you wish to receive a copy of this poem in mp3 audio, pls drop me an email (mysticsaint@gmail.com). i will be glad to share this charming poem which is also a beautiful prayer of its own. . text credit / image credit # Related Post: I asked and He gave Labels: God, love, poem, poetry, prayer, rumi Post to Del.icio.us | posted by Sadiq Alam @ 11:59 AM post About Me 4 comments links to this

Name: Sadiq Alam Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Knowing me is knowing nothingness - Knowing The Truth is Knowing the Real. afterall we are all dispensable ... "Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation, and reason with them in the gracious way" (Quran 16:125) ... "O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous" (Quran, 26:83) ... "O my Lord, Sustainer of all that lives, Your real face is covered by Your dazzling effulgence. Kindly remove that covering and exhibit Yourself to Your pure devotee" (Isha Upanishad) ... "When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" (Buddha) ... "Satis Est, Domine, Satis Est" / 'It is Enough, O Lord, It is Enough' (St. Francis Xavier) || Tracing the evolution of Spirituality | Appreciation for all faiths | Mysticism and Integral Comparative Spirituality | ... "And I do not make myself free of blame, for the human soul is inclined to ignorance, except what my Lord has mercy on. Surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful" (Quran, 12:53) View my complete profile .