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language of the other world
2009-01-14 17:20:00
Three days after I was born, as I lay in my silken cradle, gazing with astonished dismay on the new world round about me, my mother spoke to the wet-nurse, saying, "How is my child?"And the wet-nurse answered, "He does well, madame, I have fed him three times; and never before have I seen a babe so young yet so gay."And I was indignant; and I cried, "It is not true, mother; for my bed is hard, and the milk I have sucked is bitter to my mouth, and the odour of the breast is foul in my nostrils, and I am most miserable."But my mother did not understand, nor did the nurse; for the language I spoke was that of the world from which I came.And on the twenty-first day of my life, as I was being christened, the priest said to my mother, "You should indeed be happy, madame, that your son was born a christian."And I was surprised, -- and I said to the priest, "Then your mother in Heaven should be unhappy, for you were not born a christian."But the priest too did not understand my language.And...
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When the world is burning, the important thing to ask is what is being born
2009-01-12 06:33:00
Life is an expression of divine oneness..We are an integral part of life's unfolding mystery, its wonder and glory.And we have the capacity to be conscious of life's oneness, just as we can recognize how every cell of creation carries an imprint of His name.- Llewellyn Vaughan-Leefrom his book Working with OnenessOneness is without failing, at the heart of all the spiritual paths. Specially from mystical point of view the vantage point where all paths unite is exactly this what we call oneness. It is perhaps the most difficult idea to comprehend with rational mind and yet the simplest notion of Reality that simply IS.Global Oneness Project takes this idea of oneness and explores how the radically simple notion of interconnectedness can be lived in our increasingly complex world. Starting from January 2006, the project has traveled the globe gathering stories from creative and courageous people who base their lives and work on the understanding that we bear great responsibility for...
More About: World , The World , Burning , Thing

Prayer for Gazans | Hizb an-Nasr (Orison of Divine Support)
2009-01-08 17:11:00
Prayer and love are learnedin the hourwhen prayer becomes..... impossibleand the heart has turned..... to stone.- Thomas MertonHizb an-Nasr, Orison of Divine Support is a powerful litany inspired by the illuminated heart of gnostic, master of saints, pole of his time, Shaykh Abul Hasan ash-Shadhdhuli, may Allah sanctify his Secret and connect those who love him to his station.Shaykh A. Nooruddeen Durkee ash-Shadhdhuli, May Allah bless him and give him good health, of Shadhdhuli School, Green Mountain Branch has recommended to recite the highly meritorious Hizb an-Nasr to invoke Allah's help, blessing and guidance for the people of Gaza and for all Palestinians. Indeed it has benefit and concealed secrets in it for those who recite it.The Hizb an-Nasr can be downloaded and read from the following links via Green Mountain School website.[>] Download the PDF of Hizb an-Nasr with original Arabic, pronunciation and English translation.Repeat the supplication as much as possible, asking ...
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human suffering, lamentation of mystic heart and utterance of oneness myste
2009-01-05 23:24:00
1.scrutinize the mysteryunderlying all thingsseek in higher dimensionsof understandinga meaningbehind all our sufferingsunmaskwhat appears to bethe caprice of human destinyhow we long to become thatwhich we hardly believe we are!- Sufi Master Vilayat Inayat Khan (1916 - 2004)may God bless his soul2.when one's consciousness is no longer tiedto a particular beingconsequently one extends one's consciousnessfrom the cause of one's being to that of all,all beings!.. having hoisted oneself from the causal level to the one we are now describing, one grasps with crystalline clarity the laws governing all happening.if consciousness is conducted beyond the point where it operates from an individuated center, perception of the immediate vicinity falls out of focus and one discovers not only the laws governing the autonomous functions of atoms, cells, or even the reflex action of the whole organism of the creature, but the enlightened intention of an overriding yet compassionate will.should ...
More About: Human , Heart , Suffering , Oneness

The sanitized illusion of falsehood against the burning fire of truth, just
2009-01-03 08:00:00
1.Before Moses went to the demand the freedom of the captive slaves of the children of Israel, Moses had two choices. Once choice was to be among the Egyptian power-structure, to be part of that structure which made the mighty Kings as gods who were worshiped; where pictures of kings, prince and queen were made to be inscribed on the Pyramids, on grand palaces by the very slaves who were demanded to bow down before those Kings, Queens and their icons. It was a sanitized, so called ?religiously? holy regime where Moses could find himself easily as being one of them, after all he was raised by the Pharaoh?s wife as one of the family members.The other choice was less sanitized and less glamorous. It was the role of a person of truth with just demand to free the slaves, to ensure their human rights and freedom. He decided not to bow down to this morally corrupt power structure that made themselves oppressors and enslaved hundreds and thousands against their wills, constantly murdered th...
More About: Truth , Illusion , Fire , Burning , Falsehood

Art, Truth and Politics | Harold Pinter (1930-2008)
2009-01-02 15:45:00
"When we look into a mirror, we think the image that confronts us is accurate. But move a millimeter, and the image changes. We are actually looking at a never-ending range of reflections. But sometimes a writer has to smash the mirror, for it is on the other side of that mirror that the truth stares at us.I believe that despite the enormous odds which exist, unflinching, unswerving, fierce intellectual determination, as citizens, to define the real truth of our lives and our societies is a crucial obligation which devolves upon us all. It is in fact mandatory.If such a determination is not embodied in our political vision, we have no hope of restoring what is so nearly lost to us: the dignity of man."- 'Art, Truth and Politics ' by Harold PinterThe invasion of Iraq was a bandit act, an act of blatant state terrorism, demonstrating absolute contempt for the concept of international law. We have brought torture, cluster bombs, depleted uranium, innumerable acts of random murder, mis...
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the madman: crucified
2008-12-31 19:45:00
I cried to men, "I would be crucified!"And they said, "Why should your blood be upon our heads?"And I answered, "How else shall you be exalted except by crucifying madmen?"And they heeded and I was crucified. And the crucifixion appeased me.And when I was hanged between earth and heaven they lifted up their heads to see me. And they were exalted, for their heads had never before been lifted.But as they stood looking up at me one called out, "For what art thou seeking atone?"And another cried, "In what cause dost thou sacrifice thyself?"And a third said, "Thinkest thou with this price to buy world glory?"Then said a fourth, "Behold, how he smiles! Can such pain be forgiven?"And I answered them all, and said:"Remember only that I smiled. I do not atone -- nor sacrifice -- nor wish for glory; and I have nothing to forgive. I thirsted -- and I besought you to give me my blood to drink. For what is there can quench a madman's thirst but his own blood? I was dumb -- and I asked wounds of...

Gaza Massacre and Conscience | there is no peace without justice and freedo
2008-12-30 17:58:00
1.The code name of USA's 51st state, a.k.a. Israel's operation that has killed about 400 people (wounded nearly 2000) in Gaza , Palestine since 27 December and even today continually bombing the Gaza strip is called Operation Cast Lead, in reference to a Hanukkah poem by Israeli national poet Hayyim Nahman Bialik. The outrageous murder of human conscience is utterly depressive!2.How on earth someone can bring Hanukkah reference (a sacred day in Jewish calendar) to murder in cold-blood hundreds of people including innocent civilians, women and children is unthinkable. Already Bethlehem is a city on siege by Israel driving out the Arab and native Christians in silent mass expulsion. Such total disregard for anything sacred (and what is more sacred than human lives?) reminds me of Khalil Gibran's Madman:The Good God and the Evil God met on the mountain top. The Good God said, "Good day to you, brother." The Evil God made no answer. And the Good God said, "You are in a bad humour toda...
More About: Peace , Justice , Conscience , Massacre

The Work of Becoming Human | Kabir Helminski
2008-12-28 20:10:00
?There is a great deal of human nature in man.?- Charles KingsleyIn Sufi conference 2004, Kabir Helminski of Mevelvi sufi order started his talk titled, 'the work of becoming human' with the following opening lines:"And our subject today ... is a subject of humanness. Its not an accidental subject. its really at the heart of this path that we call sufism.I remember when I first encountered this path, my first and most beloved Shaykh said, 'you know, you need some work to be human.' in one sense its given to us, but there is also work to be human."To listen to this talk, follow the two audio links:[Audio] Part 1 (click to play the mp3 audio file)[Audio] Part 2. More talks from Sufi Conference 2004 is available via Golden Sufi, Recorded at the May Sufi Conference, Black Mountain, North CarolinaIn his article. What is a Human Being?: The structure of the self within spiritual psychology Shaykh Kabir Helminski mentions few important aspect:Psychology means ?knowledge of the soul (ps...
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The Prayer of Thomas Merton
2008-12-25 23:03:00
1.fi aynatad?habün?WhereAre YouGoing? - The Qur'an 81:262.My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.I do not see the road ahead of me.I cannot know for certain where it will end.Nor do I really know myself,and the fact that I think I am following Your Willdoes not mean that I am actually doing so.But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road,though I may know nothing about it.Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lostand in the shadow of death. I will not fear,for You are ever with me,and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.- Prayer of Thomas Merton, Father Louis# Thomas Merton 's connection with Sufis

As Salaamu Alaikum | Peace be upon you on Christmas
2008-12-25 21:24:00
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.- Jesus Christ, Gospel of John 14:27Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Shlama 'laik!*"- John 20:26* Shlama is the word for peace in Aramaic, the language of Jesus and his mother Mary. Shlama 'laik in Aramaic meaning 'Peace be upon you'. Also As-Salaamu Alaikum in Arabic, Shalom Aleichem in Hebrew.Waals salamu aalayya yawma wulidtu wa yawma amootu wa yawma obA Aathu hayyan.Peace on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!- from the holy lips of Jesus, the Messiah and son of MaryamQuran, Chapter of Maryam 19:33With invocation of blessings of Al-Fatiha upon the blessed soul of Jesus, Ruhu'Lllah, the Spirit of God, as he is honored in this world and the next.# Related:. Jesus Washing the feet of his disciples. Peace on the day Jesus was born | Merry Christmas
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What is Sama? | Mystical Audition according to the Sufis
2008-12-24 05:01:00
1.The very revelation of the Final Testament, Quran began through a deep mystical audition of holy Prophet, peace be upon him. It was in a retreat that Angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet and the first messages of the Quran was recited to him. The sacred sound of the rhythmic Quranic verses entered into the heart of Prophet Muhammad through deep listening states that would last for next twenty three years in his life time.The deep listening involved during the revelation of the Quran is also clear in the verses where the Prophet is even commanded not to move his tongue in order to follow in haste what was revealed but to concentrate on the deep listening.Move not your tongue in haste.Ours it is to gather it and to recite it.- The Quran 75:16,17In another place the commandment for deep listening is generalized:When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with deep listening, and remain silent: that you may receive grace. - The Quran 7:2042.The practice of deeper listening to sacred verse...
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Na Man Behooda Girde | Qawwali from Rumi's poetry
2008-12-22 20:16:00
No! I am not roaming aimlesslyaround your streets and bazaar,rather searching for his Beloved.................. forever,I am that kind of a lover.drunk with the wine of longingaround Beloved is my strolling.God have mercy on me!troubled, here I am roaming.I've done wrong and sinned,wounded now am I walking.Though your eyes see me drunk,glance with heart of yourlo! you'll find me sober.- a new translation and poetic rendition of famous Qawwali, 'Na Man Behooda Girde' by Sadiq Alam based on the translation of Farah Aziz, UKthe original Persian lyric in transliteration follows:Na man behooda girde kocha wa bazaar megardamMazaj-e-ashiqee daram paye dildar megardam.Khudaya rahm kon bar manPareeshan waar megardam.Khata karam gonahgaramBa hale zaar megardamSharabe showq menoshamBa girde yaar megardamSukhan mastana megoyamWalay hooshyaar megardam.This particular poem of Rumi is very much loved in Indian sub-continent in popular sufi Qawwali format specially credit to celebrated qawwali ...
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o mor bondhu dhon roshia | bengali folk song by dohar
2008-12-22 01:24:00
1.o mor bondhu dhon roshia dekha dao mok ekbar aashia.appear!o my treasured friend of joy,show your effulgence faceto me once, o only once!ashibar chaiya ashilen naa moner aagun mor nibhailen naa.you promised to come, yet you didn't,and in your absencemy heart is on fire ever since.boroni dhaner bhajilam khoishonar bondhu mor ashilen koi!i have prepared a feast for my belovedwhere is he, o where is he!aaisho bondhu dhon jolpan khaan shonan bondhu tor dotorar taan.come o golden friend, break bread with me,let my heart hearmusic of your sweet-string being.- translation from Dohar's rendition of a sweet Bengali folk song "O Mor Bondhu Dhon Roshia" (O My Treasured Friend). Dohar is a Kolkata based music band that promote and sings songs of soil of Bengal. Many of their songs adopt lyrics and tune from ancient bauls (mystics of Bengal) and often the metaphors are deeply rooted in sufi mysticism. In this song also metaphorically "Bodhu dhon roshia" is what Rumi would refer as Intimate ...
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Thomas Merton's letter to Sufis and views on Sufism
2008-12-19 04:26:00
"I'm deeply impregnatedwith Sufis m ."- Thomas Merton,In 'The Springs of Contemplation'"I am the biggest Sufi in Kentucky though I admitthere is not much competition"- Thomas Merton, October 1966"My prayer tends very much to what you (sufis) call fana.^"- In letter to a Sufi master Abdul Aziz^ Fana in sufism refers to the inner act and unitive experience of merging with the Divine oneness1. Sufism: a very strange subject and it should be kept a strange subject"Who wants mystical theology in a monastery?!", says he mischievously. "That?s almost as bad as bootlegging or something!" dismissing it, bug-eyed with mock wondering disgust. "The last thing in the world any modem, progressive Catholic wants to hear about is mystics... I sort of throw it at you with a Moslem disguise or something like that in which it is more acceptable."At this point, having warmed his audience up, he launches into the topic of the day."Now, we?ll talk about Sufism. Sufism is a very strange subject, and it s...
More About: Views , Letter

The Hundred Letters of Sharafuddin Maneri, the Sufi Saint of Bengal
2008-12-17 04:52:00
1.Imagine the power of few correspondences in form of letters during the medieval period between two persons, which were so rich in their content that the letters were copied by seekers of truth, was kept as priced possession by kings and rulers and were made compulsory text in religious schools (madrasas), where the letters were not only read but fractionally memorized as part of the religious, spiritual education.These letters after compiled became known as The Hundred Letters and were written by a celebrated saint of Bengal, Sharafuddin Maneri (1263 - 1381). The Hundred Letters was prized among all the sufi circles of medieval India. Known by the title "The spiritual Teacher of the Realm", Sharafuddin Maneri, may God be pleased with him, is venerated as one of the most famous Islamic saints (awliya Allah) and sufi master.2. Context of the LettersThe then governor of Chausa, Bihar (northeast India), Qazi Shamsuddin frequently petitioned the spiritual master Sharafuddin Maneri to s...
More About: Sufi , Saint

selfless love in the animal kingdom
2008-12-15 14:19:00
1. Heart Warming Reunion and AffectionIn 1969 John Rendall and Ace Berg saw a lion cub for sale in Harrods. Cramped and lonely in a small cage, they decided to bring it home. They raised this lion cub who they named Christian, and sadly he got too big for them to take care of so they decided to release him to live as a wild lion.Well, in this footage, a year has passed and it looks like Christian's adapted to living with a pride of lions when his old friends come back to visit him. Watch closely and you can see the look of pure disbelief that dawns on his muzzle- it's awesome. Next thing you know, we have a heart warming reunion.. Watch the amazing video of heart warming affection. Lengthy version / . from the View. Interview of John Rendall and Ace Berg in 2008, 2nd part. Christian the Lion is among top most viewed videos of 2008 via Time2.One of the most amazing display of animal affection ever captured on video. This is footage of Ana Julia Torres affectionately kissed and hug...
More About: Kingdom , Love , Animal , Animal Kingdom

let all selfish lovers die today
2008-12-14 04:05:00
let all selfish lovers die today.amidst this dense worldof hungry ghosts,these passing cloudsand stranger crowds -who needs them, anyway?let all selfish lovers die today.selfish lovers aren't really lovers,in realitythey're pretenders,(may God save you from).when did a loverreached the lofty station of lovewithout sacrificingthe selfish self?Waal AAasri. Inna al-insana lafee khusrin. ^I swear by the Time's token,What a state of loss Man is in!ask help o lost one, ask help.this day take refugein True Lover: Al-Wadud *The goal of Love, Loverand Beloved.- Sadiq Salim Charlottesville, VADec 8, 2008^ Sacred verses from the Holy Quran, 103:1-2* Al-Wadud is one of the 99 revealed Archetypal Divine Name in Islamic Wisdom tradition. Most arabic words have 3 letters root and the root of Wadud is W-D-D which has the following classical Arabic connotations:- to love- to be affectionate- to long for, to desire, to wish for.Al-Wadud means: The One who is the Source of all love and loving-kindn...
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Story of Yom Kippur | Jewish Holy Day of Forgiveness
2008-12-13 03:01:00
On the day of Yom Kippur, Rabbi Elimelekh of Lisensk took his disciples to a bricklayer?s workshop. ?Notice how this man behaves,? he said. ?Because he manages to communicate well with the Lord.?Without noticing that he was being observed, the bricklayer ended his work and went to the window. He took two pieces of paper from his pocket and raised them to the sky, saying:?Lord, on one paper I have written the list of my sins. I have erred and there is no reason for me to hide that I offended You several times. But on the other paper is the list of Your sins towards me. You have demanded of me more than what is necessary, brought me difficult moments, and made me suffer.If we compare the two lists, You are in debt towards me. But since today is the Day of Pardon, You pardon me, I pardon You, and we shall continue on our path together for another year.?.. via Warrior of Light blog of author Paulo Coelho:))
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astrology, horoscope | from spiritual vantage point
2008-12-11 08:00:00
1.Like many people I had a deep interest in astrology, I still have it but in a much lesser degree. My curious interest was and is mostly in the aspect of astrology that defines different human characteristics, not the astrology of future prediction. Eager to study human psyche / psychology from occult side, I found astrology very fascinating and used to compare people's characteristics with their astrological sign etc. It was fun, mostly do it yourself project. In the same path of interest I came to learn little bits of Numerology, Palmistry (Chiromancy) and Face reading (Physiognomy).In the Islamic wisdom tradition, astrology that is used for future prediction is strongly discouraged (to the extent of forbidden) because of disbelief on Divine Will involved in it and its materialistic misuse (partly because of ill motivation of dishonest astrologer who take advantage of people of weak mentality). Immoral practice of astrology is considered as sorcery or black magic. Also those who...
More About: Astrology , Spiritual , Horoscope , Point , Vantage Point

which way is the qibla
2008-12-10 12:48:00
Someone asked Majnun, "O young,which way is the qibla*?"He answered, "If you are an ignorant rock,here's your Ka'ba. behold a rock!The Ka'ba of the lover is the Lord,that of Majnun is Layli's face.Since you are neither this nor that,you're a stone and your qibla is of stone,shameless and brazed man!Though the Ka'ba is the qibla of all..... the people of the world,still, the qibla is always the abode of..... the soul's Ka'ba.In the sacred sanctuary that is closest to the soulone hundred thousand Ka'bas..... are wandering lost!- from Fariduddin 'Attar's Musibat-Nama (The Book of Affliction) translated by Lucian Stone (part published in Sufi, Issue 74, Winter 2007)* Qibla is an arabic word for the direction that Muslim face for praying. It is a symbol of unification for all of humanity to face a Singular Point signifying the one direction towards God. Physically on earth the location of Ka'ba in Mecca is the point of direction (qibla) for all Muslims.WaliLlahi al mashriqu ...

Awakening | Kenza Saadi
2008-12-09 19:40:00
I walked, and I walked. I studied all the books. I listened to all the eminences. I went far away and beyond. I kept looking at the sky hoping to get an answer. I went to almost every place of worship and heard almost every prayer and hymn. I asked all the questions my imagination could come up with, and received all the imaginable answers.One day, tired and my shoes all used up I stopped. I sat on a stone on the edge of the town I had just happened to visit.I just sat there. Simply breathing. The sun moved across the sky and clouds shape-shifted in silence. A small worm slid passed my foot heading towards a fallen leaf.Suddenly, like a soft breeze following a thunderstorm, I felt His laughter and I heard His gentle scolding: ?Wake up!?- by Kenza Saadi# Past Poems by Kenza. Holy Men. The Tulip. Pilgrims
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Satguru | The Teacher of Truth | Kamil Murshid
2008-12-07 09:04:00
1.Show us the straight path,The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace ..- The Quran 1:6,7Is there somebody who can take me to the Lord?I will go to him, touch his feet and kiss his hands, and serve him faithfully, him, who can take me to the Lord.- a Sikh prayer hymn2.The sanskrit word Satguru (also written as Sadguru) is a very beautiful and powerful term pregnant with meanings and illumination by itself. The original word Satguru literally means true master, can also be interpreted as teacher of truth. It is used to describe a universal concept which is found in almost all spiritual traditions. An equivalent modern western notion of Satguru (pronounced as Saatguru) would be a realized spiritual teacher in reality, not in title or self-proclamation.In Hindu Vedanta Satguru is the Perfect Master. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Perfect Master is the one who have achieved Buddhahood and who is thoroughly conversant with the noble truth of self-realization. In Sikhism its ter...
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Spiritual Traveler: Finding a Teacher | Dr. Stewart Bitkoff
2008-12-04 03:14:00
Pure love for one's spiritual teacher is a signpost of 'the journey'.- S. SalimYou may follow anyone. If you can see from those meetings that some love is awakening in your heart for God Almighty, then you must keep with those meetings. - Shaykh NazimAre those who know and those who do not know - alike? Mindful only are the people of understanding. - The Quran 39.9Each spiritual traveler?s journey is both individual and collective. With the sequence of learning experiences varying according to the person, the time, and their higher as opposed to emotional need. This sequence is established by the Teaching, the teacher, and the path. It is a sequence that originates from another dimension, has baraka or grace attached to it, and operates within its own rules.. Finding a PathIn our culture, many are searching for a path that will bring them personal happiness. In this respect, this search is similar to other cultures and times. However, because of the present societal emphasis ...
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Khaled Hosseini discuss A Thousand Splendid Suns
2008-12-04 02:21:00
1.In The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini explored the friendship of two boys from different social classes in Kabul, in the days before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. After the phenomenal success of this poignant debut novel, Hosseini delivers an equally piercing and memorable follow-up. Spanning 30 years of Afghan history, A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the story of Miriam and Laila, two women of different generations and backgrounds who are thrown together through dire circumstances. They develop a strong bond in the face of the tragedy that surrounds them outside, and the brutal, socially accepted misogyny they endure at home."[Hosseini] offers us the sweep of historic upheavals narrated with the intimacy of family and village life. - Los Angeles TimesI just watched a beautiful talk with Khaled Hosseini in Borders BookClub where he discusses about this novel and the extra-ordinary stories of Afghan Womens struggle. [>] Watch it here. Its a great one. Another talk by Khaled Hosse...

come here with an empty cup
2008-12-03 18:49:00
If you are coming here like this cup you are not taking anything. This cup is full. Whatever you put in, it is not going to take more.If you are bringing the cup empty then you are going to find your cup getting filled again, and every time you are tasting from that cup you are going to know that it's different than what was in it before. But if a person is coming with his cup filled, then he is only going to take what he brought. Nothing else.- Grandsheykh Muhammed Nazim (b. 1922, Cyprus), may God be pleased with him . via Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani siteIf you want a glory (izz) that does not vanish, then do not glory in a glory that vanish.The real journey (at tayy al haqiqat) is when the world's dimension (masafat ad dunya) is rolled away from you so that you see the hereafter closer to you than yourself.- from Ibn Atallah's Al-Hikam# Related: come to Me with that which I have not
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the blind astronomer
2008-12-02 06:23:00
In the shadow of the temple my friend and I saw a blind man sitting alone. And my friend said, "Behold the wisest man of our land."Then I left my friend and approached the blind man and greeted him. And we conversed.After a while I said, "Forgive my question; but since when has thou been blind?""From my birth," he answered.Said I, "And what path of wisdom followest thou?"Said he, "I am an astronomer."Then he placed his hand upon his breast saying, "I watch all these suns and moons and stars."- Madman by Kahlil Gibran.# Full text of Kahlil Gibran's Madman is available online read via Project Gutenberg ebook+ nothingistic libraryalso ++ Gibran archivein the news: Dec 1st, 2nd 2008. Venus, Jupiter and Moon in your eyes
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a point where contradictions meet
2008-12-01 06:17:00
There is a pointwherein the mystery of existencecontradictions meet;where movementis not all movement,and stillnessis not all stillness;where the idea and the form,the within and the withoutare united;where infinite becomes finite, yet not.- Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Indian Poet, Playwright and Essayist, Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.
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Qasidah al-Burdah | Poem of the Mantle | the most-recited and celebrated si
2008-11-27 08:20:00
1.early 7th century, Medina,Prophet's MosqueIt was the dawn prayer congregation at the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina where a poet by the name Ka'b joined that morning. Ka'b ibn Zuhayr was considered one of the most outstanding poet of his time and continued his poetic talent after his father, who was also one of the chief poet of his generation.After much soul searching Ka'b has decided to take hand with Prophet Muhammad and submit to Divine submission (Islam). This is a man who earlier vociferously rejected the Messenger and the new message of unity and wrote satirical verses against the Prophet. In recent past he was a relentless and vocal offender of the Prophet.Upon ending prayer Ka'b approached the Prophet and as he made his identity known Prophet Muhammad forgave him instantly. At that point Ka'b recited an ode that he had composed earlier to praise the qualities of Muhammad, the Messenger. It was in the traditional Bedouin style, splendid in diction and highly melodio...
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fear and treasure | Quranic Insights
2008-11-26 06:00:00
I've heard of living at the center,but what aboutleaving the center of the center?Flying toward thankfulness,you become..... the rare birdwith one wing made of fear,and one of hope.- Rumi, ColemanIn the Quran , the idea of fear also has its counterpart of greater reward, treasure what Rumi talks about in his saying, "Our greatest fears are like dragons guarding our greatest treasures."Perhaps the wisdom of Rumi is better explained in another of his saying. "God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites, so that you will have two wings to fly, not one."In Quranic context fear can be more appropriately viewed as awe of the Great Majesty of the Divine. For the gnostics, saints, sufis or mystics the fear of God is not the ordinary fear of the common folk. For mystics the awe is associated with the Jalal Face of God, the Face of Overtaking Majesty and their fear is nothing but losing the grace and love of the Beloved.Nay they are the Friends of God, no fear ...
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