Revolutionary Dua...

Dear Friends

Du'a (دعاء) is the act of supplication. The term is derived from an Arabic word meaning to 'call out' or to 'summon', and Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. God states in the Quran:

"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)!"

So I make a heartfelt Dua that our Egyptian brothers and sisters choose the middle path that was enunciated and perfected by Buddha (pbuh) and by Muhammed (pbuh) rather than any reactionary ‘ism’ such as Islamism or Humanism. I also make Dua that rivers of blood cease... and other oppressed people seize the moment to taste liberty and self respect...Ameen. Suma Ameen...

Salaam

Faisal

Ps – I like to think of Dua like pitch...The greater the need / desire / pain the purer and more potent it will be as it pierces the heavens and lands in the lap of the beloved...Try it! The proof is in the pudding... : )

Spiritual Politics...

Dear Friends

If the definition of Politics is:

The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/politics)

Then a spiritual aspirant at the minimum is a political architect and wields influence through his or her words, deeds, even emotions...For they are on a path leading to individual and collective freedom...

So we should all heed the call of Rumi:

Come, Come, Who ever you are

Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come...

Faisal

Ps I am reminded of a top Rishi who stated that Freedom is in Discipline..

Winds of Change...

Dear Friends

The current events in Tunisia, Yemen, and Egypt remind me of one of my favourite Quranic verses namely that Allah will not change a nation until it changes itself.

Perhaps parts of the Islamic World are ready if not hungry for the rule of law, empowerment of women, protection of minorities, eradication of extremism, love of knowledge…Just like our magnificent Andalucían, Ottoman, Mughal ancestors…

Salaam

Faisal

Why Worry!

Dear Friends

Rumi sings:


You Worry Too Much
Oh soul,
you worry too much.
You say,
I make you feel dizzy.
Of a little headache then,
why do you worry?   
You say, I am your moon-faced beauty.
Of the cycles of the moon and
passing of the years,
why do you worry?
You say, I am your source of passion,
I excite you.
Of playing into the Devils hand,
why do you worry?

Oh soul,
you worry too much.

Look at yourself,
what you have become.
You are now a field of sugar canes,
why show that sour face to me?
You say that I keep you warm inside.
Then why this cold sigh?
You have gone to the roof of heavens.
Of this world of dust, why do you worry?

Oh soul,
you worry too much.

Your arms are heavy
with treasures of all kinds.
About poverty,
why do you worry?
You are Joseph,
beautiful, strong,
steadfast in your belief,
all of Egypt has become drunk
because of you.
Of those who are blind to your beauty,
and deaf to your songs,
why do you worry?

Oh soul,
you worry too much.

You have seen your own strength.    
You have seen your own beauty.
You have seen your golden wings.
Of anything less,
why do you worry?
You are in truth
the soul, of the soul, of the soul.
You are the security,
the shelter of the spirit of Lovers.
Oh the sultan of sultans,
of any other king,
why do you worry?

Be silent, like a fish,
and go into that pleasant sea.
You are in deep waters now,
of life's blazing fire.
Why do you worry?

(Thanks to : http://www.rumi.net/  , Shahram Shiva)

Salaam

Faisal

'Stickiness' Part 2.0...

Dear Friends

Here is Rumi's take on 'stickiness'...


''Be occupied then, with what you really value, and let the thief take something else''

''When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy''.


Salaam

Faisal

'Stickiness'...

Dear Friends

I watched an awards ceremony for the best of British Comedy during the weekend. The most interesting category was the Life Time Achievement award. The recipient has penned many award winning dramas over a career that spans four decades. Steve Clarke changed several careers including teaching and driving a taxi  before devoting himself to writing. The rest is history...

We are fortunate that we can relatively easily change careers in the west and adopt our vocation. Once we have discovered our ‘thing’ in worldly and other worldly affairs we must stick at it through thick and thin...The rest will follow...

’Stickiness’ is the secret...

Cheers

Faisal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khJ_fIxCYsY&feature=related

Neo-Islam...

Dear Friends

Speak a new language
so that the world
will be a new world.
Rumi

....Good night zzzzzzz

Fishing in the Rivers of Life!

Dear Friends

I feel that a curriculum is the path way of study leading to the actualisation of an outcome(s). 

If the definition of Shariah is ‘path’ or ‘way’ then perhaps it is a curriculum. What is the outcome of Shariah?  For me personally God consciousness and a dynamic relationship with God that diffuses into your day to day life. One becomes a conduit for the truth / light / God.  

Consequently I feel that slavishly adhering to any madhab or school of thought destroys the outcome i.e. God Consciousness. Instead there will be poor projections if not idols of God originating from the ego that divide rather than unite individually and collectively. Is it any wonder that religion in general has such a bloody past, present and future? And humanists proclaim the virtues of secularism and scientism.

Put it another way if my practice of Islam is not transforming me into an independent ‘fisherman’ then I have failed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gzkllCIyww

ALL BOUND FOR HU! HU! LAND...

Faisal

Questions???

Dear Friends

What is the pathway to enlightenment / nirvana / fana?

It lies fully in understanding the self…

What is the self?

Is the self illusory?

Is the self divine?

Is the self a permanent duality?

Is the self a programmable piece of cosmic-ware?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK1yGn9bt34

One answer is for sure…I'll keep searching, testing, and tasting…

Keep jamming & dreaming…

Faisal

Ripples...

Dear Friends

Our actions even thoughts and emotions cause ripples just like pebbles being thrown into a lake.

Thus as clichéd as it sounds we should try and make ripples of peace, love and understanding. Since the human species is probably experiencing its greatest level of turmoil to date.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hS-N9E8ctY&feature=related

Yes we can make a difference….

Faisal

'I' Remains...

Dear Friends

The mist clears

The music begins

Ney, drums, flutes

The light of truth pierces my soul

Yes! We all fall in love

Surrendering

Dying

Annihilating

Only 'I' remains…

Tera mera rishta purana...Our Relationship is Primordial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XKCNWNAk5E&feature=related

Faisal

Sufi Comics...

Dear Friends

Hats Off !!!! To my fellow Saliks Arif & Ali:

http://www.vakil.org/category/sufi-comics/

Who have used the creative genre of comics in service of the TRUTH!

As we say on the streets of Manchester - Nuff Respect / Respect is Due!   ; )

POWER TO THE DIL /  HEART…

Faisal

Diamonds are for ever...

Dear Friends

It is an interesting fact that the base element of diamond and coal is carbon. This has the potential to become a beautiful allegory. 

Do we transform into ‘diamond’ or ‘coal’? Are we destined for a life of utility or excellence?  Will we lead lives of mediocrity or greatness? Ultimately will we be slaves to our egos or taste freedom in surrender?

Certainly diamonds such as Mevlana Rumi are for ever...

Ciao

Faisal 

Zero...

Dear Friends

Accountants add and subtract

Economists multiply and divide

Financiers take powers

And Mystics are zero…


Faisal

Mopping the Soul...

Dear Friends

One of my favourite 'non-thinking' weekly activities is mopping my folk's big kitchen floor. I will blast the Bollywood and get stuck in. Over the years I have become a dab hand at cleaning and it is really great seeing the final product namely a shining floor and a big smile from my Mum.

For a long time I considered this activity as good exercise however, last weekend it occurred to me that there is a lot more going on that meets the eye. Over the years I have discovered tricks to cut the cleaning time without jeopardising the quality which is very satisfying. But why do I find this activity so fulfilling and actually look forward to doing it!?!

Upon reflection this small activity is deeply nourishing my soul as it is 'my' time, space, and I have total control. There are no targets or boss watching or monitoring me. I am not competing with anyone and remain highly motivated. I take the initiative and the pay-off is immeasurable so much so that I chastise my other siblings for not maintaining my high standards! : )

Can this humble mopping experience be transferring to my worldly and otherworldly work especially my research, teaching and consulting? YOU BET!

I am reminded of another beautiful metaphor…

Naiki kar aur Darya mein dhaal…Do good deeds and throw them into the river…

This is such a rich metaphor and I leave it to your imagination and soul to decipher…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYLseVbOHjk

Now we are free…

Faisal

Resurrection...

Dear Friends

Last week I attended a Muslim funeral which was a sombre yet moving event. I deeply love communal Islam especially during births, deaths, and marriages. Muslims will put aside their differences and celebrate or offer their unconditional support especially during a funeral. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with long lost friends and relatives.

As the body was being lowered I felt a chill in my soul. Is this it? I pondered. However I experienced a lovely epiphany. Yes this is it but the deceased will resurrect in the hearts of loved ones…Inshallah.

My late Murshid remarked during the end of his earthly career that after his death he would become closer to his students as the confines of the body would be obliterated and the soul is free to taste eternity…

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un…'Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return'."

Salaam

Faisal