From tariqas-digest-approval@europe.std.com Mon Jul 8 17:25:48 1996 Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:14:33 -0400 (EDT) From: tariqas-digest-approval@europe.std.com Reply-To: tariqas-digest@world.std.com To: tariqas-digest@world.std.com Subject: tariqas-digest V1 #50 tariqas-digest Monday, 8 July 1996 Volume 01 : Number 050 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: maarof@pc.jaring.my Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 04:21:40 +0800 Subject: Lord Sloth? On Fri, 05 Jul 1996, Frank Gaude wrote: [...} Fixation likely is the perfect symbol, perfect word, for Lord Sloth, >which many call Shaitan or the devil. > >Peace, > >tanzen > I take refuge in Allah from shaitan, the sworn enemy of man Asssalamualikum This is the first time I heard of the word "Lord Sloth". There has been lot of tales about sufis encountering shaitan, and some were deceived by shaitan into following the path of error. It has also been said, that it is not enough from reading books (the one I'm doing) because the shaitan will whisper a different ideas into our head, and what we thought is right and true, is actually false. As a muslim, I use the Quran as my navigation map. What about those in other faiths? May I know your experience... ? salam the ignorant one maarof ------------------------------ From: Salikun@vnet.net Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 17:30:28 -0400 Subject: The Tawhid of Bugs? Tanzen wrote: >Salikun wrote: >> I also see a theme in my recent (and only) posts: Tawhid! > >For me, Tawhid is Union with Allah, "Remember Me and I will remember thee." >(Qur'an 2:152); is this how you sense it, Muhsin? Three years ago, during my 3d Arabic lesson, my Shaikh wrote - Tawhid. He whispered to me, "Tawhid is your focus. Always remember." And since that night, it seems I can not focus on any other topic. If I'm thinking about bugs, or coats, or anything, my thoughts eventually drift toward Oneness. The Ayat that speak the most to me are: "Say - He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;" (112:1) "But the God of you all is Allah; there is no god but He: all things He comprehends in His knowledge. (20:98) "That is because Allah - He is the Reality;" (22:62) So, Allah is the Reality, the only existance. Ultimately, there is nothing (Buddhist Mu?), and I call this everything/nothing - Allah. Before creation, the created were an idea of Allah. After creation, there occurred no change in this relationship. Everything is only an aspect of Allah's knowledge. The One and Only. I once heard a Shaikh translate the profession of faith as, "I don't exist, You exist." Beneath the viels, there exists only one I. I'm thinking, one is not only asked to worship only Allah, but to understand that in reality, nothing exists but Allah. (The words are coming slowly now. There are more thoughts but...) (Muhsin?) ------------------------------ From: Salikun@vnet.net Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 17:43:55 -0400 Subject: Lord Sloth? Assalaamu alaikum. I'd like to attach this question to Maarof's request: Is it possible, for anything, bugs, humans, Satan, to serve other than Allah? Is Satan's disobedience and temptations a service to humanity? Can any action occur without the prior, written, approval of Allah? Wishing to remain anonymous, ------------------------------ From: Well333@turbonet.com (Jacquie Weller) Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 15:18:18 +0100 Subject: Re: Bug Kingdom Anonymous Praying Mantis says: By any other name, a bug is a bug is a bug. Kaffea lalla. ------------------------------ From: CWoodsong@aol.com Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 18:26:33 -0400 Subject: Re: Lord Sloth? Hello, maarof! Good to see you! :) >This is the first time I heard of the word "Lord Sloth". There has been >lot of tales about sufis encountering shaitan, and some were deceived >by shaitan into following the path of error. >It has also been said, that it is not enough from reading books (the one >I'm doing) because the shaitan will whisper a different ideas into our >head, and what we thought is right and true, is actually false. > >As a muslim, I use the Quran as my navigation map. What about those >in other faiths? May I know your experience... ? My 'background' is mostly Christian, but that is mostly cultural, i think. I don't quite know what faith i adhere to... and perhaps that is a failing on my part. I can see Jesus, the Christ, as the Perfected Man -- and i feel such love and warmth surrounding Him -- and i can't help but Love Him. But, i also see truth in the Baha'i Faith (ALL Prophets of God are from the same Source). Mostly what i see is that there is TRUTH all around us, and most particularly, within us. It is what i feel, deeply in my heart, that is real truth. I read the Bible, as well as other Inspirational writings... but i don't look to it as Truth, in and of itself... The Bible has been interpreted many different ways to suit many people's different needs. It is not those interpretations that interest me. The TRUTH is there... but in our imperfection we can't always /see/ it. Hazrat Inayat Khan said something to the effect, that there is one Holy Book, and that is Nature. It is in Nature, that i begin to feel what it is my heart really longs for. I would hope that my "navigation map" would be Nature... or perhaps my own "True Nature" (that part within me which is not the product of conditioning from external sources). But, it is difficult to discern for oneself what is "Real" as opposed to what is "false" or a matter of habit. I've been decieved many times, and continue to be... believing that i am on a "true path", when in fact, i am only feeding "false ego". I believe there is a correlation between the Sufi Guide, and the Quaker Meeting. They are both mirrors... of one's true Self. And they are both, i think, a means of discerning the "false" from the "Real". As a Quaker, i seek the Light Within... and strive to see this Light within ALL. "Meeting" is an integral aspect of Quakerism. It is more than physically meeting together with like-minded folk. It is a Spiritual Meeting. We literally become (at least in theory! <), One mind. Quakers tell me that honesty is important, and i've seen that that is True. They tell me that simplicity is important, and i've seen that that is True. They tell me harmony, equality and Unity are essence and this too i can see.... I don't think i accept these ideas as true because someone told me they were True, ... i /think/ i knew these 'ideas' were REAL... because they RESONATE within me... and when i begin to LIVE them... i can /feel/ them deeply... When i have a "leading" (a strong feeling about something), i can "test" that leading with the Meeting. The Meeting will show me where i may be deceiving myself. I think this would be similar to the role of a Sufi guide? but... what do i know?! :) it is my "false ego" that types here. To meet... to truly meet with another... i must let that fall away..... and that is what i desire to learn... HOW to do that?! and to stop deceiving myself! thanks for Being, maarof! love, peace... carol ------------------------------ From: Frank Gaude Date: Sun, 07 Jul 1996 15:47:11 -0700 Subject: Re: Lord Sloth? Bism-Allahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim maarof@pc.jaring.my wrote: > > On Fri, 05 Jul 1996, Frank Gaude wrote: > > [...} > Fixation likely is the perfect symbol, perfect word, for Lord Sloth, > >which many call Shaitan or the devil. > > > >Peace, > > > >tanzen > > > > I take refuge in Allah from shaitan, the sworn enemy of man But shaitan is an aspect of Allah... this "enemy" is at the right time and place our best friend, as I see it... strange are the ways of Allah! Maarof, it is easy to be devil, angel, hard to be human. > This is the first time I heard of the word "Lord Sloth". There has been > lot of tales about sufis encountering shaitan, and some were deceived > by shaitan into following the path of error. Our encounter with shaitan. Lord Sloth, is simply facing ourselves but looking through an unpolished mirror. Sloth is us, and our conscious minds are the Slayer of Lord... anyway, this is my view. > It has also been said, that it is not enough from reading books (the one > I'm doing) because the shaitan will whisper a different ideas into our > head, and what we thought is right and true, is actually false. Lord Sloth, shaitan, is an aspect of our false egos... these egos find it hard to let go... will do anything to remain in power. These same egos just love to look good, but rarely do good. An awakened consciousness gets the upper have, through love, in the long run. > As a muslim, I use the Quran as my navigation map. What about those > in other faiths? May I know your experience... ? Well, long ago I used the Christian Bible, then the Baghavad-Gita and Vedas, Vishnu Purana, al Qur'an, Zend Avesta, then the writings of Native Americans (turtle people), now I use Book of Nature... it is the only one I've found that truly changes quickly enough with the times. I am left to interpret such, no gurus, guides, teachers, followers of followers. My present Murshida shows me what I am worked up to be shown. salam the anxious to be humble one, tanzen al-Hamdu'lillah ------------------------------ From: Frank Gaude Date: Sun, 07 Jul 1996 15:58:27 -0700 Subject: Re: Lord Sloth? Salikun@vnet.net wrote: > > I'd like to attach this question to Maarof's request: > > Is it possible, for anything, bugs, humans, Satan, to serve other than Allah? No, it is not possible... level by level, octave by octave, all flows to and from Allah. > Is Satan's disobedience and temptations a service to humanity? No laws were violated; so, in the long run service is indicated. From where would our work come if not from Shaitan, our low-selves, our past choices? We are to love the opportunities provided, praise the wisdom of Allah for the many levels laid into our souls. An angel has said that our spirit is the architect, our mind the builder, and the manifest world that which we built, all through the mercy and compassion of Allah... can we wish for more... why do the angels bow to us and try their level best to assist us in our journey... they love us, and that love flows from Allah. > Can any action occur without the prior, written, approval of Allah? By Will of Allah all flows, there is nothing that is not Allah. > Wishing to remain anonymous, Yes, Muhsin, but one cannot hide from Allah, as every strand of hair on your head is counted, every cell, every molecule, every atom. Love, Harmony, and Beauty, coming down precious lines, cords, strings, octave within octave, tanzen ------------------------------ From: Salikun@vnet.net Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 20:52:23 -0400 Subject: Enlightened Bugs Assalaamu alaikum. Rumi wrote (Mathnawi IV, 2537): This is how a human being can change: There's a worm addicted to eating grape leaves. Suddenly, he wakes up, call it Grace, whatever, something wakes him, and he's no longer a worm. He's the entire vineyard, and the orchard too, the fruit, the trunks, a growing wisdom and joy that doesn't need to devour. (Translated by Coleman Barks) Ya Allah, help us to learn the multitude of Truths, within the bug. Muhsin ------------------------------ From: Well333@turbonet.com (Jacquie Weller) Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 19:31:34 +0100 Subject: P. Mantis Anonymous P. Mantis says: If you don't Bug your neighbor Your neighbor won't Bug you. Kaffea Lalla ------------------------------ From: jabriel@peoples.net (Jabriel Hanafi) Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 21:29:23 -0500 Subject: al Qadir al Qadir How does a bumble bee fly? Not by its wings alone. Whose will does it borrow to dance its way through time? Sweet the taste of its work, harsh the fate of its fear: Does its sting sing with just a different note then the food it prepares for its Queen? Give me eyes my Beloved to see your miracles and power Divine give me ears my Beloved to hear your word Be unfold into the glory of Your design doing Your will the way You will. How does a bumble bee fly? Not by its wings alone. Whose will does it borrow to dance its way through time? Jabriel - ----------------------------------------- Jabriel Hanafi Pivotal Point Dynamics ------------------------------ From: "K.Ahmad" Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 23:47:35 -0400 Subject: Re: Enlightened Bugs Assalaamu Alaikum, >Rumi wrote (Mathnawi IV, 2537): >(Translated by Coleman Barks) After I recieved this post, I started to read "The Mathnawi" translated by R.A. Nicholson, It said the same this way: O thou who because of (addiction to) a single leaf hast been left without (enjoyment of) a (whole) orchard, thou art like the worm which (desire for) a leaf has driven away from (deprived of) the vineyard. When Grace awakened this worm, this worm devoured the dragon of ignorance. The worm became a vineyard full of fruit and trees: even so is the blessed man transformed. Kaleem ------------------------------ From: "Erik S. Ohlander" Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 00:28:30 Subject: RE: al Qadir al-Qadir Remembered All power and might in the universe; in this cosmic dance which came from BE! No more, no less and what befits the one who feels no more an atom in the brillent landscape of a thousand suns, a million points of light. O. what Will did, such a grand thing; such a perfect design. all folded up in blossoms and wraps of sweet jasmine twine- ya habibi! all thanks and blessings to that which needs no tending, a garden which trims itself. Ya al-Qadir, o' infinite power so full of grace that this atom bursts a thousand times- spreading a thousand stars in every direction. Erik. ------------------------------ From: maarof@pc.jaring.my Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 14:44:33 +0800 Subject: Book of Nature (was re: Lord Sloth?) Assalamualaikum my dear friends, Tanzen wrote: [...] now I use Book of Nature... it is the only one I've found that truly changes quickly enough with the times. [...] Carol wrote: [...] Hazrat Inayat Khan said something to the effect, that there is one Holy Book, and that is Nature. It is in Nature, that i begin to feel what it is my heart really longs for. [...] To my understanding, the Quran (and other Scriptures too) also acknowledge the importance of understanding Nature (or Book of Nature). There are many verses which point to Nature, which the Quran refer as "God's Signs". In this context, Nature also include the spiritual aspect of things. I think it would be incomplete to see Nature as only animals, insects, plants and humans etc, without being aware that Nature also means the spiritual Nature, which is emphasised in the verse "God's Signs". The insightful discussions on insects and bugs in this list, might be our attempt to feel this spiritual Nature. salam maarof ------------------------------ From: maarof@pc.jaring.my Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 15:10:05 +0800 Subject: Re: Lord Sloth? On Sun, 7 Jul 1996, Salikun@vnet.net wrote: >Assalaamu alaikum. > >I'd like to attach this question to Maarof's request: > >Is it possible, for anything, bugs, humans, Satan, to serve other than Allah? >Is Satan's disobedience and temptations a service to humanity? >Can any action occur without the prior, written, approval of Allah? > >Wishing to remain anonymous, > > Walaikumsalam anonymous one, Sometimes it is not the answers that are important. Your questions are good enough to be stored permanently in my computer's disk :) salam maarof ------------------------------ From: Well333@turbonet.com (Jacquie Weller) Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 00:45:13 +0100 Subject: Willow Tree Poem written by Jacquie Weller, 1991 Barefoot sun-brown tomboy girl, climbing willow tree. Child of five building playhouse in her sky. Sliding down the living tree like on a polished banister; jumping down on a gypsy's floor of stone and graw and flower. In her other house where mother, father, brother's live; Nothing grows when rooms are locked and walls are built without windows. Underneath a cosmic tree, near the roots of her universe, a child has grown. And in the caldron of her self, she knows: The choreography of her mother is the seasons, and the charging drums of earth, her father; And in this dance from birth to death, under the moons of the vast unknown, the spinning song of life goes on like fireflies into the dark... Kaffea Lalla ------------------------------ From: CWoodsong@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 10:13:52 -0400 Subject: lightning bugs, poetry, love... Wow! <> ------------------------------ From: Well333@turbonet.com (Jacquie Weller) Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 08:34:18 +0100 Subject: More Questions >From my background in reading the King James Bible, and the Quaran a little, I am left with many doubts. Parts speak right to my heart and I can say AH yes, other parts, I do not understand. I don't understand a woman or a man being buried knee deep and stoned to death, for commiting adultery. I don't understand an Angel keeping track of all the "sins" I do, or judgement day, or going to hell because I don't know the "true", name of God. To me living apart from the Beloved in the now is a type of agony, but in this relationship, Heaven on earth. I don't understand a war between evil and good? I understand the pain that results through not following the way of love, forgiveness, peace, kindness. I understand the results of not surrendering and giving up the false when one becomes awakened to that. I understand that only the Beloved satisfies the inner soul and nothing else...drugs, alcohol, material things, entertainment, these things leave one empty and unfullfilled, dead in the long run. I don't understand people who think that there is only one religion, whereby people are saved. I say there is One God and each person gets back to that source eventually. The other morning right between sleep and waking up, a sentence spoke to me, "Each person gets to God in their own way". I do not wish to offend anyone about all this, but these questions are sincere, not intended to cause harm. Love Kaffea Lalla. ------------------------------ From: Frank Gaude Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 08:51:08 -0700 Subject: Re: More Questions Jacquie Weller wrote: [,,,] > The other morning right between sleep and waking up, a > sentence spoke to me, "Each person gets to God in their own way". Kaffea, your sentence comes from "on-high"... let us all love one another as Allah loves us, with compassion and mercy with justice. When I think of it, let us love unconditionally! Pray, do. Thank you for being, tanzen ------------------------------ From: Frank Gaude Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 08:56:21 -0700 Subject: Re: Book of Nature (was re: Lord Sloth?) maarof@pc.jaring.my wrote: > > Assalamualaikum my dear friends, > > Tanzen wrote: > [...] now I use Book of Nature... it is the only one I've found > that truly changes quickly enough with the times. [...] > > Carol wrote: > [...] Hazrat Inayat Khan said something to the effect, that there is one Holy > Book, and that is Nature. It is in Nature, that i begin to feel what it is my > heart really longs for. [...] [...] > I think it would be incomplete to see Nature as only animals, insects, plants > and humans etc, without being aware that Nature also means the spiritual Nature, > which is emphasised in the verse "God's Signs". God's Signs are everywhere, from in and behind the galaxies, stars, planets, moons, all the things on earth, and the minds, spirits, in and behind each element, down to the subatomic particles into the vacuum, Hu. The Spirit is here, there, everywhere... for those with eyes and ears, the other senses, intuition, all everywhere. Peace over the land, this we pray, tanzen ------------------------------ From: CWoodsong@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:03:13 -0400 Subject: nature, blessings and respect Dear friends, I've heard it said, and i believe (if not know! :), that we must always ask permission from "Nature" for what we use, and always give thanks for what we receive. The Earth gives us all we need to live. But sometimes i forget the Source of this gift. When i /ask/ to use a plant, or a rock, or an animal, i give honor to their being... and learn to respect the Sacred Circle of which i am a part. Asha spoke of 'weeds'... and there's also talk of "Natural" vs. "unnatural" ... maybe what we're talking about is respect? I want to believe that it is possible to live in a way that there are no pests, or weeds... where i can recognize the importance of all... and learn to live in harmony, if not unity. What i keep asking myself.... what 'good' is it if i recognize Unity of ALL, but then live in a way which disrespects the Way... in this place, now? I walk this Earth... and it is important to me to learn how to do that gently... with love, and respect... to honor "all my relations" (ALL). Maybe you guys can define 'Nature' and 'Natural' and 'respect' and 'love' and 'unity' and all that ... God, i love this place! :) with love and thanks to all! carol (the veiled and confused, but always thankful! :) ------------------------------ From: Hafizullah@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:15:31 -0400 Subject: Re: Bugs Again In a message dated 96-07-07 11:21:30 EDT, you write: << I think the Praying Mantis could be our insect mascot, like Archie the Cochroach, We could call it what... here could be the first thing the Anonimous Praying-Mantis says "All insects are created equal!"... >> Um... the female mantis bites the head off the male when they mate. I'm sure there are some who feel the mantis is an entirely appropriate mascot, but I have a slight hesitation... :-) ------------------------------ End of tariqas-digest V1 #50 ****************************