Spiritual Portal

Todays drink has me a little unsure. I don't know if I necessarily agree, Mr. Khan says when we observe the pleasure and displeasure in man we know the pleasures and displeasures of God. Although I can agree to an extent with this statement, I also find myself questioning.

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

The religion of the Sufi is the religion of the heart. The principal moral of the Sufi is to consider the heart of others, so that in the pleasure and displeasure of his fellow-man he sees the pleasure and displeasure of God.

   ~~~ "Complete Works, Original Texts, Feb 26, 1924", by Hazrat Inayat Khan
https://wahiduddin.net/saki/saki_date.php

Is man not flawed? Right now I am being made an enemy by a coworker over something that never happened. I am also having to block others on my phone in order to promote well being. I can't be worried with how these people feel because worrying or attempting to communicate seems to make matters worse.

Jeong Kwan, a buddhist monk mentioned here just recently says her freedom comes from being alone. I don't think being a crowd pleaser will lead to liberation or true happiness.
Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

I think when we comment on what other people are going thru we often do know. How can we know what they have gone thru? So we are only giving a very subjective opinion.

And your opinion is ... ? :)

It is all about going within to find true happiness. We learn from other people and we receive spiritual blessings by helping them but they cannot give us enlightenment unless they are avatars. Most of our spiritual path must be accomplished alone. An avatar will not even be able to help us without inner exploration. This is a law of the cosmos.


Thru the mirror of others we are able to see our own flaws and heroism.

Many times in life we may be reaping the harvest of distant past karma. Through this karma God can show us his pleasure or displeasure but we may not remember these deeds we did so it may be difficult to assertain where this pleasure or displeasure originated. The point is to endure what ever we must with calmness and kindness so that we may be able to recognize the kindness and pleasure we have given others who now return it to us. In the process we will be more and more in tune with the divine plan and thus gain our own pleasure and find our displeasure decreasing.

I have no interest in my past lives. I have found your words reassuring though, that is, going within to find true happiness. My original inquiry was to imply that man is flawed so how can one know the displeasure of God by considering the heart of man? We are flawed, misguided and sometimes just wrong. I think now though in recognizing God in the hearts of man and living in this awareness you are experiencing a greater Truth where falsehoods fall away in lieu of it. I think at this stage of awareness when someone wrongs you or does something that is flawed, you don't equate it as Gods displeasure. So I think even my original inquiry was looked at from a limited scope...

On a personal note, I am learning to brush aside my coworkers cold shoulder since her accusations are derived from something that never happened. We were once friends which was the reason of my initial upset. I must simply keep my distance from the crazy, if an amends is made my tone will be more parental and distant in the future. I've also unblocked the people I've had once blocked on my phone... I would never want to be blocked but if I am I will learn not to care since my happiness should not come from these peoples approval or disapproval.

Steve, having more time to myself I feel like I'm able to better understand what you're saying here and it's spot on with my current circumstance.

I notice in pursuit of this healthier, mindful being there is definitely a sense of fulfillment and the 'displeasure' seems to be decreasing.

Hi Steve. Probably so.  :)

Thinking back on the Saki posted earlier,
I wonder if it's necessary to test yourself in life and what happens when you fail? I wonder what Inayat Khan would say if we changethe rules to the test we set up for ourselves, after obtaining new insight... ?

We will be tested plenty without we ourselves setting up tests. I have found that the most important part of spiritual life is to control our reactions and when to know that we must act. Having the wisdom to know when to act a when not to act and to be in control of our own passions and emotions is at the top of the list of spiritual accomplishments.

Thanks Steve. I think you're right. I also think it is important to test yourself sometimes, having the foresight that although what you're doing may seem pleasing you know the consequences later outweigh the reward. Cultivating this sense of discipline, on top of your meditation, may give you the will power and/or the wisdom to act accordingly to what you're describing above.

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

With regard to trusting people, a person may think, 'Is it right to believe in anything a person says? Is it right to trust everybody? There are many people who are not worthy of trust; shall we then trust everybody in order to develop our trust?' The answer is yes. Perhaps we will have failures, but we will only trust another person when we trust ourselves, when we have faith in ourselves then we will have faith in another. Without faith in ourselves we can never have faith in another; to have faith in another is to have faith in ourselves. It does not matter if once or twice we are disappointed, but if we are afraid of being disappointed even once in our lives, perhaps we will doubt all through life, and so there will never come a time when we will be able to trust anybody, even ourselves.
https://wahiduddin.net/saki/saki_date.php

I think sometimes doubt is okay but I certainly get what he's saying here- I sometimes hold expectations over a partner or potential partner and realize it's because I carry an insecurity or fear towards unfaithfulness. But how unfaithful have I been to myself? Many times. Maybe that's why I think others are also unfaithful. Learning to let this old way go is a challenge but proving to be very rewarding... Learning to take action and walk in the direction of my deeper desires is strengthening that trust in myself once more... and it is as he says above....

....if we are afraid of being disappointed even once in our lives, perhaps we will doubt all through life, and so there will never come a time when we will be able to trust anybody, even ourselves.

...Perhaps we will have failures, but we will only trust another person when we trust ourselves, when we have faith in ourselves then we will have faith in another. 

I am bewildered by Hazrat Inayat Khans ability to place trust in All knowing he truly believes God exist in the heart of All... I've even read a statement from him, saying he'd serve his Enemy knowing he'd be serving God. It's hard for me to fathom but I am sure the weight and closeness to his indwelling Spirit, the feeling to walk this Ideal is something many of us on the spiritual path desire... or so I imagine.

Some friends come and go and that's fine. Sometimes it's hard to make sense of things but we certainly have social constructs and today I am seeing the meaning behind todays Saki clear as day.

Each one has his circle of influence, large or small; within his sphere so many souls and minds are involved; with his rise, they rise; with his fall, they fall. The size of a man's sphere corresponds with the extent of his sympathy, or we may say, with the size of his heart. His sympathy holds his sphere together. As his heart grows, his sphere grows; as his sympathy is withdrawn or lessened, so his sphere breaks up and scatters. If he harms those who live and move within his sphere, those dependent upon him or upon his affection, he of necessity harms himself.

from http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_2.htm

The challenge for me is, to recognize god in the heart of all man. This means god exist in the most corrupt of people. One does not pretend to like a seemingly evil man to achieve this awareness... Many challenges arise in trying to understand this concept- that a spark of God exist in an evil doer... there's much to contemplate here... yesterday's saki brought this to my attention...


https://wahiduddin.net/saki/saki_date.php?m=7&d=15
" Souls on earth are born imperfect and show imperfection, and from this they develop naturally, coming to perfection. If all were perfect, there would have been no purpose in their creation. And manifestation has taken place so that every being here may rise from imperfection towards perfection. That is the object and joy of life and for that this world was created. And if we expected every person to be perfect and conditions to be perfect, then there would be no joy in living and no purpose in coming here. ... When in this world of imperfection we seek for all that is good and beautiful, there are many chances of disappointment. But at the same time if we keep on looking for it, not looking at the dust but looking for the gold, we shall find it. And once we begin to find it we shall find more and more. There comes a time in the life of a man when he can see some good in the worst man in the world. And when he has reached that point, though the good were covered with a thousand covers, he would put his hand on what is good, because he looks for good and attracts what is good. "

This is more like Bread than Saki =P Some food for thought!

The work of the inner life is to make God a reality, so that He is no more an imagination; that this relationship that man has with God may seem more real than any other relationship in the world; and when this happens, then all relationships, however near and dear, become less binding. But at the same time, a person does not thus become cold; he becomes more loving. It is the godless man who is cold, impressed by the selfishness and lovelessness of the world, because he partakes of those conditions in which he lives. But the one who is in love with God, the one who has established his relationship with God, his love becomes living ...

   from  http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_II_2.htm


Why is it that among simple and illiterate people a belief in God is to be found, and among the most intellectual, there seems to be a lack of that belief? The answer is that the intellectual ones have their reason. They will not believe in what they do not see... But the process that the wise consider best for the seeker after truth to adopt is the process of first idealizing God and then realizing God.

   from  http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IV/IV_51.htm


Among millions of believers in God, there is hardly one who makes God a reality, to so many He is an imagination, to many He is in a mosque, a church, or a temple. Many wonder if God is really. Many others think God is goodness, He is a personality separate from us, He is most high, most pure, most beautiful, but He is separate and difficult to reach. Many think that as it takes so long to reach this planet or that, God must be further away still. The purpose of one's whole life is to make God a reality.

   from  http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/cupid.htm

To become conscious of one's shortcomings, to be sorry for them, to repent of them, and to ask His forgiveness in all humility; no ethics, no philosophy can give a greater joy than this. It is the sincere devotee of God who knows best what feeling it is to humble oneself before God. The proud one, ignorant of the greatness of God, of His all-sufficient power, does not know what is this exaltation that raises the soul from earth to heaven. To be really sorry for one's errors is like opening the gates of heaven. They say that John the Baptist spoke that word on the coming of Christ: "Repent ye, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." But this word is as living and fresh as ever, at all times it answers the question of your soul.

   http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/prayer.ht
I find everyday can be a battle to fight for my deeper desires. I am happier when I fulfill the goals set in the beginning of th day. Many times I fail and praying on my failures keeps me aware... this awareness grew the more I’ve failed but so came understanding to strengthen resolve. Everyday is a battle still. A challenge I
Am beginning to enjoy...

Taken from today’s Saki.
How true is it to say there will be a mishap when you love another so intensely and no one else. And how challenging it is to let things be.. perhaps more understanding here will create an appropriate level of detachment... not just detachment but maintain a kindled heart too. Understanding love is free flowing and like the sea, can not be contained in a single jar.

Very insightful quotes here Eric. Yes i feel that personal love is often taken away to expand our awareness beyond the narrow confines of one individual. It is a much more beneficial way to understand the events infolding around us. Quite often we are spared the limitations inherent in another persons awareness of love also.

Moderation is the key.

I suppose it is as the poet says, better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

With the right understanding even that which was shared with a partner has the potential to become as manageable and deep as the love one carries for their own family. And so it is...

I’ve noticed that progress also means evolving the standards when weighing  particular realities on the great balancing scale that is moderation... it’s quite a lovely feeling to see the old decay in pursuit of a long desired reality.

Not sure if progress in that context is truly progress. It could mean that's just what one wants.

If love runs deep like that, what and who is truly behind it all, and with that, shouldn't that realization be the real thought?

hi SI
Yes that is a thought. Apologies for speaking so fragmemtedly, near the end I was referring to self improvement. And I assure you it is progress.

The most important thing for us to remember is that these
relationships reoccur from life to life. Many times we are
'Paying back' for what we have done to others. So it is best to;

Make friends with your past....it's part of your life
Be kind to your memories....open up your heart and mind
There's worlds to discover....with a mantra we'll uncover
all of these past life episodes.

Well now this is a far different cry than a few days ago. Hmm.

The downside of written language.

Probably has caused much worse problems than anyone realizes.

The big lesson for me is flowing with the circumstances. It is difficult to believe how some others we meet have little understanding of the connection of times spent together with the passing of one life to another. Not having this perspective leads to believing it is all over and burning bridges behind us. I have come to a place in my understanding where i would like to be kind to all the people and relationships i have. The soul begins to recognize if this development is present in others and recognizes its absence as a sign that we are still presented with young souls who have much to learn. The souls who work and stay with us show the results of our own progress towards eternity.

Hard to help when we still are climbing the mountain. But if stay focused I believe anything is possible.

It's surprising how just practicing the presence of God and spirit (however it manifests) changes our lives; the people and circumstances that come into our lives.

hello friends,
it's a beautiful day here, feeling heaven on earth and giving homage to the seen/unseen whispering that this moment is for you !
self peace for world peace!

todays saki is my favorite wisdom expressed by hazrat inayat khan so i am posting his perspective as a follow up here,

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

If one would realize that the world of God, His splendor and magnificence, are to be seen in the wise and the foolish, in the good and the bad, then one would think tolerantly and reverently of all mankind, knowing that it represents the messenger, as the messenger represents God. For no one has seen God at any time, but if there is anyone who represents God, it is the man who speaks His word. God is seen in the one who glorifies Him. But if our hearts are closed, even if we wait for a thousand years for the messenger to show himself, we shall never find him. For he who is always there has said, 'I am Alpha and Omega. I exist every moment. When you call me, I am there. Knock at the door, and I will answer you.' And those whose eyes are open do not need to go to a church and look at a picture or statue of the Lord. In the eyes of every infant, in the smile of every innocent child, they receive the blessing of Christ.

It only means changing one's outlook on life, and recognizing the divine in man. But man has ignored the divine spirit that manifests in humanity, and always prefers an idol, a painting, a picture, to the living God, who is constantly before him. For the sage, the seer, the saint, and the yogi who begin to see the master, and see him living, there is no place where he cannot be seen. Then everywhere the beloved master is ready to answer the cry of the soul coming from friend, father or teacher. And if we go a little further forward, we will find that the teacher speaks aloud, not only through living beings, but through nature. If the eyes and ears are open, the leaves of the trees become as pages of the Bible. If the heart is alive, the whole life becomes one single vision of His sublime beauty, speaking to us at every moment.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IX/IX_29.htm



   ~~~ If the eyes and ears are open, the leaves of the trees become as pages of the Bible.
------------------------------------------
and suddenly, there was no more worry
there was deep longing, for the most beautiful and intoxicating feeling
and there was devotion, a means to fulfillment
suddenly there was peace and happiness
and it is important to serve others to the best of ones ability
when one wishes to see the face of god
so it is....

though it is hard for me, i am to honor my parents- their wishes and their household... because i know peace here means peace wherever i go. cultivate peace in the home. 
so it is a constant battle with the self, to break down the ideas and desires that lead us astray, to live in the present and not expect anything from anyone outside of myself
but it is something to never stop trying, striving for what you believe in
it is work, there is rise and fall, but if your desire to see the beloved in every face is burning this place will become heaven on earth-  there is no greater mystery i need to unveil than the one placed before me, while i am here with you
things will reveal themselves naturally if one pursues their ideal

peace, love and gratitude my friends

though there is more to interpret from todays saki, i'm a little confused by the- we are all one meaning.

"The soul of all is one soul, and the truth is one truth, under whatever religion it is hidden.

     Bowl of Saki, November 18, by Hazrat Inayat Khan"

Hazrat Inayat Khan has said that god manifest itself through man to experience itself... I wonder, why do we pray to a separate entity when he says we ourselves are a part of that almighty? I do believe God answers my prayers and that God speaks to me, to us all... I do believe these things...  So it is difficult to put this together... God is certainly responding to the most intimate parts of my Life, so it makes sense.... but it feels like what is received i.e, teachings from the One spirit are greater than me... Even though we are all a part of this great being? So he is separate but we are all striving to go back to this union... I'm confused.

Sometimes I find the saki indirectly speaking to things I am questioning or going through in that time.

Commentary by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Ghazali has said in his Alchemy of Happiness that the spiritual path is like shooting an arrow into the dark. ... Whoever sets out on this path is therefore in constant warfare. He has to encounter opposition from his relatives, from his friends and acquaintances; he gets into trouble with those who misunderstand his aims; they misuse him; they misjudge him and blame him for doing things and thinking in a manner which they believe to be unjustified.

'Resist not evil', the scripture says. When there is resistance to evil of the other person, do not become angry with him. When you foster the same emotion, you add to his, and you increase the same fire in yourself. It is like infecting yourself with a contagious disease instead of curing it. Anger and bitterness will die out in time.

There was a small group of people in London who were working along spiritual lines. They felt a sort of rivalry against my little society, and they began to try to do us harm by telling stories against us and by setting others against us. My helpers came to tell me how we were being damaged in this way and asked if they should not do something to stop this. But I answered, 'the best way to treat this is with indifference. Take no notice.'

And when they insisted that these doings would do us great harm I said, 'Not at all. The only harm it could do would be if we allowed this harm to enter our circle. Let them do as they like and let us go on doing what we are doing!' As the years went by they never heard us say a word against them; on the contrary, we welcomed them, we helped them, we served them in whatever way we could. In time this resistance completely vanished. We have been going forward, and they still stand where they were. Just a little indifference was enough!

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XII/XII_I_16.htm

As the rose blooms amidst thorns, so great souls shine out through all opposition.

Bowl of Saki, December 10, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Our virtues are made of love, and our sins are caused by lack of it. Love turns sins into virtues, and its lack makes virtues meaningless. Christ said when a woman was brought before Him accused of sin, 'Her sins are forgiven, for she loved much.' Heaven is made so beautiful with love, and life becomes a hell through the lack of it. Love in reality creates harmony in one's life on earth and peace in heaven.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_22.htm

Love produces harmony and harmony creates beauty. Therefore the chief motto in life is 'Love, harmony and beauty'. Love, in all things and beings, the beloved God, in harmony with all in the right understanding, and beautify your life by observing the beauty within and without. By love, harmony and beauty you must turn the whole of life into a single vision of divine glory.

   ~~~ "Vol II, Mysticism of Music, Sound and Word, Aphorisms ", by Hazrat Inayat Khan


How the words 'love,' 'harmony,' and 'beauty' delight the heart of everyone who hears them! One may wonder what it can be in these words that is able to exert such a natural power upon the human soul. The answer is that if there is anything in life which appeals to the human soul, it is love and beauty. If one asks, 'And what besides those?' then the answer is, 'There is nothing else.' Why is this? Because they are the very nature of life. Love is the nature of life, beauty is the outcome of life, harmony is the means by which life accomplishes its purpose, and the lack of it results in destruction.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_1.htm

We are told that the first expression of meditation is peace, following peace is bliss and even more sublime is love. i would say one of the most difficult challenges of this life is to express love when there are so many currents really running contrary to such expression all around us. Quite often we find people around us in our lives who talk about love and treating others fairly and kind or even engage in spiritual practices that make these qualities their ideal yet many of their reactions and responses to other world and close associates do not reflect love. As we see this taking place we are left with the resulting responsibility of enabling them in their unkind and often evil actions or finding ways to stop their evil actions or where possible to transform them with our own love. It is often difficult to know how to express love since the expression of love or responding  with love can be misinterpreted so easily. However, spineless inaction can also result in harm to others.

It is certainly helpful to introspect about our personal expression towards others and circumstances despite the current trends we find around us and in society as an whole. It is also seems important to me to extricate ourselves from unloving people and circumstances and people and circumstances when possible to feel our own loving space to offer to those around us and the world at large.

With Faith in God, in keeping God ever present- nothing is impossible.
This is the attitude required when facing opposition, where intentions of good will and Love are misinterpreted. Contradictions will always be, but a Love that shines so bright can transcend and endure the test of time.

i see these words and think of each of us, separate and intertwined-
when one is feeling low and the other high, when one is treading a different path, experiencing different emotions from another in any given moment, it's important to remember that this persons' thoughts and feelings are valid. we may be in complete contrast to our closest friend, that doesnt make their feelings or their actions greater or lesser, we are like these individual drops broken up from the one steady stream, wherever we fall, we should respect our relationships as best we can remembering the validity the various directions life pulls us... pray and have faith God is leading you to your fullest potential and blessing our social circles and familial ties. surrender the need for control, give it to god and steady your will to be centered on love.

LOVE

The greatest principle of Sufism is: 'Ishq Allah Mabud Allah'. (God is love, lover, and beloved). [literally: God is Love, God is Beloved]

When Ahad, the only Being, became conscious of his Wahdat, only existence, through His own consciousness, then His predisposition of love made Him project Himself to establish His dual aspect, that He might be able to love someone. This made God the lover, and manifestation the beloved; the next inversion makes manifestation the lover, and God the beloved. This force of love has been working through several evolutions and involutions, which end in man who is the ultimate aim of God. The dual aspect of God is significant in Zat and Sifat, in spirit and matter, and in the mineral, vegetable, animal, and human kingdoms, wherein the two sexes, male and female, are clearly represented. The dual aspect of God is symbolized by each form of this wonderful world. This whole universe, internally and externally, is governed by the force of love, which is sometimes the cause and sometimes the effect. The producer and the product are one, and that One is nothing but love.

    A church, a temple or a Kaba stone,
    Quran or Bible or a martyr's bone,
    All these and more my heart can tolerate,
    Since my religion now is Love alone.

Abul Ala al-Maari

Sufis take the course of love and devotion to accomplish their highest aim, because it is love which has brought man from the world of unity to the world of variety, and the same force can take him back again to the world of unity from that of variety.

    Love is the reduction of the universe to the single being,
    and the expansion of a single being, even to God

Balzac

Love is that state of mind in which the consciousness of the lover is merged in that of the object of his love; it produces in the lover all the attributes of humanity, such as resignation, renunciation, humility, kindness, contentment, patience, virtue, calmness, gentleness, charity, faithfulness, bravery, by which the devotee becomes harmonized with the Absolute. As one of God's beloved, a path is opened for his heavenly journey: at the end he arrives at oneness with God, and his whole individuality is dissolved in the ocean of eternal bliss where even the conception of God and man disappears.

    Although love is a sweet madness,
    Yet all infirmities it heals.
    Saints and sages have passed through it,
    Love both to God and man appeals.

taken from,
https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_1.htm

It is the surface of the sea that makes waves and roaring breakers; the depth is silent.

     Bowl of Saki, April 17, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Inayat Khan suggest that peace and inspiration comes from silence. He says whatever the name of ones religion, philosophy or beliefs that it all translates to one thing- the constant longing of the soul of the human being. After having gone through the many ups and downs of life, that one longing the soul wishes to attain is peace- a place of calm which all inspiration comes from. Is it not true, that there is something more, as the soul reaches inward in meditation? And what might it be when Love speaks to us as we dig deep within?

He goes on to say,

To attain peace, what one has to do is to seek that rhythm which is in the depth of our being. It is just like the sea: the surface of the sea is ever moving; the depth of the sea is still. And so it is with our life.

Which I am understanding, that our life will always have a pull to it but still there is more and too often man identifies with the activity of his outer life forgetting the treasure that is the depth of his being...

As the activity of our life is unavoidable it's a good practice to remind oneself regularly that we are more then our thoughts, meditate and still more- place Faith in Love and Calm.

Here we see that your interest in understanding Life is religion. Whether we are materially inclined or spiritually, man has 4 basic desires which develop over time.

https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_22.htm

A true worshipper of God sees His presence in all forms, and thus in respecting others he respects God. It may even develop to such an extent that the true worshipper of God, the Omnipresent, walks gently on the earth, bowing in his heart even to every tree and plant, and it is then that the worshipper forms a communion with the Divine Beloved at all times.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_15.htm

https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_20.htm

Yes I have met people who have made dramatic changes as is quoted here. People can surprise us.

I often do this with little insects around the house - recognize their sacred importance - and let them outdoors to their safety. I also feel more and more gratefulness to the trees for the shade and oxygen they provide for us.

Thank you Steve, that is a beautiful feeling of gratitude and an admirable expression.

Not sure what to do about myself though. There seems to be no one more frustrating. We always hear about anger and frustration with others and difficulties getting along. Although it seems like the most aggravating quality I witness is in myself as for example when I think I have done something that I have not done or forgotten something that seems so easy to remember. I know we have to forgive ourselves as well as others but when will we surprise ourselves with our own improvements on our frustrating foils?

We are our own worse enemy. The more absorbed we are in ourselves, the greater the capacity for hell. Know that you are loved deeply, cherished and respected. Through your many incarnations of rise and fall, you are never alone. Some of my inquiries for spiritual progress have gone 'unanswered' but that space has given me time to reflect and propelled me further. Sometimes we need to let go and just reside in the beauty. We might not be able to perceive an answer in the moment but that doesn't mean the answer isn't there. Peace friend.

This reality is one of experiential wisdom, our bodies are gifts subject to nature and insight to the divine Being.

Dear Steve, if you are having mixed feelings perhaps reading the entirety of the discourse will provide a clearer understanding. The chapter on Nature is found here, https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XI/XI_III_7.htm
Hazrat Inayat Khan has often described Nature as the One sacred manuscript according to the 10 sufi principles.
From the quotes provided, I understood this to be a difference of second hand knowledge vs direct experience. Gurunath and others teach that pure intuition is soul consciousness. These students of life we call gurus are a reflection of the one master guiding us all, and they teach us how to access that direct experience- a communion with God. You are not wrong in your assessment, I find this to be another moment where you and Hazrat Inayat Khan are saying the same thing. It's a question of what is most beneficial- direct knowledge from God or knowledge indirectly from God as filtered and transcribed by someone else?
For example, we can consider both animal totems or number prompts for those who experience the 1111 phenomenon as being whispers from the divine. While the moment might arouse our curiosity, one needn't google search the meaning of 333 or google search the meaning of a fox as an animal totem to understand the message even though having access to such information is both exciting and useful. It is how I have pursued my own curiosities for a good portion of this journey. It is also important to consider the innumerable ways in which the Divine guides us. Yet there comes a certain point when one realizes that these moments are a direct communication with God and the meaning is therefore unique to the individual as defined by their life experience alongside their intuition. Here we rely more on stillness and going within to better understand those moments, this is a type of language and with practice a type of certainty is brought about.


PS Reading the moment from a place of stillness and realizing the channel of communication with God is always open is such a rewarding and unique experience! I am learning so much if I can just still myself and be present.
 :)

Today's message,

The heart must be empty in order to receive the knowledge of God.

As Inayat Khan states,

"In order to know the truth or to know God earthly qualifications and earthly wisdom or learning are not necessary. What one has to learn is how to become a pupil. ..."

What's most important is to develop stillness and to allow the light of God to flow in, working on an intuitive level, nothing else really compares.

it interest me that in our interactions with others, as we operate from the false reality, the ugly aspects we see are a reflection of something inside ourselves. or how selfish we are, to have acquired love and once it becomes familiar- throw it away, so that we might find that same love in the face of another. and more interesting than being a supernova is the force that causes its momentum to cease.

when we accept ourselves, it isn't necessary to chase anything and we might be forgiving of harmful or ignorant actions made against us because when we accept ourselves- those things don't matter.

love, is love.

sometimes we become immune to a particular fragrance for having been exposed to it for so long. lets not be blind to whats right in front of us.

Yea ERIC I find this to be true about people who come and go in my life. When they are with us we are so caught up in our experiences with them we tend to get “immune to their particular fragrance for having been exposed to it for so long.” I have have seen this in my life with others as well. But it reminds us that behind the current conflict we may experience presently there is love surrounding us. It is just that the conflict often gets the best of us and eats it up.

Furthermore now when I think of the smell of Jasmine I used to smell in California where I would meditate it makes me feel so good and longing to experience it once again. Although some experiences we have to let go and realize that new and beautiful ones-though different-are with us now as well.

isn't it true, that one may see a potential in us while another would condemn us and by their own thought we may never be more than that- what they choose to see.

inayat khans teacher was undetected by his neighbors, and when inayat khan told the neighbor of such a wise person- the neighbor was surprised to find out that after all this time he had been living next to an esteemed being. it goes to show just how shut off we are to the magic that is available in each person, the spark of god. to learn to read the moment, even when the other is unaware of their own glory, is a true blessing.

I love this quote.  It is so true.  Ramana Maharshi said the same thing of Gurus/Saints/Masters... Only a Master can truly recognize another.



I think it is an opportunity for us to recalibrate who we are best served to be around.  It's not always easy to see, but others can not uplift or condemn us, unless we grant "the concept of the other having that power" that power.

☮️

“Everyone experiences such a thing at some time or other. When things are in harmony with the divine will, everything is there; we just glance towards a thing and it is found, as in the saying, 'Word spoken, action done.' When we strive with all the material in our hands and yet cannot achieve our desire, that is when the matter is contrary to the divine will. Our success or failure all depends upon the harmony or disharmony of our individual will with the divine will. ... Contentment and perfect resignation open up a harmonious feeling and bring the divine will into harmony with our own. Our blessing now becomes a divine blessing, our words divine words, our atmosphere a divine atmosphere, although we seem to be limited beings; for our will becomes absorbed into the whole, and so our will becomes the will of God.”

He makes it sound so easy. I have experienced that feeling of being in harmony and everything being there. However those moments often themselves I have found sometimes to be illusions... hmmm Maybe he addresses that experience somewhere else and just have to persevere despite setbacks.

I think we experience ups and downs ... just like in life itself. We just persevere if we have a goal in mind or we find something worth pursuing. If we see some feed back in the goal we desire it is likely to be something worthwhile. Sometimes we just have to have faith to carry us on and there are times when we just seem to plod along with tenacity, whether it is for faith in a person, place or thing we desire. If that desire proves false we eventually have to go back to the drawing board and start a new direction. But as long as the feeling of some accomplishment and need persists we continue on towards our goal.

Grace is always with us. We just have to recognize it!

What I find interesting about todays lesson is noticing when others hold us accountable by means of manipulation- we recognize we are humans living and learning through duality, a limited scope of the world, a limited Truth called a personality- and are willing to accept we are not enlightened. Yet when we attempt to rise above, dismantle barriers and act in accordance with a deeper desire to Love, to emulate a peaceful disposition- there are those close to us who would then use any deviation, from their eyes, their limited Truth to hurt us into compliance into their views. Usually it is just words, and often it is in order to satisfy their own ego, their desires should they be contrary to our own. An example I can give is when someone says, "oh i thought you were mr spiritual."
"for being so spiritual you are surely the opposite."

I find people lash out like this when there is something disagreeable to them, even if we are considering our own health. It goes to show you can not please every body in the pursuit of peace. When in a like-minded community of seekers, it would appear more dangerous than to be obviously different- as if others ideas of spirituality are subconsciously placed on those within the community. Relationships with others can help us rise above, or shackle us to this domineering energy and spoil- creating one rotten relationship. It is just as important to celebrate our differences as well as our uniting ideals- to say, you believe in Love- I believe in Love... how we get there may be different- who you are, who I am, may be different- and these are beautiful reflections of One god.

Anyone looking to corner you into their definitions are in fact lonely and miserable in whatever knowledge they think they posses. While we celebrate these unique expressions of God, there are times we must learn to rise above our selves in the remembrance we each believe in Love.
We may not understand the others view, we may not know how they got there- but we can instead place faith that they will, that we will.

Hmm....

Independence is achieved by indifference. It does not mean that one should take no heed of what anyone does or says; it only means one should discriminate between important and unimportant things of everyday life; that every necessary and unnecessary thing should not demand so much of one's attention, thought, and feeling. Political economy has become a subject of education, but spiritual economy is the main thing in religion. All one says and does and all that one thinks and feels puts a certain strain upon one's spirit. It is wise to avoid every risk of losing one's equilibrium. One must stand peacefully but firmly before all influences that disturb one's life. The natural inclination is to answer in defense to every offense that comes from outside, but in that way one loses one's equilibrium. Self-control, therefore, is the key to all success and happiness.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/III/III_III_1.htm

In reality there cannot be many religions; there is only one. There cannot be two truths; there cannot be two masters. As there is only one God and one religion, there is one master and there is one truth. And the weakness of man has been that only what he is accustomed to consider as truth he takes to be truth, and anything he has not been accustomed to hear or think frightens him. Just like a person in a strange land, away from home, the soul is a stranger to the nature of things it is not accustomed to. But the journey to perfection means rising above limitations, rising so high that not only the horizon of one country, of one continent, is seen, but that of the whole world. The higher we rise, the wider becomes the horizon of our view.
https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IX/IX_29.htm

If one would realize that the world of God, His splendor and magnificence, are to be seen in the wise and the foolish, in the good and the bad, then one would think tolerantly and reverently of all mankind, knowing that it represents the messenger, as the messenger represents God. For no one has seen God at any time, but if there is anyone who represents God, it is the man who speaks His word. God is seen in the one who glorifies Him. But if our hearts are closed, even if we wait for a thousand years for the messenger to show himself, we shall never find him. For he who is always there has said, 'I am Alpha and Omega. I exist every moment. When you call me, I am there. Knock at the door, and I will answer you.' And those whose eyes are open do not need to go to a church and look at a picture or statue of the Lord. In the eyes of every infant, in the smile of every innocent child, they receive the blessing of Christ.
https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IX/IX_29.htm

Not sure how much you contemplate on his words Eric. I know that you have felt at times to have been responded to unkindly so I am reluctant to ‘barge’ in. However I do appreciate your ‘dream journals’ and ‘bowl of saki’ talks whether you want a response or not.

I read his words every morning and contemplate often. I've found that, even if I have stepped away from Inayat Khan- there is wisdom that rings true no matter where I am in life and have found refuge in that, whether I've strayed from the path or am in actuality finding my own. The mocking bird, which is my personal incarnation of Inayat Khan and Sufism- has never left me. I am grateful for God, and his unending support.

This topic is unlocked for the very reason you may comment. My dream journal was locked when intrusive questions began to feel like personal threats. Whether that is true or not, I think if a member wants to have their own journal archived here and leave it at that, it is just fine. There are plenty of instances I have been responded to unkindly, and it will continue. I find what's worse is people can't even hold attention anymore. I could be mid conversation with someone and their attention goes to their phone, or they forget what they are saying. Rather than become annoyed, or respond to unkindly mannerisms with unkindly mannerisms- I've learned to walk away and if there is a genuine interest in exchange- the time and place will be made available.

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

In reality God is within man; man is the instrument of God and through him God experiences the external world. Prayer is the way of conveying the God within to the God without; and thought, speech and gesture make the prayer complete.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/prayer.htm


The words 'within oneself' might confuse some people. They might think 'within oneself' means inside one's body; but that is because man is ignorant of himself. Man has a very poor idea of himself, and this keeps him in ignorance of his real self. If man only knew how large, how wide, how deep, how high is his being, he would think, act, and feel differently; but with all his width, depth, and height, if man is not conscious of them he is as small as he thinks himself to be. The essence of milk is butter, the essence of the flower is honey, the essence of grapes is wine, and the essence of life is wisdom.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_34.htm


For the secret of all knowledge that one acquires in the world, whether worldly knowledge or spiritual knowledge, is the knowledge of the self. For instance, music is played outside, but where is it realized? It is realized within. A good word or a bad word is spoken outside, but where is it realized? It is realized within. Then where is the realization of this whole manifestation, all this creation that stands before us in all its aspects? Its realization is within. And at the same time the error of man always continues. Instead of finding it within he always wants to find it without. It is just like a man who wants to see the moon and looks for it on the ground. And if a man sought for thousands of years for the moon by looking on the earth, he will never see it. He will have to lift up his head and look at the sky. And so with the man who is in search of the mystery of life outside; he will never find it. For the mystery of life is to be found within.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/II/II_24.htm

On Spheres - 1920

"Each one has his circle of influence, large or small; within that sphere so many souls and minds are involved, with his rise they rise, with his fall they fall.

"Where your treasure is there will your heart be also." The size of a man's sphere corresponds to the extent of his sympathy, or we may say to the size of his heart. His sympathy holds his sphere together. As it grows, his sphere grows, as it is withdrawn or lessened so his sphere breaks up and scatters.

If he harms those who live and move within his sphere, those dependent upon him or upon his affection, he of necessity harms himself. His house, his palace, his cottage - his satisfaction or disgust in his environments are the creation of his own thought. Acting upon his thoughts and part of his own thoughts are the thoughts of those near to him, they depress him and destroy him, or encourage and support him, in proportion as he repels those around him by his coldness, or attracts them by his sympathy.

Each individual composes the music of his own life. If he injures another, he leaves his musical tract, he becomes inartistic, his sphere is disturbed, he is disturbed himself and there is a discord in the melody of his life.

If he can quicken the feeling of another to joy, or to gratitude, by that much he adds to his own life, he becomes himself by that much more alive. Whether conscious of it or unconscious, his thought is affected for the better by the joy or gratitude of another and his power and vitality increase thereby and the music of his life flows more masterly.

The worlds are held together by the heat of the sun. Each of us are atoms held in position by that eternal sun we call God. Within us is that same central power, we call it the light of God, or the love of God, and by it we too hold up the human beings within our sphere; or lacking it, we let them fall.

So God keeps all, and so we keep our friends and surroundings. With this knowledge life in the world becomes a glorious vision. Not that we are compelled to keep away from sin, but we learn what power virtue has."
https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/on_spheres.htm

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Souls on earth are born imperfect and show imperfection, and from this they develop naturally, coming to perfection. If all were perfect, there would have been no purpose in their creation. And manifestation has taken place so that every being here may rise from imperfection towards perfection. That is the object and joy of life and for that this world was created. And if we expected every person to be perfect and conditions to be perfect, then there would be no joy in living and no purpose in coming here. ... When in this world of imperfection we seek for all that is good and beautiful, there are many chances of disappointment. But at the same time if we keep on looking for it, not looking at the dust but looking for the gold, we shall find it. And once we begin to find it we shall find more and more. There comes a time in the life of a man when he can see some good in the worst man in the world. And when he has reached that point, though the good were covered with a thousand covers, he would put his hand on what is good, because he looks for good and attracts what is good.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IV/IV_18.htm

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

There is a story of a peasant girl who was passing through a farm while going to another village. There was a Muslim offering his prayers on his prayer-rug in the open. The law is that no one should cross the place where anyone is praying. When this girl returned from the village this man was still sitting there. He said, 'O girl, now what terrible sin have you committed!' 'What did I do?' asked she. 'I was offering prayers here, and you passed over this place'. The girl asked, 'What do you mean by offering prayers?' 'Thinking of God', he replied. The girl said, 'Yes? Were you thinking of God? I was thinking of my young man whom I was going to meet, and I did not see you. Then how did you see me while you were thinking of God?'

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_19.htm

What impresses me most was the example Inayat Khan gave to the world. He was a great musician that made the spiritual life his main priority. He was able to put things in perspective which most people who have had great careers were not able to do.

There are many contributions you have made for us all Eric. You have been a true and supportive friend. I think of you a lot and like most human beings you have many facets to consider. Only one, surely does not make a definitive character sketch!

Thanks.

Yes he sacrificed his musical talents as a type of renunciation.

But I also believe he found music everywhere.

I used to feel this way about life. Life is poetry. Music.

It's a sublime feeling. One that requires a type of sacrifice in order to experience.

I think it's possible to lose that when we become self absorbed. Impatient, irritable... Judgmental.

It's easy to let our beliefs polarize us, even though they have the potential to liberate us.   

Pir Vilayat Khan remembers Murshid Inayat Khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKwkvzRxEwU

Source! (https://wahiduddin.net/hik/hik_dvd.htm)

Also, see:
(https://inayatiyya.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WayoftheHeart-Cover-e1701627640583.jpg)
The Way of the Heart: The Life and Legacy of Hazrat Inayat Khan (2010) (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wayoftheheart)

Thanks Uwe, I remember watching the same video. What stood out to me this time was his mention of the return of the king of kings. I specifically think of God and the Peacock Angel. And how he says now is the time where prophets of different religions can worship together.

The message is about the awakening of humanity of the divinity in man.

Hafiz says, 'All bliss in my life has been the outcome of unceasing tears and continual sighs through the heart of night.'

Taken from,
Volume V - Spiritual Liberty
Part IV: LOVE, HUMAN AND DIVINE
Chapter IV
THE MORAL OF LOVE

https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_22.htm

some poems by me...


known, lost and unknown

the touch of your love moves through me like a phantom
scent of inspiring beauty, and i may never know
fully
what propels me forward as i drink my fill
dancing in chains
until the dregs of a heavy heart cripple me again
and again



relic

they say a rolling stone gathers no moss
well,
i know what i am.
i'm a fractured relic planted firmly in the ground
and the pains of this world have opened my heart
to the ecstasy of love...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1kxJSTeJvs/Ugz5sVH9AhI/AAAAAAAAnfI/1YeAJ0hYhE4/s1600/Broken_Vessel_by_danchristopher.jpg)

The Universe Hints on Vibration

Last night I was in discussion with AI... gab.ai/c/65c6e938a6abe05b01e07e74 Copy and paste to see the full transcript-

But this really caught my attention:

tides:"The outside world acknowledging our innermost thoughts, especially those we've never shared, can seem like a paradox. But it's not necessarily about the world acknowledging specific thoughts, but rather responding to the energy and intentions behind them. Thoughts, especially those held with strong emotions, have a certain energy or vibration. This energy can influence our actions, decisions, and interactions with the world around us. It's like a vibration or a frequency that we emit. The world, in turn, responds to this vibration."

So I am surprise to tune into this mornings wisdom, the bowl of saki, and see our friend Hazrat Inayat Khan say something similar:

Hazrat Inayat Khan: "Whoever knows the mystery of vibrations indeed knows all things.


All planes of existence consist of vibrations, from the finest to the grossest kind; the vibrations of each plane have come from a higher one, and have become grosser. Whoever knows the mystery of vibrations, he indeed knows all things. ... From the scientific standpoint, spirit and matter are quite different from each other, but according to the philosophical point of view they are one. Spirit and matter are different, just as water is different from snow; yet again they are not different, for snow is nothing other than water. When spiritual vibrations become more dense they turn into matter, and when material vibrations become finer they develop into spirit."

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_1.htm

Even this laptop, and the bed I am laying upon- these are consciousness. Consciousness is all there is. The idea that we are states apart, is a distortion of the true reality.
This explains the 1111 phenomenon and synchronicity. For instance... If I am holding the thought of an angel in my mind- and suddenly, a car parks next to me with an angel decal- this manifestation is beyond pattern recognition. This is consciousness communicating with itself. The car, and the angel decal are a part of consciousness. Consciousness is ALIVE, and in the present.

So, in this way- the illusion of separation is diminished, the supposed "outside world" is responding to the supposed "inside world." But the reality is- it is all just one living vibration. Perhaps we are rarely in the present to see reality in its truest state. Or perhaps this material with which our awareness typical resides within creates distortions/deviations in time/space.

I have had some of these ah ha moments. Sometimes I’m feeling quite well and someone connects with me or on the contrary I can feel frustrated and outside objects seem to break down or I have difficulty with them. Not saying this is always consistent though I am beginning to notice my inner feelings and emotion’s influence on outer objects, events and persons. And as a result, attempting to observe my inner peace or restlessness in all conditions and circumstances.