emotion

Just had an e-mail from a dear friend who, by telling me how important I was to him... made me feel wonderful...like a million dollars...all warm and happy...important...needed...like I was contributing something good to his life.
Emotion is such a fleeting, whimsical puff of air passing through your mind and body, affecting your mental and physical well being and your interaction with others.
It also amazes me how words can affect you so distinctly and how they cause irreparable harm and can give unbelievable positive vibrations to someone. What a wonderful life to have such a range of feeling and emotions that allow you to move from highs to lows and back again. For what reason? Is it necessary? Important?

Are we better off without them? To not have these ranges, these highs, these lows, these spells, this anger and hatred, this disappointment, this joy, sorrow, happiness and adrenalin. I don't think so. But it sure is important to understand and manage them sometimes.
Aren't these emotions part of the ego, the "I" that clings to possessions?

emotion

I just had a friend call to tell me his wife of 40 years died suddenly and unexpectedly. Wow does that put life in perspective. All the "important" things that we worry and consume ourselves with are suddenly irrelevant. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen certainly could speak to this issue and does.

Our life is filled with Karma--frets, possessions, selfishness, egos, worries--all revolving around the "I" and the world that we see through our senses that control our desires and dictate to our mind.
Suddenly the "I" is gone but life hasn't stopped. Only a few have even noticed. To them it is an important moment, a departure, a separation, an ending to a relationship or an ending to a constant that gave them comfort. But the world hasn't stopped and life is still moving, the river is still flowing...that persons memories and spirit are still flowing down the river...over time a little fainter but flowing nonetheless. The ego, the selfishness of the "I" is gone but nothing else has changed. Memories will become more distant and fainter with no new events to refresh the images which gradually fade quietly down the river.
What a moment...we cling to the memories for the benefit of our own "I" not wanting to let go, not wanting to give up the possession of that feeling, the gratification, the comfort which that possession brings. We cry, morn, become angry, disappointed, and have regrets...all emotions which we need to have to relieve the pain of the loss. Emotions which are very important and, without which, would make life a very bland affair...and what a variety they are.

Harmony and Dissent

Hamza Yusuf Hanson and the Zaytunna Institute in California:
Others within Islam have considered him a master of deceit, not representing their views of the Qur'an or any of the principles of Islam, sometimes substituting his own thoughts and principles as those of Islam.
There is some concern that, since he represents the Muslim community to certain U.S. leaders, that he represent the religion correctly and not misquote or use his own interpretations as a substitute for what is written.

Harmony and Dissention

I was reading some comments about Hamza Yusuf Hanson on the Internet and found a number of dissenting views regarding his Islamic faith. Some find him very inclusive and other find him a heretic. Some attack him from outside the faith as being too radical and others attack him from within the faith as not belonging to Islam at all. More later....
While surfing into the Zaytuna website, I linked to another site.
An interesting website, The Common Word, printed the following statement regarding Muslims throughout the world agreeing on certain principles in a letter responding to the Pope. Muslim scholars from every branch of Islam signed on to this response.
"Not only can A Common Word Between Us give them a starting point for cooperation and worldwide co-ordination, but it does so on the most solid theological ground possible: the teachings of the Qu’ran and the Prophet r, and the commandments described by Jesus Christ u in the Bible. Thus despite their differences, Islam and Christianity not only share the same Divine Origin and the same Abrahamic heritage, but the same two greatest commandments."
http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en

fasting

Ramadan can have different meanings to different people. I think M. Zuhdi Jasser allows Ramadan to have a more individual meaning than most, allowing each to use Ramadan to reflect on many avenues of self reflection.

Comments from:
M. Zuhdi Jasser
Source: The Family Security Foundation, Inc.
Date: October 12, 2007

"It is our holiest month of the year. It is a devotional month of self-reflection, renewal of faith, and a general strengthening of one’s relationship with God. Like all faiths which encourage some form of fasting, the daily fast from sunrise to sunset from food and water for Muslims during the month of Ramadan provides for a different spiritual accomplishment for every Muslim. Some learn about the blessings of health and wealth. Many read the Koran nightly and reflect in conversation with God upon our need for atonement of our sins.

"These themes are about a personal journey during Ramadan between an individual and God, a virtual resetting of one’s spiritual clock during a month long personal fast. Ramadan is not about government, nation, or non-Muslims recognizing our faith."

muslim left: part 2

The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution honoring the Muslim month of Ramadan. M. Zuhdi Jasser suggests that the resolution does not really fulfill its intentions of acknowledging Islam and embracing its moderate intentions.

FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor M. Zuhdi Jasser, October 12, 2007

"Real, lasting, recognition of Islam on the frontlines of America’s neighborhoods outside the sterilized walls of Congress will only come when real Muslim moderation is manifest. It is insulting to assume that such moderation is only demonstrated by Muslims who are non-violent. Real moderation is rather manifest by American Muslims willing to take on the ideological battle against political Islam, especially those from within the devotional faith community trying to rescue spiritual Islam from political Islam."
To read more...
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/challenges.php?id=1384969

muslim left

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/organizing-a-muslim-left/

Organizing a Muslim Left by Tobin Harshaw brought forth some interesting responses about the reasonable chances for success. Tobin discusses Ali Eteraz, a Muslim-American lawyer and blogger, who has been writing a series of provocative articles about the possibilities of creating a leftward bent movement of real dialogue and discussion within the Muslim community which would alter the radical direction and interaction of Islam with other religious cultures in today's world.

This attempt at interreligious dialogue across religious boundaries and intra-religious dialogue within the Muslim community has been met with skepticism, exemplified by the reaction of the respondents to this editorial. Yet many do support the idea and foundation of such an effort in order to at least begin the process of reconciliation and to prevent further hijacking of the movement by the destructive right.

The naysayers express concern or skepticism while others feel that there already is a moderate foundation within Islam to correct the radicalization of this religion. "Dr Zuhdi Jasser the founder and Chairman of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy" is one sighted to be bringing moderation to the attention of many. Others feel that opinions expressed from our American culture will not have merit in that we have been supportive of conservative and dictatorial regimes.
At least these contradictions are out in the open and have created enormous energy amongst the readers who have responded with vigor. This kind of dialogue leads to valuable evaluations of policies and policy initiatives which can truly change opinions.

Islamic Art Class

An interesting observation is that there are very tangible attempts to reach out and bridge the gaps between cultures. Often these actions go unnoticed yet are becoming more widespread throughout the country. Notice in a local community college bulletin:
Islamic art class offered at College of Marin
Students learn about an aspect of the Islamic world not seen in the media
Rania Ahmed
http://media.www.theechotimes.com/media/storage/paper347/news/2007/10/09/News/Islamic.Art.Class.Offered.At.Com-3024369.shtml

multithetical--we come from many sources

Reading of the descending of Lailat-al-Qadr, there appears to be a continuous struggle between good and evil, shaytan and the angels, negativity and light. It takes me to some of Bawa Muhaiyaddeen other conversations regarding God’s energy, placing two forms within his creations—wrong and right. Within each body there are two forces, one of evil or animal qualities such as jealousy and greed vs. one of God’s light which provides wisdom, purity and goodness. Through this light the qalb, or inner heart, will blossom and grow.
I think back on other religious or philosophical forms of dualism and I immediately come to Plato and his philosophical dualism with the idea of two equal opposing powers in the universe (light-darkness). This philosophy influenced Paul, the Gospel of John and the Gnostics who moved further into this sphere. The Gnostics, I believe, felt that within each person there was true goodness and a divine source of light but the individual was oftentimes overcome or subdued by the evil forces which maintained their power. Gnosis, or knowledge, liberated one from this evil world and allowed one to escape the body’s prison and return to the world of light.
Now I think some Gnostics had their rituals to achieve enlightenment and others reached it by a calling but however they overcame evil, they realized that this world and their bodies were not the source of true enlightenment and liberation. A rebirth was necessary.
From what I remember of a little OT history, dualism seemed to have a foundation in Persian culture with an ancient god, Ahura Mazda, influencing events on earth through spirits or agents using ethical means such as light and truth. Ahura Mazda has enemies and opponents such as Angra Mainyu—(Shaitan=Satan). This belief in dualism found the human soul as the battle ground of these forces.
Zoroastrianism came from this foundation and geographical location (we three kings…) and influenced Cyrus the Great and therefore the Jewish culture during their exile in the 6th century BCE.What’s the point of all this? It speaks to the reason we are taking the course and now I get to use my classmate's word, "multithetical." There probably is no purity in religion—Yahweh had roots coming from other traditions which had roots coming from other traditions—El, Marduk, Baal, Enlil, Ahura Mazda. With no purity in religion, we should be able to engage in interreligious dialogue without conflict. Interreligious mixings have always occurred and creates tremendous relevance in the study of ancient contexting which helps to understand the building blocks of our present day religions.

fasting and the lessons of

As I read (and listened to) this week's lessons, I realized that reading about Ramadan and fasting left me incomplete in my understanding of the purpose of the fast. I thought the combination of our lessons which included balance, wisdom and fasting brought together a perspective which counterbalanced and strengthened each other. Wisdom is subtle and comes from experience with the ultimate goal of achieving a strong taproot from which to maintain a balance in life. Part of that taproot is achieved by not just reading or studying but by experiencing. One cannot appreciate Ramadan unless one participates and fasts, even for a day, to appreciate and understand the purpose and meaning. Fasting for me gave me an experience and understanding that reading never did. You cannot carry on as usual during a fast. You must pause and give your body a time to rest and reflect. If you try to push on as usual, you are fighting a process that is resisting you and wears you out. The added significance is that you begin to understand the added difficulties and sufferings of others--how they must deal with this feeling every day. From this comes a small step toward wisdom and a growing taproot.This experience was much more valuable than any text could have provided.

Buddhism and Sufism

Buddha preached a practice of intense self effort, avoiding speculation. His teachings present a specific series of methods that help build a balanced, wholesome life and healthy mind by developing the two very important qualities of wisdom and compassion. In its simplest form, Buddhism instructs the individual to eliminate bad habits and develop skills to maintain good habits. As one practices this systematic training, one becomes more aware and more perceptive in understanding how to further develop skills, focus, and mental insight while looking into life, not just at it. Gradual yet continuous incremental improvements lead to even greater insight and a deeper and more thoughtful understanding of the cycle of life.

In the very beginning the Buddha taught that the disciple must examine even the Buddha himself so that he (the disciple) might be fully convinced of the true value of the teacher whom he followed. Likewise, the disciple should examine and test the teachings of the teacher in order to dispel doubt and understand and see clearly as he progresses.I think we are supposed to doubt, question and examine the Insan Kamil in the same way yet look to this person for guidance and practice.

Following a path or a side road may be interesting and even enlightening and help us understand that there may be a more direct methodology. I don't think blind faith is expected here any more than in Buddhism.

Green Faith

An interesting merger of causes appears to be occurring around the world--that of the environmentalists and religious people. Pointing to this unusual yet hesitant commonality, The Economist, in a September 22 article, points to several issues which have reached the forefront of the secular green community and the religious community. Quoting Mary Evelyn Tucker, of Yale University, "Religions provide a cultural integrity, a spiritual depth and moral force which secular approaches lack."
Opinion--I would hope that this joint arrangement is not just one of convenience but one with a strong spiritual foundation. Faith gives everyone a reason to look beyond economic benefit and should allow of not force us to look at us as the stewards of our land, water and resources. If this is a hesitant merger of causes with typical human egos and jealousies interfering with the ultimate goal, I am disappointed in both sides. The issues are too important and universal to get entangled in petty squabbles.

God's Psychology

I am reading the book by M.R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen called God's Psychology which is walking me through the process of finding the correct path or methodology toward wisdom. Preparation begins with throwing out everything that has been learned earlier--all things that were gratifying, which gave you title, status or praise--which gave you happiness must be throw out. Happiness and sorrow should be discarded and the process can begin. This is soul psychology or God's psychology. A study within yourself begins.

All the rewards of the past did not give you real satisfaction but only fleeting satisfaction. The learning process which now begins is one where you can realize real peace, equality and tranquility within yourself by combining your life with others and other lives with yours.