But the social-political atmosphere in our world today is filled with divisive voices, with loudly shouting voices. I am not looking at politics in this sermon, but at the social and cultural context of our lives, and how we express the Message of Sufism. The rhetoric of hate fills our ears, and it … [Read more...] about Hope, October 2016
“My Greetings to America” from Hazrat Inayat Khan
The desire of all nations and in principle free,A child, but wide-awake, blessed America be.Thy heart is open to all, to friend and foe alike;A high note of brotherhood, indeed, thou dost strike.Thou hast inherited the sense of nations all,And thou bestowest the same on those who on thee call.Ideal … [Read more...] about “My Greetings to America” from Hazrat Inayat Khan
Conference of the Books: 2
El Fadl goes on to say that there is much beauty in the traditional methodologies of Islamic knowledge, but that they must be reinvigorated now towards an unrelenting exploration of this core value - beauty. (p. xviii) At the core of morality we find beauty. The core and center of Islam, he says, … [Read more...] about Conference of the Books: 2
“The Conference of Books”
If you are looking here because you read the post on Facebook, you know that I have come across this thoughtful, reflective collections of essays on "Beauty in Islam". He imagines that the books of Muslim scholars and mystics create an atmosphere in the night, in which their voices come alive in his … [Read more...] about “The Conference of Books”
Who is a mystic?
Mysticism is not a faith or belief or principle or dogma. It is not an idea or a code of behavior. It is not a concept that we can point out or define. This makes it difficult to talk about. So we will look at some of the things that a mystic does. A mystic looks at reasons differently from many … [Read more...] about Who is a mystic?
Deepening our Attunement to the Message
I have just returned from the International Headquarters meetings and the Summer School in Katwijk, Netherlands, where Sufis from many countries gather, to work together in the spreading of the Sufi Message throughout the world. It was a dynamic and difficult time, as we try to work through our … [Read more...] about Deepening our Attunement to the Message
What is the purpose of my life?
As we go on day by day, we may wonder, "What is the purpose of my life?" When I was in my twenties, and teaching Religious Studies at Lewis and Clark College, I was asked to teach "Introduction to Religion." But this was a boring course. And it was the 1970s. So many spiritual teachings, meditation … [Read more...] about What is the purpose of my life?
Am I seizing the opportunity of my life?
"And what is life? Life is an opportunity. To the optimistic person the opportunity is a promise, and for the pessimistic person this opportunity is lost. It is not that the Creator makes one lose it, but it is the person who withdraws him or herself from the possibility of seizing the opportunity." … [Read more...] about Am I seizing the opportunity of my life?