Murshid writes: The awakened soul looks about and asks: 'Who is my enemy?' While the unawakened soul thinks that it is one's neighbor or one's relation who is one's enemy, the awakened soul says, 'It is my self; my ignorant ego is my enemy; and it is the struggle with this enemy that will bring me light and raise me from the denseness of the earth.'
I am thinking about this as I read the newspaper (yes, I still do read a paper newspaper) filled with political arguments before elections, and filled with terrible news from all over the world. Our minds are being trained to pay attention to any story that is "new." And our capacity to think deeply and with concentration is not exercised. The media (social and otherwise) invite us to look at our neighbor, the "other" political party, the "other" nation, the "other" religion, the "other" Sufis, as the enemy. Spiritual life takes a different perspective, inviting us to know our own ignorant ego, and struggle with that. This is the first enemy I must fight.
Timely words….I just got the new book “Love your enemies” by Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman….the little I’ve read, so far, they are writing the same thing from a Buddhist perspective….
This is hard to focus on. My enemies morph. Issues within and without. I’ll have to devote a long time struggling with this concept… The options? Struggle with my ignorant ego. I think I’ll go do my prayers. Thank you, Murshida Rani
One question is “the enemy of what?” As I am aware of my inner state, what are the thoughts and feelings that I dislike, that I don’t want? What is the enemy of my experience of inner peace? What do I reject in my experience? How can I open to whatever is in my experience right now? And, Yes, I agree – this is hard work.
It sounds like an interesting book. It’s so helpful to see the teachings expressed in so many different ways. Maybe I can understand or feel it in a slightly different way that helps, just a different angle. Oh yes, that’s it!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t
appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say excellent blog!
All comments have to be approved before they appear (to avoid advertisements). But I don’t see your comment here. Sorry it got lost.