Surah 49 Al-Hujurat verses 10-13
10. The Believers are but a single Brotherhood
So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers;
and have awe of God that you may have mercy
11. O you who believe! let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, Nor call each other by offensive nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, after he has believed: And those who do not desist are doing wrong.
12. O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other, Nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would abhor it...but have awe of God. For God is oft-returning, Most merciful
13 O Mankind! We created you from a pair of male and female, and made you into Nations and Tribes that you may know each other (not that you despise each other). Surely the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God is full of Knowledge and is well aquainted (with all things)
Words express our thoughts, confirm our attitudes, and define our character. In our human interactions, those of noble thoughts, attitudes and character refrain from speech that causes harm to another.
When speech is used to degrade, harm, or cause hurt to someone, it is as if we are eating their flesh for we reduce our own pain by causing pain to another.
The Quran reminds us, we are all one family, all brothers and sisters to one another...and we will all return to God. Can we not leave labels of seperation behind and define ourselves by our oneness?
Sutra Nipata writes....
As the flower blown out by the wind
goes to rest and cannot be defined
so the wise man, freed from individuality
goes to rest and cannot be defined
goes beyond all images
goes beyind the power of words.
What is your identity?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Love
Surah Ad-Duha--93
In the name of God, the Compassionate and the Merciful.
1. By the glorious morning light
2. And by the night when it is still
3.Your Guardian Lord has not abandoned you
nor is he displeased
4. Surely the hereafter will be better for you than the present
5. Your Guardian Lord will be giving to you,
you shall be content
6. He found you wandering and he gave you guidance
7. He found you in need and made you independent
8.Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness
9.Nor repulse him who asks
10.But the bounty of your Lord rehearse and proclaim.
Loving someone can be a cause for anxious moments when we do not know if they love us back. Lady Horikawa expressed in her Haiku
Will he always love me?
I cannot read his heart
My thoughts this morning
are disordered as my black hair.
When we love, we need to know we are loved in return. If we cannot fathom the human heart, can we presume to have any inkling of the love God has for his creation, for us? How can we hope to ever gain his love? What could be the nature of such immense Love?
Tsurayuki answers in another Haiku
No, the human heart
is unknowable
But in my birthplace
the flowers still smell
the same as always
When we look to nature, we can see God's love. The flowers bloom every spring, they bring nectar to the bees who make honey. When we look at our lives, we see God's love. He provides sustenance and guidance so that we too can grow in spirituality and understanding. Like the glorious morning light and the night when it is still, his love is constant and ever present in many forms in our lives. So look to nature and remember ........
The monk Ryozen gives this advice
When I am lonely
and go for a walk, I see
everywhere the same
Autumnal dusk.
How big is your love?
In the name of God, the Compassionate and the Merciful.
1. By the glorious morning light
2. And by the night when it is still
3.Your Guardian Lord has not abandoned you
nor is he displeased
4. Surely the hereafter will be better for you than the present
5. Your Guardian Lord will be giving to you,
you shall be content
6. He found you wandering and he gave you guidance
7. He found you in need and made you independent
8.Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness
9.Nor repulse him who asks
10.But the bounty of your Lord rehearse and proclaim.
Loving someone can be a cause for anxious moments when we do not know if they love us back. Lady Horikawa expressed in her Haiku
Will he always love me?
I cannot read his heart
My thoughts this morning
are disordered as my black hair.
When we love, we need to know we are loved in return. If we cannot fathom the human heart, can we presume to have any inkling of the love God has for his creation, for us? How can we hope to ever gain his love? What could be the nature of such immense Love?
Tsurayuki answers in another Haiku
No, the human heart
is unknowable
But in my birthplace
the flowers still smell
the same as always
When we look to nature, we can see God's love. The flowers bloom every spring, they bring nectar to the bees who make honey. When we look at our lives, we see God's love. He provides sustenance and guidance so that we too can grow in spirituality and understanding. Like the glorious morning light and the night when it is still, his love is constant and ever present in many forms in our lives. So look to nature and remember ........
The monk Ryozen gives this advice
When I am lonely
and go for a walk, I see
everywhere the same
Autumnal dusk.
How big is your love?
Gratitude
Surah Al Waqia (56) verses 63-74
63. Do you see the seed you sow in the ground?
64. Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the cause?
65. Were it our will, we could make it broken orts. and you would be left amazed.
66. (saying), "We are indeed left with debts"
67. "Indeed we are deprived"
68. See you the water which you drink?
69. Do you rain it down from the clouds or do We?
70. Were it our will, we could make it saltish (unpalatable). Then why do you not give thanks?
71. See you the fire which you kindle?
72. Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
73. We have made it an article of comfort and convenience for the denizns of the deserts
74. Then glorify the name of your Lord, the supreme!
It is often the little things in life that bring us the greatest, most sincere joy. Yet, in savoring the happiness of the moment, we overlook to thank God. Often, we are so focused on ourselves, that we overlook the big things too. It is a priveledge to live on this planet, to enjoy the wonders of nature, to eat of the foods from the earth, the sea, and the soil, to have the company of those we love......yet, we forget to thank God.
In this age of abundance and luxury, our attention sometimes wanders to the things we do not have but would like to have. In our pursuit of achievements or success, we forget that our stay here is transitory, that our final destination is to God..... Our God, who is compassionate and merciful and has given us so much.
Instead of looking at all the inconveniences and trails of the day, it is time to strive for an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we have been given. To remember to take the time to thank God, the compassionate and the merciful.
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts
With our thoughts We make our world
-----Buddha
Try to fill your thoughts and your hearts with gratitude today......
63. Do you see the seed you sow in the ground?
64. Is it you that cause it to grow or are We the cause?
65. Were it our will, we could make it broken orts. and you would be left amazed.
66. (saying), "We are indeed left with debts"
67. "Indeed we are deprived"
68. See you the water which you drink?
69. Do you rain it down from the clouds or do We?
70. Were it our will, we could make it saltish (unpalatable). Then why do you not give thanks?
71. See you the fire which you kindle?
72. Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do We grow it?
73. We have made it an article of comfort and convenience for the denizns of the deserts
74. Then glorify the name of your Lord, the supreme!
It is often the little things in life that bring us the greatest, most sincere joy. Yet, in savoring the happiness of the moment, we overlook to thank God. Often, we are so focused on ourselves, that we overlook the big things too. It is a priveledge to live on this planet, to enjoy the wonders of nature, to eat of the foods from the earth, the sea, and the soil, to have the company of those we love......yet, we forget to thank God.
In this age of abundance and luxury, our attention sometimes wanders to the things we do not have but would like to have. In our pursuit of achievements or success, we forget that our stay here is transitory, that our final destination is to God..... Our God, who is compassionate and merciful and has given us so much.
Instead of looking at all the inconveniences and trails of the day, it is time to strive for an attitude of gratitude for the blessings we have been given. To remember to take the time to thank God, the compassionate and the merciful.
For each new morning with its light
For rest and shelter of the night
For health and food
For love and freinds
For everything your goodness sends
---Thanksgiving by Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts
With our thoughts We make our world
-----Buddha
Try to fill your thoughts and your hearts with gratitude today......
Monday, August 17, 2009
Impermenance
Surah 16 verse96-100
96. What is with you must vanish: What is with Allah will endure. And we will certainly bestow, On those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.
97. Whoever works righteousness, Man or Woman, and has faith, surely to him will we give a life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the their actions.
98. When you do read the Quran, seek Allahs protection from Satan the rejected one.
99. No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
100. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with God.
96. What is with you must vanish: What is with Allah will endure. And we will certainly bestow, On those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.
97. Whoever works righteousness, Man or Woman, and has faith, surely to him will we give a life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the their actions.
98. When you do read the Quran, seek Allahs protection from Satan the rejected one.
99. No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
100. His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with God.
Buddha's "Universal Law" says that ---all things change and are impermenant. The "reality we have is now", yesterday has passed and tomorrow is yet to be--we only have the present. But, this "present" will also pass away. Allah is the only reality that is permenant and will endure. This means that both happiness and suffering are impermenant, transient. We can only live now, in this moment---and it is in this moment that we have intentions that can be translated into actions---but this moment will pass. The Japanese have turned this philosophy into an art and celebrate its essence in everyday life as Wabi Sabi.---"It nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple (human)realities--that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.
God is "the reality that is dependent on no other reality, but upon whom all other reality depends, through whose will all other realities have come into being, and who has, himself not come into being through any other principle." Mutahari.
It is when we contemplate the transient, that we begin to have an inkling of the enduring permenance of Allah.
Do you wabi sabi?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Surrender
Surah 37 verses 100-106
100 "O my Lord! grant me a rightous (son)!"
101 So we gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
102 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) work with him, He said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!" (the son) said: "O my father! Do as you have been commanded: You will find me, if Allah so wills, one of the steadfast."
103. So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and he had laid his forehead
104. We called out to him, O Abraham!
105. "You have already fulfilled the dream!-thus indeed Do we reward those who do right.
106. For this was a clear trial---
For a long time, this story puzzled me. Prophet Abraham was a great man (and muslim) because through the use of his intellect, he arrived at an understanding of God, the most merciful, the most compassionate, the most supreme. Therefore, How could he, who understood God so well, think that a dream that called for the sacrifice of another human being could be from God? Then I realized---he did not---I was making an assumption!! re-read verse 102!!!
This story is not about "sacrifice" ---nor is it about a faith so strong that reason and belief are suspended---No! In my opinion----this is about Trust. It is through Trust in God that we attain "surrender". Prophet Abraham understood God so well, that through this knowledge he was certain that God, the most powerful, the supreme, would not let him go astray. He completely trusted God. And this trust was fulfilled---for God did not allow the son to be sacrificed. This story is about the ideal relationship between man and God.
How strong is your trust?
100 "O my Lord! grant me a rightous (son)!"
101 So we gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
102 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) work with him, He said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice: Now see what is your view!" (the son) said: "O my father! Do as you have been commanded: You will find me, if Allah so wills, one of the steadfast."
103. So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and he had laid his forehead
104. We called out to him, O Abraham!
105. "You have already fulfilled the dream!-thus indeed Do we reward those who do right.
106. For this was a clear trial---
For a long time, this story puzzled me. Prophet Abraham was a great man (and muslim) because through the use of his intellect, he arrived at an understanding of God, the most merciful, the most compassionate, the most supreme. Therefore, How could he, who understood God so well, think that a dream that called for the sacrifice of another human being could be from God? Then I realized---he did not---I was making an assumption!! re-read verse 102!!!
This story is not about "sacrifice" ---nor is it about a faith so strong that reason and belief are suspended---No! In my opinion----this is about Trust. It is through Trust in God that we attain "surrender". Prophet Abraham understood God so well, that through this knowledge he was certain that God, the most powerful, the supreme, would not let him go astray. He completely trusted God. And this trust was fulfilled---for God did not allow the son to be sacrificed. This story is about the ideal relationship between man and God.
How strong is your trust?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Is and Is not
Surah 59 (Al-Hashr) verses 21-24
21. Had we sent down this Quran on a mountain , Surely you would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder in awe of Allah. Such are the similitudes which we give to men that they may reflect.
22. Allah is he than whom there is no other God; who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, most gracious, most merciful.
23. Allah is he than whom there is no other God---the sovereign. the holy One , the source of peace (and perfection),the gaurdian of faith, the perserver of safety, the exalted in might, the irrisistible, the justly proud, glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to him.
24. He is Allah, the creator, the originator, the fashioner, to him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth does declare his praises and glory, and He is the exalted in might, the wise.
Language is limited and inadequate. It cannot explain the unexplainable. It cannot fathom the unfathomable. It cannot be used to create a picture or image of the uncreated.
Lao Tzu says it well....
Since before time and space were, Tao is
It is beyond "is" and "is not"
How do i know this is true?
I look inside myself and see.
We cannot use the limited and inadequate tool of language to understand God....we must use our hearts and our souls....
21. Had we sent down this Quran on a mountain , Surely you would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder in awe of Allah. Such are the similitudes which we give to men that they may reflect.
22. Allah is he than whom there is no other God; who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, most gracious, most merciful.
23. Allah is he than whom there is no other God---the sovereign. the holy One , the source of peace (and perfection),the gaurdian of faith, the perserver of safety, the exalted in might, the irrisistible, the justly proud, glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to him.
24. He is Allah, the creator, the originator, the fashioner, to him belong the most beautiful names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth does declare his praises and glory, and He is the exalted in might, the wise.
Language is limited and inadequate. It cannot explain the unexplainable. It cannot fathom the unfathomable. It cannot be used to create a picture or image of the uncreated.
Lao Tzu says it well....
Since before time and space were, Tao is
It is beyond "is" and "is not"
How do i know this is true?
I look inside myself and see.
We cannot use the limited and inadequate tool of language to understand God....we must use our hearts and our souls....
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Mountains shall vanish
Surah 78 verses 1 - 20
In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful.
1. Concerning what are they disputing?
2. Concerning the great news
3. About which they cannot agree
4. Surely they shall soon know
5. Surely, surely, they shall soon know
6. Have we not made the earth as a wide expanse
7. And the mountains as pegs?
8. And created you in pairs?
9. And made your sleep for rest,
10. And made the night as a covering
11. And made the day as a means of subsistance?
12. And built over you many firmaments
13. And placed (therein) a blazing lamp
14. And do we not send down from the clouds water in abundance
15. That we may produce threwith grain and vegetables
16. And gardens of luxurious growth?
17. Surely the day of sorting out is a thing appointed
18. The day that the trumpet shall be sounded, and you shall come forward in crowds
19. And the Heavens shall be opened as if there were doors
20. And the mountains shall vanish as if they were a mirage.
Science has advanced and with it our understanding of how our universe works. Knowledge has the potential of making us arrogant. Because we know how things work, we might presume that we can "control" everything around us. If things work according to "laws' such as the laws of physics for example---then if we understand these "laws" and learn to manipulate and control them, then we "master" our surroundings---or so we think.
But this feeling of superiority/control is only an illusion--everything around us works because of God. Even simple things such as growing a vegetable garden. We might think that because we water it everyday and take care of it---that the vegetables were grown by us---but this is an illusion. On the day of judgement--illusions will be washed away like a mirage and we will see reality.
Does this mean that we are powerless? Our free-will is a gift to be used wisely. If we recognize that all things are "submitting to God" ---be it a plant growing from the soil, or rain falling from the sky, Then perhaps we can learn to be more humble. When we give up our arrogance--we will better appreciate and respect all of God's gifts to us---and be grateful.
Some scientists are looking at nature with different eyes. They have begun to appreciate the awwsome efficiency and perfection of nature and are trying to copy it/use it for the benefit of humans and the environment. They call it biomimicry.
In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful.
1. Concerning what are they disputing?
2. Concerning the great news
3. About which they cannot agree
4. Surely they shall soon know
5. Surely, surely, they shall soon know
6. Have we not made the earth as a wide expanse
7. And the mountains as pegs?
8. And created you in pairs?
9. And made your sleep for rest,
10. And made the night as a covering
11. And made the day as a means of subsistance?
12. And built over you many firmaments
13. And placed (therein) a blazing lamp
14. And do we not send down from the clouds water in abundance
15. That we may produce threwith grain and vegetables
16. And gardens of luxurious growth?
17. Surely the day of sorting out is a thing appointed
18. The day that the trumpet shall be sounded, and you shall come forward in crowds
19. And the Heavens shall be opened as if there were doors
20. And the mountains shall vanish as if they were a mirage.
Science has advanced and with it our understanding of how our universe works. Knowledge has the potential of making us arrogant. Because we know how things work, we might presume that we can "control" everything around us. If things work according to "laws' such as the laws of physics for example---then if we understand these "laws" and learn to manipulate and control them, then we "master" our surroundings---or so we think.
But this feeling of superiority/control is only an illusion--everything around us works because of God. Even simple things such as growing a vegetable garden. We might think that because we water it everyday and take care of it---that the vegetables were grown by us---but this is an illusion. On the day of judgement--illusions will be washed away like a mirage and we will see reality.
Does this mean that we are powerless? Our free-will is a gift to be used wisely. If we recognize that all things are "submitting to God" ---be it a plant growing from the soil, or rain falling from the sky, Then perhaps we can learn to be more humble. When we give up our arrogance--we will better appreciate and respect all of God's gifts to us---and be grateful.
Some scientists are looking at nature with different eyes. They have begun to appreciate the awwsome efficiency and perfection of nature and are trying to copy it/use it for the benefit of humans and the environment. They call it biomimicry.
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