Your Daily Saki

[happyrain]

When God is with you everything is with you; when God is in you everything is in you. Inspiration, knowledge, light, all are then within you. But if you find joy in confusion, if you confuse yourself and keep yourself in darkness, you may do so. However, you have inherited from the heavenly Father His inspiration, His Light, His power. You have inherited might from the Almighty God; you have inherited light from the Light of the universe. Therefore you are blessed with all these things, if you can only open your eyes and see the blessing.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XII/XII_I_11.htm

[Sandy]

That speaks to me tonight, Eric, as my eyes begin to close in sleepiness... There's so much comfort and power in those simple but beautiful words.
May I wake up refreshed in the Light and a new day...may all of us be blessed.
Thank you
xxSandy
P.S. excellent lesson on Telepathy too... Well worth the read.

[Welles]

Haha, Eric. I came here to post part of the same email 'Bowl of Saki'. You chose the beautiful part. I zeroed in on the part I thought was the best description of 'Born Again' that I've ever read. To wit"

"A person whose soul has awakened becomes awake to everything he sees and hears. ... It is this awakening of the soul which is mentioned in the Bible, 'Unless the soul is born again it will not enter the kingdom of heaven'. Being born again means that the soul is awakened after having come on earth, and entering the kingdom of heaven means that this world, the same kingdom in which we are standing just now, turns into heaven as soon as the point of view has changed." — Hazrat Inayat Khan

[happyrain]

Beautiful wisdom... Interesting to note Welles, no matter who I am learning from Spirit speaks clearly. One day, I will pick something up from Hazrat Inayat Khan and in the same time-frame receive similar wisdom elsewhere; somehow, sometimes, words will match exactly. Whatever I am drawn to is expressed around me by the Guiding Spirit. It's much like receiving an 1111 or license plate prompting, there's something beautiful and perplexing to this communication. Behind the many forms, I see Thee.
~ <3 ~ <3 ~ <3 ~
And a hello to you friend.

[happyrain]

This is one of my favorite messages... <3 It's 1.11.22 I hope you feel it too <3


Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

In love abides all knowledge. It is mankind's love and interest in the things that in time reveals their secret, and then man knows how to develop, control, and utilize them. No one can know anybody, however much he may profess to know, except the lover, because in the absence of love the inner eyes are blind. Only the outer eyes are open, which are merely the spectacles of the inner eyes. If the sight is not keen, of what use are the spectacles?

It is for this reason that we admire all those whom we love, and are blind to the good qualities of those whom we do not love. It is not always that these deserve our neglect, but our eyes, without love, cannot see their goodness. Those whom we love may have bad points too, but as love sees beauty, so we see that alone in them. Intelligence itself in its next step towards manifestation is love. When the light of love has been lit, the heart becomes transparent, so that the intelligence of the soul can see through it.

But until the heart is kindled by the flame of love, the intelligence, which is constantly yearning to experience life on the surface, is groping in the dark. ... Love is like the fire; its glow is devotion, its flame is wisdom, its smoke is attachment, and its ashes detachment. Flame rises from glow, so it is with wisdom, which rises from devotion. When love's fire produces its flame it illuminates the devotee's path in life like a torch, and all darkness vanishes.... if this love expands to embrace the whole creation of the Heavenly Father, it raises man to be among the chosen ones of God.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_19.htm

[Sandy]

Thank you, Eric, this is a brilliant message and speaks to my soul. I have always enjoyed "The daily Saki" and the wisdom of Hazrat Inayat Khan.


Thank you for sharing this.

love,
Sandy

[happyrain]

While at work today, I had a profound sense of energy that allowed me to serve customers free of obstruction from negative thoughts. It was a nonstop 9 hour shift on my feet and I did not get to eat lunch until a few hours past my normal time.

At one point the business of the day was so entirely overwhelming that my nervous system was on fire, I remember telling my friend jokingly that I think my brain was bleeding. I told him, I don't think a normal person can handle this level of activity. And I wasn't saying that to gloat because I was suffering from the physical and mental overload of being engaged in multiple business operations at once. But to save face I stopped talking about it, I didn't want to get caught in the trap of complaining.

Instead, I remembered a chapter from AoY (Autobiography of a Yogi). I barley remember it, but the way my memory recalls... There was some grand event where Yogananda was forced to serve others and was made extremely exhausted. Somehow the idea that, God is in control- give everything to God crossed my mind during this interesting moment of recollection. I remember Yogananda surrendering his exhaustion to God and continuing in his endeavors. Next thing I know, I am rocking and rolling with nonstop productivity. I probably reached my capacity but I realized as well I was giving it my best. Mistakes might happen, but give it your best anyway. Let the rest sort itself out.

By the end of my shift, 30 minutes past, finally things were coming to a calm. I looked in the now empty store and said, "thank you God." I felt and understood everything that happened today was made possibly by God. This feeling alone, praising the Lord as the provider, it was transcendental.

Anyways... Here's todays message:

When one praises the beauty of God, one's soul is filled with bliss.

Bowl of Saki, April 1, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

"Why does God need praise from me? Who am I that I should offer Him praise?" True, we can never praise Him enough; never can our praise be sufficient, but our souls are blessed with the impression of the Glory of God whenever we praise Him. The soul could praise God every moment and yet wanting to praise Him yet more, it is constantly hungering and thirsting to find the Beauty and Perfection of God. By the praise of God the soul is filled with bliss; even to utter the name of God is a blessing that can fill the soul with light, joy and happiness as nothing else can do.

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

The only secret of attaining happiness is to learn how to appreciate our privileges in life. If we cultivate that sense of appreciation we shall be thankful, we shall be contented and every moment we shall offer our thanks to God, for His gifts are many and enormous. When we do not see them it is because our wants cover our eyes from seeing all with which we are blessed by Providence. No meditation, no study, nothing can help in that direction, except one thing, and that is to keep our eyes open to appreciate every little privilege in life, to admire every glimpse of beauty that comes before us, being thankful for every little love, kindness or affection shown to us by young or old, rich or poor, wise or foolish. In this way, continually developing the faculty of appreciating life and devoting it to thanksgiving, we arrive at a bliss which no words can explain, a bliss which is beyond imagination: the bliss that we find ourselves having already entered the kingdom of God.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIII/VIII_2_39.htm

[Sandy]

Thank you, Eric, for sharing your inspiring day and the important message from Hazrat Inayat Khan.
A sense of peace pervades me this morning as I reflect on your post and my life, the glory of God and the "heavens".
Blessings abound
xxSandy

[happyrain]

I'm particularly fond of this message, especially after the profound sense of peace I felt last night when cleaning up dads mess.

I'm about to move out and a change in attitude happened. Dad was home drunk and passed out. He left a mess in the kitchen. My normal attitude is to be pissed off and say a few disagreeable things in my mind before begrudgingly dealing with clean up. Instead I realized I might not be doing this much longer and thought about how happy it makes my family that I contribute. Suddenly, cleaning up the little mess filled my body with love and appreciation. And the feeling of love was far greater than whatever attitude my ego was ready to lament. It was a curious moment of realization.

The seer, therefore, teaches that all the things that we desire and think beautiful, we ought to produce within ourselves instead of expecting them from others. What a task that is! What great self-sufficiency there would be if every country always itself produced that which it seeks from others; what an independent life it would be to produce within ourselves what we expect to obtain from others! Instead of depending on them for something we ourselves can give them, we should experience the joy of giving, the joy of being kind to others. What joy and freedom we should ourselves find in being kind to another. However natural it may be to have someone love and admire us, are we not dependent? The wife is dependent of her husband's love; the friend is dependent on the friend's love. But in the other case we would be free and independent; for our joy would lie in the love itself, and not in the person.

We should enjoy life by doing kindness to others. Receiving kindness from others only makes the recipient expect more. He keeps saying, 'He is doing this for his own benefit; he is not considering me; he is blaming me; he did not help me; he did not deal fairly with me.' His life becomes full of grudges because he expects from everybody all the good that he wants, and he does not know that he ought to have it all in himself; that he should become independent. Therein lies the secret of character. ... If a person thinks that God is all, but the whole world is vile, he does not worship God, for God is all and God is beautiful. 'God is beautiful and he loves beauty,' the Prophet said. And as His being is in us, we are supposed to love beauty also. What is beauty? Not only the external beauty, but the beauty of personality, the beauty of character, that is the real beauty. If we did not worship it, we should not admire it in other people. We cannot appreciate anything without beauty of character.

All gains, whether material, spiritual, moral, or mystical, are the outcome of one's own character; and if we have gained nothing, it is only by reason of our own character.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_14.htm

Happy days

[Sandy]

Hey Eric,
I am pondering Your latest post and the Daily Saki, taking it with me into the day. Wow, it is just what I needed and I can certainly apply it to my home life. I asked for guidance and Bam! There it is...
Thank you!
xxSandy

[happyrain]

A different kind of celestial message

CHEERS!

Do not bemoan the past, do not worry about the future, but try to make the best of today.

Bowl of Saki, July 11, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

There is not anything one should not be ready to tolerate, and there is nobody whom one should not forgive. Never doubt those whom you trust; never hate those whom you love; never cast down those whom you once raise in your estimation. Wish to make friends with everyone you meet; make an effort to gain the friendship of those you find difficult ... No one is either higher or lower than oneself. In all sources that fulfill one's need, one may see one source, God, the only source; and in admiring and in bowing before and in loving anyone, one may consider one is doing it to God. In sorrow one may look to God, and in joy one may thank Him. One does not bemoan the past, nor worry about the future; one tries only to make the best of today. One should know no failure, for even in a fall there is a stepping-stone to rise.

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


In Fitzgerald's translation of Omar Khayyam: 'O my Beloved, fill the cup that clears today of past regrets and future fears. Why, tomorrow I may be myself, with yesterday's sev'n thousand years!' By this he means: Make the best of this moment; it is now that you can clearly see eternity, if you live in this moment. But if you keep the world of the past or the world of the future before you, you do not live in eternity but in a limited world. In other words, live neither in the past nor in the future, but in eternity. It is now that we should try to discover that happiness which is to be found in the freedom of the soul.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIIIa/VIIIa_1_1.htm

[Sandy]

Thank you for sharing this Eric. I find it very helpful today.
hugs,
Sandy

[happyrain]

Love is the current coin of all peoples in all periods.

Bowl of Saki, August 17, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Love has its time at every stage of life. As a child, as a youth, as an adult, whatever stage of life one has reached, love is always asked for and love always has its part to perform. Whatever situation we are placed in, amongst friends or foes, amongst those who understand us or amongst those who do not, in ease or in difficulty, in all places at all times, it has its part to perform. The one who thinks, 'I must not let the principle of love have its way, I must harden myself against it', imprisons his soul. There is only one thing in the world that shows the sign of heaven, that gives the proof of God, and that is pure, unselfish love. For all the noble qualities which are hidden in the soul will spring forth and blossom when love helps them and nurtures them. Man may have a great deal of good in him and he may be very intelligent; but as long as his heart is closed, he cannot show that nobleness, that goodness which is hidden in his heart. The psychology of the heart is such that once one begins to know it, one realizes that life is a continual phenomenon. Then every moment of life becomes a miracle; a searchlight is thrown upon human nature and all things become so clear that one does not ask for any greater phenomenon or miracle; it is a miracle in and of itself. What one calls telepathy, thought reading, or clairvoyance, and all such things, come by themselves when the heart is open.

If a person is cold and rigid, he feels within himself as if he were in a grave. He is not living, he cannot enjoy this life for he cannot express himself and he cannot see the light and life outside. What keeps man from developing the heart quality? His exacting attitude. He wants to make a business of love. He says, 'If you will love me, I will love you.' As soon as a man measures and weighs his favors and his services and all that he does for one whom he loves, he ceases to know what love is. Love sees the beloved and nothing else.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_3_4.htm


The great teachers and prophets, and the inspirers of humanity of all times have not become what they were by their miracles or wonder-workings; these belong to other people. The main thing that could be seen in them was their loving manner. Read the lives of the prophets. First of all see the way Jesus Christ had with all those who came to him. When sinners who were condemned and expelled by society were brought to the master, he received them with compassion. ... One may ask: How to cultivate the heart quality? There is only one way: to become selfless at each step one takes forward on this path, for what prevents one from cultivating the loving quality is the thought of self. The more we think of our self the less we think of others, and as we go further the self grows to become worse and worse. In the end the self meets us as a giant which we had always fought; and now at the end of the journey the giant is the stronger. But if from the first step we take on the path of perfection we struggled and fought and conquered this giant which is the self, it could be done only by the increasing power of love.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_2.htm

[happyrain]

Love is the divine Mother's arms; when those arms are spread, every soul falls into them.

Bowl of Saki, September 9, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

The Sufis of all ages have been known for their beautiful personality. It does not mean that among them there have not been people with great powers, wonderful powers and wisdom. But beyond all that, what is most known of the Sufis is the human side of their nature: that tact which attuned them to wise and foolish, to poor and rich, to strong and weak -- to all. They met everyone on his own plane, they spoke to everyone in his own language. What did Jesus teach when he said to the fishermen, 'Come hither, I will make you fishers of men?' It did not mean, 'I will teach you ways by which you get the best of man.' It only meant: your tact, your sympathy will spread its arms before every soul who comes, as mother's arms are spread out for her little ones.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIII/VIII_2_15.htm


Mystics of all ages have not been known for their miraculous powers or for the doctrines they have taught, but for the devotion they have shown throughout their lives. The Sufi in the East says to himself, Ishq Allah Ma'bud Allah, which means 'God is Love, God is the Beloved', in other words it is God who is Love, Lover, and Beloved. When we hear the stories of the miraculous powers of mystics, of their great insight into the hidden laws of nature, of the qualities which they manifested through their beautiful personalities, we realize that these have all come from one and the same source, whether one calls it devotion or whether one calls it love.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XI/XI_III_11.htm


Once four little girls were disputing. One said, 'My mother is better than yours.' The second girl said, 'My mother is better than your mother.' So, they were arguing and being quite disagreeable to one another. But someone who was passing by said to them, 'It is not your mother or their mother, it is the mother who is always the best. It is the mother quality, her love and affection for her children.' This is the point of view of the mystic in regard to the divine ideal.

The moral principle of the mystic is the love principle. He says, 'The greater your love, the greater your moral. If we are forced to be virtuous according to a certain principle, a certain regulation, certain laws or rules, then that is not real virtue. It must come from the depths of our heart; our own heart must teach us the true moral.' Thus the mystic leaves morality to the deepening of the heart quality. The mystic says that the more loving someone's heart is, the greater is his morality.

There is no greater teacher of morals than love itself, for the first lesson that one learns from love is, 'I am not, you are.' This is self-denial, self-abnegation, without which we cannot take the first step on love's path. One may claim to be a great lover, to be a great admirer, to be very affectionate, but it all means nothing as long as the thought of self is there, for there is no love. But when the thought of self is removed then every action, every deed that one performs in life, becomes a virtue. It cannot be otherwise. A loving person cannot be unjust, a loving person cannot be cruel. Even if what he does seems wrong in the eyes of a thousand people, it cannot be wrong in reality. In reality, it will be right, for it is inspired by love.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_1.htm

[Sandy]

That is a priceless enrichment of wisdom, understanding, and spiritual simplicity, Eric. And spot on for all of us regardless of where our spirit feet walk the path.
Thank you for sharing the priceless wisdom of Hazrat Inayat Khan, and Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan.
xxSandy

[happyrain]

Hi Sandy,

Hazrat and Pir-O-Murshid are just honorary titles, they're the same people!

Todays wisdom, a reminder that we must eventually leave the scriptures and receive the PRESENT.

The Present, is God, NOW- IN-ALL-WAYS BEING.... And that is the holiest scripture, the ultimate teacher, the DIVINE EXPERIENCE.. = )

The teacher, however great, can never give his knowledge to the pupil; the pupil must create his own knowledge.

Bowl of Saki, September 19, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

The work of a mystical teacher is not to teach, but to tune, to tune the pupil so that he may become the instrument of God. For the mystical teacher is not the player of the instrument; he is the tuner. When he has tuned it, he gives it into the hands of the Player whose instrument it is to play. The duty of the mystical teacher is his service as a tuner.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_2_2.htm


The task of the Sufi teacher is not to force a belief on a mureed, but to train him so that he may become illuminated enough to receive revelations himself.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_2_4.htm


Truth by its very nature cannot be uttered, cannot be given. One cannot give that which cannot be put into speech. So the teacher gives a method for finding the truth, for unfolding it, for unlocking that which seems to be in one's heart. ... It is clearly impossible for anyone to impart his knowledge to another person; he can only show him how to unfold his own knowledge to himself. Everybody possesses a kingdom, but he has to find it.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XII/XII_I_21.htm


There is only one teacher, and that teacher is God Himself. No man can teach another man. All one can do for another is to give him one's own experience in order to help him to be successful. For instance if a person happens to know a road, he can tell another man that it is the road which leads to the place he wishes to find. The work of the spiritual teacher is like the work of Cupid. The work of Cupid is to bring two souls together. And so is the work of the spiritual teacher: to bring together the soul and God.

But what is taught to the one who seeks after truth? Nothing is taught. He is only shown how he should learn from God. For no man can ever teach spirituality. It is God alone who teaches it. And how is it learned? When these ears which are open outwardly are closed to the outside world and focused upon the heart within, then instead of hearing all that comes from the outer life one begins to hear the words within. Thus if one were to define what meditation is, that also is an attitude: the right attitude towards God. The attitude should first be to seek God within. And, after seeking God within, then to see God outside.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_8.htm

[Sandy]

Hey Eric,

Hazrat and Pir-O-Murshid are just honorary titles, they're the same people!

Thank you for clearing that up...LOL

There are so many wonderful things I could quote from this reading, but I was struck by how we and many other various groups are in many ways trying to do the same thing... there is a thread, a connection between all of us.

Truth by its very nature cannot be uttered, cannot be given. One cannot give that which cannot be put into speech. So the teacher gives a method for finding the truth, for unfolding it, for unlocking that which seems to be in one's heart. ... It is clearly impossible for anyone to impart his knowledge to another person; he can only show him how to unfold his own knowledge to himself. Everybody possesses a kingdom, but he has to find it.

In other words, "we can open the door to spirituality but then must let them run their own race."
I find so much we all have in common in this writing. I love it when he says "Everyone possesses a kingdom, but he has to find it."
I am thinking about Jesus in the Urantia book and in the Bible talking about the kingdom of God. Amazingly, we do not have to die or travel far to go there. It is within each of us even as we speak.

Thanks for sharing this, Eric.
xxSandy

[happyrain]

Seek Him in all souls, good or bad, wise and foolish, attractive and unattractive; in the depths of each there is God.

Bowl of Saki, October 12, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

As fruit ripens in the course of nature, so it is in the course of nature that the soul should mature; and it is no use being disappointed or disheartened about ourselves and about those near and dear to us, worrying because our husband, wife, father, or mother does not look at spiritual matters in the same way as we do. In the first place no man, however wise or pious, has the right to judge another soul. Who knows what is hidden behind every action, appearance, speech, and manner? No one. And when a person begins to know what is hidden in the human soul, in spite of all deluding appearances he will have respect, a respect for mankind, as he realizes that in the depth of every soul is He whom one worships.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIIIa/VIIIa_4_12.htm


Just as the religious person has a religious attitude in a temple, so the Sufi has that attitude before every being, for to him every being is the temple of the divine. Therefore the Sufi is always before his Lord. Whether a servant, a master, a friend, or a foe is before him, he is in the presence of God. For the one whose God is in the high heavens there is a vast gulf between him and God, but the one who has God always before him -- he is always in God's presence, and there is no end to his happiness.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_1.htm


God is in all things, and still more He is in all beings. Seek Him in all souls, good and bad, wise and foolish, attractive or unattractive, for in the depth of each there is God.

Man swimming in the sea does not know the fish living in the sea, so we living in God do not recognize all souls living in God also. He is all around and about us at every moment, we are living His life, we are breathing His breath, and yet we are ignorant of the perfection of beauty which unites and inspires every soul.

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

[happyrain]

I especially love todays Bowl of Saki message, which confirms something that has been on my mind.

Recently, the US had a congressional hearing on UFOs...

And I listened to a very disagreeable podcast referencing that hearing. The gentleman suggested all aliens are demons and that nefarious characters are making ready for the arrival of the antichrist through a technological revolution. I couldn't listen because the people talking make the mistake of assuming all people who have experiences with *specifically, interdimensional beings- are dealing with demons. This to me, is quite dogmatic. No wonder even the UB has such a challenge reaching the Western Christian Ethos... Despite acknowledging Christ as Almighty Sovereign.

I know one too many Christians who believe all aliens are demons- There's no room for me to even suggest that as we spiritually progress we may incarnate in another world and another body. An "alien" body may be one that is less material... One that can explain to some degree the interdimensional phenomenon man has experienced through out time. My experience has shown me, those with a progressively spiritualized mind *see and *interact more with those interdimensional beings.

Anyways... I am saddened to see just how strong fear is, because I believe I have Star brothers and sisters out there NOW and a part of my being here has to do with helping us overcome fight or flight. I think on some level that's true.

Alright, that's my quick morning rant... Now for the most inspiring wisdom from todays Saki... Cheers!!!

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

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

With all the opposition to the Master at the time when the [chief priests] demanded his crucifixion, did those who were present sincerely think the Master was guilty? No, each one of them was more or less impressed by the truth of the message, yet torn by convention and custom, bound by laws, held fast by the religious authority that was in power. They could not express their sincere feelings, and so law governed instead of love. And this state of things has existed in all ages. Blinded by conventions and by the laws of his time and the customs of his people, man has ignored and opposed the truth. Yet at the same time the truth has never failed to make its impression upon the soul, because the soul of all is one soul, and truth is one truth under whatever religion it is hidden.

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.

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


If we come face to face with truth, it is one and the same. One may look at it from the Christian, from the Buddhist, or from the Hindu point of view, but in reality it is one point of view. One can either be small or large, either be false or true, either not know or know. As long as a person says, 'When I look at the horizon from the top of the mountain I become dizzy. This immensity of space frightens me,' he should not look at it. But if it does not make one dizzy it is a great joy to look at life from above. And from that position a Christian, Jew, Muslim and Buddhist will all see the same immensity. It is not limited to those of any one faith or creed. Gradually, as they unfold themselves and give proof of their response to the immensity of the knowledge, they are asked to go forward, face to face with their Lord.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XI/XI_III_5.htm

[happyrain]

I thought this was a well timed message after reading Sandy's message and discussing things with her in another thread.

These divinely timed messages make me wonder- are these the workings of the midwayers?



The only power for the mystic is the power of love.

Bowl of Saki, January 7, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Every kind of power lies in this one thing which we call by the simple name: love. Charity, generosity, kindness, affection, endurance, tolerance, and patience--all these words are different aspects of one; they are different names of only one thing: love. Whether it is said, 'God is love,' or whatever name is given to it, all the names are the names of God; and yet every form of love, every name for love, has its own peculiar scope, has a peculiarity of its own. Love as kindness is one thing, love as tolerance is another, love as generosity is another, love as patience another; and yet from beginning to end it is just love.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_9.htm


Remember therefore that for higher attainment on the spiritual path study is secondary; all knowledge of occult and psychic law, all magical powers, are secondary. The first and most important principle is the cultivation of the heart quality.

One may ask: How to cultivate the heart quality? There is only one way: to become selfless at each step one takes forward on this path, for what prevents one from cultivating the loving quality is the thought of self. The more we think of our self the less we think of others, and as we go further the self grows to become worse and worse. In the end the self meets us as a giant which we had always fought; and now at the end of the journey the giant is the stronger. But if from the first step we take on the path of perfection we struggled and fought and conquered this giant which is the self, it could be done only by the increasing power of love.

What do I mean by love? It is such a word that one cannot give one meaning. All attributes like kindness, gentleness, goodness, humbleness, mildness, fineness, are names of one and the same thing. Love therefore is that stream which when it rises falls in the form of a fountain, and each stream coming down is a virtue. All virtues taught by books or by a religious person have no strength or life because they have been learned; a virtue that is learned has no power, no life. The virtue that naturally springs from the depth of the heart, the virtue that rises from the love-spring and then falls as many different attributes, that virtue is real. There is a Hindustani saying, 'No matter how much wealth you have, if you do not have the treasure of virtue, it is of no use'. The true riches is the ever increasing spring of love from which all virtues come.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_2.htm

[happyrain]

This one is hard for my Ego to reconcile, because it means embracing(at times) a sense of dispassion in order to share in the greater picture. But if we can take the reins when such a moment arrives, we may be given a small taste of the glory of God. Speaking to my self here... Be gentle with yourself!

> Hush now my friendly and passionate Ego, I wish to show you something even greater than what you know.

To treat every human being as a shrine of God is to fulfill all religion.

Bowl of Saki, January 20, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Where is the shrine of God? It is in the heart of man. As soon as one begins to consider the feelings of another, one begins to worship God. ... There is a story of a murshid who was going with his mureeds to visit some village, and he was keeping a fast. The mureeds also had taken a vow of fasting. They arrived at the peasants' home where there was great enthusiasm and happiness and where a dinner was arranged for them. When they were invited to the table, the murshid went and sat down; but the mureeds did not dare because they had taken a vow of fasting. Yet they would never mention it to the murshid. They thought, 'Murshid is forgetful; Murshid has forgotten the vow.' After dinner was over and they went out the pupils asked, 'Did you not forget the vow of fasting?' 'No,' was the murshid's answer, 'I had not forgotten. But I preferred breaking the fast rather than the heart of that man who with all his enthusiasm had prepared the food.'

The thirst for life makes us overlook little opportunities of doing good. Every moment of life brings an opportunity for being conscious of human feeling, in prosperity, in adversity, in all conditions. It costs very little; only a little thought is necessary. ... There is no greater religion than love. God is love; and the best form of love is to be conscientious regarding the feelings of those with whom we come in contact in everyday life.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_13.htm


How beautiful are the words of the Prophet: 'The shrine of God is the heart of man.' How true that is! ... He who understands this can worship God even in man. For when he abides by this philosophy he will always be aware that in every aspect and at every moment he may be injuring or hurting the feelings of God, that he is in danger of breaking the shrine of God in breaking the heart of his fellow man. ... What does all this teach us? It is all a lesson in sympathy for one's fellow man, to teach us to share in his troubles, in his despair. For whoever really experiences this joy of life, finds that it becomes so great that it fills his heart and his soul. It does not matter if he has fewer comforts or an inferior position than many in this world, because the light of his kindness, of his sympathy, of the love that is growing, the virtue that is springing up in his heart, all fill the soul with light. There is nothing now that he lacks in life, for he has become the king of it.

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

[happyrain]

It's amazing to think, the reach of Love. I have never met this beautiful Soul, but it was from a dream I discovered the word Sufi. Here's real data, a word I had never encountered before- received in the dream state. I had to look it up and in so doing I found the works of this amazing man. His devotion has touched thousands of souls, individuals he has never met from times he wasn't even born in. But by Gods grace his attitude and personality have endured and I am fortunate to call Mr. Khan my friend. Thank you for Inspiring the Mystic within.

--------



Mysticism without devotion is like uncooked food; it can never be assimilated.
Bowl of Saki, February 5, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Knowledge and heart are just like the positive and negative forces; it is these two things which make life balanced. If the heart quality is very strong and intellect is lacking, then life lacks balance. Knowledge and heart quality must be developed together. There are fine lights and shades in one's life that cannot be perceived and fully understood without having touched the deeper side of life, which is the devotional side.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_3_4.htm


Mystics of all ages have not been known for their miraculous powers or for the doctrines they have taught, but for the devotion they have shown throughout their lives. The Sufi in the East says to himself Ishq Allah Mabud Allah which means 'God is Love, God is Beloved', in other words it is God who is Love, Lover, and Beloved. When we hear the stories of the miraculous powers of mystics, of their great insight into the hidden laws of nature, of the qualities which they manifested through their beautiful personalities, we realize that these have all come from one and the same source, whether one calls it devotion or whether one calls it love.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XI/XI_III_11.htm


Mysticism without devotion is like uncooked food and can never be assimilated. 'I am the heart of my devotees,' says Krishna in the Baghavat Gita. And Hafiz says, 'O joyous day when I depart from this abode of desolation, seeking the repose of my soul and setting out in search of my Beloved.' ... The life of the mystics, both the inner and the outer, is shown as a wondrous phenomenon within itself. He becomes independent of all earthly sources of life and lives in the Being of God, realizing His presence by the denial of his individual self; and he thus merges into that highest bliss wherein he finds his salvation.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XII/XII_II_8.htm


Memorial Note:

Hazrat Inayat Khan - July 5, 1882 - February 5, 1927

Following a bout with pneumonia, Inayat Khan departed from this world on February 5, 1927, at the Tilak Lodge, located along the river Yamuna near Delhi, India. His burial tomb is in the Basti Nizamuddin neighborhood of Delhi. Inayat Khan described the essence of his spiritual message with the following words, which are offered here to commemorate his life and teachings:


Our sacred task is to awaken among those around us and among those whom we can reach in the first place the spirit of tolerance for the religion, scripture, and the ideal of devotion of one another; our next task is to make man understand people of different nations, races and communities, also of different classes.

By this we do not mean to say that all races and nations must become one, nor that all classes must become one; only what we have to say is that whatever be our religion, nation, race or class, our most sacred duty is to work for one another, in one another's interest, and to consider that as the service of God. ...

The central theme of the Sufi Message is one simple thing, and yet most difficult, and that is to bring about in the world the realization of the divinity of the human soul, which hitherto has been overlooked, for the reason that the time had not come.

The principal thing that the Message has to accomplish in this era is to create the realization of the divine spark in every soul, that every soul according to its progress may begin to realize for itself the spark of divinity within. This is the task that is before us.

Now you may ask, what is the Message? The Message is this: that the whole humanity is as one single body, and all nations and communities and races as the different organs, and the happiness and well-being of each of them is the happiness and well-being of the whole body. If there is one organ of the body in pain, the whole body has to sustain a share of the strain of it. That by this Message mankind may begin to think that his welfare and his well-being is not in looking after himself, but it is in looking after others, and when in all there will be reciprocity, love and goodness towards another, the better time will come.

~~~ "Addresses to Cherags", "Our Sacred Task", Hazrat Inayat Khan (unpublished)


The need of the world today is not learning, but how to become considerate towards one another. To try and find out in what way happiness can be brought about, and in this way to realize that peace which is the longing of every soul; and to impart it to others, thereby attaining our life's goal, the sublimity of life.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_5_1.htm

[happyrain]

God is Love! And all of Life is the Breath of God, Known and Unkonwn... In Gods Breath we have our Being!

And it is said,

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

Amen, Amen!

Hallelujah.

How then can I liberate my self from this self imprisonment? Understanding, both Heaven and Hell can be experienced NOW. Which way towards Freedom????

[happyrain]

Happy March 1st, 2025

From a Beautiful Soul:

Nature speaks louder than the call from the minaret.

Bowl of Saki, March 1, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

One may ask, what should one study? There are two kinds of studies. One kind is by reading the teachings of the great thinkers and keeping them in mind, the study of metaphysics, psychology, and mysticism. And the other kind of study is the study of life. Every day one has an opportunity for studying; but it should be a correct study. When a person travels in a tramcar, in the train, with a newspaper in his hand, he wants to read the sensational news which is worth nothing. He should read human nature which is before him, people coming and going. If he would continue to do this, he would begin to read human beings as though they were letters written by the divine pen, which speak of their past and future. He should look deeply at the heavens and at nature and at all the things to be seen in everyday life, and reflect upon them with the desire to understand. This kind of study is much superior, incomparably superior, to the study of books.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_15.htm


The deeper we look into life the more it unfolds itself, allowing us to see more keenly. Life is revealing. It is not only human beings who speak; if only the ears can hear even plants and trees and all nature speak, in the sense that nature reveals itself, reveals its secret. In this way we communicate with the whole of life. Then we are never alone, then life becomes worth living.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_15.htm


Just as there is a communication between persons who love each other very much, so the sympathy of a person whose soul has unfolded itself is so awakened that not only every person but even every object begins to reveal its nature, its character and secret. To him every man is a written letter.

We hear stories of saints and sages who talked with rocks and plants and trees. They are not only stories; it is reality. It is also told of the apostles that at the moment when the Spirit descended upon them they began to speak many languages. When they understood so many languages, they understood the language of every soul. It means that the illuminated soul understands the language of every soul. And every soul has its own language. It is that which is called revelation.

All the teachings that the great prophets and teachers have given are only interpretations of what they have seen. They have interpreted in their own language what they have read from the manuscript of nature: that trees and plants and rocks spoke to them. Did nature only speak to those in the past? No, the soul of man is always capable of that bliss if he only realized it. Once the eyes of the heart are open, man begins to read every leaf of the tree as a page of the sacred Book.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_2_19.htm


In the swinging of the branches, in the flying of the birds, and in the running of the water,
Beloved, I see Thy waving hand, bidding me good-bye.
In the cooing of the wind, in the roaring of the sea, and in the crashing of the thunder,
Beloved, I see Thee weep and I hear Thy cry.
In the promise of the dawn, in the breaking of the morn, in the smiles of the rose,
Beloved, I see Thy joy at my homecoming.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/say/vadan_ragas.htm

[happyrain]

The tendency to doubt, to be depressed, the tendency towards fear, suspicion and confusion, the tendency to puzzle -- where does it all come from? It all comes from the thought of getting something in return: 'will another give me back what I have given him? Shall I get the just portion back, or less?' if that is the thought behind one's acts there will be fear, doubt, suspicion, puzzle and confusion. For what is doubt? Doubt is a cloud that stands before the sun, keeping it from shining its light. So is doubt: gathering around the soul it keeps its light from shining out, and man becomes confused and perplexed. Once selflessness is developed, it breaks through the cloud saying, 'What do I care whether anyone appreciates it; I only know to give my service, and that is all my satisfaction. I do not look forward to get it back. I have given and it is finished; this is where my duty ends.' That person is blessed, because he has conquered, he has won.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIII/VIII_2_28.htm


Understanding does not depend upon the head; it depends upon the heart. By the help of the head one can make it more clear, it becomes intelligible and one can express it better. But to begin with it must come from the heart, not from the head. Besides, a person who only uses his head says, 'It must be so because I think it is so', whereas the person who has the heart quality says, 'It is so because I believe it to be so'. That is the difference. In one person there is a doubt, in the other there is conviction. ... Spiritual attainment is nothing but conviction. ... When a person arrives at the stage when the knowledge of reality becomes a conviction, then there is nothing in the world that will change it. And if there is anything to attain to, it is that conviction which one can never find in the outside world; it must rise from the depths of one's own heart.

from https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VIIIa/VIIIa_4_3.htm