reflections

The grey areas. An inevitable part of the journey, but not the destination.
An area of transition, not residence.
As one who actively avoids the grey, to enter it was bold. Only possible when the doubts were silenced by intuition.
But the goal must be to move out of it.
Else risk being diverted to the path of the heedless.

A choice needs to be made. to choose God or this world. And to choose the world is to lose God.
But to choose God is to attain goodness in both.
Submit.
And return control in God's capable hands.

Let your qualities, heart and soul be your most striking features.
Be known not for status, looks or wealth,
but for the value you add to the lives of those around you.
The light which has been gifted needs to be seen.
And that is through rejecting the superficial
In favour of fulfilling purpose.
To be a means for which good is spread.
And to be one who's commitment is in servitude.

Ramadan: The days of Mercy

Put aside the preoccupations, the distractions, the ego.
Dismiss the self appointed labels.
Leave the temporary matters to one side.
The only way to access his mercy is by standing before him, with humility
In prayer.
In those moments there is no I.
There is only a soul, that seeks to connect with the one who created it.
And it is in that state that the purpose is fulfilled, to simply do as all other life does.
To know and to praise.
 

Ego vs Self

The ego is what reacts to the events of the world. It over-reacts, it creates havoc, it responds to events taking them personally. The ego is what is hurt when tragedy strikes "I don't deserve this", "why me?". It is entitled and seeks indulgence and self servitude. Serve the ego and be consumed by it. Unable to see the positive, unappreciative, ungrateful. Wanting more, demanding more.

The self  exists, peacefully. It is aware of its environment, of the events around it but does not feel the need to react. Simply acknowledge. The self is humbled and aware of the reality that it exists through no effort of its own. It must simply move forward. There is no sense of entitlement. And it is the self that brings forth feelings of guilt when one has fallen weak to the whims of the ego.

Control of the ego starts with awareness of it. Followed by separating it from the self. Recognise that with an heightened emotional response, it is most likely the ego at play. In doing so, one can gain better awareness of their surroundings without the need to be reactionary, they can recognise need from want, and indulgence from necessity.

Ramadan is fast approaching and its a great opportunity to start a journey of regaining control over the nafs. Weaken the ego through physical discipline, quieten the mind and experience life under the governance of the self.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vItv0MxDa88

Hidden opportunities

And he made us capable of love. To nourish those around us. To buffer against the turbulence of hardship. Reserve the best of it with those nearest to you, those placed under your care. 

Hardship then becomes an opportunity. To plant the seeds of love and comfort. The trial will pass but the fruits of what was planted continue to reap. 

The Convenient

"Don't let short term satisfaction distract you from your long term goals"

We continue to do this. It is our greatest weakness. To settle for the quick fix when we yearn for something more. We doubt whether the long term goals will be achieved and so settle for what is convenient. But the best things in life are not convenient. They come with patience, with sacrifice, struggle and work. Let passion be a driving force, anything done with passion is done well.