READERS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. Thank you
for the opportunity to ask a question that's been lingering in my mind.
I am interested in the Sufi path, made aware to me by the books of Idries
Shah.
One difficulty I am having with the path is the idea of a
Beloved--something, or some entity that is out there that loves us, or
wishes to be loved by us.
I guess the concept seems so foreign to me (I am agnostic) I find it
difficult to accept. I believe in the idea of loving others, of people,
and even existence. I believe love is a powerful force.
But the idea of the "Beloved"--or a conscious creator, for that
matter--remains quite alien to me. I'm not against the idea; I just feel
I have never experienced it to feel it is real.
And thus I wonder if learning Sufism is closed to someone like me? I feel
there is so much value to the teachings, but that I cannot pursue them
sincerely because my lack of belief.
Thank you,
S.
Hi S.,
The Sufi Path has been called many things;
in relation to our discussion: the Path of the Heart. Now, what exactly
does this mean? In the main, that is for the spiritual traveler to
figure out and experience. The lovers, i.e., spiritual travelers, do not
say, I believe there is a God (Light, Life Force, Supra-Normal Energy),
they say, I know there is a God/Beloved because I have experienced this.
Keep in mind, the Sufi Path is advanced spiritual learning . . .
In this journey, mind asks the question (you mean there is a Beloved
that loves me?), that only the heart (organ of perception/spiritual
nature) can answer. This question is answered through direct spiritual
experience and contact; this is the point of the question, and the point
at which you are now; asking the question.
You are confused and worried, and are not able to go further because you
are seeking the answer in a form (every day consciousness-something my
mind can figure out and understand), that can only be answered by
another part of your consciousness (spiritual nature, perception, or
intuition).
In this discussion words are approximations, and our desires/wanting
while useful in the sense they push us forward to inquire and find an
answer, must be pushed aside, for a time, so another part of our
consciousness may step forward and operate. On questions such as this,
inquiring with the rational mind, after a point, blocks the other levels
of consciousness from operating.
The term Beloved is a traditional usage and in my own training we
substituted the term the Light; we were shown this energy and how to
perceive it. It is already inside of us and once we experienced this
primal energy, through the intervention of the Master, who directed the
Light (extra amounts) upon our hearts, we knew the object of the journey
and that we were loved; and because we were loved our primal energy was
love. This was experienced- not thought out; the traveler talks about
gaining a glimpse (an aspect) of the Beloved.
Obviously, we are talking about spiritual experience; early on, most of
us have had foretastes of this sort of experience. A sense of knowing
about something and it occurs, or an experience of connectedness to
every living thing, or looking at a sunset and realizing/knowing there
is something that is Giving Form to all of this.
Now, I will ask you a question: Have you ever been in a love? How did
you know you were in love? Was it something you believed or thought out?
In part, there was some thinking it out, however, the real knowing was
different; it was an energy, experience, connectedness that went beyond
words. Also, there are different forms of love: the love of a mother for
a baby; the lover for his/her beloved; a grandparent for their grand
child. While all is different, each is connected on an inner level to
something grander. That is what the traveler seeks; the Source of all of
this; which the mystics tell us is a Loving/Knowing Energy that is our
Source.
Now, how do you get past the point at which you are locked? Ultimately,
that is between you and the Unseen Forces; because in this journey-you
are both question and answer.
However, if I might, here are 2 suggestions. First, put aside your
interest/desire in having spiritual experience or finding out the answer
to your question; presently, this desire is blocking you. Second, ask
the Light to lead you forward and provide the learning that is required
to help make you a better servant; serving both your higher destiny and
the higher destiny of the universe. Do this twice a day; morning and
evening for 30 days and see what happens. This asking or prayer serves
as a receiver pulling toward you, what is required.
A simple offering (for 30 seconds) such as: O Life Giving Energy ( O
Lord, O Earth Mother), help me in my journey through this world so I
might understand, serve, and become One with the higher destiny. Help me
to surrender to Your Will, and the evolving higher destiny of the
Universe. Help me to understand and experience who I am so I might
better serve. Thy will be done.
In the evening, you might want to shower and say this before going to
sleep. In the morning, just before you start your day. Keep it simple;
don't overdo this. You may repeat your prayer, throughout the day, as
the spirit moves you. However don't over do it. Try it; see what
happens. Perhaps, you might receive that which you seek?
I hope I have answered your question; if not, feel free to contact me.
Try this approach; what do you have to loose? This approach is a very,
very, old one.
Q: You mentioned that a conduit
was needed within the traveler to discover both question
and answer. What is the conduit?
Webster defines conduit: 1)
a pipe or channel for conveying fluids 2) a tube, pipe,
or protected trough for electric wires 3) (Archaic) a fountain.
In order for a learning to occur,
there must be a coming together of factors; a confluence of
essences; in traditional Sufi parlance: right time, right place,
right people.
This conduit or channel
for conveying this fundamental realization- about question &
answer- is the coming together of factors which are united in
the Baraka or energy of the situation. For different travelers,
this coming together of factors, or conduit for learning, can be
a life situation, personal realization, or blessing from the
Teacher.
Within every traveler, there is an
over riding question & answer; which will vary, depending upon
each person and their individual life plan.
For spiritual travelers,
the typical question: what is the meaning of Life? With a
typical answer: service and love of Light/God. Yet, this
question and answer must be experienced together, in a
coming together of factors, in order for it to be life altering,
thereby filling 'the great emptiness.'
Yet, if another traveler is to sing
music or become a mother, their over riding question may be: why
is there a song in my heart or why do I wish to help young ones
grow? Potentially, their answer will be: because that is who you
are . . . a musician, a mother.
Now, of course it is possible to
have more than one question in your heart, and we all do, but
what is the over riding one? For lovers of God, there
is only one question and one answer.
Traditionally, every traveler in
their journey through the many worlds asks and receives the
answer to this fundamental, singular question. Ultimately, the
conduit, or set of circumstances for the answer: right
time, right place, right people; assisted through the Baraka
(grace) of the situation.
I hope I have answered your
question? Blessings to you. SB
Dear Dr. B:
I feel that the greatest mystery
is in the fact of suffering. It seems that a kind of strategy
is managed by God or Oneness or Consciousness in order to awaken
we poor lost ones whilst Infinite purety and happiness awaits us
for some breakthrough some day- but not for sure! Particularly
I cannot admit the blind suffering of children, innocent beings
and animals. Could you give me any motive of help in those
sinister shadows? With all my grateful friendship. J. J.
Hi J. J.:
There is both a short and long
answer to your question about suffering. Also, this is one of
those things where the mind or everyday consciousness asks the
question and the heart, or inner spiritual consciousness, must
answer through life itself. The every day mind is not capable of
completely figuring it out; in fact, that is not its job; its
job is to ask and heart must respond.
Suffering, pain, and death serve as
a friction which pushes the traveler onward searching;
pain and suffering are the great teacher.. If this
existence were all joy. laughter and sunshine, many would have
no need of the Light, travel further, and experience what lies
beyond suffering and sunshine- the Oneness.
Now in this thing of answering this
question, you must have your own experience to fully comprehend
the lesson. Ask and one day you will be 'illuminated' . . . In
the meantime, it is good to consult the Books, Religions, and
experts- part of the answer is represented there as well.
Consider why the soul comes to this
realm: to experience the fullness, serve, and be co-creator. In
order for there to be darkness, there must be Light to compare
it with; and beyond them both is Oneness. This Oneness is
perceived through love and asking; first putting aside for a
time preconceived notions about what you have been taught about
spiritual matters and making judgments about Deity.
In one of my books, which
specifically addresses this dimension to life; why travelers
suffer and are born only to have terrible illness? We go into
this from the stand point of an entire family that must face
life long mental illness in the younger son. It is the second
book in Journey of Light: Trilogy and can be ordered
through Amazon or Authorhouse. The story is called: Teddy's
Last Swim in Paradise Land and presents the
ancient teaching that some souls come here to take on the mantle
of suffering so they might spiritually advance and help others
around them learn and question.
This answer if offered as a
possibility to Teddy (main character) and he is asked to not
immediately reject or accept, but let this potential be fully
considered.
As the Light Wills, may your
questions have answers. SB
Hello Dr.,
I've actually been browsing through google for quite some time now..
looking for
information basically.. about enlightenment.. and how to just be able to
get in
touch with your higher self through meditation. So far although my
knowledge has
definitely.. increased.. I still haven't been able to come across
something
totally appealing and 'simple' that actually makes sense to me. This
book of
yours, going through your website, its about enlightenment of course,
and I
definitely would like to read it if just to get some more info. I'm just
really
curious about all these questions that I have about.. life and really
would like
to get them answered from whatever I have that is really 'me'. So, if
you
could just guide me towards the right direction or send me your book
itself for
that matter. That'll be very much appreciated, Thank you very much for
your
time,
S.S.
Dear S:
There is within each of us a burning or hunger which creates a friction
and pushes us forward to search; traditionally it has been called 'the
great yearning.' Through the spiritual traveler's life, this yearning or
emptiness attaches itself to many things, never completely satisfied,
often confused, until the correct conduit is found. Then, the real
searching or
learning begins. This conduit is the Light, or Truth, and a piece of
this miraculous, life giving substance is already inside and awaits deep
within us.
This confusion and experimentation you feel is natural, is part of you,
and is the friction that pushes you forward so you might one day
experience the answer and who you really are.
The answer to your question:
Religion may be compared to a great river that feeds the
land. The river winds its way as a mighty
force and smaller tributaries are formed to serve the distant regions.
Some are satisfied to drink of the small stream and forget they must
travel the river to its Source.
Beyond the river's gate,the Ocean is waiting.
SB
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