Explaining the basis and true nature of Sufism and the concept of the Messenger within, this text seeks to moves beyond
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Mellen Research University Press San Francisco
CM£SS£N§£\ WITHIli Discovering Love
and Wholeness
Through Meditation
Soraya Susan Behbehani
Mellen Research University Press
San Francisco
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Behbehani, Soraya Susan. The messenger within discovering love and wholeness through meditation / Soraya Susan Behbehani. cm. p. :
Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-7734-9882-6 1. Sufism. 2. Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi. BP189.6.B44 1991
I.
Title.
91-28177
297'.43-dc20
CIP
Copyright
® 1991 Soraya Susan Behbehani.
All rights reserved.
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in
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1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE INTRODUCTION by TOM ELMORE INTRODUCTION by AUTHOR CHAPTER 1 SCIENCE AND MEDITATION CHAPTER 2 THE ANCIENT RELIGIONS OF IRAN AND INDIA: ZOROASTRIANTSM AND HINDUISM CHAPTER 3 BUDDHISM BUDDHIST AND HINDU MEDITATION CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 SPREAD OF BUDDHISM IN CHINA AND JAPAN CHAPTER 6 JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY
v 1
5
13
21 33
39 49
PART TO O CHAPTER 7 CHAPTERS
HEALTH: A BALANCED ENERGY FLOW
CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10
THE BODY THE ENERGY CENTERS INNER BALANCE
STRESS
57
IN
CHAPTER
1 1
CHAPTER CHAPTER
12
CHAPTER
14
CHAPTER
15
CHAPTER
16
CHAPTER
17
CHAPTER
IS
13
73
IN
THE BODY
THE ART OF SUFI HEALING AS APPLIED TO "AIDS" INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION THE METHOD OF CONCENTRATION IN MEDITATION ACHIEVING UNITY THROUGH PHYSICAL CONTROL AND AWARENESS BUILDING BODILY BALANCE AND PERFECT POSTURE STRESS AWARENESS: ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO SELF-KNOWLEDGE STRESS AND ALTERNATIVE COPING STRATEGIES RELAXATION: EXISTENCE BETWEEN
THOUGHTS
79 9
9S 104
109
121
127
135
143
149
CHAPTER
19
THE HIDDEN AND INNER SOURCE OF STRESS
153
ISLAMIC SUFISM
159
PART THREE CHAPTER 20 CHAPTER 21 CHAPTER 22 CHAPTER 23 CHAPTER 24 CHAPTER 25 CHAPTER 26 CHAPTER 27 CHAPTER 28 CHAPTER 29 BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH THROUGH PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY AND SCIENCE SUFISM - THE REALITY OF RELIGION THE MEASURE OF TRUTH IS TRUTH
171 181
ITSELF
185
THE THEORY OF UNITY THE LAW, THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH ZEKR - SUFI PRACTICE
201
MEDITATION: PRACTICAL SUFISM SPIRITUAL GUIDE THE FLIGHT BACK HOME
219
SUFISM:
195
205 211
225
233
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Fifteen years ago destiny led I
met
me
to the school of Islamic Sufism,
the most knowledgeable, lovable and the kindest
He was
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha. the
man I had
spiritual teacher of the
Oveyssi School of Sufism, in Sufi-Abad, Karaj, Iran. There, for the
became acquainted with Like a child
I
rare I
felt before.
new
was completely mystified
experience, which
I
he was no more
was extinguished
for ever.
It
his son, the current leader
God
that never dies but
I
am
its
presence of Hazrat
I
knew
that
guide
is
it
was not
until
I
my
was
in his physical being
began
I
thought the
my practical
training
light
under
and teacher of The Oveyssi School of Sufism
is
I
learned that the light was the light
always present in different manifestations to I
also
found that the path to truth
is
an
the messenger within.
and instruction that
inner potentials have taken place.
and
fulfilling
life; I
way
of
am
skim the surface.
hope
my
It
has been under
my
growth and the development of
Through him
have received the
I
very grateful to him for showing
me
gift
a better
of
and
life.
His teachings are
learning and
had
I
very proud to have been trained personally by the great Sufi
his loving care
more
and warmth
soul he had touched.
on earth
master of our time Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha.
spiritual love
I
could neither understand nor explain but which
guide and enlighten the yearning soul. inner path and
at the
a tranquility
felt
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, that of
time
dedicated more and more time in an effort to repeat that
I
had found so nourishing. Later
When
first
Sufism, the reality of religion.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, and never
where
ever known.
mammoth and
The ocean that this
of truth
in this is
book
so vast
book will encourage
I
have only been able to
and deep that
I
am
still
the readers to do the same.
\
I
would
like to
thank
toward the publication of beautiful introduction.
Nader Angha
owe
this
Again,
my
sister
Mandana Behbehani,
book and my dear I
would
like to
friend
Tom
for her help
Elmore
for his
thank Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
for always being there, caring, guiding
and teaching,
to
whom
I
everything.
Soraya Behbehani
September, 30
AUTHOR'S PROFILE Soraya
is
a stress
management
who has been
specialist,
teaching Sufi
meditation and stress management techniques nationally and internationally since 1981. She has held
numerous workshops and seminars
at
community
colleges and universities and for the general public at large. She healer,
who
is
also a
has conducted magnetic therapy with class participants with
wide range of psychological and somatic Soraya
is
illnesses such as cancer.
involved in extensive research into the physical and
behavioral effects of meditation the data of which
is
collected
from her
ongoing classes with large number of participants.
Born
in Lansing,
She was educated
in
Michigan, Soraya was raised in Iran and England.
Europe and
in the U.S.,
and speaks several languages
including French, English, German, Spanish, and Persian. She has received
her bachelor degree in philosophy and religion, and certified
in
health promotion
University of California
San Diego. Soraya
at
is
professionally
management and consulting through is
currently working
the
on her
Doctoral degree in clinical psychology, specializing in holistic health psychology.
The most important unique in her field
is
part of her training
and what makes her quite
her spiritual training by the eminent Sufi Master of our
time, Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
Nader Shah Angha,
Pir,
Oveyssi. Not only has
His Holiness directed and guided her through her theoretical and practical training in the science of Sufism and Self
behind
all
her achievements.
knowledge but has been the force
She now
lives in
San Diego and
department of meditation and healing of
currently the chairperson of the
is
MTO Shah Maghsoudi, the Oveyss:
School of Islamic Sufism.
"/
remember so
with you at the
vividly the rare
AACD
was a moment of magic air of serenity,
which shines
and wondrous luncheon I had
Convention to
in
Los Angeles
in 1986. It
be in your presence. You have an
and genuine peace, an inner depth and
like
a star
in the mist. It
was wonderful
beauty,
to share
with you concerning matters of the spirit and heart, and to learn from you about Sufism.
"
-
Tom Elmore
Director of Counselor Education and Professor of Counseling
Psychology.
"Stress has been
As a
shown
to
Forest University, Noth Carolina
weaken the body's inmune system.
participant, I find the
effective in
Wake
MTO
meditation classes highly
combating physical and mental
recommend people
stress
and
I highly
to take these classes for better health
as a measure of preventive medicine.
and
"
- Dr. Ravin Agah M.D. Specialist in contagious and terminal diseases at University of
Southern California Medical Center, July
11,
1988
INTRODUCTION A bird
of paradise has written a love song to the world and signed
SORAYA. Not how
them through meditation
to sing
it
only has Soraya written the words of the song, she teaches us in order
to
produce a universal
harmony. Properly rendered, the biblical scriptures say that "In the beginning
God, the divine energy of Love, was is
in the
process of expressing herself."
It
embedded
in
a process without beginning or end, manifested in time, but This
eternity.
history that
something
is
its
the message of Sufism, a process which so predates
beginning
is
lost in time,
more than mere
psychology, although these In this
book Soraya
religious
human
but
may
does as
it
is
not so
much
its
or
God
is
in itself the
As
or
reality.
But more than that she moves beyond
However, she explains that
lets
happen.
It is
skill,
or what one
a surrender, an emptying, a
transcending of the demands and desires of the transient or temporal itself.
It is
philosophy,
point toward
a method, technique, learned
what a person
opening to Being
human
all truth.
explains the basis and true nature of Sufism and
ideology to the methodology of meditation. is
theology,
belief,
inventions
the reality of the Messenger within.
meditation
the basis of
is
such,
One and
it is all
that there
is
to
self,
an
know, because Being
All.
In relation to the profession of counseling with which the present
author
is
most
familiar,
meditative surrender in the
Sufi
sense
consistent with forms of behaviorism which seek to shape behavior.
is
not
Neither
can such meditation be equated to psychoanalytic free association by which
vi
attained and fixations undone. In brief, Sufi self-surrender
rational insight
is
meditation
the
is
form of therapy which intends
of any
antithesis
to
manipulate or diagnostically stereotype persons or "guide" their thoughts and Rather,
behaviors.
more akin
is
it
psychologist Carl Rogers
who
to
position
the
counseling should be to help the client "to be that self which one self
which
beyond learning and
lies
American
of the
believed that the purpose of psychological truly is," that
There
is
a
to popular misunderstanding, true meditation
is
conditioning.
cultural
counselor within which can be trusted.
However, contrary
not a passive process of doing nothing.
happen. Something Meditation
wanting to happen;
is
facilitates
meditation
and
process
that
like a science
is
It is
which
is
a process of letting everything
God
always wanting to happen.
is
For Soraya, Sufi
experience.
characterized by openness, honesty,
wonder and awe.
spontaneity, and a childlike sense of
Sufi meditation
more than mere mental concentration and contemplation, but to
Shah Maghsoud
Hazrat
Sadegh Angha,
concentration on the source or
harmonizes energy
AIDS may be
life,
fields with the heart,
Oveyssi,
Pir
Simply
the heart.
it is
and health
is
a
said,
is
according
matter
of
meditation
Even
thus achieved.
treated by acquiring a balance between physical states of
consciousness and the existential healing power of love as executed by the present teacher of the Oveyssi School of Sufism, Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
Nader Angha. Likewise, The Messenger Within has profound implications for world
peace and healing a broken world. Meister Eckardt: "The seeds of
one
is
left
with two conclusions:
potential and, 2)
We
in
lies
empathy
unconditional love.
message
1)
human
It
truth of the
race
persons.
is
It is
that of the Christian mystic
Assuming
that this
is
true,
Each person has a divine nature and
all
sons of God.
with
one's
The
deeper
secret in Self,
means an emptying of
surrender to the Universal Self that infuses
The
is
are within."
discover the Divine both within ourselves and in others
acknowledging that we are
done
Its
God
Messenger needs
to survive.
It is
knowing how
dwelling
there
this is
with
one's self-created self and
all
that
to
be known to the world
is.
if
the Messenger which heals and unites
the message of love and unity.
It
is
a message which
we
the all
not
Vll
merely know about; meditation, a
it
is
we know through
a message which
remembrance of
a process of
one's true divine nature and surrender to
it
to
achieve harmony within and unity with the ultimate reality of God.
The mind is
be altogether
alone, Soraya seems to say, cannot
Somehow
not the source of true knowledge.
the
trusted. It
mind must be
in
touch
with the heart.
Indeed, the heart does have reasons which the mind alone
cannot know.
The heart can guide
mind and through meditative
the
concentration the mind can be cleared.
The mind which
it
an instrument
is
assumes that the temporal egoic
True
in service of Being, the
Therein
perceives to be Being.
self
is
lies
the real Self, the person
or that
Self,
When
the problem.
is
mind
the
beset with
a condition of "mistaken identity" and lacks true self-knowledge.
Soraya reminds us that there must be a unity of mind, body, and
The body must be nurtured because physical beauty
or as
Emerson Each
is
it is
Beauty
not the final goal of meditation.
said,
major
"Beauty
is its
religious
own excuse
Soraya,
represents
Her emphasis, however,
includes different forms of meditation.
whose purpose
But
the goal,
for being."
believes
tradition,
itself is
particular stage of spiritual awareness and thus has a distinct value.
practical Sufi meditation
spirit.
the shell for the pearl within.
is
a
This
on
is
to achieve a life of love, beauty,
and hope. That meditation involves not separating oneself from the material world but rather requires immersing oneself in
life.
Life must be lived fully
world without becoming chained and attached to
in the
it.
We
must only
retreat within our hearts.
In Judaism
person she
is
may
God
remains always hidden.
born again
in the
However,
in Christianity, a
kingdom of God within the heart
see or experience the
Kingdom
transformation. Islamic Sufism however, introduces the witnessing of the temple within and uniting with
God
within.
human
life is
wisdom can be
by meditation, the practice of which has diminished is
God
in
unity
Realization of the bliss which
within the heart and which brings fulfillment and
verbal prayer
he or
Him.
Soraya goes further to say that the goal of each with one's real identity, the
if
of Heaven, thus undergoing radical inner
in Christianity.
lies
facilitated
Although
practiced, meditation as the non-verbal experience of being-
viii
in-the-moment
is
Soraya helps us to move beyond theoretical
often missing.
knowledge about the rose of
religion to smelling
its
scent.
Again, for her,
religion
must be experience marked by innocence of perception. You must
become
like children to enter the
Kingdom
While Soraya describes methods bodily alignment, her intention
The power
is
to achieve the
of the Messenger within
our job. Largely,
we
of God.
for gaining physical balance
is
and
purpose of soul alignment.
That
always there to be accessed.
create our bodily and mental problems and
we have
is
the
capacity to create paths to where the solution rests, within. Soraya outlines a
method and
becoming aware of
for
cites relaxation
methods
stressors
which block our path to wholeness
for reaching
moments between thoughts
in
order to achieve peace.
Most importantly, Soraya
believes that one must go beyond body and
mind and address concerns of the about the meaning of
purpose of
life,
such
as;
Spirit
which asks existential questions
Who am
I?
Why am
The
"holy cloak" of Islamic Sufism
is
and What
Mohammed, and from him
guide of the School of Islamic Sufism.
find his or her
Abraham
to
This
is
However, she explains that
Our essence
dwells.
the claim of Islamic Sufism, that each person must grasp
real identity is
timeless.
is
its
the
The
experienced, not rationally
"I"
beyond the temporal ego or personality.
highest
known
in
wisdom
is
mystery, something to be
ecstacy
Thus, ultimately,
an earthly sense.
deeper meaning cannot be defined.
In brief, the Sufi seeks unity with the Divine which
the
God and
through mystical experience the truth of existence for himself or
Our
Sufism in
Hazrat
Messenger and Savior within the innermost part of the soul
where God, the only true guide,
herself.
the
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, the
to
the heart of each individual person can hear the "Angelic Voice" of
intuitively
is
explained by Soraya in tracing
the history of the cloak-bearers from the prophet
spiritual
I?
life?
of Love
and self-abandonment.
The
is
achieved through
stages
of religious
development proceed from obtaining the Law, walking the Way, and through total
surrender finding the Truth.
This involves a remembrance of God, a
IX
remembrance which impels a journey by the seeker from the outer world
to
the world within. In Carl Jung's psychology and Joseph Campbell's mythology, this
is
the mythic hero/heroine journey, the universal cosmic round everywhere
present in
all
persons and cultures.
Sufi meditation
is
discover the Truth hidden in experience and to achieve
then a means to
communion with
God. This meditation requires an inner transformation which
is
wrought by
the most elevated experience of love.
Soraya invites us to experience the ecstasy of love and to surrender to the source of
life.
To
wings and
start their
away than
within.
follow our metaphor, she calls on
journey and
flight
all
to spread their
back home, a home that
is
Tom Elmore Director of Counselor Education and Professor of Counseling Psychology
Wake
Forest University
no further
PART ONE
PART ONE INTRODUCTION With many schools of meditation offering diverse approaches today, people may become confused about which one they should choose in the field of self-development.
of the
many It is
classes
I
The question
could attend,
I
am
asked most frequently
how do I know which one
"Out
only natural that one should have knowledge about something
before making any choices.
There are so many misconceptions both about
what one can achieve through meditation and about meditation
new
is
to choose?"
should gather information and
student
examine
it
itself that
a
before
closely
beginning.
For example, since drug experiences and meditation are described as consciousness-expanding, one
can mistakenly assume that consciousness
expands the same way in both these cases and thus produces the same This was true in the case of a young student of mine
meditation as a release from an alcohol and drug addiction.
same
results
who
He
effect.
turned to
expected the
he had experienced with drugs, envisioning vivid colors and
fantasies or feeling "high."
Others,
who
are
more oriented toward problem-solving, think of
meditation as contemplation. quietly
They believe meditation
and focusing the mind on a particular problem
at least gain
deeper insight into
not what meditation
is.
it.
There
is
consists of sitting
in order to resolve or
nothing wrong with
this,
but
it is
In the West, the terms meditation and contemplation
2
are often interchanged, but in the East, the practice of meditation
is
distinct
from that of contemplation.
By
whose thinking
others,
may be imagined
is
more
careless
and scattered, meditation
mind
as simply a process of letting the
drift
from one
thought to another. However, as with an undirected boat on the ocean,
this
winds and tides
will
erratic drifting will lead
haphazardly
move
nowhere.
the boat, but
where we want or need
to go.
Sooner or
more
later,
often than not, they will not take us
Many people
live their lives in this
uncertain
way.
one
If
that
is
it
truly
and correctly experiences, one
will
understand right away
an experience very different from those described above.
purpose of meditation
is
The
not to get high or to have unusual experiences.
Although some students report seeing colors and
visions,
a competent
teacher will usually discourage them from becoming too interested in these distracting forms
and
an increase of energy,
colors.
The expansion
alertness,
of consciousness should result in
and an improvement of abilities, not the altered
perceptions caused by drugs, which cause a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Chemical imbalance can cause mistaken depth perception.
For
example, because eyes cannot see depth, the brain calculates one's distance
from an object with the help of available clues through the eyes and also experiences. However, a person under the influence of certain drugs will not
be able
to perceive that distance.
Drug abuse,
therefore,
is
expansion of consciousness nor even of sensual perception. effects of meditation for those
meditation really
Nor
is
of drug abuse
an
Mistaking the
means not knowing what
is.
meditation a form of thinking, of letting one's mind float or
daydreaming.
Meditation
goes
beyond
sensory
haphazard movement, along a path which enriches
and
clearly not
experiences,
beyond
and gives
purpose
life
it
direction. Meditation has a definite goal.
The Messenger Within, unlike information found books on
this subject,
has a wide perspective. This book
the narrow interests of a particular group but origins, theories,
for the reader,
I
is
most available
not addressed to
a complete survey of the
and practice of meditation. To make
have divided the information
in is
in this
it
book
more comfortable into three parts.
3 f
In Part One,
I
will discuss the history of
according to different traditions and religions.
and stress-management.
meditation and
Part
Two
Adam,
practice
In Part Three, each religion will be brought
together under the reality of religion, Sufism, which unites
When
its
will consider stress
the last stage of religion, Islam,
the child of light,
is
born into the
them
all.
meaning surrender
is
reached,
Breaking away from
infinite.
sensory boundaries in a complete surrender, he leaves behind his limited existence and finally unites with his purpose in
life
through the act of true
meditation. In reality this
journey that takes
The essence
being.
God. this
It is this
human
a spiritual journey that takes place in the soul, a a limited being to a boundless and unlimited
of existence
an
is
infinite
knowledge, abstractly called
very essence that molds and gives birth to
essence that
solid
is
man from
is
form.
true identity has
man's true
has temporarily
self
all things.
Like a pearl that remains hidden inside
become bound by
However,
become trapped its shell,
the limitations of the earth.
in the
man's
In order to
stop the yearning and alienation of the suffering soul, the infinite essence or
the speck of light must break away from the limitations of the body into the existence and unite with infinity.
form, once
it
reaches the ocean,
As
a drop of water
no longer a
it is
is
but water in a limited
solitary
drop but part of the
ocean.
The
Sufi practice, meditation
lead the Sufi to his beloved, his true
and remembrance of identity.
God
(Zekr) will
This "realization" can only be
attained through the understanding and practice of the one message of religion.
Each and every one of the Messengers of God -Zoroaster, Buddha,
Moses, Jesus, and
Message:
"know
Mohammad -represents thyself."
The
different
a different stage of this one stages
of understanding
Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and in
To "know your
life...
come
thyself
yourself.
in touch
This
is
to find that
is
its
final stage, Islam.
which you have been searching for
a healing process that takes place once
and harmony with our true and
discovered such purpose in our
lives,
we can
single being.
grow.
are
all
we have
Once we have
Ralph Waldo Emerson
4
said,
"We
would
ourselves are the cause of
say, I
without so
many
selves
all failure
and disappointment." "And
would be able
hand." 1
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha. Lectures.
to
have the world in
I
my
CHAPTER ONE SCIENCE AND MEDITATION Words do not convey meaning. Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh
Why Where does of a
have most of us forgotten the "whys" we asked as children? the wind blow from?
new blossom come from?
dark interlaced roots was
hidden?
Angha
And two
Where does
the elegance, order, and grace
In which part of that harsh
this colorful, delicate,
questions
we never
wooden branch
or
elegant and fragrant flower
ask anymore:
Where
is
God? What
is
the purpose of creation?
People who readily accept
things
all
remain ignorant.
The most
obstinate and questioning minds are always the most intuitive, for they have
not lost their sense of wonder.
People who keep questioning do not take
anything for granted; their minds have not
become hard and
broaden our perspective and open our minds: Let us look
at
static.
Let us
meditation with
the eyes of a child.
Let us be
scientific
in
our
approach.
A
scientist
analyzes by
observation and experimentation. Ideally, science aims and searches for the truth,
and puts nothing on the
scales until
it
can offer objective evidence and
verification.
Opinions, on the other hand, offer themselves to be accepted or rejected and promise no evidence, truth, or certainty. Opinions and personal
impressions are therefore not reliable.
Even
the most reasonable opinion
6
may
only be the
first
step toward an established reality. Therefore, scientists fantasize, or philosophize; their claims are well-
do not presume, assume,
supported and backed by
experimentation, and practical evidence
tests,
gained in the laboratory. In our investigations,
us combine the open minds of children and
let
the searching minds of the scientist. investigations are firm
Clearly,
of scientific
the results
based on observation
reliable because they are
Anything but the practical method described above
and practice.
accepted.
scientifically
investigation
and
Similarly,
has
religion
and practical evidence,. ..not blind
unscientific mind, the world of religion can
To
faith.
seem
be
to
to
is
not
understood
by
the unsupported,
be a realm of pure
opinion and even of fabrication.
Religion claims that "seeing
As
who
Hafiz, the well-known Sufi poet
is
believing".
despised pharisaism once said,
Since the Truth was not realized, It seemed best to fantasize.
Religion should be the pursuit of Truth that leads to direct experience of what the Truth actually
is,
not one that results in personal opinions and
Such fabrications are self-made and imaginary and can be
fabrications.
A God
subject to continual change, as one changes.
mind
is
not real, but
called a hypothesis. is
my own
It is
that
merely based on everything
I
upon blind result in
that
faith,
my is
have heard from others plus
my own
known on
the basis
of individual experience of Truth and reality. is
create within
not a proven fact backed by evidence. Such religion
imagination and inventions. Whereas religion should be
there really
I
In the language of science this
creation.
much
One might even wonder if one who accepts religion
difference between the
and another that
rejects
Lack of true knowledge
it.
both cases, since one has rejected
it
is
the
without knowing, the other has
accepted without knowing and blindly, as "blind faith" applies. Religion has
come
to
be equated with belief systems, dogma,
forms of practice, and organizational structure.
Too
rituals,
often spiritual truths
announced by the prophets have been obscured and distorted with emphasis on
claims
of
scriptural
inerrancy,
interpretation of their teachings.
and
"Religio"
literal
rather
than
spiritual
comes from a verb meaning
"to
7
bind together."
Religion, thus,
which compels a
that inner imperative
is
person to bind together everything in a harmonious whole. differently the
The
word has now been misused
history of religion
Mohammad
and
his teachings
we know
The prophet
therefore a very sad one.
were very different from what
is
known
as the
Jesus Christ's beliefs, too, were different from
religion of Islam today.
Christianity as
is
But how
in practice.
it
today. If Jesus Christ
were
to
show up today
gates of the Vatican, he would be very surprised to see
at the
what was going
on.
Today, religious institutions are not representatives of the real teachings of the prophets. All religion today
is
little
more than
tradition.
has
It
become a
combination of different religious and folk ceremonies portraying not the Truth but a collection of myths,
tales,
and symbols.
It
performed
in the first place
practiced in this
Religion
make-believe.
and what
is
manner cannot lead has
very
a replay and
is
why they were
imitation of past historical events without the reasons as to
gained by their repetition. Religion
and
to true faith
seldom been
truly
belief,
and
but rather
scientifically
investigated.
Although physical tools cannot measure metaphysics, there has
manner of
The
investigation that will lead us to faith, certainty,
Sufis point out that careful exploration
Truth, and that the
we must
be a
to
and confidence.
and experimentation lead
to the
learn to go beyond words to find the reality behind
now-empty ceremonies and symbols of
religion.
For "Words do not
convey meaning," 1 but are only signs that represent ideas. Our understanding of the
word
is
based on experience; without that experience, words are
just
words, not meaning.
Mere words,
like religious ideas, are of little use;
using words without actually understanding or
"Water"
is
closely
we
are constantly
examining them.
communicated only among those who know what water
names have become too
familiar to arouse our curiosity
investigate
and comprehend the complexities that
"love," for
example, and
from, amid
all this
source? The same
how can we
lie
true of the
Simple to
beneath them. What
truly define it?
Where does
chemical action and reaction of the body? is
is.
and lead us
words "God" and "Truth."
We
it
Where fight
is
come is its
and
kill
8
over religious ideas and opinions, yet they are so unclear, so unknown, so
The evolution of
meaningless, and so changeable.
the soul, the purpose of
cannot be attained by the repetition of such abstract symbols as
religion,
words. Jesus Christ said:
'Knock and the door
be opened.' (Matthew 7:7)
will
Have we ever asked which door that door, that gateway?
Through meditation, preach about
it is
And how
all.
The more
similarities
distinction
we supposed
the message
between the various
is
The message sect,
in the East.
different cultures, traditions,
How
is
faiths.
are
we
to find
knock? All the prophets
an old one and does not
or religion but includes and unites
understood, the more
we
will realize the
Even books on meditation make a
between the meditation practiced
and understood
to
self-exploration takes place.
this self-exploration.
belong to any particular tradition,
them
that he speaks of?
are
in the
West and
that practiced
But the distinctions we see are products of
and philosophies developed
with relation to geographical and historical factors.
It
in separate regions is
as
if
we
are
all
looking at the same landscape through different windows; these sociocultural
windows,
like stained glass, are full of designs representing
our thoughts and
prejudices, but which color and distort our view.
Zoroaster, Buddha, Moses, Jesus and all is
repeat the same message.
It is
Mohammad,
the wise prophets,
the transformation of that one message that
worth considering.
Thousands of instruments, a different tune each When heard from deep within, The same sweet melody each portrays.
Or
plays.
as the Persian poet Ganjavi says:
The Truth you may recognize not. the many ornaments lost.
Among Let us
start
our investigation into meditation by looking
definitions of meditation.
at
dictionary
Dictionary Definitions of Meditation:
Roots: Latin-meditat, stem of meditari, from the root med., meaning "thought" or "care."
"Meditation" .
is
defined:
by Webster's
New
World Dictionary
as:
1)
Act of meditating; deep continued thought.
2)
Deep
reflection
on sacred matters as a devotional
by Natt all's Standard Dictionary
Continued attention
as:
to a particular subject.
by Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary
The
act.
act of meditating; reflection
upon a
as:
subject;
contemplating. "Meditate" •
is
defined
as:
by The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of English as:
Think about; consider; give oneself up
to serious
thought. .
by The Oxford Universal Dictionary on Historical Principles as:
To
reflect
upon; to study; ponder; to observe with intentness; to plan
by revolving to
think;
in the
to
mind; to design mentally; the
exercise
mind
devotional)
(esp.
thought
or
contemplation, and "Meditation"
as:
Serious reflection or mental contemplation. Special in religious use:
The continuous
contemplation of some religious
application of the
mind
to the
truth, mystery, or object of reverence, as
a
devotional exercise.
These definitions apply than "meditation."
It
is
to "concentration"
and "contemplation" rather
not by the help of the mind that the "mystery of
10
humanity" unravels "concentration"
is
itself.
Meditation goes beyond the mind.
However,
the preliminary step towards "meditation."
Different
schools
of
meditation
have
been
subject
misunderstanding of the original one message brought to man: thyself."
These differences may confuse the beginning student:
one practice or many? There seems
He
Zen
about
hears
meditation,
meditation, and other varieties. sits
to
He
Is
to
the
"Know
meditation
be many different forms of meditation. Transcendental
learns that while the
meditation,
Yoga
Zen Buddhist monk
quietly with his eyes partially opened, looking at a blank wall, the yoga
meditator
sits
with his eyes closed, concentrating on a particular word,
thought, or image.
meditation,
To understand
we must
the apparent differences
among forms
of
study carefully the historical roots of the religions from
which these forms blossomed.
CHAPTER ONE ENDNOTES 1.
Molana Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha;
Manifestation of Thought. 2.
Hafiz, Persian Sufi poet.
3.
Ganjavi Nizami, Persian Sufi poet.
refer to the introduction of
CHAPTER TWO THE ANCIENT RELIGIONS OF IRAN AND INDIA: ZOROASTRIANISM AND HINDUISM Rightful Deed, Rightful Thought, and Rightful Speech. Basic Teachings, Zoroaster
Where does our begins.
Our
story begin?
background
historical
We will begin with
is
the prophet
meditating in the forest, the Buddha. Upanishads,
1
were already
as well ask
who
is
Buddha
famous
in existence.
own
Buddha
when
truth
when
the major
Hindu philosophy,
Their philosophy must be seen as the point of
teaching.
It
would be a serious mistake, however,
as the "founder" or "reformer" of a religion that
being as some kind of organized revolt against Hinduism, for of a time
where
for spending long years
lived at a time
a series of mystical texts pertaining to the
departure for his look upon
One might
as old as humanity.
there was no consciousness of "religions,"
we
came
to
into
are speaking
when such terms
as
"Hinduism" or "Brahmanism" would have meant nothing. There was simply a tradition,
embodied
in
the orally transmitted doctrine of the
Upanishads, a tradition that was not specifically
whole way of to the
life
it
Veda and involved a
and concerned everything from the methods of agriculture
knowledge of the ultimate
Buddha, we have
"religious";
to trace history
reality.
To understand
back to 2500 B.C.
the philosophy of
14
From
the
middle of the third millennium B.C.
millennium B.C. there was a thriving called the Indus Valley civilization. B.C., at about the time into the area Sanskrit, the
and
is
It
to
came
to
the
second
Northwest India
city civilization in
an abrupt end around 1500
waves of Aryans, a nomadic warlike people, migrated
from western Asia and parts of the Mediterranean region. In
word Arya2 means
the basis of
all
Their language
nobles.
also called
is
Indo and European languages.
traditionally
looked to the Aryans and their religion as
inspiration.
Though many
aspects of later
Aryan
Hinduism has its
source and
Hinduism may well have been
inspired by the Indus Valley civilization or regional peasant cultures in India,
the earliest scriptures of the Aryans, the Veda, have
been acknowledged
for
thousands of years as the embodiment of the primordial truths upon which
Hinduism
is
based.
About 1000
B.C.,
Aryans moved into Iran from the north and
northwest and by 800 B.C. they had occupied the land.
brought a rich oral tradition, much of which
is
preserved
These invaders in the
Hindu
Veda and the Avesta of Zoroastrianism. Thus the religions of India and
RigIran,
both under Aryan influence, display a number of similar characteristics. "Iran,
or Persia, as
it
was once
called,"
according to The World
Religions,
enclosed within a triangle of mountains and has at its heart two salt deserts that are so barren that the Gobi Desert appears fertile in comparison. With the mountains towering to a height of 5,500 meters (18,000 feet), Iran is a land of great contrasts: tropical jungle near the Caspian Sea and Mediterranean climate in the river valleys of the Southwest. These differences have given rise to various cultures, and the mountains have impeded communication between the different cultures. While Western Iran is subject to influence from Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, the East is under the influence of India and even China. Iran thus stands as a bridge between East and West, not only influencing her religion, but making Iran a watershed of history as well. 3 is
Having started out on common ground with India under the influence of the Aryans, the religion of Iran later as Zoroastrianism.
ancient Persian and Zardusht in religious reformer.
became independent and
established
This religion was founded by Zoroaster (Zarathushtra in
There
is
much
modern
Persian),
the ancient Persian
controversy about the period in which he
15 f
From Ancient
According to World Religions:
lived.
from 628-551 B.C. or
Zoroaster lived
BCE
"Recent Parsi tradition dates him around 6,000 but
date
this
is
an
[before Christian era]
not accepted by any Western academic.
BCE
around the 6th century suggests
History to the Present,
Dictionary of Religions says,
earlier.
earlier
Encyclopedia Britannica
5
1700-1400
of
date
Instead, a date
has been preferred although recent research
BCE
as
more
likely."
4
The
named
notes that even the ancient Greeks
dates
6 thousands of years apart. "The Avesta," the scriptures of Zoroastrianism,
"is
indeed our principal source for the doctrine of Zoroaster; on the subject of his
person and
birth,
his life
it is
comparatively reticent; with regard to his date of
absolutely silent.
is
it
13th section, or Spend Nask, which was
The
mainly consecrated to the description of
The
uncertainty of the dates
his life, has perished."
makes
it
difficult to
know
if
Zoroaster's
Veda means "sacred knowledge."
doctrines
came before
The Veda
are documents held to be divine revelation; their oldest parts date
the Veda or after.
from about the middle of the second millennium B.C. They form the core of Brahmanism, the system of
Brahman
religious
doctrines
and
of the
institutions
caste in Hinduism.
Originating with the Veda, the
Brahman
tradition developed into a
pantheistic concept involving the search for a unifying principle or single
this
constant
mental
The Veda maintain
Brahman.
called
spiritual reality
feelings, ideas,
states,
that our thoughts,
and even the soul are continuously changing;
movement proves
that
life
has
permanence. However, deep within existence, blossoms, ripens, withers, and dies,
no absolute
like the
or
stability
seed or core within a
a timeless Being called
sat,
which never changes. "We have the direct experience, however vague, of
this
fruit as
it
lies
being in the uttermost depths of our existence: "We feel that we
am one
and the same person yesterday, today, and the day
are."
1
"For
after, the
I
same
person from childhood to death, in spite of the changes." 8 The individual's experience of the ultimate self and ground of his existence
Atman the Veda
ultimate that
is
is
is
'breath,' but
self,
or
is
called Atman.
a Sanskrit word, the earlier meaning of which according to
Atman,
whose
later
meaning
in the individual
is
is
'soul'
or 'the absolute.' This
an ever-abiding, timeless being
"smaller than the small and greater than the great," 9 and
is
stable.
"
16
The Ultimate Being is not an unconscious, unintelligent Being, but is awareness (chit) itself. The essential nature of being is Love (ananda), a love which is the root of all joy, peace, and bliss. Who indeed would move, would breathe, if there were not this ananda buried deep within every heart? For He alone makes life joyous and happy, and blissful and loving.
The Atman,
the Ultimate Self in man, is pure Being awareness (chit) and Love (ananda). Timeless and spaceless the Ultimate Being is only one being -one Atman in all individuals. This experience of the one Being has been reported by many true seers in other parts of the world, who have been vaguely called Mystics or Sufis. 10 (sat), objectless
According to the Veda, the whole universe is
always present and gives birth to
manner somewhat
like
countless numbers." 11
Atman
one, and the one
of a single vital cell
that
The Atman marches away from
appearance as the physical mold.
is
is
Atman
Atman does
"This the
all things.
in a
multiplying itself into his true state until his
reached and becomes trapped
in
man's physical
then becomes forgetful of himself and becomes the limited
the individual ego.
The
out this lost vision.
The
ego, the limited
"I,"
"I,"
therefore, begins again to seek
no longer appear
vision can, however,
as a whole,
but has buried within himself not only Atman, but also the previous states.
The universe produced from
Atman
the one undivided
is
thus a unified
system, a mighty organism in which the inmost nucleus and pervading Spirit
and Self
is
the one abiding Being.
The Atman
lies
universe; there can be no division in the Being,
within each particle of the
no
real limitation to
him
in
space, time, or any other way.
why the Hindu maintains that the Vedic seers nothing but the simple truth when they declare that they perceived life and awareness in and behind every part and phenomenon of nature, visible and invisible. The seers called each manifestation a Deva. The Devas, crudely and incorrectly interpreted as "Gods, " but more properly "angels, are thus not mere personifications of nature and its phenomena, but the very Spirit and Self of the Universe seen through Nature's forms as through a prism. 12 This
were
is
telling
While the doctrines of Brahmanism are monistic (based on the concept of oneness) those of Zoroaster propose the
finest
teachers
of
the
philosophers and writers. 14
people to
live
East,
He
is
greatly
1 "duality." ^
influenced
said to have
Zoroaster, one of the
early
Greek
withdrawn himself from
alone upon a mountain. After a long period of contemplative
17
he received an inward
solitude,
to seek the amelioration of
call
Zoroaster's teachings have
Gathas.
15
addressed to him by God,
mankind and
come down
his doctrine
Zoroaster, with
chose him
ruin.
to us in seventeen
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica,
in the old Iranian, or Aryan, folk religion.
who
from
their deliverance
hymns, The
was rooted inherent
all his
Iranian national character, shows his strong faith, boldness, and energy
His thinking
through his teachings.
His form of expression
practical.
is
consecutive,
is
and
self-restrained
tangible and concrete; his system
is
constructed on a clearly conceived plan and stands on a high moral level, and
must have been a great advance
in
human
civilization.
Zoroastrianism has a strong social ethic and, in contrast to Hinduism,
an essentially life,
However, although work
activist one.
is
viewed as the
salt
of
a person expresses his character not only with what he does and says but
People must "overcome doubts and unrighteous
also with his thoughts.
desires with reason,
overcome greed with contentment, anger with
envy with benevolence, want with vigilance, truth."
16
His basic teaching
serenity,
with peace, falsehood with
strife
is:
"Rightful deed, rightful thought, and rightful speech."
According to Zoroaster, when the world began there existed two spirits
who
creative
represented the
power
the Evil}
that manifested itself positively in
Ahura Mazda
other.
Good and
is
light
and
life,
and creates
the ethical world of law, order, and truth.
darkness, spirits
filth,
death, and produces
Both
spirits
possessed
one and negatively
all
that
is
story of
God's
conflict with the Devil.
confession
of faith,
continually keeping his
(devil), is
world.
The two
is
evil in the
spirit is
Thus, Zoroaster's religion
The
battlefield
is
man's
by every good thought, word,
soul.
is
the
By
a
and deed, by
body and soul pure, man reduces the power of Satan
and strengthens the might of goodness; he thus has the power
Ahriman and
to establish a claim for
by every
deed, word, and thought,
evil
in
His antithesis, Ahriman
that
religion.
in the
pure and good
counterbalance each other. The ultimate triumph of the good
an ethical demand of Zoroaster's
true
all
1
corrupted and defiled increasing
evil
to defeat
reward upon Ahura Mazda. Conversely
man
allows his body and soul to be
and rendering service to Satan.
18
The Zoroastrians worshiped
fire as
a symbol and son oiAhura Mazda.
Neither the sun nor unbelieving eyes must see the a fire-temple.
When
as a sign of respect
the Parsis (Persians)
and
their foreheads are
visit
fire,
the
and
fire,
it is
preserved in
they kneel and
marked with the ash
as a
bow
symbol
of humility and equality.
The still
influence of Zoroaster has been felt since ancient times and
evident in
modern
religion
and philosophy.
Despite the small number of practicing Zoroastrians in the world today (just over 125,000 in India and, according to a 1976 in Iran), Iranian religion, census, especially 25,000 Zoroastrianism, has in fact played one of the major roles on Zoroaster was much the stage of world religious history. respected in Greece at the time of Plato, and the worship of 18 Mithras spread throughout the Roman Empire as far as Turning to the East, Iranian art and northern England. religion has long been a source of influence for India. Worship of Mithras spread from Iran to the Magas of India in the 6th century and later, but before that, Zoroastrianism may well have stimulated the growth of a savior concept in Buddhism, in the form of Maitreya Buddha. Iran has played a particularly important role in the religion of Islam, helping it develop from an Arab religion into an international religion. The growth of the mystical movement, the Sufis, and the savior concept may owe a lot to Iranian influence. Perhaps Iran's greatest influence has been on the development of Judeo-Christian belief. It is widely accepted by biblical scholars that the later Jewish concepts of the devil, hell, the afterlife, the resurrection, the end of the world, and the savior imagery -the very foundation of Christianity -were all colored by Zoroastrian beliefs. Theologically as well as geographically, Iran, the bridge between the East and West, has contributed immensely 19 to the world's religions.
is
19
CHAPTER TWO ENDNOTES 1. Upanishads, "to sit near (the master)," a series of 108 mystical texts that are the basis of the six systems of Hindu philosophy. The Upanishads form the concluding portion of the Veda, the sacred texts of Hinduism. The early sections of the Upanishads were composed in the 8th century B.C. but the later parts are of a more recent date. The Encyclopedia International, p. 158.
The Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, who ruled Germany, used the word "Aryans" to mean Germans and certain other peoples of Northern Europe. He claimed that the Germans were the purest Aryans and therefore superior to all other peoples. Hitler used his ideas about Aryan supremacy to justify the killing of millions of Jews, Gypsies and other "non-Aryans."
2.
3.
Parrinder, Geoffrey, World Religions: on File Publications, New York,
Present, Facts 4.
From Ancient
New York,
John R. Hinnells, Dictionary of Religions,
History to the 1971, p. 177.
p. 361.
Hermodorus and Hermippus of Smyrna place him 5,000 years before the Trojan War; Xanthus, 6,000 years before Xeres, Eudoxus and Aristotle, 6,000 years before the death of Plato. Agathias remarks (ii 24), truthfully, that it is no longer possible to determine with any certainty when he lived and legislated, p. 1040.
5.
have been revealed in Only 17 hymns, the Gathas, can, however, be attributed to him. Some parts of Avesta, notably some ancients hymns, Yashts, are substantially pre-Zoroastrian in origin. John R. Hinnells, ed. Dictionary of Religions, Penguin Books, Ltd., Harmondsworth, England, 1984, 6.
These scriptures were
traditionally believed to
their entirety to Zoroaster.
p. 57.
Chatterji, J. C. Publishing House, 1973, 7.
8.
Ibid., p. 15.
9.
Ibid.,
p. 17.
10.
Ibid.,
pp. 18-19.
11.
Ibid., p. 62.
The
Wisdom of
the
Vedas,
The Theosophical
p. 16.
Ibid., p. 68. (During my research of Brahmanism, I found no trace of the caste system, nor the importance of cattle; in fact, at this early date, even cattle were sacrificed. How did the cow become scared? It was quite disappointing to find and follow the distortion of these excellent principles throughout the ages. The existing schools based on these principles seem to me to be bad examples of their originators.) 12.
20
There is much controversy over the dates of Zoroaster, but the fact Zoroastrianism proposes a "concept of duality" may suggest that Zoroaster dates prior to the doctrine of Hinduism, and those of the Veda. 13.
that
Nietszche, the 19th-century German philosopher, even entitled one 14. of his works "Thus spoke Zarathustra".
Gathas are also known as "Manthras," which means "sacred words" in 15. Zoroastrianism. This could also be the origin of "Mantras" practiced by the Yogis, of which we find no evidence in the doctrines of the Buddha. 16.
Aehner, Councils of Ancient Sages, Teachings,
p. 25.
17. This bears similarity to the philosophy of Heraclitus, the philosopher, and we see how Zoroaster has influenced his thinking.
Greek
18. Mithras was a popular God worshiped by citizens of the Roman Empire from the 2nd to the 5th century BCE. He was an Indo-Iranian deity and he was worshiped both in Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Hinnels, p.
216. 19.
Parrinder, p. 191.
CHAPTER THREE BUDDHISM Just
this I
sorrow
have taught and do teach, and the ending of sorrow. The Buddha
Buddhism
preserves latter
its
scriptures in Sanskrit, Chinese
language. In India, Buddhisim lost
its
identity
and Japanese, and Tibetan
one thousand years ago.
who were
Unlike most sages of 6th century B.C. India,
Brahman
(priest) caste of
belonged to the warrior religion,
Aryan
caste.
society,
Buddha
(also
known
Brahmanism then held a
of the
as Siddhartha)
sort of
monopoly
in
and therefore condemned the Buddha's doctrine as unorthodox.
The young
prince
behind
former
his
Buddha life
is
said to have fled into the wilderness, leaving
of luxury as a prince.
After years of meditation, he
claimed that mystical realization of liberation from the mundane attained by realize
two main
The former
sacred literature in the deed Indian language, Pali, while the
its
has
divisible philosophically into
is
southern and northern schools of Buddhism.
the
parts:
The Buddist world, which has included
originated in India.
the whole of Asia east of Iran,
means
liberation,
"Nibbana"
of knowledge
and compassion.
which the Buddhists
call
He
life
could be
claimed one might
"Nirvana"
(in
Sanskrit)
or
(in Pali).
Doubts
exist as to
how much
of the
oldest of the Buddhist canonical writings
Buddhism contained
in
even the
was actually the teaching of the
22
Buddha.
historical
School, claims that
The Theravada, its
Canon
Pali
spoken by Buddha.
actually
the only surviving sect of the Southern
contains the original doctrines in words
However,
its
books were not committed
to
Buddha began
to
writing until the 1st century B.C., five hundred years after
(These words had been passed down orally through some
teach.
15
generations of teachers and pupils in collections of recitations called sutras (Sanskrit)
or suttas
(Pali).
One can imagine
the
shifts
in
individual
mention the many dialect changes, that the original
interpretations, not to
language must have gone through, and the loss that those teachings have suffered in their translations into other languages).
We
do not have any proof that Buddha's teachings were recorded
during his lifetime.
hundred years
later
It is
were
possible that original
and
transformed, since they were handed not
know how much
some
it is
of the doctrines presented five
also possible that they
down
The
orally 15 times.
of the existing doctrines attributed to
were wholly fact
is
Buddha
we do
are his
actual words.
The Bible was Christ himself.
also written by the disciples of Jesus
In fact, the only
doctrines of the prophet
Mohammad
is
Holy Book
the Koran.
It is
himself dictated those doctrines to Hazrat Ali, as he received
mean
that the
and misinterpretation.
Koran has not been subjected
To
truly
his lifetime.
This
to misunderstanding
Always, words can be misleading, and in order to
understand the doctrines of the prophets, doctrines.
original
a well-known that the prophet
them inwardly, the words of which were written during does not
and not by Jesus
that contains the
we need
to
understand the doctrines of Buddha,
experience those
we need
to
have
followed him into the forest and experienced everything that he did and only
then
we would know and understand what he meant by knowledge and
compassion as the means of liberation. The terms levels.
If
Buddha to
we have
exist
on so many
different
not experienced the "compassion" and "knowledge" that
teaches, those doctrines will be changed
and transformed according
our individual the experience. Like the words knowledge and compassion, the word fun can be used
to define experiences that differ with every individual.
consider fun
may be
quite the opposite to another.
What one person
Similarly,
when two
23
people look at the same scene, what they perceive Perception
same.
is
is
not necessarily the
a puzzle;
like solving
we
piece together assorted clues to form a
comprehensive internal picture, and gain an acceptable version of
We
mere
and other impulses from the external world.
registration of light, sound,
Perceiving
is
a complex process extending far beyond the
perceive not only with our eyes, but with the whole person that
reality.
we
are:
our past experiences, our present state of mind, our memories, dreams, and
We see what we want to see. A green, lively garden may seem quite man sentenced to death, who has but an hour to live, than to a
desires.
different to a
prisoner
who
has a lifetime sentence, a poet, or a child.
Words, especially those representing large concepts such as knowledge and compassion, oblige us to use our experiences and memories
What
sense of them.
I
may understand
understanding of Buddha, but experience.
will
Our understanding
reality.
make
be ray interpretation according to
of the Scriptures, even
were written by the prophet himself, experienced their
to
not be the
of passion will
is
if
limited because
still
my
those doctrines
we have
not
But somehow we have to retrace Buddha's every
step to reach the salvation he
was pointing
to.
Buddha's doctrines we have to become Buddha.
In order to understand
We
doctrines, so that they will lead us to true understanding.
must practice
Buddha
his
represents
a stage of awareness and a stage in religion, just like Moses, Christ, and
Mohammad. According to the dictionary of proper name;
means
it
'enlightened' or 'awakened,' the state of having direct
true nature of things, or truth.
he
who
sees the
Buddha
The prophets Message
that
not a
of
God
it
knowledge of the
is
a Buddhist way of expressing
1 it.'"
They have brought a Holy
are Messengers.
must be heard and acted upon, a divine Message, a revelation,
The Messenger who
wayfarers, the ones
brings the
who want
to set out
harmony with
Message
will
their state of
prepare the way for the
on the path of
the Messenger and their guide to the mystical the Bible:
is
'He who sees the truth sees the Buddha, and
sees the truth,
a mystical experience of Truth, in complete being.
"The word Buddha
religions:
denotes a state of being. In the classical language of India
self
Kingdom
knowledge.
of Truth.
He
is
We read in
24
Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
(Mark
The Messengers after their death
worship.
and
God
of
idols to
are not fixed symbols
be placed
Each Messenger represents a
in churches,
1:2)
who become
heroes
temples and mosques for
stage or a part of self-knowledge, that
must be attained and experienced by those who hear them. According to Buddhist philosophy, the Buddha-nature
The
kinds.
hood. The second
is
sambhoga-kaya, the truth
The
the non-mortal realm.
third
is
One example
of such manifestation
India in the 6th century B.C. there have been will
of three
in the
realm of
many such
celestial bliss,
nirvana-kaya, the form assumed by
Buddha-nature, when a historical manifestation occurs, life.
is
dharma-kaya, the pure and absolute essence of Buddha-
first is
form of human
in the
Siddhartha Gotama,
is
who
According to Buddhist thought of
lived in
all
schools
manifestations in the course of history, and there
be many more, any person who would attain that stage of Buddha-hood.
This
any
true of
is
"Where
read:
other,
I
prophets and the stages each represent.
all
you may be also" 2 and
am
I
hear
angelic
the
voice."
representing Christianity and Hazrat that they are people just like us
have
just said, this
which
is
human
in the 3
Koran
Both
Mohammad
possible,
Christ
is
is
Mohammad
prophets- Jesus
Christ
an exalted state of being one
will
never accept that
did, denies
is
perhaps the
religion. it
is
possible to
any real relationship with
Son of God
is
The
Christian priest's insistence that Jesus
also denying the
same
possible experiences.
the words of the prophet claim otherwise.
But
we like
and that such an experience by any other than the prophet
forbidden by God.
the
man
and where they are we can also be. What we
capability, to reach
However, the Muslim Mullah
is
but a
compatible to the prophets and Messengers of Truth,
experience what Hazrat
God
In the Bible
am
representing Islam -claim
most important and the most misunderstood doctrine of
himself
"I
to all
who
received him,
who
believed in his name,
He
gave power to become children of God; Who were born not of blood nor of will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but for
God. (John 1:10-14)
But
/ 25
we
In fact equally,
and
are
and to unite with
God
The message
God
the cnildren of
all
God.
God
has created mankind
can set foot on the path of self-discovery to find the Truth
all
the merciful or the Father in Heaven.
of
God
man
to
"Know
is
The Messengers
Thyself."
of
represent a certain stage of this total self-awareness that each individual
must reach with the help of the one who
The
stage
first
is
will
show the way.
perhaps represented by Zoroaster, for his basic
doctrines, "Rightful deed, Rightful thought
steps towards inner purity, growth,
and Rightful speech," are the
first
and the acquisition of wisdom. The gates
of knowledge will never open unto impure hearts, the great Sufi teacher of
Nader Angha, explains
the time, Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
in the
book of
his
Massnavi:
The heart totally delivered from impurity, Will commence the journey to discovery.
BUDDHA 'S DOCTRINE AND THE RESURRECTION OF THE SOUL After Zoroastrianism, the next page of religion takes us to the doctrines of
Buddha and
his
Buddha including
human
These
beings.
Impersonality, unsubstantiality.
(2)
Impermanence, change.
(3)
Imperfection, sorrow. is
a cornerstone of Buddhist theory. "Just
teach," declared
Buddha,
The Indian-Hindu and essentially unsatisfactory
"sorrow,
Jain,
and
and pain. Hinayan 4 Buddhism,
the
well
as
like other
existence of suffering in
Four Noble Truths, which (1)
That
life is
(2)
That
this
attachment;
that lives,
all
life,
this I
have thought
the ending of sorrow." as
the
Buddhist,
and imperfect; each recognizes
from the world of sorrow primarily through
The
and
life
are:
(1)
Sorrow and do
Message. said three characteristics condition
life full
find
life
of sorrow
Indian religions, aimed at release liberation or
Nibbana.
according to Buddha,
is
the
first
of
are:
subject to sorrow;
sorrow
is
caused by ignorance, which results in desire-
26
That
(3)
sorrow can be eliminated by the elimination of
this
desire-attachment;
That the way to eliminate desire-attachment
(4)
is
to follow the
Eight-fold path.
The
sections of the
Right
(1)
Noble Eight-fold Path Seeing
Views:
life
as
are: is,
it
in
accord
with
the
fundamental Three Characteristics and appreciating the Four Truths; Being motivated by friendly thoughts,
Right Mindedness:
(2)
without prejudice, toward one's fellow
forms of sentient
beings and toward
other
all
Speaking kindly and truthfully and narrating
Right Speech:
(3)
human
life;
incidents accurately;
Acting
Right Action:
(4)
skillfully
and sympathetically while
avoiding vain or violent effort;
Right Livelihood:
(5)
Practicing a
means of
does not
living that
cause oneself or others to infringe on lawful morality; (6)
Right Endeavor:
and rejecting
Self-perfection by avoiding
ignoble qualities, while acquiring and fostering noble qualities; (7)
Right Mindfulness:
The
awareness and compassion, resulting (8)
Right
intellectual intuition,
According philosophy of
Concentration:
cultivation
in self-reliance
and practice of
culminating
Contemplation
in
and wisdom. the
to
written
life is this; in
teachings,
a
summary
Buddha's
of
order to attain Nibbana, or liberation,
we must
escape the "wheel of becoming" -the process of birth and death -for continue as long as our material desires attach us to the world.
Buddha meant by
self-
and equanimity, and;
this
this will
What
has remained very obscure throughout the ages and
has caused the greatest misunderstanding of his doctrines, for this message has
been misconstrued
reincarnation
body and
means
as
"reincarnation."
that once a person dies, he
As we is
define
it
today,
born again into another
to another set of parents, living the life he deserves according to his
actions in the past lifetime; this cycle continues until he
However, the
life
becomes pure.
and birth that Buddha describes does not take place within
/
27
the material world, as
who have
the
is
common belief of the
Buddhist and many others
on the
blindly accepted such a concept as "reincarnation," almost
The
basis of childish fantasy.
life
and birth
the body and the physical mold; instead,
it
in question has little to
do with
takes place in the soul.
Let us
explain this further according to Sufi discipline.
As our consciousness grows and expands,
inferior stages of
die,
and we are born into a more superior
life
following each death signifies a stage of growth.
person's soul
awakened and
is
body and
In the final stage, a
body bind him no longer.
desires of his
be taken care
to
knowledge
knowledge. The new
born into heaven where he acquires
is
The
knowledge of the unseen. Although the body has
state of inner
soul. In all religious scriptures,
he
of,
is
no longer
just a body, but
begins only at this point. 5 This
"life"
resurrection and awakening should take place during one lifetime and not in
numbers and
infinite
change,
it
becomes
cycles.
eternal; death can
the prophets refer
all
arise. rise
Resurrection
is
Kingdom
the soul
is
released from constant flux and earthly
when
all
is
attachments and
the resurrection that
graves spring open and the dead
not for dead bones, but for the living soul.
bound
is
of
its
no longer threaten. This
not a day
to,
from the material
depends on or the
Once
delivered and liberated from
is
stage,
to the material.
Heaven
One
has to
which means that one's existence no longer It is
a holy rebirth that takes place in
as Jesus Christ instructs
and must take place before
death of the body. Similarly, a fetus, while in the mother's
organs and
all
that
it
needs for
life in
does not use them in the womb, he
mouth;
his
is
womb,
acquires limbs and
the material world; and although he
developing them.
nourishment comes from a different source.
He does not need a He does not need
preparing for the next stage in which he will need
lungs or legs or arms; he
is
to live a different
the fetus has not developed the right and necessary
means of
life
life.
If
outside the
womb, he cannot
return to the
incomplete and unable to survive at birth; incomplete
womb. He
he does, he
will
will live
be
an
life.
Whatever It
if
is
to
be achieved
is
achieved during one's material lifetime.
does not matter what shape your body
is
or in which environment and
under which circumstances or in which country you
live,
whether you are
28
makes no
poor or
rich,
enough
that even a prince can give
it
The question
liberation.
The
difference.
life
of
Buddha should be evidence
up the material
for the sake of the soul's
does one want liberation; does one feel
is:
imprisoned by the senses and the limited material world and desire to free himself of worldly and temporary attachments and develop the eternal life?
If
enough? And second, with regards absurd
is
to think
And
animal!
means
for
he does, shouldn't seventy years, an average lifetime be long
what the
third,
spirit
to reincarnation,
of
what happens
man to
what seems even more
could attain in the form of an
one's experiences,
memories and
knowledge, those that one has acquired during one's lifetime?
Perhaps the interpretations of Zen from Buddhism, that translates the "Sudden Awakening"
is
more
in line with the teachings of the
to
Buddha.
Again, in the Massnavi, Ravayeh Hazrat Salaheddin says: of the mysteries of the journey to God thou be, The untimely sleep from the friend has stolen thee.
Unaware spell of Is it
because we do not want to be responsible for our actions, that many of
us choose to believe resurrection must wait until after death, or that
be born again and again looking.
there
is
It is
until
we become
pure.
make our it,
break within
is
to
worry as one
will just
be born again.
lives easier in a superficial
to suit
we
shall
a very simple way of
the least threatening, and does not oblige us to
no need
changed the early doctrines of many religions
deny
This
We
do anything,
seem
to
have
our material desires, to
way. But no matter
how much we
try to
the soul, trapped within the body like a bird within a cage, yearns to
free,
and we have but one
its shell,
never be seen It is
if
this
lifetime in
which to
let
it fly.
Like a pearl
the soul shines and waits within us to be discovered, and will
we do
not expend the effort necessary to find
it.
misunderstanding of the original doctrines that causes the
existing misconceptions referred to earlier; these are the cause of differences
between the
religions,
The words and and
people are fighting over food they have never tasted.
the teachings of the prophets (Zoroaster, Buddha, Moses,
Mohammad)
are in accordance with one
another, but they
represent different stages of the liberation of the soul.
Misunderstanding
Jesus,
between different
religions throughout history,
still
a problem today, are not
29
caused by differences within the original doctrines but by differences of interpretation.
As we read
the
New Testament
of the Bible:
Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in 6 the Kingdom of Heaven.
Does what we have
read
just
seem
like
a contradiction or
a
continuation of the Zoroastrian and Buddhist doctrines
we have examined?
The Koran of the Muslims
and many
also includes these doctrines
like
them,
honoring the prophets that have come before and seeking to unite the doctrines in their final stage: "the Seventh heaven."
Out of many quotations similarity
between the
in the
doctrines,
I
Koran
1
that unite all religions
and show
have chosen the following two:
Do
they seek
For other than the Religion of God? While all creatures In the heavens and on earth Have, willing or unwilling, Bowed to His Will And to him shall they All be brought back.
"We believe in God, what has been revealed to us And what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, And in (the Books) Given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, Say,
And
in
From
their Lord:
We make
no distinction
Between one and another among them
And The
God do we bow
our
will (in Islam).
9
liberation of the soul, according to Islamic Sufism,
seven stages; Islam,
from the mundane liberation.
to
is its
life,"
"Just this
I
final stage.
is
achieved in
"The mystical realization of liberation
according to Buddha,
is
only the
first
stage of this
have taught and do teach," declared Buddha, "Sorrow,
and the ending of sorrow." This release from the Buddhist world of sorrow
is
30
the primary step toward the true knowledge of and unity with God.
prophets
who
or Nirvana
follow
up
In the
Buddha
will represent the progressive stages in
The
Nibbana
to the attainment of total liberation.
book Nirvan which
is
a description of the journey of man's soul
to salvation through different stages, the last stage that
surrender to Truth,
is
Maghsoud: "On the seventh
day,
man was housed
of hope echoed in the infinite existence: eternal.' Nirvan,
is
Islam,
meaning
thus described by the Sufi Master Hazrat Shah
who had
left
lost his identity in the infinite,
in the
'Nonentity
is
Empyrean. not,
A sound
and existence
the world of appearances, thrust
away the
is
dust,
and regained peace." 10
Nirvana, according to the Buddhists, derives from nir-va, meaning "to
bow." Buddhist texts compare the attainment of Nirvana to the wind blowing out the flame. While Nirvana can be said to be the annihilation of ignorance
and
sorrow,
annihilation.
that
it
Buddhists
cannot even be
Hinayanists equate is
Nibbana."
emphatically
Mahayanists 11 describe
it
When
it
named "The One,"
deny
that
Pari-Nirvana
as Tathata, or "suchness,"
since
it is
means
and claim
not distinct from anything.
with cessation, holding that "the cessation of becoming
urged to speak more, Buddha replied, "No measure
measures him who has
reached
immeasurable measured?
No words
the
Goal;
by what
measure
describe the indescribable."
is
the
31
CHAPTER THREE ENDNOTES 1.
John R. Hinnells, Dictionary of Religions, Penguin Books
2.
John
3.
Koran S.XVIII.
4.
Yana
A
1984,. p. 69.
14:3.
Sanskrit
110.
word made up of two parts: Hina (low or inferior) and means of salvation). The combination of these two was
(a vehicle or
MAHAY
applied by a Buddhist school of thought that called itself ANA, i.e., 'great or superior means of salvation' -superior, that is, to the eighteen other Buddhist schools, Hinnels, p. 148.
The notion of being "born again" is also found in Christian doctrine. "Except a man be bom again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This rebirth is an awakening, says Paul: "Awake, thou that steepest and arise 5.
from dead" 6.
Matthew
5:17-19.
7. There are seven stages that the disciple (salek) must pass through before achieving true self-knowledge and cognition of God. These are: seeking, love, knowledge, contempt, unity, wonder, and the finally poverty
and annihilation. 8.
Ibid.,
S.III.83. p. 145.
9.
Ibid.,
S.III.84.
10.
1986,
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Nirvan, University Press of America,
Lanham MD,
20706,
p. 36.
Mahayana; a development of thought and practice within Buddhism from about the first century CE. Hinnells, Dictionary of Religions, p. 197. 11.
CHAPTER FOUR BUDDHIST AND HINDU MEDITATION The gates of heaven will not open on to those who mortify themselves. Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha
The
Buddhist
known
meditation,
as
derives
yoga,
from
the
understanding of Buddha's doctrines.
Yoga Philosophy
The word yoga
describes
primarily for the realization of
be used for such processes.
God
the
disciplines
self-development,
for
by direct experience. But yoga
lesser ends as the control of natural forces
may
also
and physiological
"Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj" meaning "to yoke" the
individual self with the Divine.
One who
practices yoga
is
called a yogi.
The States of Yoga
The
eight successive steps of yoga are given in Sanskrit to emphasize
that there are
no exact English equivalents
to the
deeper meanings of these
terms, the meanings which are discovered in experience. (1)
Yama
(2)
Niyama
is
the exclusion of evil actions, that is
is,
self-control.
the regular and complete observance of moral rules.
34
(3)
in
Asana means
which the worshiper
on a
sits
(4)
Pranayama
(5)
Pratyhara
(6)
Dharana
is
is
posture; the most famous
is
the "Lotus Posture"
with feet placed soles up on the opposite thigh. the practice of controlled breathing.
the restraint of the senses.
refers to steadying the
mind by intense concentration
single object. (7)
Dhyana
(8)
Samadhi
is
deep meditation.
is
the attainment of pure consciousness at the highest
The samadhi experience
level of one's being.
is
overwhelming and not
definable.
Meditation plays an important part in the practice of Buddhism. said to help improve
wisdom.
It is
and perfect character and stimulate intuition and
Buddhist meditation begins with simple breathing exercises; by
learning to control one's breathing, one learns to calm and, ultimately, to
With the body under
control the body.
control, the
important task of controlling the mind follows.
more
controlled and purified, the character can be perfected; then intuition mature, until finally mystical realization
In Buddhist meditation,
The wisdom
outside world.
it is
is
the individual
that enables
one
difficult
and
With one's thoughts
wisdom and
won.
who must
change, not the
to accomplish this should not
be
confused with factual knowledge, such as that acquired by conventional education.
Rational thinking and reasoning can be obstacles to wisdom,
because attainment
Buddha
insisted
is
that
essentially a process of passing
beyond the mind.
knowledge must be tempered with kindness and
understanding; neither knowledge nor compassion alone ensures perfection. In the southern school of Buddhism, the science of meditation has
three principle groups of exercises: (1)
Contemplation
of
the
Four
Sublime
States
of
Mind:
Benevolence, Compassion, Sympathy, and Equanimity. (2)
Practice of the Four Applications of Mindfulness:
exercises involve concentration states of mind,
upon
one's body, one's sensations,
and one's mental conceptions.
These one's
35 f
Absorption in the Material and Immaterial Spheres: The most
(3)
important exercise of
all,
contemplation of four material and
this involves
four immaterial spheres. Meditation on the objects of form results in a state of tranquility within the
mind and the
contemplation
the
involve
of
senses. Meditation
space,
infinite
on formless
unlimited
objects
consciousness,
emptiness, and neither perception nor non-perception.
However, although the word yoga means union with the divine and practice according to the teachings of attaining Nirvana, the
programs offered
physical nature, concentrating physical exercises
Buddha should lead in
yoga classes today are mostly of a
on the health and beauty of the body through
and a vegetarian
diet.
The Yogi
is
so concerned with
he eats because, strangely, he believes that he becomes what he food the
spirit
or soul needs
its
to salvation or
is
eats.
what
But the
not the solid food the body needs for
its
chemical functions. The food of the soul must be of another kind, one that
must be
in
harmony with the
Some
subtle state of the soul.
yogis not only eliminate animal protein
follow an extreme regimen of near starvation.
open on
to those
who
mortify themselves."
1
from
their diets but also
"The gates of heaven
Although
it is
and extraordinary how much control they are able to gain over through severe discipline, of the
body
balanced will
is
diet.
their bodies
not the purpose of meditation.
this is
will not
quite admirable
The
health
very important and one should strive to maintain this through a
However, the training and the maintenance of the body alone
not lead one toward Nirvana. In classes teaching Buddhist meditation,
meditation (known as T.M.), the
method
especially transcendental
of long hours of chanting
is
used for
the purpose of self-discipline and the training of the body and the mind.
The
given words or phrases, which must be repeated continuously, are called mantras. In Concentration, "I
An Approach
to Meditation,
Earnest
Wood
states,
have recently read in one of the Upanishads the recommendation that a
certain 16-syllabled
commentator
mantra should be repeated 35 million times, and one
offers the calculation that
it
can be done in twenty years
rate of about five thousand times each day, or eight times per
hours!"
2
The
idea, according to Earnest
Wood
is:
(1) the
at the
minute for ten
words help
to
keep
36
the
mind on the
effect
object they refer
to,
and
(2) their repetition or
rhythm has an
on the body. However, without going
to such
upon a word, repeating mantras may
an extreme
However,
as a preparatory step toward meditation.
concentration technique in
my
keep the mind fixed
to
serve as a technique for concentration I
would not use such a
because a word stands as a symbol for
classes,
a meaning. That the repeated words are of no significance and are repeated for
rhythm and
task.
I
effect are not reasons
many
find there are so
enough
for devoting long hours to the
more
other techniques of concentration
rewarding and effective than the repetition of meaningless words.
program
In the spring of 1989, a television
that
was broadcasted
San Diego discussing controversial issues regarding T.M. announced the
government of West Germany has issued
in
that
warning of ill effects
leaflets as
caused by T.M.
One "I
am
plus
that."
m.
It
mantra, however, "It is
said that
begins with
supposed
is
Om
is
a, the first articulation
mouth, goes through the middle sound
make, m. A, followed rapidly by
u.
well."
3
u,
forms
goes from the beginning to the end of
meanings of unity as
to
composed of a
we can make
and ends with the o,
all
Historically
Om, meaning
have a meaning:
a unique word, being
in the last
plus u
back of the
sound we can
and thus we have Om. Thus,
articulate sounds I
Om
and includes
all
have not found any record or
evidence of Buddha reciting and repeating mantras.
His meditation took
place in silence.
However, manthras, according "sacred
words" in Zoroastrianism.
Zoroaster, but the term
is
under the same context
in
to
the dictionary
Primarily
also used to refer to
Hinduism.
these all
The usage
of religions,
are
prayers.
are
the gathas
Mantras
of
exist
today, however, does not
have a religious connotation and a form of prayer, but the
utilizing
of
particular
sounds for their effects on the body and concentration,
as
mentioned
earlier by Earnest
Wood.
37
CHAPTER FOUR ENDNOTES 1
Molana Salaheddin
Ali
Nader Angha, the teacher of the school of
Islamic Sufism, Lectures.
Earnest Wood, Concentration, Theosophical Publishing House, Wheaton, 2.
3.
Ibid., p. 129.
An
Approach
Illinois,
to
1949, p. 123.
Meditation,
CHAPTER FIVE THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM IN CHINA AND JAPAN There is much wisdom and most important of all is to achieve life.
Buddhism was introduced
China about A.D.
to
65,
where
it
was
patronized by some emperors, persecuted by others, and flourished in a
number
of sects.
Buddhism penetrated Japan around A.D.
In 1191, the
Zen
first
sect
was founded
Chinese Ch'an, Sanskrit Dhyana, Pali
means meditation.) The because
its
flavor
is
origins of
//zarca
Zen
- in
are as
so peculiarly Chinese,
in Japan.
it
all
55.
(Japanese Zen-na,
four languages, the
much
may be
word
Taoist as Buddhist and, best to inquire into
its
Chinese ancestry.
Three years
of
major role
religions have played a
history.
They
are
Confucianism,
in China's three
Taoism
and
thousand
Buddhism.
Confucianism and Taoism are indigenous to China. They had both been existence for India.
some
five
But even before the
religion (from
in
hundred years before Buddhism was introduced from rise of
Confucianism and Taoism, an earlier
which both Confucianism and Taoism each
in
its
own way
grew) had held sway in China for nearly a thousand years. Religion in China
had thus a history extending over a millennium and a half before
were challenged by a foreign
So powerful was of
Buddhism
to China,
this
its
notions
tradition.
indigenous tradition that, after the introduction
Buddhism became
increasingly Chinese in character.
40
Purely Chinese schools of Buddhism were born. But again, so influential was the
impact
thought and
of Indian
philosophy
that
Buddhism began
and
Confucianism
an
play
to
philosophy. Several schools of
upon Chinese minds and
religion
Taoism
underwent
also
important
increasingly
Buddhism were brought
to
and several more were developed by the Chinese. In
all,
change.
Chinese
in
China from
India,
there were
some
The most
significant
While originating
in certain
thirteen major schools originating from Buddhism.
Chinese contribution was the Ch'an school.
role
teachings of Buddha, Ch'an was, for the most part, the philosophic-religious
Buddhism with a
creation:
distinctly Taoist accent.
philosophy, the Ch'an school transformed practical form.
The Chinese approach
to
Buddhism Buddhism
universal over individual salvation. Historically, fulfillment of long traditions of Indian
much more Chinese than
cultures
culture, but
it is
as the
actually
Zen Buddhism
has rooted
itself
deeply and
in the culture of Japan, as the fruition of all three great
However,
Zen Buddhism
and more
stresses the doctrine of
Zen may be regarded
and Chinese
and as a unique and peculiarly
liberation.
a part of Chinese
Indian.
Since the 12th century,
most creatively
As
to a simpler
as
we
instructive
example of a way to
are about to see, by the time
has shifted a long way from
and powerful doctrines of the Veda,
its
it
reaches Japan,
true source, the magnificent
at the core of
Hinduism.
Zen Buddhism
The Zen understanding from
India's,
This
is
one of the most
Suzuki,
1
of the doctrines of
Buddha
differs
somewhat
mainly because of the simpler approach of Zen. "What difficult
the greatest authority on
according to Suzuki, evades
all
is
Zen?
questions to answer," says Daisetz Teitaro
Zen Buddhism. The
definition
significance of Zen,
and explanation. Zen can not be
converted into ideas and can never be described in logical terms.
Zen
practice
is
derived from the awakening experience of Buddha,
which took place suddenly one night as he
sat
after seven years of meditation in the forest.
and
all
verbal doctrine
experience
itself.
is
Buddha
under the Bodhi Tree
This event
is
at
Gaya
the height of Zen,
secondary to the wordless transmission of the is
said to have transmitted this
awakening
to his
41
chief disciple, Mahakasyapa, by holding
up a flower and remaining
silent.
"Thus from the standpoint of Zen," says Alan Watts, "Buddha never spoke a word," despite the volumes of scriptures attributed to him.
Buddha's real
message always remained unspoken because words could never explain them." 2
Zen
has a famous saying:
Those who know do not speakthose who speak do not know. This "noble silence," along with the Four Noble Truths (listed in ch. 4),
summarize Buddha's doctrines according
mistrusts the intellect
Zen
suggests a
kind of slavery,
new
rely
on
to
Zen
traditional
practitioners.
Zen
methods of reasoning.
point of view; seeing conventional ways of thinking as a
Zen masters urge
practitioners there logic.
and does not
is
"A flower is not
no
red,
Zen awakening
nor
is
the willow green.
occurs
To
us to break away from logic.
logic in the actual living of
life,
for life
is
the
Zen
superior to
"4
immediately and
instantaneously
without
passing through preparatory stages. Nirvana cannot be approached by stages,
by the slow process of the accumulation of knowledge, but must be realized in a single flash of insight; in Japanese, the
"sudden awakening."
word of the experience
Zen emphasizes immediacy and
No
is satori,
naturalness:
thought, no reflection, no analysis
No
cultivation, let
Zen communication
is
it
no intention,
settle itself.
5
always "direct pointing":
Outside teaching; apart from tradition.
Not founded on words and
letters.
Pointing directly to the human mind. Seeing into one's nature and attaining Buddhahood. 6
The practice of Zen, however, is not a means to the end of awakening. The practice of Zen is not the true practice as long as it has an end in view, because to practice with an end in view is to have one eye on the practice and the other on the end, indicating lack of concentration and lack of sincerity. Zen practitioners claim that one does not practice Zen to become a Buddha. One practices it because one is a Buddha from the beginning and this original realization is the starting point of
Zen
life.
Zen
experience does not imply any specific course of action, but turns
without hesitation to anything that presents
itself to
be a
state of
mind
42
functioning without blocks, conflicts, or alternatives. consists of confronting the
without stopping to deliberate and choose.
must follow with the immediacy of sound are clapped or of sparks from a match
Koans are puzzles or
Much
of
Zen
dilemmas the student must learn
The response
issuing
when
training
to handle
to the situation
from the hands when they
struck.
These are called koans.
questions, which are intentionally misleading.
Koans as a whole are called wisteria vines or entanglements and particular groups are cunning barriers (kikan) and hard to Zen student does not really know Zen penetrate (nanto). unless he discovers it for himself. The Chinese proverb, "What comes in through the gate is not family treasure," is understood in Zen to mean that what someone else tells you is not your own knowledge. Satori comes only after one has exhausted one's thinking, only when one is convinced that the mind
A
cannot grasp
itself.
basic position of Zen is that it has nothing to say, nothing to teach, because the truth of Buddhism is so selfevident that it is, if anything, concealed by explaining it. Therefore, the master does not "help" the student in any way, since helping would actually be hindering. On the contrary, he goes out of his way to put obstacles and barriers in the student's path. The preliminary koan begins, therefore, to obstruct the student by sending him off in the direction exactly opposite from that in which he should look. The student is, in fact, encouraged to make a total fool of himself, to whirl around and around like a dog trying to catch up with its own tail.
The
Meditation Hall
The Western student might be today in Japan.
He will
find that
Zen
is
startled by
monastic
Zen
enforced with the big
as
it
exists
stick, involving
a disciplinary regimen somewhat similar to the old-fashioned British public school system.
Much importance is attached to the physical posture of Za-zen. The monks sit on firmly padded cushions with legs crossed and feet soles-upward upon the thighs. The hands rest upon the lap, and left over the right, with palms upward, and thumbs touching one another. The body is held erect, and the eyes are left open so that their gaze falls upon the floor a few feet ahead. While monks are thus seated, two attendants walk slowly back and forth along the floor between the platforms, each carrying a Svarning stick.' As soon as they see a monk
43
going to sleep or sitting in an incorrect posture, they stop before him and beat him on the shoulders.
The usual first koan is called: Original Face. At first, the student is told to discover his Original Face, as it was before He is told to return his father and mother conceived him. when he has discovered it, and to give some proof of discovery. In the meantime, he is under no circumstances to discuss the problem with others or to seek their help. As soon as he is told how to sit by the head monk, he starts to seek the proper view of his koan. Pondering the problem of his Original Face, he tries and tries to imagine what he was before he was born, or, for that matter, what he now is at the very center of his being, what is the basic reality of his existence apart from his extension in time and space. He soon discovers that the teacher has no patience whatever with philosophical or other wordy answers. He wants to be shown. He wants something concrete, some solid proof. The student therefore starts to produce such "specimens of reality" as lumps of rock, leaves, and branches, shouts, gestures of the hands - anything and everything he can imagine. But all is resolutely rejected until the student, unable to imagine anything more, reaches the conclusion finally that he does not know.
At this stage, the student is now ready to begin his Zen training in earnest. It is not quite the paradox it seems to say that Zen training can begin only when it has been finished. For this is the basic principle, that awakening is not truly attained unless it also implies the life of Buddhahood, the manifestation of the marvelous use of Void. At this point, the teacher begins to present the student with koans that ask for impossible feats of action or judgment. "Stop the ship on the distant ocean. " Tokyo out of your sleeve. 10
Zen
is
with a thorn,
Take the four
divisions of
just a trick of words; as with the principle of extracting a
Zen
is
extricating people
from the tangle
landed themselves by confusing words with ideas and
in
reality.
"The continued practice of Za-Zen now provides the student with a clear, unobstructed mind into which he can toss the koan like a pebble into a pool and simply watch to see what his mind does with it.
As the work goes on, crucial koan alternate with subsidiary koan, which explore the implication of the former, and give the student a thorough working acquaintance with every theme in the Buddhist view of the universe, presenting the whole body of understanding in such a way that he knows it in his bones and nerves. By such means, he learns to respond with it instantly and unwaveringly in the situations of everyday life.
11
thorn
which they have
44
Finally, this energetic use of
exhausting the strength of egoistic not.
It
must be meaningless, any assertion as
my being must The
is
to
as a
means of
know what
reality
is
Just as every assertion about the basic substance or energy or
whatsoever. reality
"Awakening
cease identifying oneself with any object of knowledge
to
is
koan can be considered
will.
also be the height of folly."
following
poem
what / am
to
at the very roots of
12
translated from "Ikkyu's Doka,"
The Young
East,
says:
We eat,
excrete, sleep,
This All
is
we have is
Some Zen opponents extreme
may
side.
and get up;
our world.
to do after that13 to die.
find the discipline too vigorous and
be a good idea for one
who
lives in a monastery, but
how
continuously faced with challenges and
state of
how can one be
wandering mind
merely wanders
worthy
is
Others
in the street
Void
who
is
turn to
in
I
am at the roots
I
look
Zen
life,
state, like a
who
boat drifting
impractical or undesirable for most of us.
find
am
of my being
I,"
Zen is
Zen
is
incapable of answering their
and "What offers
life.
disciplines for the purpose of
is
no goal
the purpose of life?" at all
the height of folly to
and claims that
want
to find out."
as an interesting technique for realizing that in the face
of the absolute existence, one
is
ignorant; that neither logic nor reasoning can
explain, for example, one's Original Face, what one
The
is
decisions? In
be a healthy one? a person
such a
Zen and other such
are disappointed to find that
at
make
a principle that cannot be applied to everyday
self-discovery and direction in
"What
may
may be
most important questions: "Who
They
obliged to
absolutely sure, once one lets go of logic, that the in the
aimlessly upon the water but that
How
is
could this
where one
principle be applied to our day-to day living in a city,
addition,
on the
Others argue that to become free from the confines of logic
was before conception.
stage of reaching one's ignorance and understanding the limits of our
logic and reasoning
is
a very important stage in
one's mental and reasoning power, what then?
itself.
Is
But when one exhausts
knowledge impossible? To
45
arrive at ignorance
does not
know
is
is fine,
When
knowledge.
but
it
cannot be an end. In
fact, realizing that
perhaps an early stage (perhaps the ignorance
is
reached
it
one
stage) toward
first
must then be replaced by
knowledge, the same way the emptiness and the state of Void must be replaced.
The mind cannot
and seems incomplete and Sufism teaches that
wisdom and knowledge LIFE. or
We
pitiful,
do not need
we need
yet
stay in a state of Void.
in
life is full
to achieve, to retreat
of love, beauty,
taken too
literally
and Eternal
life
up
and
The
all is
it is
cast
is
much
to achieve
not sorrowful
some
flight of
light
upon
Buddha
not unusual to find
It is
been
in the mountains, as are convents
many Buddhist
and monasteries.
But instead of retreating from the world, we need to understand that passing, that
we cannot become
material world all
is
attached to
but a road on which
our desires and treasures behind,
we
it
and
settle eternally in
are passing. Surely as
is it
into
temporary pleasures in order
life's
Life; unfortunately, his action has
through the ages.
'retreat centers' high
and hope. There
from the world, because
to find a definite goal in
was a symbol of forsaking
to seek Eternal Bliss
has a lack of purpose
and most important of
the darkness of confusion and aimless wandering.
the wilderness
Zen
need of much explanation.
we
it.
it
is
The
will leave
not best to detach ourselves from
worldly treasures and try to acquire that which
we can keep
forever?
Does
not hiding from the world give away our weakness to temptation?
The eminent Imam
of Islam, Hazrat Ali, explains this in Nahjul-
Balagha: Verily this world is a house of truth for those who look into it deeply and carefully, an abode of peace and rest for those who understand its ways and moods, and it is the best working ground for those who want to procure rewards for life hereafter. It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for friends of God and angels. It is the place where Prophets receive revelations of the Lord. It is the place for virtuous people and saints to do good deeds and to be assigned rewards for the same; only in this world they could trade with God's Favors and Blessings and only while living here they could barter their good deeds, with His Blessing and Reward. Where else could all this
be done? 14
Strength
lies
not in hiding from the temptations of the material world,
but in understanding and withstanding them.
Solitude
is
thus explained by
46
Mohammad
Hazrat Mir Ghotbeddin heart,
and that
Angha:
where he should take
is
"The sanctuary of
refuge.
This does not
should separate himself from the society, but that he should
men
but not to partake of their bad habits.
For an individual may
solitude.
thoughts. Such a person
The wilderness
is
live
is
his
that
he
amongst
all
what the
Sufis call
alone but be engaged in numerous
not called solitary." 15
is
to
sit
This
man
mean
which one must retreat
is
within the heart, thus
detaching oneself from the heavy loads and bonds of earthly desires and attachments. for
him
The
to use,
Sufi believes in comfort but not in ownership.
and
to
make
his life
more comfortable, those
Things are
things belong to
him, and not the other way around, he does not belong to things.
Once
Shah Maghsoud
the great Sufi Master Hazrat
not feel an ownership even toward this shirt on eternity
is
after the eternal
metal that shines
is
and
everlasting.
my
He knows
gold, thus distinguishing the real
never tempted by the
false.
"I
do
The seeker
of
said to
back!"
me:
that not every yellow
from the
false,
His treasures are stored elsewhere.
and
is
According
to the teachings of Jesus,
Do
not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 7:19-21)
How darkness can
we
can
we
appreciate light?
appreciate and
The Light
Only when we have experienced
know light.
of truth shines through the pinhole of hearts, but hearts are beset with transient temptations and desires. 16
47
CHAPTER FIVE ENDNOTES 1.
D. T. Suzuki, Essays in Zen Buddhism, Grove Press St., New York, NY, 10014 1985, p. 267.
Inc.,
196 West
Houston 2.
Alan W. Watts, The Way of Zen, Random House,
New York,
1957, p.
45. 3.
Ibid., p. 77.
4.
Suzuki, p. 272
5.
Watts, p. 79.
6.
Ibid., p. 88.
7.
Ibid., p. 154.
8.
Ibid., pp. 163-4.
9.
Ibid., pp. 156-7.
10.
Ibid., pp. 164-6.
11.
Ibid., p. 167.
12.
Ibid., p. 171.
13.
Ibid., p. 162.
14.
Hazrat
Ali,
Seyed Jafery,
trans.,
Nahjul Balagha, Elmhurst,
New York,
1978, saying 130, p. 207. 15. Hazrat Mir Ghotbeddin Mohammad Angha, 40th Sufi Master of Oveyssi School of Sufism, The Light of Salvation, University Press of America Inc., 1978, p. 84.
16.
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Message from the Soul,
University Press of America
Inc., 1986, p. 39.
CHAPTER SIX JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY For God alone
my soul waits
in silence.
The Holy Bible (Psalm 62:1)
The
history of religion can
be used as a metaphor for every
journey toward self-discovery. Buddha's path to truth. to
When Buddha
he
talks of suffering,
is
only the
is
pointing not to
first
step
soul's
on the way
life itself,
the bondage of desires and attachments that cause suffering.
abandonment of wealth and rank lust
and endless
what comes
desires; thus
after the
liberated
us farther along the path.
him from those attachments, from
he reached the stage he called freedom.
abandonment of
but
His
physical attachment?
But
Judaism takes
Freed from worldly attachments, the soul
thirsts
for knowledge.
Judaism gave instruction
us,
spoke with Him.
Moses went
the Promised Land, giving
God of
is
for
the
first
and guidance from God. to his
them
time
God
in
religious
history,
direct
spoke with Moses, and Moses
wandering people with the message of
direction to follow.
Direct guidance from
the stage that follows the aimless wandering, the void and emptiness
Buddhism covered
The Lord
When Moses'
in previous chapters.
also gave
Moses
instructions to build the temple of worship.
rebellious people preferred to worship idols
gave Moses the Ten
Commandments
to bring
down
made
to them.
of gold,
God
50
Then, as God finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18)
Mediate upon
all
I have given you today, and pass These laws are not mere words; they
the laws
them on
to your children.
are your
life.
(Deuteronomy 32:46)
The
religion of Moses, for the
words and theory
most
part,
remained among the Jews
as
The commandments of God announced by Moses
only.
remained on stone for they were only heard, never contemplated nor acted
Those laws were turned
upon.
from generation
to generation
into
and
many
traditions,
their reality
and were passed on
lost
among
traditional
may
not see
me
was
ceremonies.
God never revealed his face to Moses, You may not see the glory of my face, and
saying, for man
live.
(Exodus 33:21)
To
witness
God
at this stage,
comes with the message
Christ
after a spiritual rebirth,
is
not possible.
possible to witness
it is
which he explained
man be born
Except a
that
Judaism,
Later, Jesus
God, but only
in his preaching.
again, he cannot see the
kingdom of
God. (John 3:3)
With the next stage of Christ,
who
religion
points to the heart of
kingdom of God," he
man and
spiritual calls
it
in the
heaven.
it
tabernacle
written on stone, were
first
growth comes Jesus "Seek
first
the
This time, the temple of worship was to be
taught.
found within; no longer was
commandments,
and
now
made
to
of wood.
be written
The
in hearts.
According to the teachings of Jesus Christ the place of worship, as well as the
kingdom of heaven,
is
nowhere but
within.
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or God is within you.
Lo
there! for, behold, the
kingdom of
(Luke 17:20-21) Jesus spoke of
make
God
as "His Father in heaven," saying that each of us can
direct contact with
God
through him, Christ the Savior.
51
No one knows the
Son wishes
the Father except the to reveal him.
Son and anyone
to
whom
(Matthew 11:28)
And
Jesus insists on inner transformation via meditation through the
temple within the heart.
Do
you not know that you are God's temple and that God's dwells in you?...For God's temple is holy and that temple
spirit
you
are.
(Corinthians 3:16-17)
Throughout the whole Judeo-Christian tradition the temple place where
chamber.
man
The
goes to worship the Lord
who
real significance of the temple, as
is
the
dwells in the innermost
was mentioned,
is
not a
physical building or a place of worship, but the temple within each person.
The God who made
the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything...He is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:24-28)
When you pray, to your Father
go into your room and shut the door and pray
who
is
in secret.
(Matthew Scriptural witness to meditation, however, pervades both the
and the Gospels. For For
6:6)
Old testament
instance, the Psalms read:
God alone my
soul waits in silence.
(Psalm 62:1)
commune my spirit. I
with
my
heart in the night;
I
meditate and search
(Psalm 77:6) of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
Let
my words
O
May my
meditation be pleasing to him, for
rejoice in the
I
Lord.
(Psalm 104:34) Originally, Christian teachings (before they
dogmatized by various Christian
became
institutions) focused
sleep through the light shed by inner wisdom.
Awake, thou
that sleepest
and
Jesus Christ gives the message,
arise
externalized and
on awakening from
from the dead.
52
Knock and
the door will be opened.
The realm
lying
(Ephesians 5:14)
behind the door
is
yet another stage represented by
the Messenger that proceeds Jesus Christ; the key to the door, however, the holy hands of
Mohammad,
the temple within, that one
The Koran
the prophet of Islam.
is
in
only after entering
It is
reborn and thus acquires eternal knowledge.
is
says:
Do
they not travel through the land, so that their hearts thus learn wisdom; and their ears may thus learn to hear?
may
Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their Hearts which are in their breasts. (Surah XXII 48)
And God knows
all
that
is
in
your hearts.
(Koran XXXIII 51)
He who
It is
sent
down
Tranquility into Hearts.
(Koran 48:5)
Beyond the that goal
is
unity with our identity, the
bliss that lies
the
limited understanding of the senses,
God
within.
The
Sufis
bliss brings fulfillment
and wisdom, and
practice of religion, which
is
me know myself,
Realization of this
heart.
only achieved through the true
is
self-knowledge through meditation.
Lord, and
I
shall
know
thee. (St.
No one
Augustine)
can be saved without self-knowledge. (St.
The above during the
first
like
Bernard)
quotations reveal that in the long line of Christian sages
few centuries A.D., the practice of meditation was more
essential than verbal prayer
However,
a goal and
speak of the
within the heart of man, a bliss that can never be acquired by
mind and grasped by anything other than the
Let
we have
and was practiced regularly
Judaism, Christianity has also become
religious ceremonies,
and self-knowledge
is
in the monasteries.
lost in tradition
no longer an
issue,
and
although the
meditative tradition at one time dominated early Christianity in the Middle East. St.
Anthony established a school of systematic meditation
on a mountain now
in
A.D. 310,
called St. Anthony, 65 miles south of Cairo.
Another monastery, the monastery of Tabenna in upper Egypt, was founded by Paul in A.D. 300. In all, there were approximately five thousand monks practicing meditation and austerity in the desert of Nitra, or the Nitron Valley in Egypt,
53
around that time. During the second half of the fourth century, a large number of ascetics lived near Cairo. Christianity began to replace the myths and gods of Egypt, and the sign of the 1 cross was often seen instead of the ancient symbols. Unfortunately, in spite of the meditations of Jesus and the importance of meditation given in his teachings, Western Christianity has never seriously
absorbed the genuine meditative tradition.
However, meditation Religion has one Message:
is
the true practice and experience of religion.
"Know
Sufism.
Yet the
religion,
Know
That experience
missing. If
I
suggested earlier, there
and acquiring the goal of
the
for
is
of different
existence
is
opinions
and
because the actual experience of Truth
meditation.
the theory of religion were combined with the practice and with the
help of the right guide or teacher, there would be no such confusion. great teacher of
of his
is
are Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity,
interpretations of religion and faith is
As
according to the doctrines of Islamic
different stages of understanding
thyself,
The reason
and Islam.
thyself."
God
only one religion and only one
own
man
ever spoke
experience.
strictly as
Theoretical knowledge alone
the scent, like words on a
menu
In response to a learned
instead of food
man who
No
a theorist; each gave the message
on a
is
like a rose
without
plate.
asked Abu-Hanifa, Wliat shall I do
now?, he replied, Practice what you have learned, for theory without practice like
a body without
knowledge
made
is
spirit.
2
There
is
no knowledge without
the product of action and
is
is
action, since
brought forth and developed and
profitable by the blessings of action.
The two
be
things cannot
divorced in any way, just as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the
sun
Therefore, what words describe in the most beautiful poetical
itself.
scriptures remains to
The wisdom
is
be discovered by us through meditation.
difference between knowledge and
wisdom
in religion
born of experience gained by applied knowledge.
important as the theory of religion to find the
wisdom
is,
theory alone
that lies hidden in the heart,
is
is
that
Therefore, as
Our
worthless.
and theory alone
goal
is
will not
lead us there.
The
difference between religion and theology
merely a system of speculation of the unseen, whereas
is
that theology
religion
is
is
experience.
54
The
artist's
ideal
is
beauty, the scientist's
goodness. Religion combines
Every creative act
all
is
truth,
three and wants to
and the moralist's
make
is
us aware of unity.
in science, art, or religion involves a
new innocence
of perception liberated from the contract of accepted beliefs. In this spirit of
innocence, the true scientist looks at the world with young eyes, as seeing
it
for the first time.
He
is
delighted
if this
new vision opens
if
he were
the
way
to
a theory or a discovery that upsets the very laws of science on which he has
been
raised.
The most encouraged
and
its
vital religion
would be one
to report these truths so that all
discoveries.
What
only take place
open ourselves
if
may
a religious flowering
we break away from
how we can
at all,
but that
heart and soul and mind,
benefit, as a scientist does with his
we would
have!
the prejudices
However,
this will
we have formed and
actually
happens when we meditate. is
to learn
how
to
Two, we
will
be concerned with
use meditation in our day-to-day
chapters
cope with
CHAPTER 1.
had no creed
all his
to the truth.
In the succeeding chapters, Part healing and
that
believer to seek the truth with
Rev. Lawrence Bouldin,
et
The
life,
crucial goal of the next
few
stress via meditation.
SIX al.,
Publishers, Honesdale, Pennsylvania, p.
ENDNOTES Meditation in Christianity, Himalaya 7.
Ali Bin Uthman, Kashf-Al-Mahjub, translated by Reynold Niholson, Islamic Book Foundation, Samanabad, Lahore, 1976, p. 95. 2.
self-
and what
A.
PART TWO
CHAPTER SEVEN STRESS
Man
and along the path of life a stranger even to the moments of his own life. In this journey without return, the sorrow of desires will wither the freshness of his face as he takes steps towards the unknown, pledged between his past and future searching for the lost songs long hidden in his soul. he
lives alone,
is to all,
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh
Angha
In the previous chapters the close relationship between religion and
the state of meditation was explained.
Again, behind the empty words and
habitual traditions there existed a message preached by
"Know
thyself."
was brought
This truth, hidden or even lost
among
all
the Prophets:
many ornaments,
to the light.
Self-awareness, the superior goal of religion, starts
so
is
a journey within, which
with awakening and hearing the message of love through the heart.
This takes place by means of meditation. At that time one
is
able to ascend
the ladder of spiritual perfection that finally leads to self-awareness.
"Open your hidden eyes and come, return your
you
own
will
2
says Jalal
to the root of the root of
al-Din Rumi, the great Persian Sufi poet.
"When
hear the voice of a friend on that lonely night, you will be delivered
from the and
self,"
striking of the serpents
ants,"
common
in
and the fear of
ants."
3
The words
"serpents
Persian literature, refer to the mortality of the body
and represent a rather morbid but descriptive image of the body being
58
Man
consumed by animals.
lives in constant fear of
surrenders himself to the world around
"What seldom
at
is
him and
such an end, and yet
to the rule of the jungle.
man?" asks Nietzsche, "A knot of savage serpents
that are
peace among themselves -thus they go forth alone and seek prey
in the world."
4
First let's try to define
man.
potentials? Science describes
man
perspective, but
Who in
is
man? What
are his abilities and
terms of his physiology with a chemical
would that be a true definition?
Who
is
man? The
cousin of
apes evolved from primal ooze to superman or a being unique in cosmic
The dweller
history?
man? The
Or
the prince of peace? Judas or Jesus?
How can we know what man is? How can we humanity"? life,
even
relative it
all
We may be
seems,
we
the mysteries
unknown
when we
from the
to us, not by escaping
search for the meaning of
we
discover the "mystery of
able to discover our true nature, and the purpose of
world but by a complete acceptance of
without purpose:
Who is
in Plato's cave, or the witness of divine visions?
inventor of war?
life
its
only
finite
and
limitations. Paradoxical as
when we have seen
that
it is
search for and discover the mystery of humanity only
are convinced that
we know nothing about
it
at all.
The wise knows that he does not know, The foolish does not. Those aware of their poverty those aware of their loss
And
The reason why point
is
As a
seek and
find.
the materialist and the relativist
because they use limited tools to
of man.
shall receive riches. shall
result of trying to
fail to
try to discover the
reach
this
unlimited reality
measure the ocean with the help of a spoon,
they soon abandon faith and openness, and allow their minds to harden into doctrine.
The man who has been helpless victim of stress. to reach them,
confront the
created in the image of
God
is
today the
Quite unaware of his natural resources and unable
he uses a certain amount of adaptive energy he has to
modern everyday
conflicts.
resources and the potential that
source and relieve himself at
last
lies
Why
is
he so ignorant of
within him?
of stress?
How
his natural
can he reach that
59
The connected
recognition of man's potential, the natural energy supply he
and
to,
and enable him
its
activation
and assembly through meditation
own
to take part in his
desirable to himself and to those
fate,
who surround
is
will fortify
creating an environment
him. This and more will be
the subject of the succeeding chapters that explain "self-healing," an effective stress
own
management
technique.
The
Sufi believes:
"Man is
the architect of his
environment." 6
The stress
social
and economic structure of modern
today than ever before in
too great to bear, and yet
them on a
some
human
history.
feel they
life
has created more
Burdens are sometimes
just
have no other choice but to accept
component about which they can do
daily basis simply as a fixed
little.
Let us consider some general sources of stress (or stressors, as psychologists call
and overcrowded
Environmental stressors include
it).
living conditions.
air,
noise pollution,
Other stressors are the constant sense of
time urgency, deadline pressures on the job, the feeling of almost always running out of time, that twenty-four hours in one day
Other psychological
home, a need
relationships that
that
just not sufficient.
may
at
involve a problem child, a mate, a friend, or a boss. In
go to the gas station or the market
to wait in long lines or deal with traffic, are but a
one might have
While
work or
to prove oneself all the time, or having to deal with difficult
fact every small task, such as having to
and having
is
stressors are the sense of competition at
to face
on a
stress has always
few
stressors
daily basis.
been a basic part of human
changed considerably during the
last
life, lifestyles
simple.
"Think about
this picture," says
have
two centuries and are no longer as
Dr. Jackie Swartz.
People slept beneath homemade quilts, awakening naturally at the first sounds of morning, rising with the dawn. They dressed
made of natural fibers, perhaps homespun. They had definite jobs to do, maybe the same work their parents had done before them. Their food was homegrown, and if they didn't grow all their food themselves, they bartered with a neighbor, perhaps swapping eggs for corn. Older and younger family members lived together, and children had a feeling of security and identity. There was a lot of caring expressed between the simply in preparation for their day's work in clothes
60
generations. There weren't any telephones or automobiles, and timepieces were scarce. And, of course, there weren't many interruptions in their lives; their days were relatively predictable. Everyone worked hard because heavy physical lot of labor was often a necessary part of their work. physical exercise, like chopping wood and beating rugs, was a regular part of their lives. At the end of the day, their work was done. Because fuel was regarded as a precious commodity, they went to bed not long after sunset. They slept soundly, naturally, restoring their bodies. Others didn't expect any more of them. Certainly, life was far from perfect then. But there were fewer sources of stress, and people were better equipped to handle the stress that is a part of everyday life. Contrast this scene with life today. Now, most people are packed into densely populated areas, living and sleeping They are scant yards from others they don't even know. awakened by a mechanical alarm, the first of many mechanical devices that influence or even govern their daily lives. They dress in clothes that are usually made of synthetic materials. Breakfast is often something out of a package, washed down with instant coffee and imitation orange juice. Then they either hop into a metal and glass 'isolation tank' or cram into a subway, bus, or commuter train to be transported to work, which is often far from where they live. This daily ritual stirs their competitive and survival senses as they struggle through heavy traffic or contend with crowds of others heading for work. By this time they're fighting the clock, fighting for their own safety zone, alert to dangers that may slow them down or impinge on their space. 7
A
Because of the development of technology,
bombarded with many
stressors.
more complicated, human beings they try to adjust.
As
life
find themselves
At work, they have
machinery, and often without any computer-like character has to
becomes
under a
to function as fast
rest.
become
meet the needs of loved ones. One may
men and women
in big cities
At home, the soft,
lot of
and fast
faster
pressure as
efficiently as
and
efficient
tender and loving in order to
feel the
need
to
be an understanding
spouse, a loving parent, or an ideal daughter or son, and as a result be
with no time for oneself to rest from the pressures of the day.
remaining time
may be
adventure shows distressing
full
are
and
left
Instead, the
spent in front of the television, watching mindless
of crime and violence, followed by the generally
news program
in
which news of childabuse, homicide, crime,
incurable diseases, worldwide social and political uncertainties and turmoil that
one can not do anything about are reported. With no other choice but
61 f
the acceptance of one's feeling of helplessness and hopelessness, the day
over and one retires to bed.
Even though our energy
because most people do not know how to raise
it,
is
level stays the same,
the negative effect of
stressors are dramatically increased.
While the family unit was strong stressor
single parenting.
Another
stressor
is
competition for
as partners
common modern men
and companions, they are
a circumstance that leads not only to individualism
rights,
Having
but to the necessity of bearing of pressures alone.
much
a
the present relationship between
and women. Instead of acting together in
thirty years ago,
the breakup of the family and, consequently, the pressures of
is
stress in a society that
is
to
cope with so
geared toward individualism rather than
toward the establishment of family
ties
and family bonds requires a
level of
strength that not every individual has.
In 1986, the
American Association
held a convention in
for Counseling
downtown Los Angeles where
workshop. At the convention
I
I
and Development
was conducting a
also attended a lecture given by
stress
Alex Haley,
the author of Roots. Haley emphasized "the importance of preserving family
bonds and the importance of grandparents to grandchildren." however, that the lack of love, attention, and support in the
people
many
may
who come from
'broken homes' causes
to seek outside help
explain
and
why people choose
relief.
much
Four major especially
the
evident,
many
and forces
suffering,
Such a lack of a sense of belonging
to join groups such as the cult of
where the members were robbed not only of wealth but of
may seek temporary
It is
lives of so
relief in drugs
and alcohol.
stress-related
disorders
have
that
life,
Jim Jones,
or
recently
why
they
become
prominent in the U.S., Western Europe, and Japan according to
latest
research
respiratory diseases.
are
cardiovascular
diseases,
These are described as the
cancer,
arthritis,
and
afflictions of civilization that
are most prevalent in the sophisticated, developed areas of the world.
Diet,
environmental contamination, and especially the increased psychosocial stress of post-industrial societies are
their
considered major contributing factors in
development.
Most standard medical textbooks percent of
all
attribute
anywhere from 50
disease to psychosomatic or stress-related origins.
to 80
Another
62
alarming
statistic is
that 30 million
Americans
from
suffer
stress-related
sleep-onset insomnia.
The most common signs of
damage
pounding
heartbeat,
concentration,
negative stress reactions serve as early warning
to the body.
They include
forgetfulness,
tightness in the chest, rapid or in
difficulty
irritability,
upset stomach,
lack
asleep,
falling
tightness
in
the
of
neck and
shoulders, nagging headaches, dry mouth, sweaty palms, clenched jaws, back
pain and pain in other areas in the body that are more vulnerable to
Exposure to stressors focuses the contract and
become very
on the body, so
stress
tense, causing pain
feeling of exhaustion. In this state,
when
stress.
that the muscles
and discomfort and a constant
faced with a
crisis,
one
is
not able to
think clearly but tends to panic instead.
As
stress continues to build,
more damage
signs appear:
patience, constant stomach pains, thumping heart sounds,
smoking or drinking. As the
lack of
and increased
accumulate over long periods,
effects of stress
The
negative stress eventually depletes one's supply of adaptive energy. usual outcome
is illness,
including migraine headaches, ulcers, high blood
pressure, alcoholism, drug addiction, asthma and heart disease.
Experiments have shown that experimentally induced psychological stress may 'tax' the heart and circulatory system, may decrease the clotting time of the blood, inhibit certain aspects of the immune response, disturb gastric conditions, and cause urinary difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and hormonal problems. Both the acute alarm reaction and the more prolonged stress reaction may contribute significantly to the development and course of mental illness. 8 Stress reactions,
times a day.
even violent ones, can occur anywhere from 10
Medical theory suggests that excessive
stress
anxiety play a leading role in disease and emotional illness. identified the
overwhelming cost of treating
stress; the
Statistics
high cost
to
is
discovered,
be done, and procedures are very Stress
reaction to
is
it is
costly
not obvious that there
and
cause;
it is
is
have
In the
anything
frustrating.
not synonymous with anxiety or tension.
some unknown
50
because
is
the medical profession has a hard time defining the cause of stress.
few cases when the cause
to
and consequent
often our body's
Anxiety
first
is
a fear
response to any
63
sudden change. Tension, on the other hand,
is
the contraction of tightening
of the muscles, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
Emotional responses physical reactions
we
and worry are linked
to fear, anger,
Some
associate with stress.
example of a positive stressor may be preparing for a marriage. stressor
is
to
do a
Simply when we are labeling a situation as a "problem,"
are in fact producing for ourselves an unpleasant stressor. react to a stressor, pleasant or unpleasant, stress
is
the
sum
we
are adapting to
we
Each time we
some change.
of the adaptive changes that our body
help us adjust to various social or environmental situations.
an
A negative
we have
a death in the family, for example. In each case,
lot of adjusting.
Therefore
to the
stressors are positive;
It is
makes
to
analogous to
temperature change; we respond to heat as we respond to cold. In the same way,
we respond Hans
to positive
Selye,
demands
an authority on
as well as negative ones.
stress, explains
how
his discovery of stress
arose from a very simple set of observations.
As
a medical student, he noted that people show a characteristic fatigue and general discomfort when they are sick; in addition, this general state may arise not only during illness but also after any demanding physical or emotional event. Intrigued by these early observations, Selye began research to identify this consistent physiological response to
demanding circumstances.
He found that a sudden change in temperature, a bacterial infection, a loud noise or a great surprise can all trigger the same system of bodily defenses. Selye called this non-specific reaction to any demanding circumstance stress. Whenever an event triggers this reaction, that event may be termed
a
stressor.
The General Adaptation Syndrome
(G.A.S.), Selye's medical term for stress, develops in three the alarm reaction, the stage of resistance, and the stages: stage of exhaustion. The initial alarm reaction is generated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems working together. These subsystems adjust bodily functions to meet the stressor. The sympathetic system stimulates the adrenal glands Simultaneously the hypothalamus to produce adrenaline. activates a pattern of hormone release from the pituitary gland. Through its hormonal signals, this master gland regulates the In general somatic defenses of the adaptation reaction. resisting disease or real dangers, these operations are lifesaving. During the second phase of G.A.S., certain of the body's neural and endocrine reactions persist until the stressful situation has abated.
64
The expenditure of energy and
vital bodily
resources in
to the third phase of G.A.S., the exhaustion of the individual. This fatigue persists until the body can gain deep rest and replenish itself. If the body does
the
first
two stages then leads
not receive rest sufficient to restore
its
equilibrium, stress
becomes a chronic condition that gradually destroys physical and emotional well-being. Not only physical stressors but also strong emotions can increase adrenaline production. The organism experiences this state of alarm as preparedness for fight or flight. Although the behavioral components of the fight or flight syndrome may be suppressed or modified, however, a person cannot suppress the attendant biochemical consequences. Doctors are studying the biochemical basis of anxiety and anxiety neurosis. The neurotic reacts with fear out of proportion to the situation. In such people, information processed by the cortical and limbic centers appears to activate the G.A.S., inappropriately, leading to increased adrenaline production. The biochemical changes of the alarm or fight/flight reaction include the release from the body's fat deposits of free fatty acids to be used as fuel for the coming expenditure of energy. Increase in the amount of fats present in the High bloodstream contributes to coronary disease. concentration of fatty acids in the blood is associated with high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Hypertension, a chronic condition in which psychic stressors apparently play an important role, is the most common of all the circulatory disorders. Today close to 24 million suffer from it, and 700,000 Americans die each year from heart disease. 9
In a society that
is
very
much
stress-oriented,
we must
learn to
develop the means to moderate the negative effects of stress on our physical as well
as
aggression
success,
Models of behavior
our psychological well-being.
admired -including ambition,
and
the
appearance
busy -nevertheless contribute to a high level of passes
many people
their lives
religion
so
are realizing that this
is
for this reason that
being
feel that life
for spiritual
people are looking for new values in
life,
as times
and
fulfillment.
are turning toward
does not have to be
The widespread human-potential and
movements and a renewed search
constantly
However,
to happiness
more and more people
and meditative techniques. Some
complicated.
of stress.
are
financial
not the way they want to spend
and are looking for other approaches
It is
that
extreme goal orientation,
drive,
self-exploration
growth seem to indicate that
rather than those designed by
modern everyday
life.
For most people, lives in
them cope with the pressures of
society, or simply values to help
it
not possible to
is
order to eliminate the sources of
make a major change
stress, since to
divorce, a change of job, friends, environment, philosophy,
Not many people are strong enough or others, or willing to give
up the
free
in their
do so might involve a and even
goals.
enough of commitments
to
Therefore,
security of a place or a job.
instead of finding solutions, most people turn to alcohol and drugs.
Unfortunately, drugs can be addictive. They may hide stress responses for a limited time, but they do not train one to prevent the situation from arising again. Drugs make one dependent, not independent.
For the
common
of simple
disorder
alarming number of prescribed each year.
nervous tension, an
and
barbiturates are indicated 144 million new prescriptions are written each year for psychotropic drugs, including anti-depressants, minor and major tranquilizers. Millions of Americans are virtually on drug maintenance for alleviation of nervous tension, and spend a great part of their waking activity in a sedative state. 10 tranquilizers
A recent
statistics
In spite of their vast use, these drugs do not
seem
to provide a cure.
In a seminar on Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Sufism in 1987 in Los
Angeles, Dr. Lynn Wilcox, a psychologist and professor at California State University, Sacramento, said,
Research has not been able to substantiate the claims of psychotherapeutic helpfulness. The so-called 'cure' rate is not impressive. Temporary changes are sometimes seen, but permanent change is elusive. Therefore, some people go from therapist to therapist, from workshop to workshop, from seminar to seminar. It seems analogous to eating a good meal. The stomach is temporarily filled, but hunger soon recurs.
symptoms of the
Psychologists merely treat the
disease,
from behavior
A
problems to deep depressions and abnormalities of character. superintendent of a sanatorium says,
our technical work. of our patients.
11 "
What we need Yet wouldn't
specialized, treated the
is
"We
specialists are too
medical
wrapped up
in
a doctor alongside us to treat the souls
it
be better
whole "person" of
if
every doctor, however
his patient?
to treat the patient rather than the disease?
Not just
Wouldn't
it
to relieve the
temporarily but to find the roots and the causes of the disease?
be better
symptoms
A
related
66
What
question
is:
"psyche"
means
qualifications
"soul,"
the
are
sufficient to treat the soul of a
"Psychology attempts to study
is
today
human
must such a doctor possess?
And
person?
commonly
defined as a branch of science that
behavior, acts, or mental processes," says Dr.
Wilcox, a Psychologist and Professor
at
California
State
This is an extremely broad area of study, including all the complexities of human existence, from the reflex actions of a newborn to the motivations for declaring war. Unable to determine any basic underlying principles governing human behavior, psychologists have more or less divided up the area, each specializing in the study of one small segment of human behavior. Physiological psychologists study the structure of the human eye, just as some physicians do. Perceptual psychologists study how our eyes deceive us in perception. Industrial psychologists attempt to determine how to increase work productivity. Educational psychologists try and measure what they call intelligence, and so forth. The goal of all psychology, expressed in every beginning psychology text,
human
behavior. The academic attempting to predict and control human behavior. In so doing, it studies only what is quantifiable, that is, that which can in some way be physically prediction and control of
area of psychology devotes
Lynn
University,
Sacramento.
is
since
academic qualifications of psychologist
itself to
measured. Psychology
essentially the physiological studies functioning of the central nervous system, including the brain. Although psychologists have provided useful information on psychological functioning and useful descriptions of human behavior in various circumstances, psychological experts disagree in their opinions about every question of importance, as: 'What is mental illness?' 'What is creativity?' 'What is intelligence?' This is one reason why what is called 'psychology' frequently changes. The second reason is that psychology is based on theory, that is, on some individual
such
person's ideas about human behavior, from which he or she constructs a model they believe to be correct. As ideas change, so does the theory. There are today several hundred approaches to choose from: psychoanalytic, Gestalt, client-centered, behavioral, rational-emotive, neurolinguistic programming, existential, to name just a few, concludes Dr. Lynn Wilcox. In a meeting of medical superintendents of sanatoriums, specialists who have obtained good results with a treatment noted that they were disappointed to see patients leave the sanatorium and take up their normal lives again, only to be back a few months later. Several doctors at the meeting therefore suggested that the patients should be kept in the
67
sanatorium for longer periods. But
it is obvious that a patient physical illness has been cleared cannot be withheld indefinitely from return to normal life. However, it too often happens that the patient's 'home' leads to a relapsed, caused by returning to his family and his social environment where all the problems whose solutions he had been unable to find before
whose
still exist.
13
Therefore an individual needs to be examined physically, mentally,
and
much understanding
spiritually in order that as
as possible about his
relationship with his total environment can be discovered. This environment
includes his family, peers, job situation, living situation, his concept of
himself and his role in society, and his goals.
Many
be determined. intertwine,
making
it
the
times,
difficult to
be
identified.
It is
that
It is
of distress have to
affect
determine their sources.
a psychologist to merely listen to a patient. to
The causes
stresses
us
It is
overlap and
not enough for
the cause of distress that has
not sufficient for a physician to relieve psychosomatic
disease by drugs; again, the source has to be determined.
Modern medicine has tended to view man as a machine with interchangeable parts, and has developed sophisticated procedures for repairing, removing, or artificially constructing these parts. These are significant achievements, but in the process the healing professions have lost sight of man as a dynamic, integrated, and complex system with marked capacity for self-healing.
14
Consideration of the whole person emphasizes the healing process, the maintenance of health, and the prevention of in
Eastern culture,
to
emerge
in the
this
West where
it is
An ancient
illness.
idea of preventive health care
is
one that
is
considered as one of the most important
innovations in medical research and
its
clinical application.
Results of the research on self-healing have changed the
people view treatment and recovery.
"The more
convinced that emotions are running the show. give
up hope when faced with
stress,"
Cancer Counseling and Research Center you must learn to be tenacious
concept
beginning
look, the
I
Cancer
Candace Pert in Dallas.
"If
in fighting your disease
strikes
way many
more I'm
people
who
told patients at his
you want to recover,
and hopeful about the
outcome. That means undergoing counseling to learn to deal with social and emotional problems.
It
means
setting goals
and finding reasons to
live.
68
Stress can
make
a person sick, depressed people are
more
likely to get
cancer, and positive thinking promotes survival." "I
think about
not death, "answers one of the
'life'
the Sufi Master Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
why he had
AIDS
Nader Angha when a
patients of
friend asked
started school again with such a terminal condition.
Psychoneuro-immunology [PNI] researchers investigate the brain effects the body's immune cells. Drawing on the most sophisticated techniques of psychology, neurobiology, and immunology, these researchers have shown that the brain can send signals along nerves to enhance defenses against infection and pump out chemicals that make the body more aggressive against disease. And since these pathways can be turned on and off by thoughts and emotions, they say, it's no surprise that mental states can alter the course of an illness. PNI studies have demonstrated that the brain and the immune system make up a closed circuit. Not only can the brain's chemicals regulate immune defenses, but communication can also go the other way, from the immune system to the brain. In this manner the immune system can act as a sensory organ, sending chemical messages about bacteria, viruses, and tumors all over the body. During an infection, the researchers believe, immune cells not only fight invading organisms but also affect brain-controlled functions like heart rate, sleep, and body temperature. Signals from the immune system may even reach the emotional and rational centers of the brain, explaining perhaps the cause of irritability, and why mental capacity deteriorates at the same time as resistance to infection. The brain controls the immune system the same way that it controls behavioral activities, concludes immunologist Gerard Renoux of the University of Tours, France. Obviously, no one would deny that having to cope with a serious disease affects a patient psychologically. But the connections between the brain and the immune system suggest that something physiological is going on as well. Since the brain can talk to immune cells, a patient's state of mind can, in a concrete way, determine the status of immunological 15 defenses.
how
In light of these findings,
more
physicians are
now acknowledging
the
connection between mind and body. "Feelings are chemical," says Dr. Bernie Siegel, the author of Love,
good about
life
Medicine and Miracles and a surgeon.
helps us physically."
"Feeling
Statements like these from physicians
would have been surprising even just a few years ago. But with the many new research findings and case studies being documented in medical journals, the practice of self-healing
is
now
receiving
much more
serious attention from
69
the doctors than before.
more accepted within
With the concept of
now becoming
self-healing
community and physicians
the medical
realizing the
importance of the mind in the healing process, many open-minded physicians are working with their patients in finding ways to fully utilize this
new
method of treatment. Studies have
shown
due to
that 75 percent of all doctor visits are
symptoms, and the worst kind of chronic
stress-related
stress
is
helplessness.
Self-healing techniques often provide the individual with an increased sense
of control over his or her illness, which reduces feelings of helplessness.
Once an
individual understands that he
participant in the process of self-healing, he
an active and responsible
is
no longer the passive victim of
is
a disease or the passive recipient of a cure. The patient has to be guided and
shown
that he
is
own
responsible for his
health, lifestyle,
and
future, in
which
he can become an active participant through meditation and self-healing and by gaining awareness of who he
is
and what he needs. Carl Jung
human psyche embraces
horizons of the
purview of the doctor's consulting room.
infinitely
says,
more than a
The cure ought
to
"The
limited
grow naturally
16 out of each person and patient himself."
Medicine disease.
This
is
is
legally defined in terms of the diagnosis
An
but one aspect of health.
responsibility for his mental
and treatment of
individual
and physical well-being.
must assume
According to the
ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-tse, "The journey of a thousand miles
begins with one step," and that
commitment
to
oneself
is
initial
acceptance of responsibility and
prerequisite
a
for
individual
growth
and
transformation.
The
ancient mystics, or Sufis, believed that
knowledge of existence, but that
must grow and develop consciously.
He
traditional kinds of therapy, in
the therapist
is
This
is
we
and
birthright,
he
He
is
different
which the attitude
capable of gaining the
from the premise of most is
that the patient
is "sick,"
the all-knowing "authority," and he cures the patient by
outside help and support. In contrast to
guidance
has inherited total
has inner potential and abilities that
enable him to shape his environment.
knowledge of self-awareness.
man
to claim his inheritance
this,
the
Eminent Hazrat
Ali,
whose
follow in the School of Sufism, states that, "Each individual has
70
his or
her
own
truth,
prosperity within." life.
The path
and cure within
oneself."
And Buddha
says "Find
Therefore, man's will helps him reach higher realms of
to tranquility
and happiness
lies
within each of us.
Any
help acquired from outside, even the best and the least harmful,
temporary. For a
wound must begin
to heal
type of is
are applied in order to avoid infection, but the renewal of the tissues
healing process that takes place from within.
immune system
fights viruses
even before the
rise of
a
temperature in the body
fields.
These energy
important role in our physical, mental, and psychic well-being. explained in Chapter Eight.
is
Similarly, the body's excellent
makes us aware of any abnormalities. In the same way, we are able mental pressures using the body's energy
but
from within. Then, medications
to fight
fields play
an
This will be
71
CHAPTER SEVEN ENDNOTES Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Psalm of Gods, from the collection of 1. The Mystery of Humanity, University Press of America, Inc., 1986, p. 53. 2. C. William Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, State University of New York Press, Albany, 1983, p. 339.
Chittick, p. 348.
3.
Frederick Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Penguin Books Limited,
4.
NY,
1982, p. 66.
5.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Psalm of Gods,
6.
Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha Peace, introduction.
7.
Jackie Swartz, Letting go of Stress, Pinnacle Books, 10018, 1982, p. 9.
NY,
p. 53.
,
Harold H. Bloomfield, et 8. Overcoming Stress, Delacorte Press, 9.
Ibid., pp. 50-53.
10.
Kenneth R.
Pelletier, p. 20.
al.,
TM
New
York,
Discovering Inner Energy
New York, New York,
"Mind
Inc.,
as Healer,
and
1975, p. 51.
Mind
as Slayer,"
Dell
publishing, 1977. 11.
Paul Tournier, Edwin Hudson,
trans.,
The Healing of Persons, Harper
& Row Publishers, Inc., New York, New York, p. 21. 12.
Lynn Wilcox, seminar, "Psychology, Psychotheraphy
&
Sufism",
LA,
1987. 13.
Paul Tournier, Edwin Hudson,
trans.,
The Healing of Persons, Harper
& Row Publishers, Inc., New York, New York, p. 21. 14.
Pelletier, p. 12.
15. Rob Wechsler, "A Feb. 1987, pp. 51-58. 16.
New
Prescription:
Mind over Malady,"
C. Carl Jung, Thoughts, Reflections, Dreams.
Discover,
CHAPTER EIGHT HEALTH: A BALANCED ENERGY FLOW IN THE BODY law of life is motion, the rhythmic, pulsation of radiant energy, which is the basic building block of our bodies.
The
basic
cyclic
Jack Schwartz
To understand how
to
opposing forces from within, fields,"
and "auric
fields."
it
win the war against is
Then we
will
understand
Selye's G.A.S., the expenditure of energy
avoided.
The process
stress
necessary to learn about
how
and
fight
the last stage of
of self-healing will be introduced in this chapter.
With progress in modern science, we are becoming more and more aware that the human organism is not just a physical structure made up of molecules, that we are electromagnetic and electrochemical beings made up of energy fields. Our bodies may appear to be solid and opaque, but if we could magnify the cells, molecules, and atoms of which we are composed, we would see that at the most fundamental level we are made up of energy, of electrochemical and electromagnetic activity that is constantly going on in our bodies. the force behind our electromagnetic is the direction-giving aspect of increasing scientific evidence for this view of human energy fields. For years, scientists have been able to detect the energy emitted by the body by measuring skin potentials. In order to measure the electrical output of various organs, researchers place electrodes on the skin. To measure the electrical output of the brain, for example, electrodes are placed on the forehead and the scalp in the cerebral area. If electricity is
energy
fields,
then magnetism
There
is
Hans
and the stage of exhaustion, can be
Jack Schwartz explains,
that force.
off
"human energy
74
measures the electrical output of the heart through electrodes placed on the skin of the chest wall; the polygraph, or lie detector, measures the changes in the electrical potential of the skin, or the galvanic skin resistance. In all these cases, we are not sure exactly what is being measured but we do know that we are measuring a form of radiation; we would not be able to measure it if it were not But because all these radiant, or electromagnetic, energy. measurements are taken using skin potentials, we are not really accurately measuring the output of the organism itself; we get interference from the skin that lies between our instruments and the organ whose output is being measured. now have a better method of measuring the Instead of using skin electromagnetic output of the body. potentials, the electromagnetic forces around the body are measured directly. This is done with highly sensitive instruments. This is done in a unit of magnetism known as the gauss. Of course, earth itself radiates electromagnetic energy. Similarly, the electrocardiogram
We
Every particle on earth, even though
it
may appear
solid
and
stationary to us, has continual activity taking place within it; it looks solid and dense because the energy is of high frequency and low amplitude. Besides the energy outputs that have been measured outside the body, there are other subtle forces acting within the body that are not yet understood by science. The Soviet researcher, Dr. Alexander Dubrov, has found that during mitosis, or the splitting of cells, there is photon radiation from the cells. Photons are particle waves of light. The radiation produces a dim glow. The photon emissions produced by the cells in our bodies are the ultraviolet frequencies, beyond what we know as the visible spectrum. All the trillions of cells in our 1 bodies are emitting such photons, from one to another.
"There are two main factors that have direct influence upon cellular life,"
says Hazrat
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, a teacher of the Oveyssi
School of Sufism, which was founded 1,400 years ago.
These
are nutrition and temperature, serving as the experimental basis for all research and present investigations concerning life. However, we cannot overlook the influences of cosmic and ultracosmic rays, the planets, and finally, all the
universal gravities acting upon the cellular cycle. Can the condensed powers in one atom of hydrogen be conceived or measured? The condensed powers in one atom of hydrogen are acquired from the sun or cosmic and ultracosmic radiations in an initial atom. Since, in my opinion, the reality of life has to be shown in the hydrogen atom or in its compositions, and cell organizations are formed of four kinds of hydrogen compositions, these condensed powers (which are in direct contact from within the cell to external energies), prove to be an agent of life on the earth. Therefore, discovery
75 t
of the cell
and
life is
impossible without recognizing these powers
their influences. Other factors
influencing
cell life are the body. Numbering thirteen, these main sources are in direct connection with all universal
directly
human
magnetic sources of the magnetic and electric
For more
power
fields.
clarification, let us consider the following
example. Just as
stations distribute current through extended wire cables, magnetic
sources play their part in the
human body
They transform
as substations.
the
acquired energies into magnetism and other essential conditions of the body.
The tender
materials of the body, such as magnetic substances, act both as
transmitters and receivers; each
is
either effected or effective.
Therefore,
if
any disorder in these magnetic sources should appear, the body's magnetics
and
its
nervous system would not be able to perform their communicative
become
functions properly, and the body would
Health depends on energy flow.
one
state to another,
it
defective.
For energy
to
be transformed from
must flow constantly through the body. As mentioned
above, the magnetic sources of the body provide the impetus for this flow.
When
these centers stagnate or
aura of energy,
its
radiant output,
stagnant water where there
is
when is
their function
distorted.
An
is
impeded, the body's
analogy
is
what happens
no flow and movement. The basic law of
motion, the rhythmic, cyclic pulsation of radiant energy, which building block of our bodies as
it
is
of the universe.
characterized as a stagnation of this energy,
is
the basic
Illness
when energy
is
to
life is
can be
not being
heightened and transformed.
The body ingests nourishment in a heavy form because the body is heavy. more subtle body assimilates finer energy. But the human body has the potential and the task of transforming the energy it digests into more subtle energy. are not bound to the heaviness of our organism, for we have the capacity to transform the energy within ourselves into finer and finer levels. have abused our natural birthright if we cut ourselves off from the finer nourishments, or energy,
A
We
We
surrounding us. Our bodies are composed of, for the most part, water. _ The processes of this mass of water, which flows through our body, are of the utmost importance because the body fluids act as a catalyst, carrying and adjusting all external influences and nutrition throughout every part of the body. Furthermore, the paramagnetic quality of our body fluids depends on a constant
76
process of the creation and combination of ions in this fluid and the maintenance of the ionic balance. To make changes in the body, then, means to change the electromagnetic state of the body's fluid. Electricity is the particular characteristic of the energy force we are dealing with, and magnetism is the direction given to that force. Disease, old age, and other alterations in the body's energy pattern are ultimately traceable to imbalances and declines in the electrical potency of the body plasma, its intermolecular fluid.
3
The condition of health is thus a regulated, balanced flow of energy through the body, which receives its impetus from the energy centers. Moreover, there is radiant energy emitted by the body, and this radiant electromagnetic energy bears a specific relation to the location and intensity of the activity within the body. When we realize that our bodies are in fact made up of nothing but energy in constant transformation, it is easier to understand how subtle, nonphysical, energetic influences such as emotions and thoughts can have an effect on our emotional and mental experiences. Similarly, once we understand what produces the radiant emanation from our bodies, it is clearer why this emanation should reveal something about the state of our functioning. People with no particular psychic gifts can learn to see the ray and the aura around the body. This information can be of tremendous help to counselors or to those who treat physical illness because the subtle energy fields that surround the human body can convey advance warning of problems that may not yet have manifested themselves physically and in any case understanding of the energy fields can aid in a clearer perception of what is really amiss in a case of mental, emotional, or physical illness. Health, therefore, is not just the absence of disease, it is a dynamic, evolutionary process, a state of constant change. You are made up of some 350 trillion cells, each unique and each with capacity to maintain and reproduce itself and to interact and interrelate with all the other cells of the body. Every particle that makes up the components of the cell is in a state of constant activity, and there is a constant flow of energy arising from that activity. Because health is equivalent to the free, unimpeded flow of energy, you can see that it is possible to interfere with your health, to make yourself ill by intervening on the subtlest, least-material level.
The
Swedish
radiologist
Nordenstrom
posits
what
seems
astounding theory:
The human body contains As Nordenstrom describes
the equivalent of electric circuits. his body electric, the circuits are switched on by an injury, an infection, or a tumor, or even by
an
77
the normal activity of the body's organs; voltages build and fluctuate; electric currents course through the arteries and veins and across capillary walls, drawing white blood cells and metabolic compounds into and out of surrounding tissues. This electrical system, says Nordenstrom, works to balance the activity of the internal organs and, in the case of injuries, represents the very foundation of the healing process. In his view, it's as critical to the well-being of the human body as the Disturbances in this electrical network, he flow of blood. suggests, may be involved in the development of cancer and other diseases. Classical medicine certainly doesn't deny that there are myriad electrical forces at work within the body, in addition to chemical ones exerted by hormones and enzymes, and physical ones like the pressure of the blood in the arteries and veins. Every human thought and action is accompanied by the conduction of the electrical signals along the fibers of the nervous system. Indeed, life wouldn't exist without the constant flow of ions across the membranes of cells. Yet Nordenstrom argues that the picture is incomplete. As he sees it, medical research has provided a descriptive view of the chemical and physical processes at work in the human body, but hasn't explained how they're interrelated. It is a picture of effects without causes. In Nordenstrom's view, the cause behind many of the effects is the ebb and flow in his biologically closed electric circuits. If he is right, these circuits may explain many fundamental regulatory processes in the human body, and even the seemingly inexplicable therapeutic effects of acupuncture and of electromagnetic fields. To prove that his theory is more than just an academic curiosity, Nordenstrom has put his ideas to work, using electricity to treat lung and breast tumors. Considering the immaturity of his science, he has had remarkable success. He is also developing techniques for combining electrical treatment with chemotherapy, using the electrodes to concentrate the chemical around the tumor. 6
We seem
can therefore claim that although,
at first glance,
human
beings
to possess only a physical body, science as well as religion tells us this
not the whole picture.
dimension of man's being. order to maintain
its
body
In fact, the physical
The body needs
is
is
the most superficial
to receive a balanced diet in
equilibrium, but nutrition alone
is
not enough.
An
overall balance has to be achieved to ensure the best possible health since
the
human body
Each of these invisible
consists of different auras that surround the physical body.
auric bodies
is
nurtured through the flow of energy from
energy centers mentioned before.
A
healthy and balanced energy
flow throughout the body assures a radiant auric body.
78
CHAPTER EIGHT ENDNOTES 1. Jack Schwarz, York, 1980, pp. 1-3.
2.
Human
Energy Systems, E. P. Dutton,
New
York,
New
Shah Maghsoud Angha, The Hidden Angles of Life, Multidisciplinary Pomona, Calif., pp. 56-58.
Publications, 3.
Schwarz, pp. 89 and 91.
4.
Ibid., p. 21.
5.
Ibid., p. 108.
6.
Gary Taubes,
An Electrifying Possibility,
Discover, April 1986, p. 22.
/
*
CHAPTER NINE THE ENERGY CENTERS IN THE BODY The most important energy body
is
source in the
the heart, the "source of life." Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh
In this chapter
we
will discuss in detail the function of the
centers and the different bodies surrounding the physical mold: fields.
As a
stage of
result
Hans
existent in the
balance.
we
will discover
Selye's "exhaustion"
how
to fight stress
in
this
energy
the auric
to prevent the last
by means of activating the energy centers
body and the conservation of
However,
and
Angha
and
chapter
explanation of these energy centers
is
in
given;
its
that energy to gain inner
the
the
next,
theoretical
practice will be introduced
later.
"The health of the organs and regular functions of the
cells
must be
secured by providing a suitable equilibrium in the magnetic functions and assimilation
and repulsion of the body," 1
Maghsoud Sadegh Angha The 1)
in
to
Hazrat
Shah
tasks of the body's energy centers are:
absorbing and storing the subtle electromagnetic energies from
the surrounding energy fields 2)
according
The Hidden Angles of Life.
breaking
(i.e.,
solar,
cosmic or ultracosmic);
down and transforming
can be used by the body; and
those energies into a form that
80
distribution of the transformed energy throughout the
3)
nourish each
The
body
to
cell.
cells, in turn,
use that transformed energy to balance their
The law governing
energy exchange
this
balance of input and output.
is
activities.
one of conservation and
A malfunction in this system, caused either by a
low input of energy, a dysfunction in energy transformation, or an uneven In such a case the
distribution, will cause disorder at the cellular level.
body's magnetic and nervous systems are immediately deficient.
When
an energy center
of the aura surrounding
is
will
it
operating in a balanced manner, the color
be very pale and pure.
If
a center
not
is
properly transmitting energy, the color will have a dense, dark outflow,
apparent
in the aura.
For an optimal
utilization of energy, all the energy centers should
Our energy
functioning in a balanced, fully operative manner.
never completely blocked or closed.
we would
die.
If
If
no energy
at all
could flow through,
one of these energy centers slows down, the energy flow
be impeded and organs
will
begin to show signs of
illness.
centers' interaction with the endocrine glands maintains the
of the body's organs. Because the centers
is
will
The energy
normal function
unimpeded energy flow through the energy
the key to optimal health,
we must
and anxieties that impede the flow can be injury to
be
centers are
realize that the attitudes, fears
just as
damaging
as actual physical
an organ.
Let us at
this
time take a closer look at these energy centers and
understand their function individually and as a whole.
This
we
try to
will
according to the instructions given in The Hidden Angles of Life, which written by the Sufi Master, Hazrat Shah
do is
Maghsoud Sadegh Angha.
ENERGY CENTERS Thirteen main energy centers connect
magnetic and electric
fields,
human
through which the body
with the currents of existence. centers to be the most important.
The
is
beings with universal constantly in contact
Sufi discipline considers the following
81
Solar Plexus
The
solar plexus
lower,
in
is
The diaphragm
diaphragm.
more
"instinctive"
increasingly related in a
the pit under the sternum and
serves as a sort of boundary
over the
between man's
become
nature and his higher centers, which
more evolved
separates the subtle from the dense;
it
consciousness.
literally
The diaphragm
separates the sensitive organs,
The
such as the heart and lungs, from the digestive and purgative organs.
lower part of
upper
this
borderline has been defined in the
part, the "heaven."
If
we
Koran
as the "earth," the
define the earth as the plane in which the
laws of physics, action, and reaction govern, then heaven represents infinity
and the most subtle
one
state of existence.
in essence but
when
becomes dense and takes the shape of becomes more and more
The same
their molecules are
the
ice;
as ice, water,
and vapor are
packed closely together,
more
the molecules expand
it it
subtle, almost invisible as vapor.
This important energy center, the solar plexus, that
boundary of the heaven and the
earth,
is
is
located on the
nourished by the heart, and
it
nourishes the liver and the organs.
The
"solar plexus"
"Solar" refers to the sun,
its
is
so
named because
it
is
means of nourishment. The
associated with solar plexus
of internal sun produced by the oxidation or "burning" of food. their energy directly
from the
produce their own energy.
sun, but
When human
trapped in plant matter and release digestion.
maintaining
human
it
is
fire.
a sort
Plants take
beings and animals must
beings eat they take the energy
through the chemical process of
This creates an "inner flame," which provides the energy for life.
When
this
inner flame
person to be healthy, to digest
his
is
properly regulated,
it
allows the
food properly, and to have a consistent
energy level without being easily fatigued. This center primarily serves as a receptor of the principle force of vitality that enters the physical
fostered by sunlight.
body.
Because the
Its
magnetic particles are directly
activities of the solar plexus, as well as all
other energy centers, are directly related to the nerve tracts,
all
cells,
globules and finally the entire organism depend completely on receiving the
82
magnetic waves of the sun. Thus by the help of solar energy many diseases can be treated.
Focusing
one's
thoughts
concentration of the energy there.
on
the
solar
plexus
increases
the
The concentration of energy speeds up
the action of the digestive organs and improves their ability to secrete
enzymes and process food. Poor digestion may mean an inadequate focus of energy the solar plexus.
When
Energy
is
the solar plexus center
in the area of
ordinarily stored at this solar plexus center. is
energized, one feels dynamic and assertive.
The Center at the Base of the Spine
Another magnetic source
Some
thinkers
seem
is
at the last vertebra of the spinal
to believe that this triangular cartilage
agent for the being of mankind and
is
In any case, the vital organization of
composition. This magnetic source
is
column.
an effective
one of the important centers of life and
has a structure which will not be transformed to
it is
is
its
soil after
cells
death.
possesses a complicated
the center for exertion of powers, and
impressive in genesis and reproduction. In previous beliefs and religions, and even in Islam, extra importance has been given to this triangular magnetic source. The yogi, for example, concentrates on his spinal column, which is very effective. However, in Sufism the process of concentration will be performed on the source of life, in the heart, and the magnetic source of the solar plexus, and then will be expanded to the brain. This kind of unification and method belongs exclusively to the 'Oveyssi School of Sufism,' and this method resembles the instructions given by the prophets. 2
The Source between the Eyebrows
The
third of these energy centers
eyebrows, which
is
directly
in
is
located at the pit between the
contact with the cartilages of the
Concentration and gathering of magnetics in the ability to read the thoughts of others, and
this source, is
nose.
produce telepathy,
related to the "sixth sense."
Concerning "extrsensory" perception, Hazrat Shah Maghsoud says that cognition
is
the ability to conceive of magnetic rays or waves that
from our surroundings. These waves pass through
all
come
to us
materials and objects
83
without the need of a natural substance.
who
He
also says a "clairvoyant"
is
one
has control over a part of his brain and can conceive the rays from a
certain point.
This
will receive the
This
is
is
like
Of
a wireless receptor.
all
the existing waves, he
appointed and desired wave.
in reference to the coordination
between physical and
spiritual
a result of which the brain becomes susceptible to receive any
ability, as
special magnetic waves. Obviously essential fundamentals
and conditions are
necessary for both the sender and the receiver systems. For example,
if
some
tremblings of sound are broadcast on a special wavelength, a receiver will get the waves
on a channel, but these sound waves are of no use
to
an insensitive
or deaf ear, although these broadcast waves are distributed throughout space
and surround the
earth's atmosphere.
scientific transaction
and
activity.
This example
Our
physical events, but our knowledge about
orbit
them
mental system of knowledge
is
things happen, or are inspired
and discovered.
is is
comparable
is
full
small.
far too ill-equipped to
to any
of metaphysical and
Our
physical and
understand the way
Eastern, clear-sighted, and intuitive scientists believe that if all of man's natural powers and strengths were concentrated on a precise metaphysical point of existence or became accustomed to comprehending truth superior to sensual limitations and animal habits he would be able to discover more clearly and precisely those natural principles that have metaphysical terms, because naturally the sum total of strength is much more powerful than scattered energy. When man reaches this level of concentration, or, when the power of organized existence comes under the will of the intellect or the rational mind, then he will be able to comprehend and discover energies beyond even waves, and he will be able to comprehend the spirit and divinity of himself and all in the depth of his mind and soul. All that is hidden from him now shall manifest to him. 3
Let us go on to the next important energy center
at the top of the
head.
The Source
in the
Upper Fontanel
This magnetic source at the top of the head acts as a radar, and
consequently
it
can contact the spreading waves of thoughts in space.
According to Hazrat Shah Maghsoud, discoveries and inventions occur by
84
concentration of this source and
its
connection to the magnetic source
located between the eyebrows.
This magnetic source to 12 kilometers or
more
may
transmit the magnetic waves of the brain up
in space in the
form of a luminous column. Alpha
waves, after contacting this magnetic source and communicating with subsources, cause hearing, smelling and seeing waves that are invisible to the
limited senses and other supernatural events.
cortex and
kilometers
the is
bounded
certain,
and
solar it is
A connection
of the cerebral
system to the diameter of three billion
in constant contact
with the alpha and other
mental waves that are called the bounded area of illuminated thought by Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha
in
The Hidden Angles of Life.
The custom of placing an ornate crown on the head of a monarch seems to be rooted in the idea that the person with an evolved consciousness should be the one to lead the state. This reverence for this is the concept of the 'philosopher king.' center of consciousness is also seen in the symbology of certain religions. In the Christian tradition, it has been customary for certain monks to shave the crown of the head and leave a bare circle. In the Jewish tradition, a skull cap is worn that covers that same area. Religious art often highlights the area of the crown with a burst of light or a halo. The Hopi Indians say of man's relationship to this center:
A
'Here, when he was born, was the soft spot, the "open door," through which he received his life and communicated with his Creator. At the time of the last phase of his creation, the soft spot was hardened and the door was closed. The yogi tradition gives a similar significance to the soft spot of the infant, noting that it gradually hardens as the child's intuitive qualities are diminished during the development of rationality and ego functions. The yogic viewpoint, however, emphasizes that this door may be t
reopened.
The Source At The Head of the Medulla Oblongata This magnetic source the
first
is
situated at the
head of the medulla oblongata,
vertebra of the cervical spine in the neck.
connects directly with the energy source, that spinal column.
The harmonization and
is
This energy center
in the last vertebra in the
the communication of these two
pivots result in extraordinary actions practiced in India.
Some samples
that
85
indicate extraordinary survives
power are the yogi who
rests
on a bed of
on one date a day; another by he who holds out
train that
is
his
and
nails
hand
to stop a
moving.
The Source of Life
The most important energy source Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha
known
it
in the
body
all, is
connected to
This magnetic source place "Heaven in the
human
is
all
is
the "source of
and powerful manager, containing
as a wise
important of
calls
the heart.
The
life."
Hazrat heart
intelligence, and,
is
most
magnetic sources.
the celestial center in man.
heart." Molavi, the
famous
Most
religions
Sufi poet, says:
O pilgrims where are thee, where are thee? Ka'ba
is
Ka'ba
is
here, here
Sufi believes that also visit
he
is
you should be, here you should be.
the house of it is
God
that pilgrims visit in
not enough to
visit
God, the owner of the house.
indicating that
God
However, a
When the
Sufi poet says
Ka'ba
dwells in the heart of each of us, that
have to travel a distance but need only travel
and meet him.
Mecca.
the house alone, but that one must
in the land of
not
our hearts to find
God
confirms this in the Koran,
All Heaven and Earth may not be vast enough to bear His divine Presence but the heart of the righteous man will. also says,
Have
they not traveled in the land so that they should have hearts, with which to understand, Or ears with which to hear? For surely, it is not the eyes that are blind, But blind are the hearts, which are in the breasts. (Koran surah 22:46)
The Bible
here
Revelations only take place in the heart, without the
interference of the senses.
The Koran
is
we do
says,
Do you
Or
not
know
And
that
say:
that
God
you are God's temple dwells in you? (Corinthians 3:16)
And the Koran says, He has forged a lie against Allah? So
if
Allah please,
He would And
seal thy heart.
Allah blots out the falsehood,
And confirms, the Truth with His words, Surely He is Knower, Of what is in the breasts. (Koran surah 42:24)
Whey My
servants ask thee concerning I
I listen
am indeed
Me,
close:
to the prayer of every suppliant, When he calleth on Me:
Let them
also,
with a
will,
My call.
Listen to
(Koran surah 2:186) Say:
Whoever
is an enemy to Gabriel, For he brings down
The
revelation to thy heart
By God's
will,
A conformation of what went before, And
guidance and glad tidings For those who believe. (Koran surah 2:97)
Thenceforth were your hearts hardened
They became
like
a rock,
And even worse in hardness. For among rocks, There are some from which,
And
Rivers gush forth, Others, there are when split, Asunder send forth water, And others which sink, For fear of God, God is not unmindful of what ye do. (Koran surah 2:74)
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha explains that love is a penetrating, electric, or magnetic power that joins all the particles of the infinite together. In fact all existence is originated by the power of love. Without the existence of this force of attraction, it would be absolutely true to say not a single particle could come into existence. Love is the basic characteristic of every manifestation. Love exists in three stages. The origin of love and desires on the materialistic level is the magnetic source of the 'solar plexus.' more superior kind of love occurs with the complete unification of the two magnetic sources of the brain, and the solar plexus. Love is a description of life in its most subtle state. This superior form
A
87
of love is called 'spiritual love.' The spiritual love results in the unification of the two magnetic sources of the brain, the heart, and the solar plexus and their unified effects on all the magnetic and nervous systems in an extensive cooperation. Disorder and a lack of harmony occur, however, when each of these sources performs separate functions. One's eternal identity is discovered when unification and equilibrium are established between the outward and inward, the individual and universal powers. Then, it is assured that many of the
matters will be discovered through laboratory experiments on both the magnetic centers and sources of the atom, as well as the universe. At this time, the gates of the unknown world will open wide. 'If the research of the spiritual
spiritualists had been started from this point, many biological problems would have been solved long before now.
Therefore, health should be achieved through the balance of personal
magnetics instead of customarily following an ambiguous psychological philosophy by establishing a link between experiences gained from ambiguity and physiological medicine. This
is
this
the right path that the medical
sciences should pursue.
At the present time, the
Sufi
Master of the School of Oveyssi
is
busy
with spiritual healing, transmitting magnetic energies to patients, and thus In Chapter Eleven
strengthening them.
we
will
talk
processes the Sufi Master Hazrat Salaheddin Nader
AIDS
patients he
is
about the healing
Angha
is
using on the
treating.
Concentration of the vital energies of man on any of the mentioned energy sources has its own extraordinary effects, and generally similar effects are found less in inferior animals in comparison to the human being. The dispersion of the magnetic energies makes human beings appear weaker than even animals, while it is not so. For example, animals are aware, in some circumstances, one or two hours before an earthquake. This is because of their senses and animal nature, but perfect men are aware of many events before their happenings by their concentration of internal and external energies. sight this
Discovering future events and keeping past incidents in depends on being an observer in the present. In Sufism called breaking the limited boundaries through the
is
In other words, when a human being succeeded in light he would gain knowledge about manifestations past and future. For example, when I was in the presence of my great
infinite.
overcoming the speed of all life
teacher,
Angha,
my
Hazrat he uttered:
father,
in 1961,
Mir Ghotbeddin
Mohammad
88
'I
am
see
hearing the sound of cries and mourns and buried alive under ruins.'
many people being week
later, a destructive and horrible shook a large area about 1,000 The earthquake kilometers sixty kilometers from Teheran. ruined the area and killed nearly 10,000 people. Just as different organs of the body are interrelated and effect each other, and each have their individual function, these sources are also interrelated and effective in the same manner. Therefore, the fields of their effects are perpetual from the body to the magnetic particles and vice versa. The first stage of the physiological death of the body can also be rendered by the disconnection of these energy transmitters of
Exactly
earthquake
a
hit,
which
the body. It should not be imagined that the human being is only a material organization. However, the magnetic connection of the body has been considered man's spiritual connections by some researchers while the independent identity of man, the soul, that governs the body and is the active and wise force that manifests through each person has been overlooked. 6
Therefore, Hazrat Shah
and
its
Maghsoud proposes,
introduction,
and the book of creation should be studied from the
chapters to discover the repelling and receiving of energies by the particles, and life."
7
"In order to discover life
mysteries, the material laboratory experiences should be used as an
how
human
first
magnetic, cosmic
they assist the extensive equilibrium of
89
CHAPTER NINE ENDNOTES 1.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Hidden Angles of Life,
2.
Ibid., p. 63.
3.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Manifestations of Thought, pp.
14.
4.
Ajaha Swami Rama, Yoga and Psychotherapy, pp. 270-271.
5.
Angha, The Hidden Angles of Life, pp. 60-62.
6.
Ibid., pp. 70-73.
7.
Ibid., p. 74.
p. 62.
13-
CHAPTER TEN INNER BALANCE By activating the existing energy sources to maintain an energy flow in the body and to form strong auras, we form a kind of protective shield around us, that help us fight outside stressors.
The Auric Fields
Man rational,
is
a complex mechanism composed of physical, etheric,
and luminous bodies. The physical body
dimension of man's being. The higher
is
celestial,
only the most superficial
invisible bodies
can help
man
reach
higher spiritual realms.
The
etheric body, according to Hazrat
of the body and
is
like
by angels from etheric elements. This
around the physical body and responsible for innate
body.
It
invisible
vitality,
is
is
like
a thin veil of cloud and floats
rarely detached
from
it.
The
rational,
in the
higher bodies,
the necessary
all
is
of the
like three
circles
previous chapter.
and luminous bodies are
one another. As the rational soul becomes purer and more
rises to
body
medium
contacts the physical body through the crucial
celestial,
etheric
transmitting the energies from the sun to the
energy centers mentioned
The inside
Shah Maghsoud, has the shape
a mold, formed prior to the formation of the embryo
gentle,
it
of which are in perfect harmony, thus transferring
power and influence
for this ascension
and
goal.
92
The human aura
move away from and more
subtler
more about
We energy
thus
is
human
the
made up
have
progressively
Because of
we know
considerably
difficult to see.
all
The
had the experience of observing such a multi-leveled
last
and degrees of
time you were looking at a candle flame, for example,
Around
that
is
by varying
levels of density, represented
Light one
subtlety.
around the wick, a bluish form bluish-gray.
this,
body than we do about the subtler ones.
you might have noticed different colors
As we
become
the auras closer to the
field.
of different levels of density.
body, the energy fields
is
now and
take another look. Right
surrounded by a dark area that
an oval shape of a golden or yellowish
is
color,
also
and
within that yellowish oval, you can see layers of varying degrees of subtlety.
Beyond the flame
itself,
flame's glow dissipates.
you can see subtle oval-shaped
The human
fields of
energy as the
aura, like the candle flame,
is
made up
of progressively subtle levels of density.
The human body's
marked
"halo" that
we
may extend
physical aura
but on the average, the aura
is
as far as 15 or 20 feet,
5 to 8 feet in diameter.
same way, the
In the
see around the head of prophets in a religious painting
depicts an aura and indicates the connection they have established with the
center point of their being, that
is,
with the source of
life
within.
Considering once again the tangible image of the candle,
how
lights its
it
A
surroundings and spreads rays.
constant flow of energy and can be said to glow like a candle.
energy flow and the
we
are.
A
less fatigue
and
stress
feel,
notice
The
better the
the better and healthier
constant energy flow provides the body with ample energy and
keeps the body functioning solution to stress,
lies
in
a state of "inner balance." Therefore, the true
within each of us.
INNER BALANCE is
Just as physical health depends
health.
we
we
healthy person has a
equilibrium, the whole
human
on a balanced
crucial to our
diet to maintain
its
being needs to establish an emotional and
spiritual balance.
An
unstable person
management" are balance.
like
The problem
Because the table
is
is
like a rickety table.
Many
techniques of "stress
holding on to the table's legs to keep is
that the table will fall as
not secure and cannot stand by
need of support from an outside source, similar
it
from
tilting off-
soon as you
itself, it is in
let
go.
constant
to our fighting stressors by
93
drugs, alcohol, a vacation, or even the help of a
using an outside agent:
The problem with such
friend.
relationships with people
What we need
independence. independence.
agents
-which can
is
they
become
frustrate both parties.
instead
is
to
addictive - even
Addiction
acquire
Like a study table standing strong on
its
stability
legs,
is
not
and
we need
to
learn to carry loads without any outside help.
Meditation can give us gathers
all
this
balance and strength. By meditating, one
energies within oneself. Meditation results in an even and natural
distribution
and flow of energy throughout the body and mind, helping
establish stability
and balance.
body we also prevent
it
By enhancing the
from many physical disorders.
preventive health care measure.
to
auric shield around the
This
is
also a
S
94
Every atom has
-energy -electrical
charge
-magnetic field
Everything
we do
scatters the energies
—
weakens the magnetic
field
energy
Expenditure
Energy
generation
Energy generation through meditation
scattered energies
imbalance
& weakness
gathered energies balance & inner strength
95
The expansion and flow
of energy (as
around the body and act as an immune system
shown above) form a
By
to fight stress.
our existing energy sources to maintain an energy flow
in the
form strong auras, we form a kind of protective shield around
shield
activating
body and
to
us.
ILLUSTRATION Outside Forces 1.
No
Imbalance
Help:
(distress)
Stressors
Outside Forces 2.
Outside
Temporary
Outside Help
relief
Stressors
help
Outside Forces
MEDITATION
inner strength
Balance
Stressors
The above diagram
represents an individual (the block) under the influence of stress (the stressors.) 1. An individual under the influence of stress has no outside help in order to cope and withstand the stressors. The result is distress and imbalance.
The individual still cannot cope with the stressors, but is seeking outside help which presents some temporary relief. This relief is dependent upon the existence of outside help.
2.
Through meditation the
individual can stay balanced in the face of the inner strength fights the outside stressors, the results of which are balance - calm, serenity.
3.
stressors.
The
96
Meditation
Through balance and equilibrium, we
set
our mechanism to work
Through
this
constant input and output
effectively
enough
to activate energy.
of energy, the auric field
and the
soul.
If
is
shaped, thus nourishing us as a whole, the body
our energy centers do not function well,
we cannot generate
or emanate energy effectively, as with batteries that are charged only once.
After a while, the energy dissipates and the batteries go dead, unless they are
For humans, the recharging process
activated again.
because our physical, mental, and flow of energy.
Maghsoud
In his
spiritual health
is
very important,
depends upon
book The Message from
the Soul,
this
constant
Hazrat Shah
says:
No
farmer
For
if
block the wells or the springs of his farm, he does, there will be no harvest. 1
The most important the source of
life.
The Kingdom
of
but within us.
will
of
the energy centers in the body
all
"The Kingdom of
God
is
the heart,
is
within," said the great prophets.
God is "Heaven" and lives not in images, When all the magnetic energy fields in
churches, or books the body function
together as a whole and harmonize with the main source, the heart, an overall health
is
achieved.
"Kingdom of God
man
is
within,"
And
only at this point
which
is
is
one able
complete self-awareness.
no longer a victim of events and
stress
to realize the
At
he cannot endure but
of force and serenity. All of which he draws from the spring of
life
this is
time
a pillar
within.
97
CHAPTER TEN ENDNOTES 1.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Psalm of Gods, University Press of Inc., Lanham, MD, 1986, p. 44.
America,
CHAPTER ELEVEN THE ART OF SUFI HEALING AS APPLIED TO
"AIDS"
In the land of our heart the plant of despair shall never grow. Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha
In a recent
TV
interview, Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
He
asked what he teaches people with AIDS. to live, not
how
responded:
Nader Angha was "I
Linda O'Riordan, who has been a nurse for 25 years, the
Sacramento
teach them
how
to die."
AIDS
foundation, and
is
is
working closely with
involved with
AIDS
patients
under the direction of the Spiritual Master of the School of Islamic Sufism, says:
Concepts, fears, beliefs, and opinions attached to the HIV virus limits and boundaries. With AIDS, the limits and boundaries are based on terms like victims, incurable, terminal, death sentence, and the media feeding people a chronic diet of 'no hope.' AIDS is not a terminal disease unless we allow it to be. Healing begins when you want to live and start to take responsibility for your own life, and is a continuous process.
form
The
first
Sufi healing classes for
medical care, began twice a week.
in
The
AIDS, complementary
January 1988. The Sufi
One
patients
meet
to traditional
for
two hours
Master has also worked personally with the
participants very regularly to fortify their
processes.
AIDS
such process
is
immune system through
healing
by transmitting magnetic energies to them,
99
regulating a balanced flow of energy throughout their body.
any wounds, physically and metaphysically,
"The healing of
based on acquiring a state of
is
balance and equilibrium between the physical state of consciousness and the existential healing powers," says
At
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha.
time the Master has given instructions for classes that the
this
participants attend regularly every
and work on
their bodies'
seen
less frequently
their
own
own
week where they
are learning to recognize
As they recover they are
healing abilities.
by the Sufi Master, and become active participants in
healing.
Sufi
Healing covers a broad spectrum because
aspects of the
human
being, which
are:
it
considers different
Mental, (2) Physical, (3)
(1)
Emotional, (4) Spiritual, (5) Nutritional, and (6) Energy fields of the body.
Other approaches two
or, at
to healing
do not focus on
all
these; only
one or perhaps
the most, three would be emphasized.
Sufi healing differs
electromagnetic areas. electromagnetic
field,
exercises designed for
It
most remarkably
in
its
focus on the spiritual and
works extensively with energy, with the body's
and with the energy centers
AIDS
in the body.
Specific
patients by the Sufi Masters are intended to
provide a stable, balanced equilibrium in the magnetic functions of the body. Strengthening the energy sources and balancing the energy, combined with releasing stress and relieving pressure effect
on the entire system has a profound
on the stimulation of the immune system and the body's healing
abilities.
The the
spiritual
connection
is
also very essential.
Sufi healing teaches
way within, and through personal experience one becomes aware of one's
spiritual identity.
One
begins to experience the presence of
God
as
one finds
access to the healer within, and faith, hope and love begin to flourish.
healing process that generates love and self-worth and self-respect.
born from the
twilight of love" says
It is
"Life
a is
Hazrat Salaheddin Nader Angha.
In a panel discussion on "The Art of Sufi Healing as Applied to
AIDS,"
AIDS
at California State University,
patients
who had been under
Sacramento, on August
5,
1989, five
the direct care of the Sufi Master
consented to speak publicly about themselves.
100
Panelist A:
He had AIDS
for
two years.
He
told the panel that
he had started
attending the Sufi healing classes just after recovering from a near-fatal,
He
week-long coma.
has since returned to college and
He
time, in spite of people questioning him.
His
life.
last
T-4
cell
is
count was 19 (under 500
is
also working part-
determined to is
live
and enjoy
considered dangerous for
opportunistic infection). Yet he has been healthy for the last year.
Panelist B:
He
spoke of increased self-esteem, of new potential, and of feeling
empowered. He first
came
stressed the fact that he
to class but
was absolutely exhausted when he
was re-energized and
revitalized
when he
left.
His
clogged sinuses had cleared and he experienced no more 2:00 a.m. panic attacks or dark days of despair
and depression.
Panelist C:
Near
tears,
he had
difficulty speaking.
He
told the public that he
had
attended the healing classes after two hospital bouts of 40 days each of cryptococcal meningitis, hallucinations, and fevers of up to 107 degrees.
thought he was dying and had
Soon
after
lost
undergoing healing instructions,
subsided to
less
than
4,
his fungal
count of 285 quickly
and he went from a wheelchair
to walking again. His
energy level has increased, his pain
much more
positive.
beforehand.
He
Panelist
He
35 pounds, and was weak and in pain.
He
is
reduced, and his outlook has
become
reduces the pain of spinal taps by meditating
said that the Sufi healing
had saved
his life.
D:
He was introduced to Sufi healing in 1988, when he first tested positive for AIDS virus. Results of the classes were immediate, he said. He calmed down; he came
to realize
but that he also had a soul.
He
he was not
spoke of
love,
just the life,
body he was occupying,
peace, and joy.
101
Panelist E:
He
spoke with great emotion and was near
attended the healing sessions for a year.
on
file
and he did not wish
healthy again, and that was of power and through
summary
it
He
speak about
to
He had
After being quite
it.
that mattered.
all
tears.
also
said that his medical history
He had
he was going to stay
ill,
found an inner source
and happy.
alive
is
he was
This
is
a
of the panel discussion that took place, each patient talking about
their process of recovery
About hope
and renewed hope.
the Sufi Master Hazrat Salaheddin says:
Hope
is seed that is cultivated in fertile soil, that bears fruit. 1 In the land of our heart the plant of despair will never grow.
"If
says
you are an optimist by nature, then you are already halfway
there,"
Marlene Martin, free-lance writer who writes primarily on the subjects
of health and nutrition, in an article
named
'Healing from Within." "Studies
have shown," she continues, that people with a positive attitude toward life tend to get sick less often than pessimists. It is also believed by some that a positive attitude can in itself mobilize our immune systems. Psychologist David McClelland of Boston University's Center for Applied Sciences conducted studies in 1987 showing increased levels of salivary immunoglobulin -an antibody that protects us from respiratory infection -in some people 2 who exhibit strong feelings of love.
A
Contrary to the Western medical tradition, in the East, due to the philosophy of
life
inherited from the great Sufi Masters and the knowledge of
Sufism, diseases, even terminal ones, are not considered fatal. is
terminally
ill is
often not even told so, for
it is
A patient who
believed that the morale of
the patient will weaken, and that he would lose faith and give in to the illness.
The inherent hope and
healing and recovery process. result
is
victory.
will to live
One
is
the most important factor in the
has to fight for
In the case of
some cancer
life,
and
in
patients,
many
cases the
physicians and
researchers are also taking a closer look at numerous cases of "spontaneous remission" and they have found that
many
of these patients have maintained
a positive outlook and a belief in their ability to overcome their disease.
One
possible conclusion from these findings, continues Marlene, could be that "with
all
other factors being relatively equal, a patient's state of mind can
102
often be the deciding factor in his or her degree of recovery from illness; or,
with a disease, even whether or not he or she survives." 3
Sufism reminds us that
he
is
man
is
created in the image of
the worthiest, richest, and wisest of
connected to the of God's
own
infinite
image,
is
power source of
all
God and
-if only he knew.
existence.
is
Such a man, a creation
not subject to indigence and misery and confined to
sorrow and despair.
The
that
Man
delighted souls and the eyes that can see are in love with beauty, and their joy lies not in living in seclusion or living in deep corners of sorrow. 4
103
CHAPTER ELEVEN ENDNOTES 1.
Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, The Secret Word,
UPA
Publication,
1989, p. 20. 2.
US Air
Aug. 1990,
Magazine,
article
"Healing from Within," by Marlene Martin,
p. 80.
3.
Ibid., p. 80.
4.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Message from
the Soul, p. 39.
CHAPTER TWELVE INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION Both your pain and your cure are from within yourself Hazrat Ali-ibn-abitalib
In previous chapters
nine chapters will include
we spoke more
The
of meditation theoretically.
next
on meditation and
practical information
concentration as well as the physical and psychological bearings of stress and
how we can I
recognize and eliminate those on our body and mind. However,
must remind readers
although
this
that the theory of practice
book was meant
meditation classes
who
at
more
desired
first
for
is
still
students
theoretical information,
to present publicly the practical aspects of meditation in a
somewhat
useful to
theory only, and attending
already I
have decided
form that can be
all.
Obviously, attending actual classes, which are monitored very closely, is
a
much
faster
and surer way
much misconception
exists,
to attain this
knowledge. In a
where so
field
guidance and supervision are very important
factors. I
must also caution and remind each interested individual that
do not know what meditation know, the
less
you
to meditate
you can be misled very
will risk getting lost or confused.
you home, not every signpost
how
is
is
if
you
more you
Not every bus
that reads "meditation"
and not misguide you.
easily; the
will take
going to teach you
105
If
you want
to learn physics,
more or
physics course will be
same
the
But when you want
you attend.
university
easy to choose a
it is
less
The
class.
basic
in
whichever college or
to learn
something that has no
standard for the material, no academic criterion, you have to rely on
someone
else's
experience and trust they are going to teach you the right
thing and not mislead you.
The
right meditation class transforms
and takes you through an inner
True meditation connects you with
evolution.
reality
and makes you aware
of our fundamental unity with everything in the universe.
should be a
It
journey of growth in which one passes from one state of awareness to another, moving gradually to deeper and deeper levels of one's being. Ultimately, one passes from the level in which one has the awareness
body" to the level in which one experiences
"I
This important transformation involves a pattern, which are in
more harmony with
the alchemy of
is
meditation
Effective
should
enrichment and inner growth.
some
to focus
magical force is
more fun
control.
is
within.
However,
it
The meditator needs
seeks to transmute lead
consciousness.
be
always
It
is
easier
flowing up the spine than
to close the eyes
It is
human
self.
who
is
evaluated
to pretend that a
to struggle with forgiveness.
and dream and fabricate rather
simpler to concentrate on a straight posture than
about one's self-deceptions.
dance" than
to forego the long sleepless nights of prayers
It is
it is
and the
It is
concentrate on positive vibrations and sounds rather than to find
more
restful just to relax
and
let
to create
easier to imitate the "Sufi
denial that leads to the ecstasy and dance of the ascetic.
It is
go of tension than
psychological reactions that caused the tension in the
first
it is
to
mere profession
all
to too
too often out just to
many incompetent
make money.
mechanic who does not do a good
job,
If
self-
easier to
God within. remove the
place.
Unfortunately, meditation, the core of religious practice, has a
It
work on mind
to
straight thoughts it is
of
disciplining oneself
and more fun
it is
terms
in
perhaps more appealing for
on beautiful images and colors instead of
harmony
to reach the
new behavior and thought
the inner
to pattern himself after the mystical alchemist
into gold. Meditation
am
"I
am God."
become
teachers and institutions that are
you give your car to an incompetent
it is
only your car; but in matters that
106
You
concern your soul and total well-being, you cannot afford to gamble.
have to know exactly what meditation
is,
what
it
will
do
for you,
and which
is
the right class to take.
Before
we can
we need
learn to meditate
order to gain control over mind and body.
It
may
years of preparation in
start
with simple relaxation
but progresses to deep concentration, telepathy, healing, self-awareness, and, in
its
final stage,
a union with God.
common
Contrary to the
view and most instruction available on the
development of muscles
subject, the
(as according to yoga)
is fine,
but
it is
not a shapely body and developed muscles that will lead to heaven; rather, is
through the control of desires that one
we
long as
are captives of the body,
hallucinations, will
we
bound
are
is
led closer to the immaterial.
its
and the mind and
desires,
to our basic natural instincts
-and
prisoners
it
As its
we
remain.
Most meditation including
concentration exercises.
open
do not go beyond a mere training of the body,
classes
Why
not just a physical being; he
and
toning,
is
man
is
emphasis
is
obviously physical.
composed of mind, body, and
is
some
perhaps
these classes are called meditation classes
to speculation, since their
creating a
muscle
techniques,
relaxation
But
capable of
spirit,
harmony between the three -in meditation. This goes
far
beyond
physical training, vegetarian diets, and repetitious words.
Freedom from bondage
of
temporary and release from
the
limitations, like a bird that finally breaks
spread
its
wings and
fly in infinite
space,
away from is
cage and
its
A
the goal.
voyage and a holy
pilgrimage from the temporary to the eternal, from the finite to the is
the goal.
A trip back home
The meditation Sufism], prepares the
help students aspects.
These
Tarighat Oveyssi
The
[MTO
School of
classes are designed to
of their inner abilities, and to grow in
all
an extensive program of inner evolution. Based
the eminent Hazrat Ali-ibn-abitalib, the
of Islam, in the 7th century,
cure are from within yourself," is
Maktab
to this inner journey.
classes offer
infinite,
the goal of meditation.
classes of
way
become aware
upon the teaching of
Imam
is
its
free to
is
who
claims:
first
Shiite
"Both your pain and your
MTO believes that the cure of each individual
within, just as the source of both happiness
and
grief
is
within.
107
The
celestial
man, who had become
his
own
tyrant, fell
from
the quiet paradise into the abyss of illusion, the devil's temple, and moving back and forth across the flames of torment and contradictory desires, he began to mold his brutal existence.
Man
born with the need for happiness and immortality.
is
This
natural inborn instinct will account for every effort and struggle in
Although the same goal each person.
One
will
is
shared by
all,
seek happiness in knowledge, another in wealth and
rank, a third in solitude and withdrawal chastity
happiness in a quiet and secure way of
Gustav Velebon
eye."
from
society,
and forsaking earthly pleasures. There are
principle
we
And
all
life.
different approaches are chosen by
says,
still
in pursuing
who
look for
living.
"Although the search for happiness
agree on but the means of acquiring
in the teachings of
some
others
Buddha we
it is
is
one
different to every
read, "Find prosperity within."
108
CHAPTER TWELVE ENDNOTES 1.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Nirvan,
UP A Publication,
1986, p. 30.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN THE METHOD OF CONCENTRATION IN MEDITATION As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which
is
difficult to guard, difficult to hold hack.
A
tamed mind brings happiness The Budda
Let us
From our
start
with the mind and experiment as
childhood
we have been
elements but never to look within.
Hence most
faculty of being in touch with ourselves.
control the
we become
a laboratory.
taught to pay attention only to external
mind from constantly going
It is,
of us have nearly lost the
therefore, very hard
outside,
and
work
to concentrate all
to its
powers.
Let us take some time
now
to
do a thought observation.
THOUGHT OBSERVA TION motionless or
down on
the floor and close your eyes.
•
Sit
•
Just observe the stream of thought with passive awareness, like a spectator who must not interfere.
•
Try not to make judgments or show surprise, anger, dismay, sorrow, or any other emotion.
•
Just watch
lie
and observe.
110
It
mind
is.
comes
as a shock for the beginner to find
As
new meditator
the
and ceaseless flashing images.
become
what an unruly place one's
turns within, he faces continuous
mind
have come across many people
I
chatter
who have
so trapped in the turmoil of their daily affairs that they have lost
control over their lives and the
they desire.
They seem
power
utterly helpless
all
to lead their thoughts in the direction
and confused.
Case History #7 I
remember
who came "My
a student of mine, a young, beautiful girl of twenty-five,
to class complaining of a severe lack of concentration.
biggest
problem
that
is
I
cannot concentrate on anything.
thoughts are not
my
own.
where they want
to.
Even when
enjoy or pursue a goal thoughts lead
me
I
cannot control them; they take
I
to other subjects
me," she lamented,
engage myself
I
have chosen, I
I
lose
in
an
my
She
It is
me
as
said, if
activity that I really
concentration and
my
have not chosen to think about. Believe
have come to the conclusion that these are not
"I
my
with them
my
thoughts!"
Now, do thoughts have a mind of
their
own?
action without a subject performing that action?
she was not thinking; subject,
if
that
be missing or
lost
was
so,
among
My
who was
then
thinking?
numerous
the
How
can we have an
student was convinced
flashing
Can
the
"I,"
the
and distracting
thoughts in one's mind? In order to clarify will
this,
an example
in the Sufi discipline, "the chariot,"
help explain. Let us consider a chariot and two horses, the power to pull
the chariot. Let us imagine that the horses take off without a driver. will they
driver to
go? Will they choose a specific route or goal?
who knows
the direction he wishes to go and
keep the chariot moving
is
Do we
active
in that particular direction?
Where
not need a
and determined
Now
think of the
chariot as the mind, the horses as power, and the driver as the active will.
The
three have to
work together
course, has to be in
in
order to avoid confusion. The driver, of
command.
Concentration deals with mind-control. Tuning and training the mind as
an athlete tunes and
effective meditation.
trains his
With
body
is
one of the primary steps toward
special techniques
we
are able to
work on the
111
and
active will
awaken
to
that inner identity in order to take control of our
undisciplined minds that refuse to obey the
described the mind of except where
it is
man
Saint Theresa of Avila once
will.
an "unbroken horse" that would go anywhere
as
bid.
Speaking of mind control, about a computer that suddenly
also
I
remember a
science fiction movie
by
starts functioning
and refuses
itself
to
obey the orders given by the computer operator, who was successfully working with
computer
becomes
up
it
starts to
moment.
to that critical
mix up
While watching the movie
totally uncontrollable.
The mind can become confused what
is
the
call
I
We
sale,
have
and perhaps have
even might have experienced having an "Open House" a purpose for
is
it,
and that
you would decide who came House," the door eat,
we
is
is
But when
eat.
comes
it
without being selective and deciding going to do with
it,
Our minds comes you
in
if it is
nutritious,
if
in our
if it is
is
fresh
we
and
let
nutritious;
still call it
following
that information,
what we are
going to be enriching.
When was
the last time
traffic
up there? Would you
coming and going
in
like to
a helpful concentration exercise.
the floor and
•
Lie
•
Totally relax your body.
make
be
it!
living If
you
and out of your house,
your house? is
Can you
cleaning your mental household?
Exercise 1:
down on
we
are open houses that accept and store almost anything that
could not control the
The
Normally
everything enter,
house that has a sign post saying "Open House." Think about
would you
some or
own home.
welcome. Similarly, when we
to our mind,
we need
and
possibly imagine everything you have in a
seen "Open
visited
when you have an "Open
and that never get cleaned or organized.
down and thought about
sat
is
best for us that
is
all
to advertise to sell the house.
your house. But
open and almost anyone food that
try to eat
watch what we
in to
One common
for different reasons.
"Open House" syndrome.
House: signs on houses that are for
There
found many
I
between the wild computer and the uncontrolled human mind.
similarities
reason
In this chaotic situation the
the data, gives out unwanted printouts, and
all
yourself comfortable.
112
•
Close your eyes.
•
Let your hands rest comfortably beside you.
•
Begin sensing your body.
•
Start with your feet.
and then the
Try and sense each individual toe on the right foot
left.
•
Now try to feel the middle of your right foot, and now the left. Now sense the right heel, and the left heel. Now sense the sides of the feet, on the right then the left.
•
Compare
•
Do
• •
the different sensations sides of your foot.
between the
top,
the same with each part of the body and try to feel not just the surface and the front of the body but all over. The body is not just a flat surface,
but has dimension. Try to feel that.
•
Continue to move up the body, feeling and sensing
•
Also concentrate on areas where there
•
Feel the calves, the right and the
•
Feel the knees.
•
bottom and the
Now
feel the hip joints
is
it
as best
you can.
a feeling of discomfort.
left.
and the whole area of the
pelvis; feel the best
you can. •
Now try
•
Continue up the shoulders.
•
Now
•
Now start
•
Approaching the face
•
Finally sense your
•
Now
•
Place right hand upon the right knee, and the knee.
•
Once again close your eyes and start sensing your body, beginning with your toes, and moving up the body as before until you reach the top of your head. As you are doing this note which parts of the body you can feel and which parts are difficult to sense, and also, which parts you cannot feel, as if there is a discontinuation.
•
Be
and sense the chest
area.
start to bring your right hand into your awareness, then the upper arm, the elbow, the lower arm, the wrist, the hand and the fingers, one by one.
sensing the neck, feel start
it
totally.
with the mouth, the nose, the ears, the eyes.
head and
skull.
be seated in a comfortable position on the floor, keeping the upper body as erect as possible. Make sure you can maintain this position for a while without having to move and change position. left
hand upon the
left
sure to sense the entire body, including, for instance, the inside of the mouth.
113
Compare
the two sides of the body noting any differences, seeing if the body and the left feel exactly the same, and if not, noting how they differ.
•
right side of the
Once you have reached
•
toward the
the top of the head, this time go back
down
feet.
•
This time move up feeling the body quickly, trying to keep the body image in your mind as you do so.
•
At
this time focus your attention on your right hand, and sense its contact with the knees; note the way your hand is resting on the knee. Feel the hand, the palm of the hand, the back and individual fingers. Do they all feel the same: Feel your wrist.
your attention
•
Shift
•
Now try to feel the
A
problem
now
to the left
entire
that
body
almost
attractions,
that there
is
and
is
is
same
everyone
concentration, in different degrees.
be that our attention
hand and do the same.
at the
time.
suffering
is
As mentioned
from
earlier,
lack
is
of
one reason may
completely absorbed by a multitude of external
spread thinly across a very broad spectrum.
This means
no point of focus.
However, itself in different
this is
ways;
not well comprehended, and the problem manifests
memory
loss, uncertainty, inability to
make
decisions,
chronic fatigue, not having enough time, feeling overloaded, insecurity, frustration, stress, is
and lack of intelligence are some symptoms. Our attention
either spread too thin or
and
finally loses contact
is
absorbed in the past and future expectations
with the present and also our true identity and
purpose.
Case History #2: Concentration and Learning
Many people who complain
of a lack of intelligence in general or in a
particular field or subject are usually suffering
from a lack of concentration
instead. I
once had a student who seemed very preoccupied with her
fifteen-
year-old son and complained that he had a learning disability that had
developed and worsened through the years.
She was afraid that he would
never graduate from high school. After the
first
concentration session
had a lack of concentration, but when
I
I
had with him,
examined more
it
seemed
closely
I
that he
noticed a
114
slowness
certain
mental
lacked
that
seemed
he had a learning
to indicate that
disability in the true sense of the
realized
what
his
problem was and soon
exercises for him,
his
of successful studies behind
business and
One
is
I
and
swiftness
disability,
word but a
limited
that
his
Everything added together
concentration, hindering his learning process.
but in fact
it
was not a
lack of mental exercise.
Once
I
designed special concentrational and mental
He now
grades became better.
him and
is
has two years
working toward a bachelor degree in
planning to continue in graduate school.
of the exercises that
I
used was the following:
Exercise 2:
you can maintain for a
•
Seat yourself in a comfortable position that while.
•
Place both hands in front of you on the floor: should be down.
•
Close your eyes.
•
Imagine your
•
Now
•
Now focus your
right
hand
flat
on the
the palms of the hands
floor, also picture
it
in
your mind.
and picture your right hand as if it were in front of your eyes. Picture the hand somewhere before your closed eyes and turn it around so that you see the back, the front, the sides, the tips of the fingers. Then put your hand down. try
attention inside your head. Try to become aware of the is and let your attention roam around in that
area where your brain space for a while. •
Become aware
•
Become aware
•
Create the image of your right hand, as
of the right hemisphere of the brain and then the left and the corpus callosum, the connection between the two sides; also
note the convolutions of the brain. of all the activity in the brain, electrical activity as well as chemical activity. Feel how very active the brain is electrically and chemically. Focus all your attention there.
brain.
•
What
Make is
that
that three-dimensional
or have you
made
if
the right
hand
is
there in the
image three dimensional. a
fist?
image
What does
it
like?
Is
the hand stretched out
look like?
•
Let the hand go away from the brain now and just feel both hands resting on the floor again, the palms down.
•
Think about the connection between the hand and the brain. Focus on the brain and then focus upon the hand, and keep alternating your attention from one to the other.
/ 115
Breathe freely as you switch your awareness from one to the other. Does it seem more natural to breathe in as your attention moves up towards the brain and breathe out as your attention comes down toward the hand?
Now
practice doing
it
the opposite way, inhaling as your awareness
moves down toward the hand and exhaling
as your awareness rises
toward the brain.
Again
try
it
Which
the other way.
Think about the right hand. Think about making a fist up
is
easier?
Think about making a
fist
on the
floor.
in your brain.
Imagine making a
tight fist and then letting go, while your hand is resting on the floor; just imagine it and feel the sensation. Repeat this three times. What do you feel in your muscles when you imagine making a fist and then letting go of it?
Try and feel what happens when you think about making a fist and when you release it. What do you feel in your wrist? in your arm? in your shoulders? Do you also sense it in the neck, eyes, mouth, or even in your breathing?
Focus your attention in the brain area and give instruction to the hand to make a fist and then to release. As you do this become aware of the connection between the two. Feel that an impulse goes from the brain to the hand. The brain orders the hand to make fist; once the fist is made a signal returns to the brain letting it know that the fist is made. Although this whole process happens in a split second, try to feel this going-back-and-forth of the messages.
Now,
for the first time, make the this several times.
fist
with your right hand and
let
go
and repeat
See what you
feel in
your
Now feel your left hand.
wrist,
arm, neck, and face.
Feel both hands simultaneously.
Sense the right side of your body and then the clearer? Compare the sensing of the two sides. Lie
down on your back
for a
left side.
Which
side
moment, and observe how the two
is
sides
lie.
Observe your breathing. Is the whole body breathing equally? equal on both sides? How clear is the breathing on the left side?
At
this
time imagine an image of yourself lying down.
Examine Sit
this
image from above and below and from the
up again and focus on the like?
Can you
feel
brain.
Now feel
sides.
with both hands. Feel pulsate and move. What does it
Feel it any electrical
the aliveness of the brain.
sound
Is it
it
activity?
Sense the outside of the head again, and the inside, and the brain, the left and the right hemisphere. Feel the ears and their connection to the brain; the sense of hearing and the sense of sight.
116
•
Become aware
•
Open your eyes and focus on something and, then, close the eyes, trying to picture it in your mind, as if you took a photograph and gave it to the brain. What is the difference between looking at an object and then the image of the same object? Open your eyes and look and now close them and look, and remember.
•
Focus your attention back on the brain. It should be more stimulated by the exercises that you have just performed and its ability to remember, think, imagine and concentrate should be improved. It should be strengthened in all these areas and become much more alert.
•
It is
•
Breathe
of the eyes and try to sense the connection between the eyes and the brain.
time for the brain to take a comfortably
and
rest.
just
tell
Tell
it
the
to
do
so.
brain
to
relax
fully
and
completely. •
Feel
how
•
The
brain
it is
is
just resting.
now
refreshed and strengthened and very
For those students who would skills, this
exercise
is
much
aware.
more concentration
like to acquire
very useful before classes or even exams.
Exercise 3: •
Close your eyes.
•
Pay attention
•
For a
•
Start regulating your breath, trying to breathe fuller
•
Let your stomach expand as you begin to inhale.
•
See how many counts are required for your incoming breath.
•
Hold yourself motionless
to the respiratory muscles. little
way you are breathing and
to the
movement
of the
while, just pay attention to your breath.
for
and deeper.
an instant or two, before beginning
to
exhale. •
Allow the same counts
•
Let your breath be gentle and quiet.
•
Simply allow your body to unwind and the thoughts to become
•
You
untangled, the mind to
for your exhaling breath.
become
quiet and
still.
are ready to concentrate and do your very best!
Several techniques allow us to steady the mind.
A disturbed
not capable of finding a solution to any problem; on the contrary,
confuse the problem even further.
A
mind it
is
may
person with a disturbed mind makes
117
The
or no sense of his situation and embraces failure everywhere.
little
reason for
this is that
when
function properly since
the
it is
mind
is
troubled and confused,
influenced by
many
it is
unable to
factors that intervene.
Our
thoughts will thus not be able to follow a specific direction and concentrate
on one desired channel. The confused mind will
go where
acts like
an unbroken horse that
wants without any particular destination.
it
This confusion
and most of the time we are prevented from
naturally affects our lives,
making important decisions and reaching important
goals.
Like a computer that has to be kept at a moderate temperature in order to function and
respond accurately,
the
reason and the
active
mechanism of the mind and the senses work the same way. Everyone
we
mental peace and
in search of
is
and makes everything possible
to attain
But
it.
this is
why one
struggles
in desperate search for
very often choose ways that only increase the confusion.
peace
Mental peace
opens many closed avenues of wisdom and mental unrest closes many.
To the
the person of high aim
higher mysteries
everywhere, that universal separation, yet
Mind
all bliss,
whose body, mind, and soul
become
of nature life
wherein there
peace and
no
distinction,
it,
we
trivial.
By becoming completely
help develop mind control. There are definite exercises in
"mental muscles" can be
The mind in
hides
its it
oneself
no sense of
unity.
controlling the mind, just as in controlling the body.
up
harmony,
feels
control can be achieved by giving our entire attention to
whatever we are doing, no matter how absorbed in
is
act in
One
revealed.
is
By
practicing them,
built.
our worst enemy or our closest friend. The mind caught
habitual playground in the world of senses veils the inner self and
from
us.
It
makes us think
that
God
is
far away,
and that happiness
must be found outside. Yet the same mind that separates us from the also can help us reunite with
necessary
if
it.
Although
"discipline"
and
"will"
self
have become
sometimes negative catch words for many people, they are
necessary for our preparation.
As
the
new
student begins to attain
some measure
control of his mind, he finds his center of interest
of self-mastery and
moving back from the
118
visible
No
world of effects to the inner world of causes.
longer
is
he a mere
puppet controlled by mass opinion but a co-worker with the forces of nature.
When we touch
own
its
mind goes deeper and deeper
practice meditation, the
more
within and becomes
When
quiet.
it
becomes
clear,
becoming more and more a mirror
source,
it is
then able to
to the light within.
Like a pool whose surface, when ruffled by the winds of anger and desire,
is
unable to reflect the sun, the agitated mind can no longer mirror and reflect the truth.
It is
upon
visions gathered
the serene and placid surface of the quiet
from the
invisible find
In other words, inspiration cannot
eye of
wisdom cannot see
greatest happiness
mind
that the
a representation in the visible world.
work through a turbulent instrument; the
clearly through the mists of
comes when one
sorrow and
the mind. If the
stills
mind
The
joy.
weak and
is
distracted,
even the healthiest body becomes diseased.
full reality
are very different from narrow minds, trained to the practice of
either/or, black or white,
Minds tuned
good or bad, high or low, functioning only by
to the
habit,
and, in short, attempting to measure infinity with a yardstick.
As
written in The
Dhammapada,
fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back. tamed mind brings
As a
A
happiness.
water where they
Irrigators lead
carpenters shape 1 themselves.
The
own
wood
true man's destiny
free will.
is
The human being
own power he can make
his life
will; fletchers
their
to
shape the arrow, men shape
wise
will,
not shaped by his environment but by his
has the freedom to
become
anything.
sublime or wretched. By his
can reach the heavens or descend to the depths. For a person
and
is
prison is
in
harmony with
is
a wide-open space. But for one
out of touch with
Buddha
says:
reality,
reality,
even a dry desert
even a
Control of the mind opens a Spiritual
development, however,
equipment, which
will
is
who does
celestial
"Showers of gold pieces
is
will
not
his
who
is
in touch
a celestial garden, even a not
garden
know
is
satisfy the
new path
By
own power he
his
own
like prison.
one who
to a higher
is
self
and
And
as
in pain."
realm of
life.
not possible without sound physical
be the subject of the next few chapters.
119
CHAPTER THIRTEEN ENDNOTES 1.
Buddha's Teachings, The Dhammapada, translated by Irving Babbit, Publishing Corporation, 80 Eighth Ave., New York 10011, p.
New Directions 8.
124
PHYSICAL A WARENESS •
Right at
this
moment, which
parts of your
body are making contact
with the chair or the floor? •
How deep
•
Is
is
your breath?
your body symmetrical?
•
How do you
feel
your body?
•
As you read
this
book, what noises can you hear?
All these questions have to do with our awareness.
awareness
is
and around
our consciousness toward what
to increase
is
To sharpen our going on within
us.
Awareness Exercise •
Have
•
Seat yourself quietly on the floor or on a chair.
•
Close your eyes, and
•
Ask yourself
What
a sheet of paper and a pen available.
is
happening
What am
How am I How am I What
are
I
right
sure you are comfortable.
now?
thinking right
now?
feeling?
breathing?
my senses
How clearly can •
make
the following questions.
I
telling
me?
picture myself, and the
Slowly open your eyes now.
way
I
am
sitting?
125
CHAPTER FOURTEEN ENDNOTES 1.
W.
K. C. Guthrie, The Greek Philosophers, Harper Torch Books,
London, 1950, 2.
Hazrat
Jafery, P.O.
p. 72.
Ali,
Box
Nahjul Balagha, translated by Seyd New York, 11373.
1115, Elmhurst,
Mohammad
Askari
122
Therefore, in the Islamic discipline, there the spirit and flesh and between is
is
no opposition between
mind and matter but the view and
based on the multiple hierarchy of being and
principle
This means that
unity.
we
cannot separate the body from the mind, nor either from the soul, because a
human
being
body, mind, and soul. Equilibrium and balance are the laws
is
that should govern this unified being.
The human body is
not inferior or
goal of
life is
evil.
is
the most beautiful,
wondrous creation of God.
must be cared for and taken care
It
of.
not just to maintain the body, as dear and beautiful as
mold
It
However, the it is.
The
for the life
and soul
within, the shell in which the pearl grows; without the shell, there
would be
body should be taken care of because
no
it is
the
pearl.
"When
health
absent,
is
wisdom cannot
manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth
becomes
reveal
itself,
useless,
cannot
art
and intelligence
cannot be applied," said Herophilus, physician to Alexander the Great. This
is
how important
the body and
its
health
is,
not for the sake of
developing muscles and outer beauty alone. The beauty and the truth within also needs recognition
optimum shape maintained for
in this
and expression.
Like a car that must be kept in
order to best serve the driver, the body has to be
The purpose
purpose.
of a car
destination, but a beautifully maintained car that
is
is
to take
you
to your
washed and polished and
kept in perfect condition will be no more than a heap of metal, or at the most a beautiful object, unless for the sake of
it
mere beauty
serves is
The Greek philosopher knowing and understanding shoemaker:
"If
you want
to
its
To wash and
purpose.
not what the car
is
made
polish
it
Socrates believed that the virtue of
his
function; he uses the
first
be a good shoemaker," he
what
thing necessary
said,
is
it is you are setting out to produce and what function it have to perform. The virtue of a shoemaker depends first and foremost on the possession of this knowledge. He ought to be able to describe in clear terms the nature of the thing he intended to make, and his definition should include a statement of the use to which it was to be put. The first task,
will
man
is
metaphor of the
to know what a shoe is and what it is meant for. It is no use trying to decide on the best sort of tools and material to use and the best methods of using them unless you have first formed in your mind a clear and detailed idea of
the
alone
for.
123
therefore, if we are to acquire this universal discover what the function of man is. 1
Therefore, the goal of
man
is
human virtue, human
reach his
to
is
to
potential and
connect with his infinite source of knowledge and inner wealth so that he the image of
Man
God.
is
beyond
himself, a self-recognition that goes as
Man
then to acquire his true value. his body.
2
Therefore, the physical part of our training
Our awareness may more and more
become
And
start
the infinite
lies
Imam Ali.
proclaims the eminent
is
only a starting point;
not an end or the ultimate goal of our meditation classes, as
to
is
know
to
"You think of yourself
a small mass (cluster) of matter, while within you
existence,"
is
it is
it is
many.
in so
with the physical body but must gradually progress
subtle parts of our being
satisfied with a beautiful
for eternal everlasting
life,
body?
and go
Why
far
beyond the body.
not aim for the beauty
Why
itself?
something that the body cannot provide.
However, the physical aspect of our training deals with strengthening the body, gaining control over the physiological process that enables one to control one's metabolism, to induce changes to treat psychosomatic ailments, to ease anxiety, control brain patterns, regulate the breath,
and secure and
maintain balance and physical health in the body.
The most important accomplishment
of the "meditative therapies,"
such as autogenic training and progressive relaxation,
aware
they
have
can
control
over
their
is
they
autonomic
or
make people involuntary
physiological functions. Voluntary control of the involuntary nervous system
was considered impossible a decade ago. Once one begins self-regulation can extend to all areas of one's lifestyle in
a more positive direction.
one becomes
active
and responsible
life,
to realize that this
one can change one's
Because of the importance of volition in the process of the healing treatment
rather than a passive victim of stress or disease.
In order to gain such control the body and
how
it
functions.
we need
"Know
with knowledge on a physical level.
to increase our awareness about
Thyself," as the prophets said, starts
CHAPTER FOURTEEN ACHIEVING UNITY THROUGH PHYSICAL
CONTROL AND AWARENESS Equilibrium and balance are the law that should govern this unified being. Mental control to
easily understood, but
is
what
physical control? Is
is
it
go without oxygen for a period of twenty-four hours? Or to survive on a
single date a day?
Or
to
sit
on needles and not
feel the pain?
Or
to develop
incredible physical muscles in order to perform acrobatics?
Although the above
The
health
the
of
MTO, Maktab body and
maintained by the right diet and sufficient exercise,
Some regarding place
it
religious
yogis, require severe
no means small achievements, these types of
achievements are not the goals in the meditation classes.
by some
feats, practiced
physical discipline and are by
practitioners
tend to
is
importance
only
upon
the
physical
overall
balance,
very important.
trivialize
as inferior, while considering the spirit to
misinformation about Islam, the principle of
Tarighat Oveyssi,
its
body.
UNITY,
the
human
be superior.
its
Among main
body,
Others the
all
principle,
still
survives.
Islamic Sufism emphasizes theory of unity, which considers mind,
body, and
spirit as
one; each represents only abstractions that try to separate
aspects of a unified organism. So mind,
Object, use and user.
the unity,
is
The
creator, the
what makes the meaning.
body and soul are one complex
work and the audience,
in
unity.
each case,
CHAPTER FIFTEEN BUILDING BODILY BALANCE AND PERFECT POSTURE Stress
is
one of the main-
sources of bad posture.
POSTURE Our posture staying in
tells
one position for too long and
furniture for long periods of time.
muscle tension from
Poor posture can be caused by
a lot about us.
stress
sitting in
bad posture
in ill-designed
This inactivity, together with increasing
and other sources,
is
one of the main causes of
bad posture.
Our posture
influenced by our mental and psychological well-being.
is
Each person has a
characteristic
tension;
when we
way
very noticeable to
students walk
crumpled apparent
in,
me
this.
at the
many with one shoulder
toes, tight fists, at the
of
contract certain muscles and create painful knots in
response to tension, our posture reflects It is
of responding to stress by tensing
Our bodies have become a storehouse
particular parts of the body.
end of
and wrinkled
class.
However,
if
beginning of each class
raised faces.
much
A
how my
higher than the other,
noticeable difference
is
these contractions remain, in time
tension builds up and affects our posture, causing abnormalities, limited
motion, and damage to the nervous system.
your body's particular
signals.
The
first
step
is
to recognize
128
Lower Back
The lower back
one of the most
is
highly susceptible to stress.
become very
common problem
Lower back and hip
areas and
is
cause the spine to
inactivity
and vulnerable. Ill-designed chairs that do not support the
rigid
back and jobs that require a
lot of
standing or bending or
lifting
heavy objects
cause bad posture and injury to the lower back.
Neck/Shoulders
Too much
driving,
keyboard work, and
long cause tension in this area. causing "tension headaches." painful, are a
common
It
sitting in
one position for too
interferes with the circulation of the blood,
The
become
shoulders, which can
tight
and
tension area in the body.
Face
Many people premature
lines.
of headaches.
gather a lot of tension in the face area, which causes
The clenching
It is
incredible
of teeth and tight jaws
mirror handy in class because too often mirror to see that worry
how
is
what a relaxed face does
beautiful they have
I
need
become
yet another source for you.
I
have a
to ask students to look in the after class
is
over.
With
all
and tension wiped away, faces become smooth, very radiant, and
peaceful.
Chest
The
tension and contraction in this area interferes with breathing
deeply and can cause severe chest pains.
Stomach Diseases of the digestive tract that are either caused or aggravated by stress
include bloated stomach, gastritis,
ulcerative colitis,
and
irritable colon.
stomach and duodenal
For many people,
this is the
ulcers,
weak
spot
in the
body and
one
aware of the weaknesses and the abnormalities we have created. Poor
stress reaction
shows up
in this area.
Beautiful posture can be developed; corrections can be is
made once
129
posture affects your whole body, puts stress on your skeleton and internal organs,
and damages your self-image. Make a posture check
right
now.
POSTURE CHECK •
Stand in front of a full-length mirror and check your posture.
your head too far forward?
•
Is
•
Is
your head too far back?
•
Is
your the chest too far forward? your chest dropped?
•
Is
•
Are your shoulders too
far
forward?
•
Are your shoulders too
far
back?
•
Is
your back rounded?
•
Is
your back arched?
•
Is
your pelvis
tilted
forward?
•
Is
your pelvis
tilted
backward?
•
Is
your diaphragm low?
•
Are your
•
Is
•
Are your
•
Are your knees locked?
feet aligned?
your body symmetrical? pelvis, chest, head,
and shoulders centered?
Standing with your body correctly aligned burns the fewest possible calories.
The reason
and the back
up against correctly, If
to
is
that proper alignment allows the muscles in the front
be used evenly. All your muscles work together to hold you
gravity.
When the body is
aligned and the body parts are arranged
you are allowing your muscles to function your alignment
is
efficiently.
not correct then you will not
body will continuously be vulnerable
move
freely
and your
to injury.
ALIGNMENT What made all
is
correct
body alignment?
of three principle parts: 1)
It
helps to think of the body as being
The head;
2) the rib cage;
and
3) the pelvis,
attached to the spine. They are also connected to and supported by two
130
legs,
which are balanced on top of the
correctly arranged
When
feet.
and balanced, then the body
•
Start with the head,
•
Proceed now to the
and hold
it
these elements are
all
aligned.
so your ears are over your shoulders.
The
rib cage.
is
rib
cage needs to be directly above
the pelvis, not leaning back or slumping forward. •
Now pay
attention to your shoulders and
make
sure they are gently held
down.
Now align your pelvis. Your pelvis
•
needs to hang down from your spine It must not be tipped so that your back is a relaxed vertical line. backward causing an exaggerated curve in the waistline, nor should it be tipped forward or tucked under so that the curve in the lower back diminishes. No extra muscular effort should be needed to keep the pelvis correctly aligned. Try unlocking the knees, which helps align both the pelvis and the rib cage.
•
Align the feet now, pointing them straight ahead and not letting them go out to the sides. Balance your weight on the entire foot, not just the
•
Have you become aware
•
Which
heel.
parts of your
of the weaknesses in your posture?
body react most quickly
to stress?
Posture Correction Exercise
Now
that
we have become aware
try to
your head
too far forward, hold
it.
Look
center!
is
it
posture
close your eyes
and
problems and
For example,
if
very far forward, then back; then center
at yourself in the mirror; notice
Then
of our
exaggerate and then correct them again.
weaknesses,
how much
better you look
try to actually feel the difference.
on
Try to
exaggerate each of your weaknesses and act in the same way. •
•
your shoulders are too far forward, exaggerate by pulling them even more forward, and now back, and finally centering. Look at yourself in the mirror and admire your beautiful centered shoulders. Close your eyes and again feel the difference. If
If
your shoulders are too far back, pull them back even farther, then them forward and now center.
pull
the back is rounded, exaggerate that roundness. Now lengthen the spine to the point that you are arching your back. Now align and
•
If
•
the pelvis is tilted forward, try and tilt a little more, then tilt backward, and now unlock the knees and center and align the pelvis and the rib cage. Examine the correct posture in the mirror. Close your eyes and feel the difference.
center. If
131 f
In this
way work on
the different areas that are irregular and need
all
Remember
correction.
corrective measures only
that awareness
is
the
first
when you become aware
You can
step.
of those
weak points
take in the
body, causing your posture to change completely in time.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE
MTO physical therapeutic system corrects irregularities in posture
The
Again, each person has a characteristic way of
motion and metabolism.
responding to mental tension by contracting and tensing particular parts of
Through time these tensions stimulate and
the body.
affect the
nervous
system and the body in general. With the help of physical exercises, the body
can be rid of any tensions and
Among
will regain its healthy,
balanced and
state.
other benefits are regulation of the heartbeat, blood circulation and
The
breathing.
regulation of breath results in the uniform distribution of
oxygen throughout the body, which
is
Take an hour out of each day in the body.
how
experience
it
and release the tensions
After physical and mental relaxation you will have
energy, will feel
forgotten
essential to health.
to relax, stretch,
to
much
stronger and
We
more concentrated.
be naturally relaxed and
much more have almost
in a worry-free state.
Let us
again.
RELEASING TENSION Interestingly enough,
I
have noticed in
my
classes that
most people are
not aware of the degree and amount of tension they experience in their
bodies simply because they almost never relax.
and tensions stored
in the
paying any attention to
body and carry
it
They are used
it.
In order to relax fully and to
remember once again what
relaxed, try the following exercise, designed to contrast the
you exaggerate tensing your muscles with the way you them. This technique will leave you •
Lie
to the pain
with them from day to day, hardly
it is
feel
like to
when
when you
relax
fully relaxed.
down on your back, and extend your
be
feel
way you
legs out in front of you.
132
•
Make sure that you are resting comfortably. Do not support your head unless you need to. Use a pillow under your knees if you are suffering from back
pain.
•
Let your arms
•
Close your eyes.
•
fall
to the side not touching your body.
Start to breath deeper,
and see how you
feel lighter as
your breath
becomes deeper. •
Breathe normally.
•
Start with your feet and curl your toes very tightly, as tightly as Hold this tension for a count of five, then relax.
•
This time try to flex your feet, pulling your heels towards you, and again hold for a count of five, then relax.
•
Now point your feet out
•
Experience
•
Tighten the knees, almost raising the feet off the ground, holding the tension for a count of five, and then relaxing.
•
Tighten the hips and hold that tension for a count of
how
away from you and hold
for five
and
you can.
relax.
relaxed the feet feel. Proceed from the feet to the rest
of the body.
and
five;
now
release
relax.
abdomen and keep
•
Pull in the go-
•
Expand your the ground a
it
in; after
a count of five completely
let
if throwing it out in front of you, coming off of hold the tension and the breath, then release.
chest, as little;
•
Approach the shoulders now, raising the arms off the ground and tensing them quite tightly almost to the point of pain; after five counts you may let go completely. Feel the difference.
•
Tighten the arms now, hold and
•
Make
•
Spread the fingers outward and hold the tension for a count of you let go and relax the fingers, notice how they feel.
•
Try and reach your chest with your chin without raising your head off
•
Roll your head back on the floor as far as possible, stretching out the neck. Relax and feel the difference.
•
Open your mouth
very tight
fists
relax.
with your hands. five; as
the ground.
five,
as
wide as possible and keep
it
open
for a count of
then close. Hold, then release
•
Press the teeth tightly together, clenching them. completely.
•
Push the tongue as far back as possible toward the throat; for a count of five and then release and relax.
try
and hold
133
Close your eyes
•
tightly
and hold the tension. Let go and close the eyes
lightly.
•
Raise the eyebrows toward the forehead as high as possible; as you go notice the difference.
•
Frown very
let
fiercely, bringing the eyebrows as close to each other as possible. Let go of the tension in the face completely.
What you
how
it
feel
now
should always
simply a natural state of the body;
is
freedom from
Just enjoy the
feel.
now you know
tension.
Go
back
to
any areas of the body as needed.
EXERCISES TO DO It is
happen
best not to build
at
up tension
for long hours, but that can often
work. These are very helpful exercises that can be performed
work, especially
your job requires
if
swiveling of the chair to reach for the
Exercise 1:
ON THE JOB
Back
sitting for file
at
long hours, with occasional
cabinet, computer, or telephone.
Twist
a chair with your knees and feet together; place the feet the ground.
•
Sit in
•
Place your right hand on your
•
Place your
•
Take a deep
•
Gently twist your upper body toward the
left
left
flat
on
knee.
hand on the back of the
chair.
breath. left,
looking over your
left
shoulder, as you start to exhale. •
Hold
•
Breathe
•
Place your
•
Place your right hand on the back of the chair.
•
Breathe
for five counts, breathing normally. in
and gently return left
hand on your
in; as
Look over your
you
start to exhale, twist the
Hold
•
Return
•
Repeat three times on each
If it
you exhale.
upper body to the
right.
right shoulder.
•
for five seconds. to the front very gently.
was easier
want
to the front as right knee.
for
you
to
move
to repeat the exercise
side.
to
one side rather than the other, you might
and work on that particular side one more time.
134
The Forward Bend
Exercise II:
with your hips touching the back of the chair.
•
Sit
•
Place your feet flat on the floor. a book under them.
•
As you breath in a
wide
If
your feet do not reach the floor put
both arms high up in the
in raise
air,
extending them out
V above your head.
•
Lean forward as you are exhaling until your head hangs limply over your knees and your hands are loosely crossed on your feet.
•
Relax for a few seconds.
•
Raise the body very slowly back to the upright position.
Exercise III:
The Knee Folding
on the edge of the
•
Sit
•
The
•
The arms should hang
•
Raise your right knee by clasping both hands round far as possible toward the chest.
•
Breathe
•
Hold both the squeeze and the breath
•
Start to breathe out while returning the leg to the floor.
•
Now raise
•
Hold
feet should
in as
be
chair.
flat
you do
on the
floor.
very loosely at your sides.
and pulling
it
as
so.
for five seconds.
the opposite knee toward the chest and breathe
for five seconds
in.
and release and breathe out while returning the
leg to the floor. •
it
Repeat three times on each
side.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN STRESS AWARENESS: ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO SELF-KNOWLEDGE You have
to
become aware of the your body sends.
stress signals
In this and the next chapter
how
reactions to stress, and
of
life's
stresses while at the
we
to recover
will learn
more
how
to recognize the body's
quickly from the extra
same time learning
to
demands
change responses to new
and more positive ones.
MIND/BODY RELATIONSHIP
We stress
said that each person has a characteristic
by tensing particular parts of the body.
separated from the other.
It is
We
have to work on not
on our body but
incredible
how
the
just the effects
is
mind
affects the
body and how we tend if
not
all,
to
muscular
self-produced.
Recently,
I
from asthma. She coming
and traces
also the causes of stress.
react to stressful situations by tensing our muscles. Most,
tension
of responding to
One cannot be
our physical and mental well-being.
posture reflects
that stress leaves
way
In this way, our physical
came is
across a very interesting case of a student suffering
a very intelligent and dedicated student
to meditation class for
from asthma
for years.
more than a
year.
who
has been
She has been suffering
During the holy month of Ramadan we worked on a
136
self-improvement program in which the students set important goals for
may sound month.
funny, but
am
I
get rid of
me after my asthma
This particular student approached
themselves.
almost sure
and
it,
am
I
I
am
I
going to get rid of
have brought
class
and
upon myself and therefore
this
tired of not being able to breathe."
We
time
when
was at a
she was experiencing a
her
a few years back.
attack she had in class
this
of stress and difficulty in her
lot
history of
asthma before that
she was going to succeed.
if
and
last
She
on several occasions
it
she was completely out of breath. Yet before the
rid of her
life,
stressful period in
encouraged her, although remembering the
I
made me wonder
always brought her inhaler to class and had to use
was
She was
problem, because she knew
it
had absolutely no
when
can
little
She explained how her asthma had suddenly developed
that she life,
I
talked a
about the history of her ailment and the medications involved. convinced that she could eliminate self-produced.
said, "It
by the end of the
month was over she
asthma for good; nearly a year has passed and fortunately she
has not had a relapse.
What was happening contracted
the
muscles
was
in her case
of
her
that during times of stress, she
bronchial
walls
and
therefore
obstruction of the bronchi and bronchioles caused her attacks.
partial
She solved
her long-lasting problem by learning proper breathing techniques and
becoming aware "If I
was able
that her
In chapter seven reactions
Let us
it
causes,
First,
reactions,
modern
traffic,
I
remember her
able to get rid of
stress
saying,
it!"
was and the dangerous
to stroke, heart attacks to suicide.
toward alleviating the
"stress
epidemic" that
life.
pay close attention to the source of
and how those
more aware of how
The odors
am
I
we determined what
from mild headaches
affect the body.
It is
stress,
sensitivity
become aware
of our
sad but true that most people
their car functions than
have a tendency to lose our
of
problem, then
start taking a positive step
plays a large role in
are
problem was self-produced.
to create such a
how
their
body does.
We
and awareness of our surroundings.
of strong chemicals in dry cleaner's or a printing shop, the sound the harsh noise of heavy construction, the blare of loudspeakers,
the constant ringing of the phone, the loud bell of an alarm clock have
become
part of our daily lives. People
who work
in
environments with these
137
and similar
stressors often say, "Oh,
become used
to
and ignore
all
I
don't even notice
it
anymore."
We
kinds of stressors in addition to the ones
mentioned; a disappointing job, or a relationship, or continual physical pain.
The
following exercise will help us
become more aware
of what
is
going on around - and within - us. Stress Awareness
•
Write down the answers to the following questions on a sheet of paper.
•
Write down as many sources of stress as possible that you experience each day, rating the frequency and the intensity of each one on a scale
•
Write down some of the physiological effects of
•
What
of 1 to
5.
are
some
stress
on your body.
of your physical problems?
•
Could they also be
•
Put your pen down for a while and look over your sources of
•
Close your eyes.
stress related? stress.
•
What
•
Think of the three major
•
Evaluate the degree to which your reactions or behavior due to stress have helped you attain what you want.
•
Determine whether you can eliminate your source of
•
What
•
Do
•
Do
•
Where
•
Turn the page now and look over the list of stressors and the related mental and physical indicators on the following pages. See if there is anything on these lists that you have left out and would like to add to
need
is it
are
exactly that
you want out of life? stressors in your
some behavioral changes
life.
Write these down.
stress.
or alternative plans of action you
to develop to experience less stress?
you find that you are becoming tense and feel physical discomfort as you are thinking about stressors? Do you feel some muscles tightening up as you are remembering them? you feel a particular group of muscles attention to that particular area of your body. exactly
becoming tense?
Pay
is it?
your
list.
•
Add
the
•
Take a deep breath and
new item
or items to your
list.
try to relax
now.
138
Some Sources
•
Unclear purpose in
•
Choices
•
Social acceptance
•
Separation/Divorce
Marriage
•
Financial concerns/payments/debts
•
Deadlines/Exams
•
Rush jobs
•
Health concerns
•
Overcrowded
•
Noise
•
Relocating
•
Neighbors/Neighborhood
•
Responsibilities
•
Expectations/Demands (home,
•
Recent death Relationships
•
Traffic
Frequency
Intensity
12345
12345
life
•
•
of Stress
living conditions
in the family
•
Current events
•
Phobias
•
Competition
•
Self-demand
•
Promotion
•
Lay-off
•
Physical appearance
•
Loneliness
•
Boredom
•
Habits
•
Weight problem
•
Illness
social)
Smoking Alcohol
Drugs Sex
Some Mental and
Increased
Psychological Indicators
irritability
Lack of patience Nervous mannerisms Forgetfulness
Depression
Disappointment Anxiety for no apparent reason
Lack of concentration Frustration / Anger
Lowered Mental Nightmares Helplessness
Low
self-esteem
Negativity
Mood swings
Activity
Frequency
Intensity
12345
12345
140
Some
Physiological Indicators
•
Muscular pain
•
Digestive difficulties
•
Skin eruptions/pimples
•
Stomach pain
•
Heartburn
•
Chest pains
•
Grinding of teeth
•
Headaches
•
Back pain
•
Constant fatigue
•
Excessive sweating
•
Shortness of breath
•
High blood pressure
•
Hyperactivity
•
Irregularity of menstrual period
•
Nausea
•
Insomnia
•
Eating disorders
•
Constipation
•
Exhaustion
However, also
be
positive.
it is
Frequency
Intensity
12345
12345
not just negative situations that cause stress; stress can
A wedding is an example
of a positive stress; another might
be moving to a new home or even going on a
trip
or vacation, something you
have been planning and waiting for for a long time. These and other similar events can cause the
between "negative
same
stress"
stress reactions.
and
demands on the body and mind and distinguish
between an
the energy level.
existing source of stress or the
times, after a stressful situation has passed,
reactions
known
The body does not
as "stress
distinguish
"positive stress" but considers all stressors as
one seems
momentum." These
It
does not even
memory to hold
of one.
on
Many
to the stress
stress "ghost-like" reactions
141
serve no purpose except to add
more wear and
tear
on our bodies and waste
our energy. In order to
make
the body
more
stress-resistant,
communicate with your body and become aware of the
you must learn
stress signals
it
to
sends.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN STRESS AND ALTERNATIVE COPING STRATEGIES Alan is not disturbed by events but the view he takes of them. Epictetus
Life
is
never free from
stress,
but often each individual feels that he or
However, our next-door
a bigger share than everyone else!
she has
neighbors also get stressed, but
may have
it
may be caused by Or
varied reactions to stress.
it
learned some technique to help them cope with
cope with stress? And, It is
if
so,
what
different things or they
could even be that they have it.
Is
there a
way we can
is it?
definitely true that stress has less negative effects
because of their outlook on and philosophy of
life.
on some people
They have learned
that by
maintaining their health and strength and by adjusting the way they think, they can view
life's
stresses as challenges
and opportunities
to learn
and grow
from. Such people do not meet every stressful situation or unexpected event with sudden outbursts of anger, disappointment, or despair. This
damage
overall,
and
stressful situation.
less
Therefore,
if
there
reduce the amount of stress in our
about changing our reactions to
As that
I
earlier, I
stress.
remember
is
lives,
absolutely nothing
perhaps
We have
part of the Personal-Growth
mentioned
means
less
time and effort for the body to recover from a
we
we can do
to
should start thinking
a choice!
program of the meditation
classes
giving to a class an exercise that called
144
for finding
new
astonished.
could resolve
my
However,
acupuncture.
as difficult as
different perspective,
dealing with their problems and
who had made
some were even
make an
who was
having a problem with a co-worker
complained the person would go out of her way
and wanted
and upset her
to aggravate
tried looking at the
problem
differently
particular person.
One day
she
how
to create
first
time she
and changing her reaction toward the to class very
thought to myself perhaps she just needed
And
had nothing against me.
problems for her
no reason. For the
for
happy and
told the class
co-worker and about her new approach.
she had dealt with the
said, "I
came
however, but another
patience and desire, one can seek
little
to old problems."
new answers
The young man
successful.
effort
and find new
of the students
would have
looking at old problems from a
it is
student reported later, "Yes, with a
One
I
in his late twenties, a student of
most people looked for alternative ways of
the remark did not
solutions,
the students were
first
problem, don't you think
done so by now?" said a confident young man
new and
At
solutions to old problems.
"If I
this
was
my
She
attention and that she
definitely the right answer.
pay more attention and be nice to her and now the problem
is
I
tried to
over,
we
are
even friends now!" Therefore, in different
we can
ways.
We
start to
control over our lives so that
running
make new
choices and approach problems
can become more positive and
we
start to
more
start gaining
run the show instead of the show
us.
I
remember another
student,
a young
He
complained about being very negative.
me
being negative.
can
I
It
seems
change myself? With
I
said,
man
in
his
thirties,
who
"Everyone complains about
How am even
look for the negative side of everything.
this attitude
I
cannot achieve anything.
I
tired of hearing myself nag!"
After
was able
when new
I
reviewed
his case history
to trace the source of his
several mishaps had occurred.
practiced negativity
for a
few sessions,
I
to a particular stage in his life
After that he had started developing a
outlook, a negative one, which had
As he had
and we talked
problem
become worse throughout
the years.
more and more he became very good
at
it!
145
helped him broaden
I
his perspective as
we worked
perspectives,
He
angle.
and not
tried to
situations, to
be
to continue to look at everything
be more
less critical
less
judgmental.
It
old
problem
is
far
more
difficult
was not easy
is
sure worth
As
it
was too
late.
Having
life
for
him
to
had taken
to deal with
an
than trying to solve matters as they happen.
more courage and
strength,
once, after suffering the loss of a
member
This, however, takes a bit of practice
but
it
his
from the exact same
unlearn and change, but he knew that he hated the turn his
and that he must do something before
widen
and to accept certain
flexible in his opinions
and
During
together.
the course of the meditation classes, he gradually learned to
and a
little
in the long run.
a wise uncle said to
me
of his family,
We
have two kinds of problems. The do something about, and the second
one that we can one that we can do
first is is
We
absolutely nothing about, as in the case of my recent loss. try to distinguish between the two in order to save our energy for coping with the problems we can do something must try to lower our expectation of others to the about. very minimum, the less the better, and the less one gets hurt.
must
We
It
become guilt,
does not matter
how
hurt, betrayed, or feel
and
anxiety,
These become
want out of
if
in
we
are however,
limit or
eventually
as fear, anger,
even paralyze us in some extreme cases.
built-in excuses that literally stop us
life
we might
some way. Feelings such
not dealt with in the proper manner, will create inner
They could
obstacles for us.
wise
bad
and they
interfere with our success in
from getting what we life.
We
start getting
caught up and entangled in our feelings which usually evolve in a vicious circle
:
I
am
I
react
I I I
deny
I I
angry
I
react
I
feel guilty
feel guilty
I
make
make
I
deny
excuses
am confused am exhausted
I
I I
excuses
am confused am exhausted am depressed
146
This
is
why
temporary
that although a relaxation exercise can
Our
problems.
relief to the real
be very
helpful,
it
is
a
and the problems we
lives
encounter might be compared to the example of a runner; imagine a runner, running through the path of
down
step
He
life.
starts
out light and energetic, but every
the road he picks up an extra load here and there, and as he
proceeds he becomes heavier and heavier. to take a rest but
it
give
he put down the load he
It is
him only temporary is
good and necessary it
for
him
be better
if
him?
carrying with
The power of memories and expectations
much more
the past and the future are
Wouldn't
relief.
is
such that for most of us
The present
real than the present.
cannot be lived happily unless the past has been "cleared up" and the future is
The
bright with promise.
loads that
expectations of the future could
The self-made inner
become
We
to go.
from the past and our
carry
obstacles inhibit the relaxed natural state of a
person functioning with optimum energy.
want
we
inner obstacles.
It
stops us from going to
where we
have to stop fighting with ourselves and realize that there
enormous human
potential in us, a
develop and grow once
we
raised in a society in which
stop
We
everything as good and bad.
we
gift
in
limiting
is
every one of us that needs to
and
restricting
and labeling
are too judgmental of ourselves.
We
are
are taught early that events that happen to us
do so because we are either "good" or
In this
"bad."
way we are
constantly
looking to label ourselves, analyzing situations in this way.
The
we must
Sufi master
learn from in order to is
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha teaches us that
not look at events as "bad" but rather as experiences that
become more mature. The importance
what we have learned from
loss
is
it
to utilize for a better future.
we can
of a past event Actually, our
not because of what happened but rather at spending the precious
time that
we
Life
instead of
have, the present, to feel sorry for what
in the past.
grow from,
condemning ourselves and taking every event so
personally.
full
of such experiences that
Feelings are feelings, accept
depressed.
happened
we can
learn and
is
it,
it is
natural -don't be depressed about being
Don't be angry about being angry.
feelings, experience
them, and continue.
Don't fear
fear.
These are
147
It is
forces that
as
if
these feelings are the driving forces behind a boat.
you thought were against you are
as a force to
What you
an experience for you; use
depends on how you interpret
it
Two
it.
event, such as a loss of a business. failure while the other will say,
do
All the
and winds; use them
push forward as the wind and the water helps the boat move
toward the designated goal. "failure" is
like current
label as a "bad event," a "loss," a
and grow because of
However, one might consider
"It's
it.
In fact
it
people might experience the same it
a personal
too bad," and go on to what he wants to
next.
"Man
is
says Epictetus.
look at
it
not disturbed by events, but by the view he takes of them,"
Give
differently.
it
a
try, try
a
Try to look
new
interpretation, take a
at the positive side of
it.
new picture, and
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN RELAXATION: EXISTENCE BETWEEN THOUGHTS Relaxation is the ability to go beyond thought, time, space, reaching a moment of inner peace and quiet; in fact, reaching a moment between two thoughts.
What do
is
relaxation?
in order to relax.
"Have a
Take a moment and think about the
Was your
things
you
answer, "Watch TV," or "Go to the movies," or
even "Go to the beach," or "Read a book"?
drink," or
However, relaxation
is
not an occupation such as reading a book,
watching TV, or drinking alcohol but quieting the body and the mind. Relaxation
is
total stillness.
space, reaching a
moment
moment between two
It is
the ability to go
At
fact,
reaching a
thoughts.
Relaxation can only take place
when
beyond thought, time, and
of inner peace and quiet; in
when
the
mind and the body are
still,
the brain rhythm changes from an alert beta to a relaxed alpha rhythm.
this
time a chemical associated with anxiety decrease and blood flow to
the muscles declines; instead, blood flows to the brain and skin, producing a feeling of warmth
Relaxation
and calm. is
known
to decrease high
blood pressure and otherwise
counteract the debilitating, health-draining effects of chronic stress -the
frequent "fight or is
flight"
response, the opposite-of-relaxation response, which
activated in the face of threat.
It
starts
when
the brain receives and
150
interprets environmental signals that indicate danger.
The nervous system
responds by secreting hormones to mobilize the body's muscles and organs
The messenger hormones
for defense.
carry this "red alert" signal throughout
the body, triggering specific reactions including increased heartbeats, higher
blood pressure, and faster pulse
from available proteins if
The blood sugar
rates.
Calcium and other minerals are drawn from the bones
required.
move
stimulate muscles in case the body has to are not absolutely necessary to
meet
dehydration. All this happens in a its
quickly.
Body
(such as digestion) tend to
this crisis
attacker or flee.
The body
second.
split
Of course, most
of the time, there
simply the everyday worries and pressures of
to
functions that
Sodium content and thus water retention increase
slow down.
face
increases (drawn
and then from storage) to provide instant energy
first,
modern
life.
is
to prevent
now primed
is
to
no attacker but
Nevertheless, the
body does not distinguish between a physical threat or an emotional or mental one;
it
reacts exactly the
same way.
After the attack of stress and the alarm reaction, then the next stage
Hans
resistance, as defined by
This
is
when
the "threat"
Selye,
mentioned
removed and the alarm
is
the stage of resistance, during which
continues
its
in chapter
various functions.
it
is
over; the
starts to repair
Protein, once
it
two of
this
is
book.
body goes
into
any damage and
has been broken
down
to
provide sugar for energy, cannot be used again as protein; the lost minerals
and other vitamins have
to
be replaced; nutrition must also be replaced.
Both the mind and the body need
to relax.
LEARN TO RELAX How many
times have you regretted a reaction you showed in a
stressful incident, realizing afterward that
was not so serious or important? Does change when once under
stress, as if
you had overreacted and that
this
show
it
that our thinking patterns
our mind reverts to a more primitive,
reactive state, judging only in terms of survival?
A stressed easily aggravated.
When
person feels constantly anxious and exhausted, and His vision becomes narrow and becomes
he dreams he has nightmares; he may have
is
very
less effective.
difficulty falling asleep or
waking up and usually gets out of bed feeling
tired
and unrefreshed.
151
Insomnia and fatigue are consistently associated with
stress,
and nearly
all
As much
as
mental patients' problems are complicated by sleep disorders.
physicians try to help the patient sleep, the prescribed sleeping pills are a
mixed
and apart from the
blessing;
the ability to dream, a necessary
Learning to relax
is
the
being addictive they interfere with
fact of
component of successful
first
positive step
rest.
away from overreacting
to
Relaxation does not happen spontaneously, but must be
stressful situations.
has been clinically proven that the effects of relaxation are vastly
learned.
It
different
from those of
tranquilizers, alcohol,
and other drugs. Patients with
problems ranging from cardiovascular disorders to ulcers and
allergies are
constantly advised by their physician to relax, but are seldom instructed
how
to relax.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
A temporary halt soon as mental
of mental activity
is
the best kind of relaxation.
activity begins, relaxation ends.
things crowding your mental household that the
anxious because
it
cannot
make
As
Sometimes there are so many
mind becomes confused and
the right decisions and
it
becomes
"blocked."
Try drawing back from everything now for a few minutes, and give yourself a break! After these few minutes of mental relaxation, everything will
much
clearer.
creative,
Your mind
and you
will
be able
will
become more
alert,
refreshed,
your problem with
to tackle
become
and even
much more
energy.
A Natural Break •
Locate a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.
•
Wash your sprinkle a
face, and hands with lukewarm water, or water on your face.
feet,
little
and get yourself
at least
as comfortable as possible.
•
Sit cross-legged
•
Hands should
•
The
•
Start breathing
•
Concentrate on the sound of your breath as you breathe in and breathe out smoothly and evenly.
rest
comfortably on your lap.
eyes must be closed and remain closed during this time.
deeper and
fuller.
152
your
Try to feel them and then relax them.
•
Pay attention
to
•
Pay attention
to your legs
•
How does your stomach feel?
•
Now relax your chest
•
Feel your shoulders, arms, and hands and relax them.
•
Feel your neck and relax
it.
•
Feel your head and relax
it.
•
Pay attention
•
Pay special attention
to
feet.
now and
consciously relax them.
Try to relax
it
completely.
and once again pay attention
your face
now and
try to relax
to the tiny muscles
to
your breathing.
it.
around the eyes and
try to
relax them. • •
Relax the area around the temples.
Make
sure your teeth are not clenched and relax the muscles of your
jaw. •
Where
•
Relax the whole body (although take care not to slouch and keep the back straight).
else
do you
feel tension?
Relax
it.
This will only take a few minutes, maybe as long as a coffee break, but the effects will be very different from sipping a cup of coffee, or smoking a cigarette, or drinking alcohol, or snacking
enemies of a
stress-resistant diet.
"happy hour" after work.
more permanent
It
Try
on a candy bar because these are
this natural
will refresh
break!
Also
try
a natural
and energize you and have a much
as well as positive effect.
CHAPTER NINETEEN THE HIDDEN AND INNER SOURCE OF STRESS We know
life
only by
symptoms.
its
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (discoverer of vitamin C)
Beyond the
external stressors that play such a big part in stress, there
an inner source of
stress that
an obvious cause of
stress,
is
often completely overlooked.
When
such as a having a deadline to meet,
there
it is
is is
very
apparent and easy to spot. However, when one feels stressed for no apparent reason, then what
is
the reason?
At the beginning of my
career,
I
became acquainted with a young
graduate student, a very hard-working and exceptionally bright individual
who was
teaching at the university and completing her studies at the same
She was under a
time.
physical
problems, loss of weight,
appearance (as
At stress"
of stress and talked to
lot
first
if
glance,
it
this
to
little
better, other
was not a case of severe
deficiency.
and a generally unhealthy
lack of appetite,
seemed
and overwork; with a
know her
mostly about the
she were suffering from malnutrition).
me
to
be a
typical case of "the achiever's
relaxation, all
her to join a stress-management class got to
me
These included severe digestion
symptoms she was having.
I
symptoms fatigue
would be
well. I
encouraged
was teaching. She signed up and started to surface,
making
and overwork but an inner
She complained, "Although
I
me
as
I
realize
stress
and
have been blessed with everything
154
that a person might
problems - 1
want
feel as if
to achieve in life
am
I
- a good education and no major
choking from within." She described her feelings
of helplessness and frustration about not finding answers to her most basic
She could not understand and accept the
questions.
knowing "why" she had life.
She understood that
regulations, but
what
to follow the
I
am
to live in society
where was
What
doing?
norm and a
life
the end?
is
one had
my
Should
Is this all
some
to follow
going in general? "What
have children and a stable job?
fact that without
certain pre-set pattern in
is
rules
and
the point of doing
goal be to get married and
I'm good
for,
and why should
What
these things because everyone else does them?
I
do
the purpose of
is
being?" she would ask with an unimaginable expression of pain in her voice. Later,
I
heard other students voice the same confusions and the
purpose of
frustrations about not understanding the
own
therefore not being able to value their
lives.
and
in general
life
This lack of self-value
might have much to do with the many problems that plague modern youths,
Could
including a high suicide rate and drug and alcohol abuse.
they might be asking the
"We know meaning
life
same questions
only by
life
its
as
my graduate
symptoms," 1 says Albert Szent-Gyorgyi,
"What
has not yet been defined.
is
there a higher purpose that
I
is life,
"Was
physical death put an end to our existence?"
or
be that
it
student?
could attain in
I
what
life?"
death?"
is
born just
to live
"Who am
"Will
and
die,
These
I?"
are questions that preoccupy the minds of youth; perhaps because they can
not find these answers is
is
the reason they
the purpose of their lives?
fly
into fury, rage,
What should
and
they stand for?
revolt.
What
What
is
their
value? principle? function?
The novel Nausea, by Jean Paul
Sartre,
the 20th-century French
philosopher, describes the feeling of nausea that Sartre feels that everything stands for
Even a doorknob
some reason and
when he
sees
function, everything but himself.
creates feelings of nausea for him, because even the
doorknob serves a function.
Many
feel a similar inner stress but
therefore sometimes
harm themselves
only the effects of stress
is
cannot voice their confusion and
or others.
to look at the
Therefore, to try and treat
problem very
the cause of the problem has to be taken care
of.
superficially,
because
155
Physicians are dedicated to the treatment of the body; psychiatrists and psychologists are concerned with healing the third group, the clergy, attends the soul
of inner stress, a healing process
is
and
mind and emotions, while a
spiritual healing.
For the causes
required that involves the whole person,
not just a part.
The
traditional Eastern healing practice thinks of the
functioning as an integrated unit; health exists illness results
when
stress
and
when
conflict disrupt this
mind and body
they are in
harmony and
harmony. These healing
approaches are essentially humanistic and re-establish an emphasis on the person and
his or
her healing potential, rather than on medical technology.
Dr. Robert O. Becker notes that since the discovery of penicillin in 1929, medicine changed face drastically.
an
he
art,"
"Before then, medicine had been
says.
The masterpiece - a cure - resulted from
the
patient's
will
combined with the physician's intuition and skill in using remedies culled from millennia of observant trial and error. In the last two centuries medicine has come more and more to be a science, or more accurately, the application of one science, namely biochemistry. Medical techniques have come to be tested as much against current concepts in biochemistry as against their empirical results. Techniques that don't fit such
chemical concepts - even
if they seem to work -have been abandoned as pseudoscientific or downright fraudulent. At the same time and as part of the same process, life itself came to be defined as a purely chemical phenomenon.
Attempts set living
to find a soul, a vital spark, a subtle something that 2 matter apart from the non-living, had failed. in
DNA
this
about
Erwin Chargaff, the biochemist who discovered base pairing and thus opened the way biology: define."
for understanding
"No other science deals
in
its
very
gene structure, said
name
it
cannot
will
look at
with a subject that
3
What
is life
and
some answers from
its
purpose? In Part Three of this book, we
the school of Islamic Sufism, since Sufism
is
concerned
with such humanistic questions concerning values, purpose, self-identity,
knowledge, and God-awareness.
self-
156
CHAPTER NINETEEN ENDNOTES 1.
Robert O'Becker, M.D. and Gary Selden, The Body
Madison Ave., NY, NY, 2.
Ibid., p. 18.
3.
Ibid., p. 21.
1985, p. 20.
Electric, Quill,
105
PART THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY ISLAMIC SUFISM Keep watch over thy heart. Hazrat Oveyss Gharani
Although the term Islamic Sufism or Sufism, has been mentioned throughout the separated,
However,
text,
it
has not been defined yet. Sufism and Islam cannot be
which various this
that every Sufi
does not is
dictionary
mean
of
definitions
that every
Muslim
is
the
terms
a Sufi, but
it
confirm.
does
mean
a Muslim. This will be explained in later chapters.
Let us consider some dictionary definitions of Sufism.
Root: from Arabic -suf, meaning wool
The Word Book Dictionary: Sufi:
A
sect of
Muslim mystics and
today Iran, that originated
ascetics, largely in Persia,
in Islam.
Sufism: Mystical system of the Sufi, using a symbolism popular with Muslim poets.
Encyclopedia International:
A
phase of Muslim
religious experience.
spiritual
life,
Sufism
is
centered on mystical
160
•
The Dictionary of Religions:
The
Sufis (wearers of wool, the Mystics of Islam.
•
i.e.,
the coarse garments of the ascetic) are
The Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Sufi is applied to Muslim mystics who, as a means of achieving union with Allah, adopted ascetic practices, including the wearing of garments made of coarse wool (suf).
•
The Random House Dictionary of English Language: Sufi
•
1)
A member of an ascetic mystical Muslim sect.
2)
Of or
pertaining to Sufis or Sufism.
Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics:
The terms
"Sufi" and "Sufism" are to be understood in their ordinary as equivalent to Muhammadan mystic and Mohammadan mysticism. Ancient Sufism had strong ascetic tendencies, while the mystical element might be insignificant; and there have always been Sufis of an ascetic and devotional type whom we should hesitate to describe as mystics in the proper meaning of the word.
sense,
161
THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY CLOAK "The habit of wearing wool next to the skin dates back to the Saints
and Imams of Islamic Sufism.
They believed
comfort would encourage spiritual lethargy; that the should be in
command
at all times,
Imams
of Islam once
questioned by a student as to why he
comfort was dressed in
wear
silk.
for your sake, but,"
he
was wearing underneath the
spirit,
not the body,
and that the body should therefore be
kept in a state of submission and obedience to the of the Saints or
spirit."
wore a
1
It is
said that
garment.
silk
who renounces
said, pointing to a very
next to his skin,
one
He was
the world and
His Eminence replied "This garment of
silk
first
that physical bodily
its
silk, I
coarse wool garment he
"this, I
wear
for the sake of
myself."
The
many have
Sufi
famous, however, for wearing a wool cloak.
is
Mohammad Angha,
Ghotbeddin
School of Sufism,
says,
wears wool or suf is a
the 40th spiritual guide or pir of the Oveyssi
"While every Sufi wears wool, not every person
is
symbolic of the spiritual knowledge
handed down from one pir
to another throughout the ages.
one who receives the holy cloak, as a knowledge,
is
who
Sufi."
This cloak of wool instruction
Although
imitated this outer appearance of the Sufi, the cloak, Hazrat Mir
the one
possible that a learned
who
result attaining a high
degree of
receives permission to teach and guide.
man may
and
The
It is
have had several masters, but acquires
permission to guide from only one, and receives the cloak from that particular master
and teacher. However, some masters possessed such a high
degree of spiritual knowledge that each of the Sufi grand masters, not just one, granted
them permission
to guide the people.
In this case, a particular
master or pir received the cloak from the hand of each and every one of the saints
and masters.
When
this
happens different existing
sects of Sufism join
together under one name.
This has been repeated several times in the
history of Islamic Sufism,
and thus the school takes the name of that
particular master.
162
Wfiy the Oveyssi School of Sufism?
The holy cloak
is
known
originally
Abraham
generations from the prophet
to the
to
have
prophet
been passed
Mohammad,
for
then to
Oveyss Gharani and other learned and enlightened teachers thereafter.
Hence
the Oveyssi school of Sufism
named
after
Jalaledin
Rumi
Oveyssi's school
Valad,
who was
on
different sects;
his father's
side
Bahaedin
a disciple of the famous Sufi Najmedin Kobra, and his
beloved master Shams Tabrizi,
was the
who
himself was a disciple of Baba-Kamal
disciple of Sheikh
Najmedin Kobra Oveyssi.
famous book of poetry, Massnav'x, by Jalaledin Rumi, we
In the
Mohammad Mohammad says,
by the prophet
The Prophet
is
Molavi, the famous Iranian Sufi poet, also joins
from two
Jondi, who, in turn
this
Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi [MTO]
Oveyss Gharani.
find
about Oveyss Gharani:
The breeze brings O'men! The divine perfume from Yemen. The The
scent of Ramin comes from Veyss, fragrance of God from Oveyss.
Oveyss's heavenly perfume from God, Overjoyed the heart of the prophet of God.
Forsaking his mortal being willingly 2 ( Oveyss ) become heavenly.
That earthly
Shams-din Hafiz
another well-known Iranian Sufi poet with a
Shirazi,
worldwide reputation who has inspired great philosophers and poets the world and
who
Goethe, also was a Sheikh
Mahmoud
The
much admired,
member
much
especially by the
of the Oveyssi sect.
Attar Shirazi,
who was
story of Oveyss Gharani's
the subject of
The
is
life
German
He was
all
over
philosopher
the disciple of
the disciple of pir Golrang.
and
his absolute
adoration for
God
is
poetry and commentary by the great masters of Sufism.
instructions of the Oveyssi School of Sufism,
Maktab Tarighat
Oveyssi, are based on inward enlightenment and pure knowledge, indicating that to get to the truth, there
Gharani
says,
is
but one gateway: through the heart. Oveyss
"Keep watch over thy
"Guard thy heart from thoughts of
heart," in Arabic, alayka bi-ghalbika,
other."
This saying has two meanings:
i.e.,
1)
163
Make
thy heart obedient to
God
Make
by renunciation, and 2)
thyself
obedient to thy heart.
While Oveyss Gharani never actually teacher Hazrat
who had
Mohammad
with
lived
instructions
"seeing
Mohammad, he knew him
from him
and hearing."
and
seen,
in the traditional oral
how Oveyss
his spiritual
even more than those
and
conversed,
the kind of
is
between the seeker and the teacher
explains such a relationship in his
narrated that a seeker of God,
Harim
b.
received
manner, conventionally called
This inner and spiritual relationship
relationship that should exist
Let us hear
on
visited or set eyes
in his heart,
own
Hayyan, went to
in Sufism.
words.
It is
Oveyss and
visit
before he had time to introduce himself, Oveyss said, "Peace be with thee,
Harim
ibn.
Harim
Hayyan!"
Oveyss answered. "My
The
spirit
knew
heart thus has the
sense, strange as
it
"How
cried,
thy
did you
spirit."
know
to the
am Harim?"
in
an unlimited
3
means of hearing and perceiving
may sound
O
I
that
new-comer
to the Sufi path.
Such
is
the
Oveyssi way, tarighat Oveyssi.
God
will reveal his
messenger
that obedient servant of
through his heart.
God and
to
repeatedly encounter verses that say
In the
is
able to
it is
know
Old Testament, Solomon
Keep your of
New
In the Old and
through the heart that one
heart with
all
whom
he wishes in
this
the seeker of truth will
manner, and
know him
only
Testaments and the Koran we
by the grace of the Almighty and the truth.
says:
vigilance; for
from
it
flow the springs
life.
(Proverbs 4:23)
But even yet the Lord hasn't given you hearts that understand, or eyes that see, or ears that hear.
(Deuteronomy 29:10)
We read in the Bible: All things have been committed to me by my father. No one knows who the son is except the father, and no one knows who the father is except the son and to those to whom the son chooses to reveal him. (Luke 10:22)
Such a revelation does not take place anywhere but pure.
in the heart of the
164
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
(Matthew
The Koran
5:8)
says:
We have sent on to you a Messenger from you, Who will
read to you
Our
Revelations.
And will teach you the Knowledge of The 'Book,' and Wisdom. And will teach you that of which you have no knowledge. (2:151)
Yet those who do not witness the truth are described "Thus
having sealed hearts:
God
seals the hearts of those
Koran
in the
as
who understand
not."
(30:59)
When
the truth has to be witnessed from within, there can be no false
prophets. "The heart doubts not what also
warns us against
it
sees," says the
"And many
false prophets.
false
Koran, and the Bible prophets will appear
and deceive many people."
(Matthew 24:11) Oveyss Gharani merited Abraham's holy cloak from the prophet
Mohammad
for his
method
Oveyss Gharani passed
of discovering and witnessing "the Inner Truth."
his cloak
on
to
Salman
prophet was very fond of him, "Salmam
Mohammad
praising him.
From
is
Farsi,
one of
who was
Persian.
us," said the
The
prophet
that time until the present over a period of
1400 years, the cloak has been
in
the possession of forty-two Sufis in
unbroken succession.
The present cloak-bearer and teacher of
school and principles
is
the
same
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Shah Angha Pir
Tarighat Oveyssi. It is
message
these great
to
men who have had a mission to fulfill and a great who have been the shapers of human dignity, the
convey and
physicians of the soul, and the loudspeakers of truth. These great souls are in total
harmony with the essence of
nature.
ceaseless prayers, and continual service to to the grace of
Heaven, made
Divine guidance, self-discipline,
mankind have opened
their hearts the source of
life,
their souls
and
their
tongues the instruments through which the "Angelic Voice" of truth speaks.
The pure and enlightened
souls,
transformed by the Great All-Knowing and
Wise Alchemist, are however, but guides. They can but
call
upon men and
165
convey the "Message of Truth," but may not guide against man's
God
will, for
only
can guide.
God
thus spoke to
Mohammad,
his
messenger, as recorded in the
Koran,
You may not I shall
guide
guide whom you wish; whom I wish to guide.
Surah 28:56
Each heart must experience and hear the "Angelic Voice" and messenger within the innermost part of his being, the heart.
find his
166
Genealogy of the School of Islamic Sufism
Maktab
Tarighat
Oveyssi
Shah Maghsoudi
PROPHET MOHAMMAD IMAM ALI 1.
Hazrat Oveyss Gharani
2.
Hazrat Salman Farsi
3.
Hazrat
4.
Hazrat Soltan Ebrahim
5.
Hazrat
6.
Hazrat Sheikh
7.
Hazrat Sheikh Abi
Amr
8.
Hazrat
Abu
Hazza
Abu Abu
Salim Habib-ibn Moussa Zeyd Rai
Adham
Ali Shaghigh Balkhi
Abu Torab Nakhshabi
Ja'far
Estakhri
Abu Abdollah Mohammad-ibn
9.
Hazrat Sheikh Kabir
10.
Hazrat Sheikh Hossein Akkar
11.
Hazrat Sheikh Morshed Abu-Eshagh Shahriar Kazerouni
12.
Hazrat Khatib Abolfath Abolghassem Abdolkarim
13.
Hazrat Ali-ibn Hassan Salebeh Bassri
14.
Hazrat Serajeddin Abolfath Beyzavi
Khafif Shirazi
Mahmoud-ibn Mahmoudi Sabouni
Abu Abdollah Rouzbehan
15.
Hazrat Sheikh
16.
Hazrat Sheikh Najmeddin Tamat-al Kobra Khivaghi
17.
Hazrat Sheikh Ali Lala Ghaznavi
Baghali Shirazi
Ahmad Zaker Jowzeghani
18.
Hazrat Sheikh
19.
Hazrat Noureddin Abdolrahman Esfarayeni
20.
Hazrat Sheikh Rokneddin Alaodowleh Semnani
21.
Hazrat
22.
Hazrat Amir Seyyed Ali Hamedani
Mahmoud Mazdaghani
Ahmad Khatlani Mohammad Abdollah
23.
Hazrat Sheikh
24.
Hazrat Seyyed
25.
Hazrat Shah Ghassem Feyzbakhsh
26.
Hazrat Hossein Abarghoui Janbakhsh
27.
Hazrat Darvish Malek Ali Joveyni
28.
Hazrat Darvish Ali Sodeyri
Ghatifi-al Hassavi
Nourbakhsh
167
Hazrat Darvish Kamaleddin Sodeyri
29.
32.
Mohammad Mozaheb Karandehi Mohammad Moemen Sodeyri Sabzevari Hazrat Mir Mohammad Taghi Shahi Sabzevari Hazrat Darvish
30.
Hazrat Mir
31.
33.
Hazrat Mir Mozafar Ali Shahi
34.
Hazrat Mir
35.
Hazrat Seyyed Shamseddin
36.
Hazrat Seyyed Abdolvahab Naini
37.
Hazrat Haj
38.
Hazrat Agha Abdolghader Jahromi
39.
Hazrat Jalaleddin Ali Mir Abolfazl Angha
40.
Hazrat Mir Ghotbeddin
41.
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha
42.
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Shah Angha
The Oveyssi
Mohammad Ali
Mohammad Hassan Kouzekanani
Mohammad Angha
school of Sufism that dates from 7th century A. D., the
advent of Islam, has centers
at the present
throughout the world.
sometimes several place and disciplines,
The
Mohammad
in
one
city,
time 300,000 students and hundreds of
New
centers
are
center of attendance for the purpose
and awareness
is
continually
called "The
They
The
of receiving practical
Khaneghah" House of God.
centers range from small study groups that
classes to entire communities.
forming,
to serve the different needs of pupils.
meet
for
weekly
offer a variety of classes, gatherings,
and
seminars, which cover a wide range of different physical and metaphysical sciences from philosophy, literature, from poetry and learning
how
to read
holy scriptures to telepathy, healing and magnetic therapy, spiritualism, science of Letters and crucial
Numbers and alchemy.
Meditation classes are a
and important part of Oveyssi training and these practical
classes are
offered at each center.
Dr. Yoshimichi Maeda, a Japanese biologist
who
visited with the
Spiritual teacher of the school in 1976, in the original center, at Sufi-Abad, in
Karaj, 40 kilometers from Teheran, writes about the structure of the school
of Sufism:
168
organizational structure is most interesting and unique: It is a highly professional group that operates like an independent society and sets a perfect example for those larger organizations that have been less successful in accomplishing such a solid infrastructure and self-sufficiency. Within the Its
school are experts in design and construction as well as research groups in sciences, literature, and such fine arts as painting, sculpture and calligraphy.
Today Sufism has changed
modern world that,
at
Mohammad
self-discipline
had
to
to
all:
to
In earlier times,
all.
was endured by the few who attained
prove they were worthy students
To
all,
was welcome
the gates of the
founded
in Iran
who was
he
not,
a true seeker, he
and the Truth. elite
group,
is
Especially today, Sufism,
being presented to the 20th
gatherings are no longer scarce but are frequent
Sufism, which has been centered for centuries where is
who
Khaneghah were opened and any newcomer
to hear the secrets
all.
they
Hazrat Shah
The meetings and
and open to
this reality, for
before receiving any instruction
first,
became open
once dedicated to a very small and century.
its
mortification
in 1950, the dwellings of
he who deserved, he who did
not.
much
the 41st Pir of the school of Oveyssi,
However, beginning
Pir.
Maghsoud Sadegh Angha,
was
Angha, Sufism was an esoteric science and
were not available
and
from the
not in essence to deal with the
if
In the past and not very distant past at
time of the 40th Pir of the Oveyssi school, Hazrat Mir
the
Ghotbeddin instructions
form
in
of science and stress.
no longer limited
to the east,
now
was
it
the whole world can
profit.
Knowledge
is
the priceless heritage of man. Sufism
love and affection of the imperfect self
meet
is
the point where
that of the superior soul.
love will shelter and revitalize the entire world.
It will
draw man
to
This
God, the
origin of love.
The famous of the Sufi revelations
life
Sufi poet, Mohy-al-din-Arabi,
titled
"Fatouhat",
meaning
epoch, divine will has created a will bring life to this
banner of
this
received the grandeur
triumph and
"victories".
This
victory
his, is
all
science and philosophy.
In our
new plan
for a stagnating world.
Now,
understanding the most complex areas of
Sufism
who
through divine inspiration, has written a book about
world of advanced science and technology. The spiritual
conquest of the world
is
carried by the
169
school of Islamic Sufism,
MTO
Shah Maghsoudi, under the direction and
Nader
leadership of the present Pir of the school Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
The present headquarters
Angha.
of the school
is
located in San Rafael,
Northern California.
As
I
mentioned
earlier
and contrary
to general beliefs, Sufism
and resignation from daily
self-mortification
knowledge of existence, including and covering an inferior level of metaphysics, since
it is
know
is
also clear.
the whole.
Garden of
As
Secrets,
Whereas,
if
we
rather
all sciences.
it
is
Physics
is
not
the total is
merely
metaphysics and the eternal law
that have given birth to the physical world. partial
life,
Once we know
the whole, the
start studying the partial
we
shall not
Mahmoud Shabistari wrote in The became man and man the universe." We
the famous Sufi poet
"The universe
shall explore this in the next chapter
which
Through Philosophy, Theology and Science.
is
called,
The Search
for Truth
170
CHAPTER TWENTY ENDNOTES Dr. Ronald Grisel, 1. Berkeley, Calif., 9470, p. 45.
Sufism,
Ross Books,
Jalaledin Rumi, Massnavi Manavi, Publication, p. 716, line 1826. 2.
Ali Bin Uthman Al-Hujwiri, Foundation 249-N Samanabad, p. 84.
3.
P.O.
Persian edition,
Kashf Al-Mahjub,
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Dawn, Maeda, p. 2.
4.
1983,
Intro,
Box 4340,
1925,
Islamic
Sepehr
Book
by Dr. Yoshimichi
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
THROUGH PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY AND SCIENCE Imaginary philosophies do not provide positive
and logical answers
the contemporary
to the
needs of
man.
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh
In this chapter
I
am
Angha
going to consider the approach of philosophy,
theology and science toward the search for Truth.
Philosophy
The means
root of the
"love,"
word "philosophy" comes from the Greek philos which
and sophia which means "wisdom."
Learning Dictionary
and meaning of
says,
"Philosophy
is
The Oxford Advanced
the search for knowledge, the nature
things."
Theology
The
root of the
word
"theology,"
is
from the Greek theos meaning
"God," and logos which means "discourse."
Theology according
to Encyclopedia International
of man, and the world in relation to God."
is
"the study of
God,
172
The Oxford Advanced Learning
Dictionary defines theology as "The
God and
formation of a series of theories about the nature of
of the
foundations of religious belief."
Science
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, science
is
"knowledge obtained by observation and the testing of facts."
The Random
House Dictionary
defines
science
systematic
as
knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. Webster's
Third
New
International Dictionary
gives
the
following
definitions for science.
-Knowledge obtained and tested through use of the scientific method; accumulated and accepted knowledge that has been systemized and formulated with reference to the discovery of general truths or the operation of general laws;
-Knowledge
classified
and made available
in
work,
life,
or the
search of truth;
-Knowledge obtained and
tested through use of scientific method.
Such knowledge concerned with the physical world and
its
phenomena
(natural sciences).
Philosophy, distinct from theology, began in Greece in the 5th century
B.C. Philosophy, defined at that time as love and the pursuit of all
knowledge
as
its
instinctive curiosity
province.
The quest
for
about the world around him.
undertook to describe and
to explain the
wisdom took
knowledge was born by man's
The
early philosophers
world around them, and also
concerned themselves with matters of social and personal conduct, human values and principles,
all
of which had to be solved by contemplation and
informal observation.
By the time
of Plato (427-347) and Aristotle (384-322), philosophers
were concerned with
logic,
mathematics, natural sciences, ethics, political
/ As
173
and
Rome
fell,
philosophy
the 11th to the 14th century, philosophy in the
West was
theory, as well as aesthetics.
Christianity rose
was submerged by theology.
From
dominated by the Catholic Church. nature of
life until
Philosophers continued to explain the
the 15th century
when
science started to unravel the
mysteries and developed different methods of investigation. split
One
result
was a
from philosophy, and both became separate branches of learning. Today, philosophy has become
itself
a "philosophical question."
"There are no established methods, principles, or standards universally agreed upon by
philosophers.
all
the essence of philosophy
is
By and
large however,
systematic reflection
it
can be said that
upon experience
to the
end
of obtaining a rational and comprehensive view of the universe and of man's
place in
it."
1
In defining philosophy, theology, and science, Bertrand Russell, the
20th-century philosopher claims,
Philosophy is something intermediate between theology and science. Like theology, it consists of speculation of matters of has, so far, been unascertainable; but like science, it appeals to human reason rather than authority. All definite knowledge belongs to science; all dogma, as to what surpasses definite knowledge, belongs to theology. But between theology and science there is a No Man's Land, exposed to attack from both sides; this No Man's Land is
which definite knowledge
philosophy. Almost all the questions of most interest to speculative minds are such as science cannot answer, and the confident answers of the theologians no longer seem so convincing as they did in former centuries. The studying of these questions, if not the answering of them, is the business of 2 philosophy.
One wonders, "How?"
It is
tools that philosophy offers except
not obvious yet?
What
human reason and
are the
means and
speculation? Bertrand
Russell answers, to our greatest surprise, by saying:
"Philosophy aims at teaching us how to live with uncertainty and without being paralyzed by hesitation." 3
Early philosophers would not agree. that
beneath
this
Philosophy started in the faith
apparent chaos there was a hidden permanence and unity.
As a modern writer on philosophical methods has put There seems to
seek
to
be a deep rooted tendency
...something
that
persists
it,
in the
human mind
through
change.
174
Consequently the desire for explanation seems to be satisfied only by discovery that what appears to be new and different was there all the time. Hence the search for an underlying identity, a persistent stuff, a substance that is conserved in spite of qualitative changes and in terms of which these changes can
be explained. 4
The search has
not been given up.
unifying force," a force that (i.e.,
gravity, electromagnetic force, the
"Experiments
nature.
Scientists are
the unification of
is
have
now
weak
force,
verified
now
looking for "a
the fundamental forces
all
and the strong force) of
weak and
the
that
electromagnetic forces are really one and the same at high energies. this
new unified
force the electroweak force." 5
In spite the different terminology, this search
eventual goal of science 6
The searching
not dissimilar to that of the 5th century,
searching for a persistent and everlasting substance that would
prove to be the basis of the world and
universe,"
is
Greek philosophers
of the early Milesians, the natural
who were
the
We call
is
things in
all
says the 20th-century physicist Stephen
unified theory
for,
it.
And
today, "The
to provide a single theory that describes the
is
whole
W. Hawking.
what Einstein spent most of
his later years
although he was unsuccessful.
discovery of a complete unified theory may not aid the survival of our species," says Hawking, "it may not even affect our lifestyle. But ever since the dawn of civilization, people
The
have not been content to see events as unconnected and inexplicable. They have craved an understanding of the underlying order in the world. Today, we still yearn to know why we are here and where we came from. Humanity's deepest desire for knowledge is justification enough for our continuing quest. And our goal is nothing less than a complete description of the universe
we
live in.
7
However, science has a much better chance everlasting quest, since to philosophy, scientist
analyzes
is
which
one who
by
it
uses a practical
relies purely is
free
observation,
on human reason and
from any aided
by
selfish
achieving
experimental
the
Science does not rely on theory alone and
it
as
this
opposed
intellect.
The
motives or interest and thus
instruments, and other equipment needed to prove
objective evidence and verification.
at
method of investigation
tools,
measuring
and produce
claims nothing until
it
facts.
can offer
175
Philosophy, on the other hand, that offers itself to truth,
and
be accepted or
not even reliable since
is
is
like
rejected, it
an opinion or a
state of
mind
and promises no evidence or
trusts its
personal impressions and
is
capable of error.
Bertrand Russell notes
Almost
that:
the questions of most interest to speculative minds are such as science cannot answer: Is the world divided into mind and matter, and if so, what is mind and what is matter? Is mind subject to matter, or is it possessed of independent powers? Has the universe any unity or purpose? Is it evolving toward some goal? Are there really laws of nature, or do we believe in them only because of our innate love of order? Is man what he seems to the astronomer, a tiny lump of impure carbon and water or is he what he appears to Hamlet? To such questions no answers can be found in the laboratory. The studying of these questions, if not the answering of them, is the business of philosophy. 8 all
"Imaginary philosophies," declares the Sufi Master, Hazrat Shah Maghsoud, "do
not
provide
and
positive
answers
logical
to
the
needs
of
the
contemporary man".9 Therefore, although
many minds have endeavored
answers to the universal questions of
life,
to achieve the
use of speculation, imagination,
and reasoning has been unsuccessful and there remain too many questions with no answers.
human
Philosophers have presented theories of the universe, the
nature, the truth; each
ended up explaining himself.
Individual
philosophies are somewhat like self-portraits; in trying to define the universe
each philosopher describes himself.
No more
than
this
could be achieved by
the help of the limited tool, the brain.
The
philosophical
and even the
scientific
approach to essential
questions are based on theories that might be proven or disproven at any time.
My
since any
goal
is
not to undermine the endeavors of science or philosophy,
human being who wonders and
questions his true nature and sees
himself faced with fundamental questions and earnestly searches for the
answers
is
worthy of much praise and respect.
approach has
its
Hawking, one of greatest
Any
Yet even the
scientific
limitations in understanding our existence as the Absolute. physicists of our time, points out that:
physical theory is always provisional, in the sense that it is only a hypothesis: you can never prove it. No matter how
176
times the results of experiments agree with some theory, that the next time the result will not contradict the theory. On the other hand, you can disprove a theory by finding even a single observation that disagrees with the predictions of the theory. It turns out to be very difficult to describe the universe Instead we break the problem into bits and all in one go. Each of these partial invent a number of partial theories. theories describes and predicts a certain limited class of observations, neglecting the effects of other quantities or representing them by simple sets of numbers. It may be that If everything in the this approach is completely wrong. universe depends on everything else in a fundamental way, it might be impossible to get close to a full solution by 10 investigating parts of the problem in isolation.
many
you can never be sure
However, the mind, being
as limited as
it is,
does not have any other
choice but to investigate the truth in this partial and limited way. consider
mind and the process of
the
investigations, so that
Wfiat
is
we
will
thinking,
based
on
Let us
scientific
understand the mind's limitations.
thinking
The nature
of thinking
makes up a
large part of the disciplines of
philosophy, psychology, and education.
We will mind
is
totally
start
by tracing the growth of thought from infancy
blank and follow
In infancy, thinking
how
to respond to
reflexes.
it.
At
is
its
when
the
development to adolescence.
associated with learning about the world and
birth, the child
is
only limited to uncoordinated
These reflexes gradually coordinate with each other.
The
child
looks in the direction of sounds, grasps what he sees, and brings before his
The
eyes that which he grasps.
highest point of development, which signals
the beginning of true thought, occurs
experiments." stick,
when
the child can perform "mental
For example, the child brings an interesting
object, such as a
within his reach; he has foreseen the entire action in his mind before
actually grasping the object.
He
is
manipulating objects with his mind
first
instead of with his hands.
Gradually, the world moves into the "mind" and consequently thought
becomes
less
child
represent objects
to
Eventually,
dependent on the world.
his
thoughts
as
This begins with the ability of the
images and thus give them permanence.
become independent of
direct
perception and
177
progress from the concrete to the abstract. This process increases as mental
growth takes place.
More
Therefore, the earliest mental activities deal with images.
complex mental
occur
activities
when
the child can envision the use of a stick
an object farther away.
to reach for
Significant progress appears
when
symbols replace mental images and thoughts are increasingly abstract.
Thought occurs Thinking
brain.
is
as a result of chemical actions
and reactions
the mental manipulation of symbols, that
is,
in the
a visual
image, memory, feeling, thought, event, or representation of something in the
The human tendency
mind. These are called sensual perceptions.
problems computer,
usually based
is it
relies
has in storage. its
It
on and
on prior experience. The brain is
limited to the data
to solve
very similar to a
receives or that
it
already
cannot provide new information. Another problem
Upon
storage undergoes constant change.
new
it
is
addition or any change in
its
contents,
new
receiving
new and
is
that
information, a
different responses
develop, provisional responses are thus unreliable and subject to
may
much
change.
Like a computer that has to be kept function and respond accurately, the
many
factors.
at
mind can
The mind does not always
a moderate temperature to also
be
function at
easily influenced
its
by
preoccupied
best; a
mind, for example, can become confused and cluttered by numerous images.
Even the best-working mind, however, continually acquires
is
new information and
prone to constant change as
it
experiences.
Sensual observation and experiences happen repeatedly. The is collecting information all the time. Not only is there a continual change in the brain storage, but the cells of the brain and the nervous system also change. Their renewal may be so slow as to fool us into believing that they may be eternal, or at least stable enough for a lifetime of recording and rearranging
mind
of memories.
11
Can we be guided toward principles of existence
changeable
tool, the
is
limited in the
the discovery of that which
reality,
by the power of
mind? The answer
amount of information find a solution to a
and
it
is,
"no."
A computer
receives and reacts accordingly.
problem
same way.
it
this
has no information about.
It
is
stable, the
unstable and
is
will
limited in the
be unable to
The mind
acts
and
178
Since the mind
unlimited?
limited, don't
is
And what
is
we need another
unlimited absolute knowledge, the truth?
we can measure The
What
scientific
approach for finding the truth
of finding the truth at
with this
is
is
that every
is
the measure with which
the truth? Let us ponder this question while
throughout history. The thrust of
scientists
source, one which
that unlimited source that can well lead us to the
we read
on.
the collective efforts of
this collective effort is the
some unknown time
human
is
in the future, but the
being wants to
know
hope
problem
the truth of his
own
existence during his lifetime.
Theology, on the other hand, makes no possible endeavor to know anything and moves everything out of our reach; there must be a creator and therefore
we must
blindly believe
him
since he
is
God and
the
knower of
all;
everything remains as unsupported theory.
The philosopher which
is
tries to find
a definition of the truth by reasoning,
subject to individual interpretation and unreliable for leading us to
the absolute truth. If the scientist, the
philosopher, or the theologian of our time cannot
lead us towards the absolute truth,
TRUTH?
who
has the answer?
And what
is
179
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ENDNOTES Encyclopedia International. Grolier
1.
Bertrand Russell,
2.
1945,
New York,
A History of Western Philosophy,
New York, New York, p. Ibid., p.
3.
Inc.,
1974, p. 286.
Simon
&
Schuster,
XIII of introduction.
XIII of introduction.
L. S. Stebbing, 1933), p. 404.
4.
A
Modern
Introduction to Logic, (Methuen,
2nd
ed.
Leon M. Lederman, and D. N. Schramm, From Quarks to the Cosmos, American Library, 1989, New York, N.Y., 10010, p. 127.
5.
Scientific
Stephen W. Hawking, 6. York, N.Y., p. 10.
Brief History of Time, Bantam, 1988,
New
Ibid., p. 13.
7.
A History of Western Philosophy, XIII of Introduction.
Bertrand Russell,
8.
1945, 9.
A
New York, p.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Light of Lanham, MD, 20706, p. 79.
Simon
&
Schuster,
Salvation, University
Press of America,
10 11.
Inc.
Hawking, A Brief History of Time, pp. 10-1 1.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Dawn. University Press of America, Lanham, MD, 20706, p. 25.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO SUFISM-THE REALITY OF RELIGION The Sufi knows, while
the philosopher
wants
to
know.
Hazrat Slaheddin Ali Nader Angha
If
the truth and absolute knowledge cannot be a product of our minds,
despite imagination, reason or logic, and
we want
powers of the brain, then what do we do?
How can we learn about the truth?
to
go beyond the limited
Let us address our question to the science of Sufism and hear what a Sufi believes,
one who has discovered and knows the Truth.
The "knowledge
of reality, which is the true meaning of within the domain of practical Sufism, Erfan. The teachings of Sufism Erfan, encompass and transcend science and other theoretical and speculative learning." 1 religion,
We Maghsoud
is
must understand the "Knowledge of Reality" that Hazrat Shah refers to
is
not hard
dogma and
the blind acceptance of the Holy
Scriptures represented by the theologians, nor
is
it
knowledge one can
acquire from books and by
much
the conventional way, but
Absolute Knowledge, acquired differently.
While the
is
scientists
hope
the puzzle in the future, the Sufi
This knowledge
is
postponed to the Sufi. Sufi is the
learning.
not knowledge acquired in
to find the answers is
not partial and
far future, but
It is
is
and the missing parts of
one who knows the Truth it
is
in his lifetime.
not received through the senses or
Absolute and
one who knows the Truth and
is
is
in the possession of the
the most knowledgeable one
182
of his time and
is
Man
defined as the
of his Time by His Eminence Hazrat
AM.
The
Nader Angha,
Sufi of our time, Hazrat Salaheddin Ali
in
The
Wealth of Solouk (about the stages of purification and awareness that the seeker of the Truth undergoes for the attainment of Absolute Cognition) says,
"The Sufi knows, while the philosopher wants to know." 2 If,
according to Sufism and the words of the Sufi Master, "that which
constant and unchangeable
is
the Truth," then
we have
to find a constant
We
unchangeable measure by which we can know the Truth.
measure
infinity
we attempt
with a yardstick, nor can
is
and
cannot
understand the
to
mysteries of humanity with the changeable storage of the mind.
The prophet
of Islam says,
"Knowledge is not in the heaven, to descend upon you, nor does it grow on earth, but it is with you." 3
The Absolute Knowledge cannot be known through books, nor
how
inner revelations, and then wrote
them down
will
not reveal the truth to
each must discover the truth for himself. How, one may ask?
discover the truth the
"You may be where
I
this
and holy books.
as scriptures
But reading these revelations over and over again us, for
is
They themselves found the Truth through
the prophets instructed us.
way the prophets am," and Hazrat
did.
We
can
Recall that Jesus Christ said,
Mohammad
also said,
"I
am
a man,
I
hear the Angelic Voice."
The
truth
must be grasped
intuitively
through mystical experience
rather than philosophical reflection and reasoning. process; in the us,
we have
same way
that
we do
to experience religion
As a philosophy student started to learn about the early
confused.
Which was
true?
which philosopher should different opinions criterion with
wrong one.
I
I
I
I
is
an individual
and Truth for ourselves.
remember how
fascinated
I
was when
Greek philosophers, but soon wondered.
believe?
Among
The more
I
and ideas the more confused
which to distinguish and choose the
was looking
It
not rely on others to eat and breathe for
I
the different ideologies,
read and learned about I
became.
I
needed a
right philosophy
to find the truth of myself
I first
became very
among
all
from the
those different
183
There were ones that appealed
opinions.
could
how
my
I trust
could
I
really
When make
personal judgment?
I
became a student
I
had
the Truth to me;
me more
I
found
all
to search for
my mind was
wrong, truth or falsehood.
of Islamic Sufism, everything started to
incapable of differentiating between right and
My
mind depended
for
its
source of information effects
and gathered through the limited senses.
And even physical
And
my answers. I learned that it was not in my my answers, that my senses could not reveal
on mere physical comparisons, action-reaction and other natural collected
How
than others.
the measure of truth?
know?
sense and soon
thoughts that
to
What was
though the sciences provide solutions to the problems of
they too are limited in their research and
life,
spirituality in
make no
reference to
order to enhance their search for the discovery of Truth.
The true scientists generally consider past science merely as an introductory chapter; And reckon that the truly new spur Of knowledge springs from one's own true nature. The fountainhead of the knowledge's spring Is none but one's own essence, one's inner being. What scientists miraculously unearth through time Is barely a trifle introductory page To the book of supreme knowledge, the truth sublime, For the seeker venturing his inner self to envisage. 4
The
184
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO ENDNOTES 1.
Inc.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Dawn, University Press of America, Lanham, MD 20706, p. 25.
Salaheddin Nader Pir Oveyssi Angha, The Wealth Solouk, Maghsoudi Publication 1984, p. 26.
2.
Mohammad,
Hazrat
4.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Manifestation of Thought, 9.
Shah
the prophet of Islam.
3.
Press of America, 1988, p.
MTO
University
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE THE MEASURE OF TRUTH IS TRUTH ITSELF That which
is
constant
unchangeable
is
and
the Truth
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha
In a world where everything
we
find something stable?
is
undergoing constant change, how can
Everything seems so transient.
The seasons
Clouds move, water flows,
constantly change the appearance of nature:
Feelings such as love and deeply rooted
leaves scatter, flowers wither.
affection in our hearts can change so abruptly to feelings of hatred
enmity.
The
physical
vigor -begins to age.
body,
young
and
beautiful
Bountiful nature takes back
senses dim, strength diminishes, organs
fail,
- full
its gifts,
skin dries and cracks.
the whim's palace don't depend. Serve wine, for lire will soon end.
Is entirely
free
from
who under all
the blue sky, possessions, all ties.
last night when I was drunk and gay, heard the angels good tidings say:
At the tavern I
'O, ambitious falcon, don't fly so high,
Your
nest
is
the abode of sorrow and sigh.'
From Heaven's
turret was announced this call: 'This carnal snare doesn't fit you at all.'
Remember my son! Never worry
over sorrow,
For passing troubles of today and tomorrow.
and even life
and
one by one; the
Come, on
I'm the slave of him,
of
186
'Clear
up your frowns,
Be happy with your
lot:
says the inner voice, there's no other choice.'
Don't seek much loyalty from Time and Tide; many grooms this world-hag was the wedded bride.
For
to
There's no loyalty in the rose's smile. your cry lasts but a while.
O heartless nightingale!
Don't be envious of Hafiz's fluent verse. 1 a gift of the founder of the universe. Hafiz
It's
Among discipline,
a
however, according to Sufi
apparent changes,
these
all
lies
divine
and
being
everlasting
that
is
constant
and
unchangeable. "That which
is
constant and unchangeable
the Truth," says the Sufi
is
Master Hazrat Shah Maghsoud, who believes that which does not undergo change in two different times In spite of
is
genuine and immortal.
many changes my genuine
identity
and stable innate
being have not changed. I am the same person I used to be. I therefore have no reason to believe that this genuine identity did not exist before birth and will not continue to exist after death. Only that which does not change in two different times 2 is genuine and immortal.
The
real identity
is
what each person
identity that does not change,
to death;
it is
Man
and because
it
and
it is
effect.
the
"I".
This it is
is
the true
not subject
an unchangeable essence, stable and eternal.
body and
consists of
soul.
"Soul
material essence," says Vive Kananda, in his
because
calls
does not change
not matter,
So
it is
it
is
an incorporeal and non-
book The Way of Cognition, "and
therefore does not follow the principles of cause
eternal and has neither beginning nor ending."
This true identity existed long before our body or our personality
came
into existence;
it
does not owe
anything physical. Quite simply,
it is
its
existence to our physical
the presence of
body or
God within us.
Therefore the cognition of religion
is not step by step, but is the realization and the cognition of God and nothing else, which also means the cognition of that is constant and unchangeable. The is that divine inspiration of God's spirit
T
T
2
breathed into
Adam giving him life.
The measure
of the Truth can only be Truth
All the
of a seed; its adaptability, growth agents, and the perfect coordination of its
natural
capability,
its
characteristics
itself.
187
concentrated and preserved in that particular of which is based upon its essential and constant one paid careful attention to the trunk, branches, leaves, fruit of a tree, and could see the dominating force and power that guided the form and design and all the hidden characteristics of that beautiful tree, one could discover the genuine identity, in the seed itself. Of course, such observations do not belong to the level of physical and sensual living parts, are
seed,
all
identity.
If
discoveries.
man is in And Jesus Christ says, "The Kingdom of that man took and planted in his field. It is
Sohrawardi, the famous Persian philosopher, says that possession of a "Divine Seed."
Heaven
is
like a
the smallest of
mustard seed
all
when
seeds, yet
grows,
it
the largest of garden plants
it is
and becomes a tree so that the birds of the
come and perch on
air
its
branches" (Matthew 13:31-32).
we
Like the apple seed,
knowledge" within
us.
We
too possess the potential of the "seed of
have therefore to
our most noble nature; otherwise abilities
and powers.
weakened and
will
live
up
Consequently our
Man
of our inborn
energy centers
not function as they were designed
tree that remains barren.
element of
to the finest
we have made no use
to,
will
become
similar to a fruit
therefore possesses great potential to love, to
grow, and to create.
To look
within
where the prophets have
is
spring of knowledge. Every creative act and this
all
told us to look.
creative thinking
It is
the
comes from
inner source of knowledge.
Stan
Gryskiewicz,
the
of
director
and
innovation
creativity
applications at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North
Carolina, says, "Creativity
is
a part of the
popping up." The works of great spiritual inspirations that
artists,
human
spirit,
and
come from within. The
creativity that
apparent in their work so touches the depth of our being, as suggests that
it
might be from a part of
been the source of inner
inspiration.
it
keeps
just
musicians, writers and poets are but
us.
It is
is
if its
that creativity
right
away
familiarity
which has long
This inspiration comes from another
world, not the world of senses, and immediately the certain beauty strikes
you as different and even produced masterpieces of
angelic.
art
It
is
that innate
and music, so sweet
as to
knowledge that has sound
divine.
These
188
are not the products of the physical body and the physical brain, nor the
outcome of chemical actions and
reactions.
"Michelangelo claimed that he could see his figures locked inside their
marble prison and 4
This
pirces."
is
all
he did was to
set
them
free by knocking
away the
from a different source, the
heart.
"The most beautiful thing we can experience," wrote Einstein, mysterious.
It is
the source of
impenetrable to us
really,
all
manifesting
most radiant beauty that our
and
true art
literature;
verses of the
dull faculties
that
is
Was
angel Gabriel.
it
upon
is
beautiful and poetic
who
in a totally different literary category.
it
the
at the center of religiousness."
not understandable by just a native.
inner revelations inscribed
"is
what
can comprehend only in their most
rhythmic verses are so well organized that those
its
is
know
the highest wisdom, and the
Koran are examples of the most
familiar with Arabic place
language
science.. .to
itself as
primitive form. This knowledge, this feeling
The
extra
not a product of imagination but an inspiration that comes
Can
are It's
these be anything but
Mohammad by the hands of the Mohammad the prophet of Islam could
the heart of
not true that
not read or write? If
the
mind becomes pure and
attachments of the physical plane,
knowledge, the heart, and flow through
it.
It
all
becomes
it
clear of all outer attractions
intuition
and knowledge
as clear as a mirror
heart will reflect and manifest
its
and
can become inspired by the source of will
then be able to
on which the Truth of the
knowledge beyond the body, beyond the
mental symbols and limitations. The computer or the mind
will
now
receive
programs and information from an unlimited source of knowledge, the heart, as
opposed to the senses.
Only with the help of true identity within,
is it
this criterion
possible to
know
and measure of Truth, the
the Truth, because
Sufism, or Erfan as explained by the Masters of Sufism, religion
and the cognition of the Truth.
philosophical Erfan, which
is
On
is
it is
the heart and the conscience; the result of mental processes. Thus, if Knowledge is based on the inward conscience, it is called practical Sufism. But if knowledge is a result of mental is
the
the reality of
the other hand, there
the theory of Sufism.
Sufism is realized through philosophy, on the contrary,
I,
the Truth.
is
also
189
activity,
called philosophical Sufism.
is
it
Sufism, in reality,
Whenever pure Sufism words and phrases, it should be known cannot be defined.
converted into
is
philosophical
as
Sufism.
Religion in words and theory
no purpose whatsoever.
serves
Shah Maghsoud we repeatedly
meaningless and even absurd, and
is
Again and again
Words can not convey meaning, Nominal veils that hide the Truth.
Let us make
in the
sermons of Hazrat
hear, definitions are but
6
between theory and practice even clearer
this distinction
by considering the following example:
Imagine that someone you know
wants to become a practical physician..
The student
some
theory of medicine during graduation, the student
is
Only
has to study the
Upon
not yet qualified to open a medical office; he must
be able to pass an experimental period
During
first
eight years in medical school.
in a hospital to gain experience.
student tries to combine theory with practice.
this trial period, the
after this experimental period
is
the student able to practice medicine
competently, putting in practical use what he has learned as theory, reaping the fruits of those long years of theoretical learning, and finally qualified to treat
and cure the
As much worthless.
sick.
as
the
theory of Sufism
many
Unfortunately, for
is
important, theory alone
people, practicing religion today
is
is
too
often a matter of repeating verbal prayers or going to church every Sunday or
attending
some ceremonies
mourning, especially celebration, as
difference
if
Muslim
mostly true in the case of Christianity.
his or her birth;
know any
Take Christmas
is
occasion for
makes no
It
is
Christ.
no more than a nor can
tradition.
We
if
do not
we remember our cause
for
passed.
for instance.
of the holy birth of Christ, as
remembrance of
it
saint or prophet,
celebration once the event
year
may be
tradition; others
you mourn for the death of a particular Saint or prophet or
you celebrate really
is
few times a year. Some are for
that take place a
in the
its
However,
when some people need
It
must have started as the celebration
name it
has
applies, a time of
become a very
to prepare for
tradition of giving presents to friends
and
months
family.
in
union with and
costly period of the
advance to
fulfill
the
Perhaps the birth of Christ,
190
the reason for Christmas, in
and out of shops
is
the last thing on our minds as
few hours, wondering
in those last
we dash
ever be finished, absolutely preoccupied with finding suitable
wondering about those we
unclear reasons in the Muslim tradition,
who am
other religions,
it is
I
gifts
will
and
will receive!
In the case of mourning, which has
ask oneself,
through,
shopping
if this
become a same
the
it is
strong tradition for
situation.
Do I know him or her?
mourning?
In
most
One might cases, as in
a cause of social gathering.
Obviously, the actual reasons for performing particular ceremonies
have
They are repeated year
but disappeared.
all
someone, Why? What does they will say,
"I
after year, but if
you ask
ceremony mean? What do you gain from
we have
don't know;
always done
so,
ever since
I
it?
remember."
asked a Jewish friend once what he did for Hanukkah and what the
I
ceremony stood days.
this
"How
for.
He
interesting,"
know why; he merely undoubtedly pass
he
said
I
a candle every day for nine successive
lit
asked, very curious to find out why. But he did not
did so because his parents had done so, and he will
become even
times goes by, the reasons
many
along with
this tradition
others to his family.
And
important; what remains
less
is
as
the
joy of giving and receiving presents and perhaps the holiday involved that
Or
allows one to rest or to travel.
accomplish some unfinished work.
Christmas
me
not,
in
I
was not familiar with
"religious" but not "traditional."
are no
most
extra time to
the birth of Christ or holy
cases,
are a very traditional family," said a Jewish
once.
different
mean
can simply
with him as the word mass implies.
"We to
definitely
is
communion
it
But the cause of the celebration of
way of
putting
it,
the
When
same
more than performing
repeating words
this I
woman
terminology.
I
thought about
thing.
quite proudly
had heard of being
it I
realized
it
was a
Both are the same however, and
certain acts at certain times of the year,
and repeating meaningless actions with very limited
understanding.
The
Sufi of our time,
similar traditions
and
of an empty plate; the food the Easter
Molana Salaheddin
rituals in these terms: is
missing."
Where
Bunny and chocolate eggs have
Ali
Nader Angna, describes
"It is like
to
is
pretending to eat out
the actual food?
What do
do with the resurrection of
191
No wonder
Christ?
people have turned away from
this
kind of religion.
People can not find Truth in those ceremonies, the same way we cannot find food on an empty plate. This kind of religion does not attract the searching
minds that are
that
one
seems
is
like
What
after the Truth.
religious?]
I
doubt
this
said to is
not
And
If this is religion
know
'I
am
the
God
of the dead, but of the
were astonished
of
then
it
"You are power
neither the scriptures nor the
you not read what was
as for the resurrection of the dead, have
you by God,
God
achieve from doing so, a feeling
can be religion.
a dead religion with dead prophets and messengers.
wrong", says Jesus, "Because you of God.
the point of repeating historical
is
What does one
events over and over again?
Abraham, and the God of Jacob'? He
living."
And when
the crowd heard
it,
they
at his teaching.
(Matthew In the Holy
Koran we
22:29, 31-34)
read:
Those who boasted that we killed Christ, Jesus the Son of Mary, The Messenger of God, they killed him not, nor
And those who it appeared to them. doubted him, they had no knowledge of him and did not follow but their thoughts and for surely they did not kill him. Nay, God elevated him unto himself, God is exalted in power and wise. crucified him, but so
(Surah 4:157 and 158) This to the
the purpose of religion: Self-awareness, from the physical level
most exalted
of Islam; is
is
stage, as introduced by
"He whoever knows himself
completely forgotten and
when
is
truly
Hazrat
knows
attending religious ceremonies. Perhaps
and buried them
all!
Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, the hands of the prophet."
The
it is
about
it?
notion
The
that "The
Commandment
of
is,
living
We
have
says Hazrat
Shah
to the Truth.
God
still
remains in
8
difference between religion and theology
To have
religion
No. But talk of food
the food because only
this
because we have no
way
sad story of religion
gained through experience. Theology of food, on a menu.
the prophet
God." 7 But
perhaps the furthest thing from one's mind
prophets, no Savior, no Messiah, to show us the killed
Mohammad,
his
when you
is
true knowledge
is
is
a very good example of a description
is
to
not food
have that food. itself;
eat and drink
it is
Is
crucial
it
wrong
and
to talk
vital to eat
do you stop being hungry and
192
thirsty.
Although the food for the
spirit is
of a different kind, nourishment
is
provided by the actual act of consummation. Just as a beautifully presented
menu, even one with gold spiritual talk
cannot
inscriptions, will not satisfy the
satisfy the
hungry
soul.
So
it is
hungry body,
best to start this quest
and pilgrimage within oneself and experience. Theology says that Philosophy
says,
God
we should know
exists
and that we should believe
in
Him.
the relationship between the individual, the
universe, and the creator. Religion, in the form of practical Sufism, provides
a direct vision of
God
in the
temple of the body.
193
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ENDNOTES Mazda
Hafiz Odes, Translation from the Persian by Abbas Aryampur,
1.
Publishers, 1984, Lexington,
Shah
2.
Maghsoud
USA.,
p. 36.
Sadegh Angha, Hidden Pomona, Ca., 1975, p. 55.
Angles
of
Life,
Multidisciplinary Publications, 3.
Inc.
Shah Maghsoud, Sadegh Angha, Dawn, University Press of America, Lanham, MD, p. 26. Robert Coughlan, The World of Michelangelo, Time-Life Books,
4.
Inc.
1966, p. 96. 5.
Inc.,
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Dawn, University Press of America Lanham, MD, p. 22.
6.
Ibid., p. 21.
7.
Hazrat
Mohammad, The
prophet of Islam, Holy Hadith,
MTO
Publications, 1985, p. 70. 8.
p. 117.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Epic of Existence, Persian
edition,
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR THEORY OF UNITY
SUFISM: THE
He whoever knows
himself,
knows
his God.
Hazrat
"Existence, of which unity hierarchy," according to
The is
the general law,
is
an entirety based on
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha. 1
doctrine of unity
the general law.
is
Mohammad
is
the essence of Islamic Sufism.
Unity, tauhid,
Physics and metaphysics are in union rather than total
separation. Nature reflects the spiritual world; the supernatural reveals itself
and gives of
itself
through nature,
the universe like blood within the
The
its
graces running through the arteries of
human
body.
Sufi seeks oneness with the Divine.
Through the ecstasy of
love,
the barrier between God, Allah, and his creatures must gradually break
down, resulting
when he
in this divine unity {tauhid).
loses his individual consciousness
The
Sufi finds his true self only
and through
this
oneness he
is
able to discover the Truth.
The
Sufi
poet
Attar,
in
a
richly
allegorical
poem
called
The
Conference of the Birds, describes the mystical pilgrimage as a quest that begins with the stripping-off of
all
earthly desires, then continues with the
progress through love, knowledge, and a sense of amazement, and ultimately to annihilation,
which
is
uniting with
God.
In the The Light of Salvation,
196
Maghsoud
these seven stages are referred to by Hazrat Shah
Pir Tarighat
Oveyssi in the following poem. In the
Kingdom
of heart, seven stages there are:
That the seeker of Truth must
The With
go, through
them
all.
to seek and yearn, hardship and pain, he may earn. first
stage
is
Faith is the heart's second stage, essence is eternal knowledge.
Its
The
third stage
is
that of love,
Mirror aglow with the
light of love.
One
with existence the seeker becomes, In this stage, a witness of Truth he becomes.
The
fifth
stage
The
is
sixth stage
Full of
The seventh
God
Wonder stage will
that of
UNITY,
sun the particle
brilliant as the
is
will be.
that of ecstasy the seeker will be. is
annihilation and poverty,
manifest in
all to ye.
In eternal peace thy heart shall live, When the seventh stage, thy home is reached. 2
Islam introduces the unity and the
last stage,
where there
is
no longer
a son and a father but where, the drop having reached the ocean, unity
through love
is
attained.
with that from which
The
it
is
soul,
being divine in
its
essence, longs for union
separated by the illusion of individuality and
selfhood and to rise on the wings of ecstasy, the only means by which return to
its
Love
original is
it
can
home.
the alchemy of the
human
soul;
it
is
that purifying fire that
transmutes the alloy into pure and genuine gold. Love transcends the duality of reason and logic. is
Love
is
the force that unifies the whole existence.
God
eternal love, as perceived by the Sufis. Hafiz says,
The
May
fire that
never dies burns in our hearts,
the world never miss the plaint of lovers, Exquisite Psalm, the breeze of joy.
The
Odes, Hafiz
While the doctrines of Brahmanism are monistic based on the concept of "Oneness," Zoroaster proposes duality,
God and
the devil, and Christianity
proposes a Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Islamic Sufism
197
The
takes us to the "Original oneness" and unity.
ocean and becomes one with
To Allah
Him all
it,
because
individual drop reaches the
of the
it is
same essence, water.
belongs the kingdom of heavens and the earth.
To
things return.
(Koran 24:43)
When similarly,
attains
the wind ceases to blow, the waves
when
his
merge with the ocean;
one's sense of duality, born of ignorance,
is
destroyed, one
nature; the river merges with the ocean.
original
Unity
is
experienced.
Religion has only one goal and that
God, one's true
is
must be found through
self
more a man knows God,
more he
the
is
In order to
know
ecstatic self-abandonment.
The
to
know God.
lost in
Him.
"He whoever knows
himself knows his God," says the prophet of Islam.
The
following
Hazrat Salaheddin
poem
is
a description of self-abandonment (fana) by
Ali:
Hear from Salaheddin secretly, Annihilate thyself in love totally. Trapped within four dimensions, to boundaries and limitations.
The body bound
Sipping from the cup of desires, thou be,
Never
trying to
overcome
thyself willingly,
In nature's wheels captured are thee, Though its ruler thou should be. If a devout and seeker thou be, In love you will find thy true identity,
open
Life will
Humbly
its
arms
the sun will
to
embrace
bow unto
thee, thee,
I and we will no longer be, thy only sovereign will be.
Talk of
God
Any
polished heart will be,
A mirror reflecting the Vali. Empty thy heart so may enter He, Of his wine, the cup filled be. 3 As we have noted Islamic Sufism.
In
before, the heart
much
is
the holy place of revelation in
of Sufi poetry and prose, such writers as Rumi,
Hafiz, and Attar, speak of the heart as the "winery,"
where "wine"
refers not
198
to a liquid but metaphorically to the essence of one's being.
"wine-bearer" (saghi)
is
often a reference to God,
wine into man's heart, and thus gives him
Your Creator
will give
life.
who
And
the
The Holy Koran
says,
you pure wine. (Surah:76:21)
And
Hafiz echoes the thought:
Oh
Pour the wine from the Divine Cup Into the cup of your heart. God, all other men are drunk with wine,
Their drunkenness
lasts
but a single night,
While mine abides forever. Elsewhere, Hafiz seeks unity with the Friend -God:
From the world's garden I desire one rose, the greenery the shadow of the cypress, to repose.
Of all
God
forbid
if
the
company of hypocrites
Of all good
things of
life,
I should join and admire, only the wine I desire.
Paradise is promised for one's good deed, For us libertines, tavern will do indeed.
brook and watch the passing of time, Tis enough this sign of transiency of life.
Sit at the
Watch
the joys and the sorrows of the world. it, but for me suffice this gain and loss.
You may want
When
the friend
is
His company makes
with
me
me
nothing do
strong,
though
O'Lord! to Hafiz paradise do not
Your Sanctuary
to all existence
I
I
I
word
symbolically pours
seek,
am weak.
offer,
prefer.
Odes
199
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR ENDNOTES 1.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Manifestation of Thought,
2.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Light of Salvation,
3.
Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, Massnavi Ravayeh, Publication United
Press of
America
Inc., 1990, p. 3.
p. 21.
p. 110.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE THE LAW, THE WAY, THE TRUTH Upon witness and that
I declare
there
is
God is one God but God.
that
no
Mohammad
Hazrat
In Chapter One,
claim there
is
we
explained there can be only one religion
only one God.
Of
course,
we have
discussed
how
be based on true
experimental in the sense that it
it is
we
unknown
should not consist of mere traditional ceremonies and vague and theories but should
if
religion
This means that religion
belief.
only true for the one
who
is
has experienced
and found the truth by following the exact instruction of the prophets. The
prophets came with the good news, that there
is
a
God and
each individual
may know him. Each prophet symbolizes a only one religion, although different religions
three parts:
(shari'at); 2)
There
divided the one religion into
and branches of the same
The Law
1)
particular stage of this cognition.
man had
The
religions.
Way
is
many
This one religion has
(tarighat);
and
3)
The Truth
is
the Truth.
(hagighat).
No one The
part alone can lead one to the final stage, which
first stage,
written on
the Law,
stone,
is
Judaism.
Moses received the Law, which was
and brought the Ten Commandments down from a
mountain top to mankind.
202
Next came Christ who introduced the Way, the second not that
I
have come to abolish the
Law and
"Think
stage.
the prophets," he said.
have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. I
Matthew 5:17-21 Although we know Christ was a Jew himself, by the commandment of the Almighty he was appointed to extend the law to the next stage
Way - and
he was opposed and found
guilty of
and the elderly who could not accept
priests
-The
blasphemy by the high Jewish be
that there could ever
anything but the Jewish religion. Christ was crucified and the that
Law became empty ceremonial
were handed down from generation
to generation.
traditions
The opening of
the
Truth, the freedom from captivity, the Holy promise, and the relationship
with
God
did not flourish;
itself called
The Way,
hardened into dogma and became a religion
in
or the principles of the doctrine of Christianity, failed also
hardened
to lead to truth but
Christianity today
was not
it
Judaism.
is,
to die, but to
the resurrection."
to
dogma, and the only thing that remains of
"Jesus died for us."
show the way
The Way
to
Surely, the great mission of Christ
life,
for
he
am
I
am
was the essence of
his
says, "I
to the holy rebirth
the
Way,
teachings.
The Way should have stage
is
called Islam, which
That
led to the final stage, the Truth.
means surrender
(tasl'im).
Only
final
in this total
God can one reach the Truth and witness God. The Holy Mohammad, symbolizes the very last stage of religion. He Message that God must be seen and witnessed, and that God must
surrender to
prophet of Islam, brings the
be known. His doctrine
same transformation today
is
as
is
one of
unity.
Judaism and
Islam, however, has
Christianity.
The
undergone the
practice in Islam
not only empty ceremonies and meaningless messages but
is
far
away
from the Truth.
The
Sufi revolts against this partial view of religions
and the forms
they have taken, largely a result of individual interpretations of those
203
The
doctrines.
Sufi believes that there
a large distinction between
is
One
asceticism (zuhd) and gnosis (ma'rifat).
is
blind faith and the other
true faith, acquired by personal experience, witness,
we have
seen, this
"There
is
exactly
is
how
no compulsion
and revelation, and
is
as
the prophets discovered the Truth.
in religion," says the
Koran
2:256. Hazrat Ali
declares, I do not worship you my God in the hope of paradise, nor because of fear of hell, but I worship you because indeed you are worthy of praise and worship.
The
mystical
life,
Knowledge and the Truth, (shari'at),
the
way
but includes
whose purpose
as a facet or
it
For those entering
He
is
is
this
mystical path,
for.
He
is,
instructed
He
is
(pir)
the Savior that everyone
is
to them.
Such a
God
spiritual guide
himself.
The
savior
is
who need guidance
however, always present for the souls
and appointed by
(tarighat).
a spiritual guide
called the "Mashiach" by the Jewish or "Messiah" by the
and he presents himself
Way
Law
an aspect of a whole. The next stage
and "Mehdi," by the Muslims.
Christians,
is
the pursuit of the Absolute
that leads to the Truth.
indispensable.
waiting
is
not only compatible with observance of the
is
is
not self-trained but
is
one who knows the
God and
This path should be the one that leads to
that
God
has appointed, not a path that suits individual interests and likings.
There are
different stages
(maghamat) the seeker of Truth
goes through with the help of the Savior, Pir Tarighat. pilgrimage.
The
stage
first
is
repentance (tauba), which means turning
toward God. The voyage continues is
reached.
This final stage
is
(salek)
called the holy
It is
until the experience of
oneness with
the last stage of religion:
God
Islam, the total
surrender, the lover finally uniting with the beloved.
In
Sufism,
the
Law
it
The water symbolizes
the
ocean
if
(shari'at)
is
considered
remains on land until
symbolizes the means;
Way
(tarighat).
you do not have a destination
it is
set
"the
on
final stage of religion, the total surrender, is
which
way, the water.
is
a boat and the
But of what use
to reach
boat,"
its
and a purpose
to fulfill?
The
reaching the plane of Truth and
acquiring the pearl from the depth of the ocean. That pearl
is
the real Truth.
204
Hafiz warns seekers about the dangers of the ocean,
dark nights,
all
of which symbolize the difficulty of the
Way
its
storms, and
that leads to the
Truth:
The
sea-dive seems easy with the hope of gain; But the pearl is it worth the storm and pain!
Those secure on the shore with peace of mind, Don't know our storm, the waves, and the dark night!
Odes Islam represents total surrender and witness and finally unity with the
one witnessed. Hafiz this life is given to you by the Friend, Surrender -when you meet Him -in the end.
Odes Without witnessing the Truth, cognition
is
not complete.
The chemical
actions and reactions of the brain can not reveal the Truth to us.
Anis
la -elaha-el- Allah;
upon witness
no God but God," says Hazrat
The
I
declare that
Mohammad
heart in no
way
That which
it
God
is
"Ashado-
one and that there
the prophet of Islam. falsified
saw.
(Koran 53:11)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ZEKR SUFI PRACTICE Zekr
is
the reality of the seeker's journey from the outer
world
to
the world within.
Hazrat Shah Maghsoud Sadagh
Zekr, incorrectly translated as "chanting"
word such
as a mantra, but the
no
God
mind
in perfect
name
(the
of
harmony
but Allah" (la-elaha-el-Allah).
the zaker's
not the repetition of a
is
remembrance of God.
In Islamic Sufism, calling the the heart, and the
Angha
God joins
This
the body, the tongue,
make one
to
is
statement, "There
one saying the zekr) whole being.
remembrance and the utterance of Allah,
the
is
an affirmation that involves
name
By continuous
of the beloved, one loses
oneself in Allah. "Zekr," according to Hazrat
Shah Maghsoud,
"is
the constancy of the
Light of Knowledge in the presence of the Heart and in the discovery of
Truth in the hidden realms.
It is
the reality of the seeker's journey from the
1 outer world to the world within."
In contrast to the chanting performed in Transcendental Meditation
(which was concerned with the effect of the rhythm of the mantra on the body), the Sufi zekr, remembrance of God, takes one the farthest away from the body, in fact, from everything but God. repetition of a word, even
if it is
the
name
As we have
discussed, verbal
of God, cannot bring about
206
Zekr has
awareness, knowledge, and union with God. is
true
one proves
it
not only verbally by saying
also in actions, feelings,
"I
and expressions of
left
not
know what
is,
right
"I
was given a
who had attended is
special
like
chanting classes.
from
away we discard
word
in love
affection.
with an action that has no meaning because
outwardly.
that
religion
is
you" over and over again but
love
However, we borrow and take what we
we do
to take place in the
communion with God. For example, when one
heart; zekr
we
religion it.
and because
are therefore
are just imitating an act
to repeat," said
You may
We
my
one of
students
chant and repeat a word, but
not zekr.
The zekr
that,
no
God
"Say there
is
according to the prophet of Islam, must save you, but Allah (God), and you will be saved" or Ghulu In order to experience the "oneness" of
elaha-el-Allah toflehou.
whole being must join
God and
make
that statement of unity for there
nothing but God. As long as there
and Islam introduces join, the
to
Then
unity.
there
body follows the unified action
is
me and God,
is
is
la-
God, one's
is
only to be
there
is
duality
no discord, the mind and heart .
in a beautiful
motion;
all is
a state of
harmony.
The numerous
verses
in
the
Koran
(monafegh) refer to the disharmony that
that
condemn
exists in religious
hypocrites
performances.
This makes a prayer only verbal and without true harmony and heartfelt belief.
Omar Khayyam
tells
a story of a religious man, a Sheikh,
who
lived
next door to a prostitute.
A pretentious Sheikh, to a prostitute called out, "Woman, You are drunk," he criticized! "And in the act of sin caught up!" "Yes!" she replied, "whatever you say, I am! But are you truly who you say you are?!"
The pretentious.
with God.
religion
of a Sufi involves
He who wants
his
whole being and
everybody to think he
is
it
is
not
pious has no relationship
207
"Beware of practicing your piety before
men
be seen by
in order to
them," says Jesus Christ, "for then you will have no reward from your Father in
Heaven" (Matthew
"When you
6:1).
pray,
you must not be
like hypocrites; for they love to
may be
stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they
when you
seen by men. But
pray to your Father
who
reward you" (Matthew
is
pray, go into your
in secret;
"And when you
fast,
and your Father who sees
fast
do not look dismal,
but your Father
who
reward you" (Matthew
The
in secret will
like hypocrites, for they
may be seen by men. But when you
anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting
men
will
shut the door and
6:5-6).
disfigure their faces that their fasting
by
room and
is
in secret;
may
not be seen
and your Father who sees
in secret
7:17).
religious acts of a Sufi are real
and true because they aim
capture of the pearl from the depth of the sea.
Not only are these
at the
acts not
pretentious but they are the only reward the Sufi aims for: the union with the
beloved upon witnessing
Him within.
In the Holy tradition Hazrat Ali asked, "Prophet of Allah, guide
me
through the shortest and the quickest way to God, and the easiest way for the servants of said, "Ali,
God, and the way of the chosen of God." The Prophet of Allah in the constant
it is
"Prophet of Allah, show
me
"Close your eyes and Listen.
and
solitary zekr of
God."
Then he
asked;
then the way of Zekr." Then the Prophet said,
Then
three times he said la-elaha-el-Allah and
2 Hazrat Ali heard and said three times; he listened and heard."
This
is
not mere repetition of words but an experience of true union.
Yet from the point of view of someone who might be unfamiliar with
zekr,
may
In fact
just
seem
to
be an outward action and simple repetition
when zekr becomes a performance to the union, which
The renown.
is
not real and will not lead
become an outward performance
students frequently ask
There are even
it is
me
if I
have Sufi dances
classes that teach the Sufi dance!
Sufi
dance
Iranian folk dance or the Arabian belly dance or rock and spiritual state.
it
goal of zekr.
"Sufi dance" has also
New
of this kind,
only.
roll
is
of
my
in
some
classes.
not like the
dances.
It is
a
208
The
first
who danced was
Sufi
in blissful
God. Upon witnessing and grasping the Truth heart overflowing with joy and love. the Sufi
it
To one
communion with
observing,
was the expression of a true revelation from
his
beloved
began dancing,
within, he
his
was a dance, but
it
to
within.
Last night at dawn I was relieved of grief, the water of life I was granted in brief. In ecstasy God's Manifestation I could see, The transformation cup was given to me.
What
a blessed sight, what a glorious night!
A unique experience and a wonderous sight. my face did shine, To me were unfolded many secrets divine.
In mirror of God's beauty
No wonder For
that in spirit
I
feel sublime,
needed blessings - they came
I
in time.
"Good news! Great
Upon
fortune," a mysterious voice said. hearing the good news I could withstand all the pain.
honey that drips from my tongue,
All the Is
my reward
for suffering so long.
Odes It
is
involuntarily,
the
absolute
and
that
the
Sufi
move
a dance, and not vice versa.
We
cannot
ecstasy
seems
like
within
that
imitate a Sufi by trying to dance as he dances.
the Sufi dance, one has to
first
of Hafiz
become
makes
In order to really experience
a Sufi and dance as one discovers the
Truth and not every Sufi dances! Salat
The word
meaning prayer,
salat,
literally
means
must be with the acceptance of God, which means that
The
true
one's
and complete prayer
own
and one's
self
A God For
nullifies the
to call
and
to desire
and desires as inconsequential
self as
ephemeral and
prayer; hence man's
great.
is
who
this
own is
will
God
The
"call." it
must be
God, and
at
true call
His
will.
to recognize
in the presence of the Lord,
as eternal.
This
is
the
meaning of
true
has no part in the reality of prayer.
worshipped for the sake of worldly fulfillment
is
reason any intention other than seeking closeness to
meaning of prayer. Sheikh Safieddin Ardebili has
the most important element in salat."
The Zekr of God
said,
not
God
"Zekr
is
brings inner
209
and prevents the heart from transgression.
purification said,
and
"Zekr
is
Ali-ibn-Tostari has
leaving the sphere of neglect to the realm of cognition in
awe
intensity."
Salat
is
the most important practice of Islam and
pillar of religion.
The
that are confirmed in the
Meditation
is
the
works of the
means
Sufis."
considered the
4
to true salat prayer.
prayer will be verbal and physical; with God.
is
inner reality of prayer, however, consists of mysteries
its
aim
is
not true
Without meditation the
communion and oneness
210
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ENDNOTES 1.
Sadegh Angha, The Light of Salvation,
2.
Ibid.,
3.
Shirazi Hafiz, Odes,
4.
Sadegh Angha,
The Light of Salvation,
Mazda
p. 96.
p. 101.
Publication, Lexington,
Al-Salat, pp. 31-2.
KY,
1984, p. 132.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN MEDITATION: PRACTICAL SUFISM Of what
own existence one is and it certainly should not bother the What does a fish know about the water
significant in one's
is
hardly aware, other fellow.
in which he swims all his life? Albert Einstein
Meditation
is
practical
discussed the theory of unity.
May Mohs once
In is its
Chapter practice
Twenty-three,
we
and experience. As
said in a 1987 issue of Discover Magazine, "Roses don't smell
as sweet as they used to
-where has
the practice of religion with religion
Sufism.
Meditation
its
whose words and theory are
By now we have
all
reality
Meditation
is
intact, in contrast to
a
the fragrance gone?"
and fragrance
like a rose
without fragrance.
realized that absolutely nothing can be revealed
transferred through words. Every verse and
word of the sacred and holy
and texts
hide the true meaning and are no more than symbols for hidden treasures.
Meanings can only be revealed by God -these meanings inward eye
in
moments
flash
upon the
of meditation.
They know
not, nor do they discern; for the Lord has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their minds, so that they
cannot understand. (Isaiah 44:18)
212
But even yet the Lord hasn't given you hearts that understand, or eyes that see or ears that hear.
(Deuteronomy 29:4) For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep. (Isaiah 19:10)
Bring forth, the people
Who
who
are blind, yet have eyes, are deaf, yet have ears! (Isaiah 43:8)
The Lord sets the prisoners free; The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Psalms 146:8) In the
New Testament we also read: Why do you not understand what I say? Is
it
because you cannot bear to hear
my word? (John 8:43)
He who The
God
hears the words of God; reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. is
of
(John 8:47)
But blessed are your eyes, For they see, and your ears, for they hear. Many a Prophet and godly man has longed to see what you have seen, And to hear what you have heard but could not. (Matthew 13:14-17)
The Koran
also
makes mention of
the fact that
if
hearts were unsealed, the
Truth would be manifested.
And we have
put coverings over their hearts, Lest they should understand the Koran, And deafness to their ears. (Surah: 17 Verse:46)
God hath set a seal on their hearts, And upon their hearing, and on their eyes, is
a
veil.
(Surah:2 Verse:7)
It is
for this reason that the
MTO school
interpretations of the Koran, interpretations
divergent and even contradictory beliefs.
even today we see such
false interpretations
of Islamic Sufism rejects any
mean an
endless variety of
During the history of Islam and
made by
fanatics.
These people
213
The
can be divided into two groups:
first
The second group
who
are those
who want
are the people
and
religion for other means, such as politics,
are ignorant about their religion and are
thereby misled and exploited by the
group.
first
So, ignorance, greed,
And
fanaticism are represented as Islam in most places today. poverty, ignorance, misery, and darkness, whereas Islam
knowledge,
God
and
light, love,
to use
for the exploitation of others.
The
unity.
through a most passionate love,
a spiritual love
is
the religion of
is
true goal of religion
like
and
the result
to unite with
is
affair.
My life candle is by God's love aglow, My whole life at God's threshold I throw. In
memory
Thus
O! Zephyr,
To
of friend's eyes, myself destroy, my old convenant to my joy.
fulfill
my bleeding
heart, like the rose,
ransom
friend's fragrance as
Hafiz, hatred and
The
libertine
sham remove,
- love
I
choose to be
I
expose.
the peace of heart,
my part. 1
In the Sufi path of love, the spiritual teachings of Rumi, the Persian Sufi, constantly refers to
two kinds of knowledge and Hazrat
to the teachings of the prophet
categories:
"One
that discerns only form,
form and discerns the meaning." The bodies" (llm-il abdan) to distinguish
adyan ). The former embraces "science"
all
first it
that
vision, which, according
Mohammad, he and another
he sometimes
classifies into
that passes calls the
from the "Science of
we
two
beyond
"Science of
religion" (llm-il
customarily understand by the term
and "knowledge," including such
disciplines
as
theology
and
metaphysics, for these are learned by study. Until they rise from the heart as the result of a direct vision of the inward meaning, or of
are but shadows, not
meaning, knowledge
is
God
Without a direct and vibrantly
light.
only form.
Certainly
may have
it
himself, they
living vision of
the potential of
being transmuted into true knowledge, but only after a long spiritual journey.
Rumi
says:
"A knowledge
every branch leads to
its
is
needed whose root
roots."
man," says Rumi, "look at the form.
The holy
is
What does
it
scriptures are understood not by those
but only by the Sufi therefore knows.
As
who
upon the other
"The painting on the wall lack?"
is
side, since
the likeness of a
2
who read
or speak Arabic
has experienced the meaning in his heart and
the Prophet of Islam says:
214
is not acquired through much learning, but it is the shone upon the heart by the Lord. Thus, the heart of is illuminated by the Light of Wisdom.
Knowledge light
whom He will This
understanding
from a supreme
derives
experience
God-given knowledge, and belongs only
intellectual,
The meaning
with their hearts.
genuine seeker salek
Koran
of the
is
infinite
who
God
see
and reveals
in proportion to the spiritual capacity with
super-
a
as
to those
to each
which he
is
endowed.
The Koran
is
made up
of
1
14 Surah, the
within his heart. This knowledge
read his
available,
is
own book. Hazrat Shah Maghsoud
Away from "Sufism, Erfan,
Sufi
is
human
values."
is
one who watches over
every care
is
guards from
dismissed he
is
worships
God alone because Him because he loves
idea, or a
phantom
in his
mind.
his thoughts are collected
communion
and
with God, his heart he
all else.
Sufi meditation
is
not the aimless wondering and drifting of the mind
into a void, or emptiness, but
means
ready for
most
for the sake of
When
his heart.
the
It is
his
4
one who worships God
Him. He does not worship an image or an
He
nor a denomination.
religion,
God and knows Him. He
he has witnessed
starts to
if one stayed he remained!
way through which each Prophet discovers
exalted spiritual state and
The
new
not a
is
by God's grace, as one
says,
one's reality
An unopened Book
reality of religion the
knowledge of which each
book made up of 114 Surah
individual has in himself, since he also has a
communion
of a holy
on the contrary with the
God
it
has a definite goal and
that lives within,
and
is
a
to witness
Him.
Each orbits to
a cycle, but one that turns within the millions of other
life is
which
nucleus but to
it
belongs.
all
A
single proton
other atoms nearby in
is
its
related not only to
its
molecule they form, and by their behavior toward every other atom
same way there
universe.
In the
existence.
Mankind yearns toward
is
own
neighborhood, and to the
a relationship between
man and
the truth as plants turn to the sun.
in the all
of
215
"Of what it
is
significant in one's
own
existence one
certainly should not bother the other fellow.
the water in which he swims
all his life?"
5
is
What does
hardly aware, and a fish
Meditation helps each individual to harmonize with to find the ultimate
know about
says Albert Einstein.
Wisdom, the reason
all
existence and
Meditation
for one's being.
is
the
link with the Divine.
Meditation
human
potential.
is
not mere concentrated thought, but a spectrum of
The
goal of meditation
is
hightened experience, perfected
awareness, growth, and inner evolution, in order to be able to function
according to one's
full potential.
"Fragmented natural energies go
to waste,
and
result in the loss of
sensual subtilty, like a machine whose parts work individually and separately, it
6 too becomes unusable," according to Hazrat Shah Maghsoud. Meditation
helps us gather our scattered energies into a healthy whole.
Meditation processes, a
is
an exact science.
method comparable
to
It is
modern
an experimental study of inner sciences,
which studies primarily
external events.
"The immaterial can only be discovered through the source of Life the heart and traveling through the
The
prophets' teachings are based on. as
an intruder on the
Kingdom
spiritual orders
of Heaven.
This
centrality of the brain has
and the solitude of the
heart, then
it
in
in
what the
been known
heart."
In the message of the soul, the Sufi Master claims that
comes under the influence of the heart and functions
is
7
if
the brain
harmony with the
too would function from the limitless source of intelligence,
instead of from
the usual mental sources that
are dependant
on the
changeable and unstable storage and data processing of the brain. Enlighten the channel that extends from your heart to your brain and do not allow the heart and the brain to live apart, like two unfriendly neighbors unaware of each other.
When we within, is
able to touch
within.
practice meditation, the
and becomes more its
own
quiet.
source,
The Holy Koran
mind goes deeper and deeper
When it becomes
becoming a mirror
free of thoughts the
to the light
confirms:
Lo! therein verity is a reminder For him who hath a heart,
mind
and knowledge
216
or giveth ear,
With
full intelligence,
And he
is
witness.
(Surah: 50 Verse: 37)
"Guidance," explains the Sufi Master Hazrat Shah Maghsoud,
comes through the union of thoughts, senses, nature, and the heart; going astray is disarray and confusion among these four elements. To become eternal, dissipate any desire that tends to grow in your heart through the union of the heart and brain. When all the combined energies reach the heart and have no tendency to leave, you will find yourself. And because you will be nourished from the source of life in your heart, you will see your enlightened soul. Every bird flies back
to
its
nest at nightfall
and there finds
So you, too, gather all the strength that is and body, in your heart at night and manifest your luminous figure. If you receive life from the source of life in your heart, you will no longer be subject to
comfort. spread in your senses
death.
For a man continuously creates illusions that are shattered later; he creates these illusions but is not created by them. The essence of the existence is eternal, however, and will not vanish. Only the unstable will constantly gather and fall apart, while nothing is added or taken away from existence. The source of life is the creating angel of God; hence the birth of things is not for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the existence. This infinite diffusion, from the partial to the whole, from the atom to the universe, brings forth constant births that sink into dispersion and gathering, and yet the truth and the essence of life are eternal and immortal. There are 101 channels, starting from the source of life in the heart, that, through 71,000 lines irrigate the 10 billion brain cells, so that the creation of God in this diffusion and gathering is brought to perfection. The source of life resides on the border between the heavens and the earth, and serves the will of God. At the point where the consciousness of life and the sleep of death confront each other, the first longs for eternity and the latter is attracted toward transience. Search for Truth in your heavenly double, in the heart, the point of union of the two worlds, one delicate and one harsh, between sleep and wakefulness. The source of life in the heart is the light of knowledge and certainty and the very
knowledge
itself.
In reality there divine, or physics intelligible,
one, only
but
is
no
distinction
and metaphysics
we
we need
9
in
or, as
and separation between nature and defined by Plato, the visible and the
our shortcomings, separate these things. The reality
to acquire full vision.
is
217
All great teachers urge us to realize the "divine" in this purity, self-control,
and the recognition of "His presence" within
through
life
us.
This
is
the purpose of meditation.
Religion
is
the fulfillment of
aspect of being
is
raised to
however,
is
its
life; it is
highest state.
an experience in which every
What
is
needed
to attain this,
not dogma, but rebirth, an inner revolution.
Except a
man be born
again he cannot see the
Kingdom
of
God. (John 3:3) This rebirth can take place only through higher knowledge and meditation, not through external
acts, living habits, or
vocal prayers alone. Meditation
the greatest and the most elevated experience of love.
That which imagination never conceived,
Reason and understanding never perceived, Has entered my soul from you. Therefore to you alone
turn to worship. Jalal-al-din Rumi
I
is
218
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN ENDNOTES 1.
Hafiz, Odes, p. 86.
2.
Chittick, pp. 25,
3.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha.
& 27. The Epic of Existence, Behjat
Publication, 1974, p. 95. 4.
Salaheddin Nader Angha, Peace,
Albert Einstein, Out of 5 1990, p. 5.
My
p. 59.
Later Years, Bonanza Books,
New York
6.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Manifestation of Thought,
7.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Hidden Angles of Life,
8.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Message from the Soul,
9.
Ibid., p. 42.
p. 14.
p. 74. p. 41.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT SPIRITUAL GUIDE Each man, through personal experience and inward discovery, is able to cognize and establish the Truth of his
own
being.
Hazrat Slaheddin Ali Nadder Angha
Around
the 5th century B.C., while the philosophers were pondering
the mysteries of
life,
trying desperately to find the truth,
knowledgeable Socrates appeared and
By the second interest in studying
left his
mark on
history
half of the 5th century, philosophers
human
life.
Greece was
a
the wise and
and humanity.
had begun
to
center of great thinkers, allowed most citizens to participate in their affairs.
It
became necessary
for
men
to
show
democracy, and Athens, the city's
understand the nature of the real
world in which they lived and the everyday problems they had to deal with. This was also reaction against the physical speculation of the philosophers, "a revolt of
common
the world
as
sense against the remoteness and incomprehensibility of
the physicists presented
Philosophers. Therefore, purpose of
aspects
became
with the rise of a
The profession.
of concern.
new
class,
it,"
human
says
life
and
Guthrie, its
This reaction towards
The Greek
in
religious
humanism
and is
political
associated
the Sophists.
Sophists were not a particular philosophical school, but rather a
They were
itinerant teachers
hunger for guidance in practical
affairs.
who made
a living out of the
new
Although the word sophistes stands
220
for "practitioner of wisdom," they are best
known
for their skepticism for they
denied any possibility of absolute knowledge. Socrates, in complete disagreement with the Sophists, contributed a
and reaction against skepticism and the
lifetime of struggle
philosophical interest to
ignorance as the
first
human
virtue
stage toward knowledge
most meaningful doctrines. "Know thyself he believed that knowledge totally
is
of
was perhaps one of Socrates'
also attributed to Socrates, for
is
one has become
attainable, but only after
aware of one's ignorance,
shifting
and man's excellence. Realizing one's
he knows he
for as long as he thinks
will
never learn.
There have always existed great sages who, guided by God's power to explore their mysteries of
life
own
like Socrates
true nature
and
have been
to discover the
and the universe. After the acquisition of inner knowledge
through divine revelation, the great sages taught what they had discovered to those eager disciples
God's
"By
Ghotbeddin
who came
grace
to them.
who
he
Mohammad Angha
searches
Pir Oveyssi.
findeth,"
In his
Hazrat
says
Mir
book From Fetus
to
Paradise, he wrote,
The
subtle path, although very close, seems far and is impossible to traverse alone. Supposing one does traverse the path alone, without the help of a special guide of path, that which he acquires are still heavenly gifts form the distinguished. But, because he has not taken the main route, he is immature and incomplete among his peers. flower not raised by the hands of a wise and experienced gardener, is wild and self-grown, even though it may rise up from the sun. 1
A
The
Italian poet
Dante
To
says, in his
book, Canto,
the Primal Light sends down Its ray all the universe God's ray Enters all things according to their merit, And nothing has the power to block its way. all,
Throughout
The commandments inspiration
of saints
and prophets are the carriers of
and revelation, and although they are meant for every man, only
the harmonious and uniform have accepted them, while to the majority their
sweet and meaningful messages have seemed
bitter!
Therefore,
seekers hear the aid and guidance of a spiritual teacher.
let
the eager
Without such
221
direction
and wisdom, one's
without such knowledge of
be rooted out and
individuality will never
the darkness of one's ignorance can never
light,
be destroyed.
Darkness
nothing new;
is
it is
been wandering from temple
and ancient. Equally ancient
familiar
our search for light and knowledge. In
this
to temple,
journey toward
mosque
walks in darkness never seen
it?
to go;
how can he look
Shouldn't one seek the help of one
has experienced
how can we
know where
And
it?
teacher
appointed by God. In
is
is
spirit
who knows
who
when he has
the
light,
who
existing
ones?
not a personal choice, like a piano teacher, but
he
in essence; the only difference
who was Mohammad. They are one
the Messenger of Truth, the one
is
once called Buddha, Moses, Jesus Christ, Hazrat
light
does a person
for light
the significance of the teacher and
one out of so many
find the right
A spiritual
what
then,
mosque, ashram to
to
How
ashram, church to church, and course to course.
is
some have
light,
the outer appearance.
is
They are but one
emanating through different lamps.
We have sent on to you a messenger, from you, Who will
read to you, our revelations, purify you of sin, Who will instruct you 'The Book,' and Wisdom, And teach you that which you have no knowledge. (Surah 2: Verse 151)
And will
And
in the Bible,
we
read:
Behold,
my messenger
send
before thy face, prepare thy way; of the Lord, Prepare the way I
Who
shall
Make
his paths straight.
(Mark
The Messengers had received
it.
of
God
brought the Message of Truth to
The Message
of Truth
is
a seed
like
Therefore the Messengers symbolize the cultivation of
"The kingdom of Heaven," says Jesus
man who sowed good for a seed to
the seed
seed in his
grow a gardener
grow
is
field"
Christ,
(Matthew
necessary,
at all times;
he
is
who
this seed.
13:24).
who needs
the one
is
as they
of knowledge.
"may be compared
into a full-grown plant -and bear fruit.
needs to be present
man
1:2)
to
However,
to a
in order
be present to help
This
is
a teacher
within each seed.
who
He
is
222
The Muslims
Ali, or, as Jesus Christ calls him, "Eli."
Hojat,
means mirror and
Ali
is
My
"Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli,
Hojat-Allah.
call Ali,
On
the cross,
my God, why
hast thou
the mirror that reflects
God,
God.
forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Hazrat, which
is
placed before the
Mossa (Moses), Hazrat Eyssa from Hazer, which means dead; the
spirit is alive
The Muslims can
(Jesus),
eternal.
stop mourning!
He
is
of the prophets, as in Hazrat
Mohammad, Hazrat Ali, comes The Messenger
be present."
"to
and
name
Hazrat
"Do not weep
yourselves," says Jesus Christ, before his crucifixion.
For behold, the days are coming when they and the wombs will say to the
that never bore,
mountains,
God
is
not
for me but weep for Weep for your children.
will say, "Blessed are the barren,
and breasts that never gave suck! Then they
on
'Fall
of
always present within each heart.
us'
and
to the hills 'Cover us'"
(Luke 23:29-
31).
This spiritual guide and teacher must be revealed unto each soul. the true seeker, the spiritual guide and Messenger
utmost secret sanctuary of
his soul.
When
he
is
is
To
revealed within in the
seen and witnessed within,
then there remains no doubt.
"God hath
And upon Upon
the removal of the veil that
manifested.
Only the
on their hearts, and on their eyes, is a veil." (Surah 127, Verse 7)
set a seal
their hearing,
is
drawn over the
have to go away.
veils
hearts, the truth
Only by God's
will
is
this
is
possible.
Going back visited
to
Oveyss Gharani, we
recall that
he had never actually
and met with the prophet, but was guided and instructed by him and
knew him even
better than those
This Messenger within
and the Muslims are waiting
is
who had
lived with him.
the one that the Buddhists, Jews, Christians,
for!
They
call
him by
different
Maitreya, the Masiach, or the Messiah, or the
Imam
hearts are blind, the Savior will never come.
The Savior
soul
has
must be witnessed and found
come
within.
The Savior
for the souls that long for liberation.
should look for him. For
we
shall only recognize
names:
He
is
Mehdi. For those whose
It is
is
that
must save
their
always present and
not in nature that
we
him when we have seen and
-
223
witnessed him within.
Otherwise,
choice of teacher in nature,
who
is
appointed by God,
it
will
we cannot know
him, and
be our choice, but
who must
teach us
it
if
will not
we make
a
be the one
Wisdom and read our Book
to
us.
This
is
the
way of Truth and
Sufism; the guidance is
that "each
to cognize
is
from
within.
true liberation according to Islamic
Thus the essence of the
Sufi's
message
man, through personal experience and inward discovery,
and establish the Truth of
his
own
being,"
2
is
able
according to Hazrat
Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, the present teacher and the forty-second teacher of the school of Sufism.
Splendid happy bird that has found a dwelling in love! How should any but the 'Angha' find place and lodging in 'Mount Ghaf ? Love, whose trade is joy, sweet speech and sweet thought, snatch now the veil from the face of that veiled King. Wherever you go, you are with me still,
You who are my sight, transport me to annihilation if you will O, Lovers, Lovers, the time of union and encounter has come! You who came with torch and at dawn ravished my heart, dispatch my soul after my heart, do not seize my heart alone. Do not in rage and envy make my soul a stranger to my heart, Do not leave the former here, and do not summon the latter alone. Send a royal Message, issue a general invitation, How long, Sultan, shall the one be with you and the other alone? You are my soul, and without my soul I know not how to live. You are my eyes, and without you, I cannot see! Prostrating myself, I said; 'Convey this prostration to that sun who by his burning glow, converts hard rock to gold. After all, how long will you keep in exile this vagrant heart? My body is like the moon, melting away out of love, My heart is lie Venus' harp may its strings be snapped! Watch the moon melting, Venus' broken estate; Behold rather the sweetness of his sorrow may increase a thousand fold!
O
Jalaleddinm
Rumi
(Molavi)
224
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT ENDNOTES 1.
Mir Ghotbeddin
Mohammad
Offset Publication, Teheran, 1965 p.
Angha, From Fetus
to Paradise,
Marvi
3.
Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, Mystery of Humanity. United Press of America, 1986, introduction, p. 3. 2.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE THE FLIGHT BACK HOME /
have created you free. Holy Koran
Totally dependent
possess free
will,
and
an opinion and a
it is
right to
upon the law and an error
own body and mind?"
Now
Can we
Given
all
start
one looks
with our
birth (or
closely,
name and
even before
including what
we
religion,
birth).
Our
up,
conform
to the laws of society
decided for
us, first
we
think
we
we
talking about?
are exercising
is
is
preplanned for
actually
us.
Let's
which are decided on and chosen for us roles
we become
which gives birth to love and
is
country, and then entire
city,
one sees everything
should think and
As we grow
but the
decide not to breathe or not to eat or drink or sleep?
the contrary, the freedom
captivity. If
will,
extend the question to one's
these limitations, what kind of free will are
On
does not
"How much power does one have
let's
household and family members, then to one's existence!
man
think that having
existence.
Let us be honest and ask ourselves: over one's
One might
deny or accept the truth means free
Law govern man's very
Truth and the
forces of nature,
to think so.
and goals are dictated by
society,
at
even
say.
disconnected from the true spring of
creativity.
We
what we should
life,
become trapped and must
say,
even what we should wear
by one's parents, then teachers and then society and
226
We
media.
become
a
mere puppet, a mechanical
the economic structure and social standards.
figure led by the wheels of
Each person becomes a carbon
copy of the next. "Children are very creative," says Roger
Van Oech,
on the Side of the Head. "Watch a baby and what you
we
get older,
underlines
most of us
this,"
lose a
good deal of
author of Wliack
will see
is
amazing. As
that innate creativity." "Research
adds Robert McGarvey,
who
writes about
methods of
achieving success. "In one test of creativity 84 percent of five-year-olds rank high.
By second
reasons behind
system that If
grade, however, just 10 percent are creative".
this
insists
dramatic drop,
there
you believe there
is
you come up with your
is
just
one
Von Oech
says there are
right answer,
when
As
many
for the
a school
often there are many.
only one right answer, you'll stop looking as soon as first
answer.
"Other factors come into play as well," says Eugene Raudsepp, president of Princeton Creative Research in
cause of loss of creativity. 'not
"Conformity
New
Jersey, pointing to another
kills creativity,
and the pressures to
rock the boat' are frequently strong in school, the family, the
to
workplace.
We
don't want to be different, but that
In the Principles of Faghr
is
what
creativity
and Sufism, Hazrat Shah Maghsoud
1
is."
says:
The contamination
of our thoughts starts from birth as a result to and adapt ourselves to our environment. The child, in order to adapt himself to his environment, becomes contemplative, enchanted, and pensive and falls out of his true inner being. The acquisition that the child gains during this hurricane of events results in the loss of all chances to return to his true source of innate knowledge and the ability of pure reflection. This is because the child accepts and obeys the imposed world as the inherent agent of of attempting
to
conform
an unchangeable destiny. Thus, his life remains static and meaningless as he blindly starts building his folklore, religious beliefs, his goals and finally, his death. He becomes enchanted with the appearance of things, and blindly obeys the commands of the senses and emotions and replaces actions and reactions for the truth and reality. Because he is ignorant of the knowledge within himself, he has become short-sighted and erroneous. He wrongly uses Truth as a means of satisfying his sensual desires and is like a glutton who finally passes away at his
own
Many their senses
table.
talk
2
about freedom.
command
is
sheer
The freedom
slavery*.
to
be able
Today, what
is
to
do whatever
meant by freedom
227
seems
be the
to
becoming
liberty of
like
everyone
else.
This
is
not called
freedom. Being yourself and being allowed to grow according to the best of
your potential and qualities
much
within himself and so
is
"Each human being
To
prophet of Islam.
much
freedom. Each individual has so
to find
to give to society as a result. is
a mine.. .gold, silver or jewel," 3 says the
like
excavate one's inner wealth
is
what the prophets have
to say to us.
To know and
accordingly
freedom. The Sufi Master Hazrat Shah Maghsoud was asked,
is
"What should
I
He
do?"
discover the source of
replied, "Be
who you
are
life in
is all
still
another kind of freedom which
as inward freedom," says Einstein.
and
social prejudices as well as
objective for the individual."
man
it is
It is
activities of the spirit
may be
characterized
freedom of the
spirit
which
restrictions of authoritarian
is
an infrequent
gift
in
of nature and a worthy
4
humiliating to have to compete with machinery and to
spend a whole lifetime reaching toward a goal that material.
grow
from unphilosophical routinizing and habit
This inward freedom
For
this
independence of thought from the
consists in the
general.
"It is
to
you should do!"
"The development of science and of the creative in general requires
you and
is
purely economic and
true that man's physical needs should be considered, but to
devote a lifetime to satisfying desires and physical needs, never wondering
who he eyes,
is
who
underneath the loves,
who
never asking
skin,
feels,
who
cries.
He
is
who
it is
that looks through his
always striving, never satisfied,
never proud, his hungry soul longing for spiritual nourishment.
To away
deprives
separate
man from
freedom and
his it
of
taste liberty?
the freedom
its
birthright
Do we we
his divine origin
is
to chain
his birthright, just as trapping
and the freedom to
fly.
Do we
him and
to take
and caging a bird not deserve also to
not deserve to regain and enjoy the celestial beauty and
enjoyed before falling into the prison of our senses?
says,
Within the egg of the body you are a marvelous Since you are inside the egg, You cannot fly. If
the body's shell should break, flap your wings and win the spirit.
You will
bird,
Rumi
228
Oh man! The The
This body keeps you in torment
bird of your spirit is imprisoned with a bird of another kind.
a falcon, but bodily dispositions are crows, falcon has received many wounds from
spirit is
The
crows and owls.
When will the
bird of
my spirit fly from
the cage,
toward the garden?
The
Freedom, bondage:
the
khalaghnakom
in the School of Islamic Sufism,
to
is
God
"I
have
MTO,
is
liberation
created
you
from
all
(Enna
free"
says in the Koran.
be freed of desires and attachments.
down and make our
chains that hold us
Maghsoud
back home.
flight
horra),
Freedom
only thing that will keep a caged bird from trying to fly is ignorance.
flight
home
These are the
impossible. Hazrat Shah
explains,
Desires are endless, and people are not satisfied with what they have, no matter what they have. Desires are like sandy deserts; No their invisible extremes are extended to deep oceans. matter how much water is poured they still remain dry and thirsty. Whose thoughts can saturate and irrigate these endless sands? Only a fool's. A man who is infatuated and deceived by his dreams and wishes will not enjoy the present moment and always worries about a vague future.
The
strongest
bond
that
makes man
interested in this
Knowledge and world and its attachments is ignorance. ignorance are two different states that extend toward different extremes. A man who chooses knowledge will not get lost in sensual joys and attachments, but the other will find nothing but wandering. A learned man, who has found himself, will not get lost in joy or sadness. He is free, more or less, from good and bad, the present and future. 6 "Are you the
victor, the self-conqueror, the ruler of
Lord of your virtues?" asks Nietzsche.
from your desire? Or isolation? Or disharmony If
The
man
is
bound
ideal for
man, only
man
7
he
will
never find satisfaction.
sex,
and security
for animals.
otherwise, between the needs of to deprive
in yourself."
needs such as food,
to his lowest nature,
satisfaction of primary
your senses, the
"Or do animal and necessity speak
There
is
man and
a difference, although
animals.
To
of his birthright and his true identity.
live like
Man
is
not the
many
claim
an animal
is
has other needs
229
and much inner potential has enriching
life.
For
man
gave birth to him; animals fullest potential,
and
Man needs and
to set his
society imposes
may
not.
He may know
Animals are
be
standards.
on him?
personality."
A
useless,
is
know
Instead of trying to adapt constantly to the
man
and worthless
personal
lifestyle,
should tend to his deeper needs.
is
is
not meant for inner peace
knowledge that enhances not the
we
life.
life.
human
this involves
will help
Only
needs.
Only through such
life.
self-
strong, balanced, able to withstand the increasing
When man
re-establishes his connection with the source of
knowledge within himself, he then becomes the architect of and
These
achieve the growth, harmony, and
whose attainment are the purpose of
knowledge can we become
and
contemplation,
introspection,
ourselves and truly understand our most
through such self-knowledge can
pressures of
is,
8
healthy
tranquility
to their
good about the person he
meditation are necessary and will enrich the quality of us
up
instincts.
should he have to obey the standards
needs to know himself. "Any thought that
and tranquility
and
the spirit that
in fact living
and
creative, to feel
Why
standards that society places upon him,
Man
in order to live a fulfilled
their natural requirements
to grow, to
own
be discovered
to
greater than animal.
is
his
environment
a very broad spectrum, beginning within and extending to
the society and the environment around him.
But
if
his
existence, his
thoughts and actions depend and are based on environmental influences, an unstable source outside of him, he will shape his standards.
on sand which
As
a consequence, he will be like a
that has
no firm
will surface in his
basis; his investment, his fortune
has built his house is lost,
evidence of
environment within and without.
Through meditation
this
connection takes place.
want, but only the meditator will experience it
according to those
life
man who
it.
We
can say
Until meditation
remains a myth or a word, the meaning of which
is
is
the image
many people have
of meditation:
You
sit
we
not clear and might
arouse different feelings, ideas, and presumptions in different people. is
all
practiced,
"This
in a full lotus posture
and pretend you're a Buddha," laments Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., director of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center's relaxation program.
9
230
we cannot
Feelings, ideas, and presumptions are so changeable that really
depend on them.
theoretical
We
must experience the
knowledge cannot serve
Even the
truth.
as a basis for judgment, for that
best
which
it
the real thing. Theoretical knowledge alone
as a rose without the scent.
Islam
is
is
the call for freedom, not for
will
men
or
women, black or
but for mankind, for souls imprisoned in the cage of attachments. final stage of self-knowledge;
and
its
it is
discovery within oneself.
is
be but a pale symbol of
described remains to be discovered; until then
white,
It is
the
the surrender to the ultimate truth, God,
It is this
submission to
God
makes one
that
a Muslim, not certain outward actions reflecting traditions, politics, or social behaviors.
The
first
Muslim according
to the
Koran
is
the prophet
Abraham.
God marks the stage of Islam. He is the one who built the Ka'ba, the house of God in Mecca, that the pilgrims go to visit. This house was an outer sign of the one he had first built for God within his heart. The return to that home within to join the long lost Father, as did Abraham His total surrender to
under the guidance of the wise
The
return of the soul to
its
destruction of the mortal body
architect, the
eternal is
Messenger within,
abode where
it
can
live
is
our goal.
on
after the
the goal.
Molavi, the Sufi poet, says:
The great scholars of the age split hairs in all the sciences. They have gained total knowledge and complete mastery of things that have nothing to do with them. But that which is important and closer to him than anything else, namely his own self, this your great scholar does not know.
Wretched humanity! Not knowing his own self, man has a high estate and fallen into lowliness! He has sold himself cheaply; he was satin, yet he has sewn himself onto a tattered cloak. If you could only see your own beauty - for you are greater than the sun! Why are you withered and shriveled in this prison of dust? Why not become fresh from the
come from
gentleness of the heart's spring? Why not spread perfume? 10
Why
not laugh like a rose?
.
231
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE ENDNOTES Robert McGarvey
1.
,
"Creative Thinking,"
US Air Magazine, June
1990,
p. 34.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The
2.
MTO Publication, Verdugo City, Ca., Hazrat
4.
Albert Einstein
York 6.
and Sufism,
Mohammad, Nahjol - Fessaheh
3.
5.
Principles of Faghr 1987, p. 50.
,
Out of My Later
Years, 1990,
New York, p.
13.
William C. Chittick, The Sufi Path of Love, State University of Press, Albany, 1983, p. 25.
New
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, The Manifestation of Thought, ETRI San Rafael, Ca. 1980.
Publication, 7.
NY,
Frederick Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Penguin Books Ltd., 1982, p. 95.
Shah Maghsoud Sadegh Angha, Psalm of Gods, from the collection The Mystery of Humanity, University Press of America, Inc., Lanham, MD, 8.
1986, p. 51. 9.
Washington Post, "Meditation Goes Mainstream," October 1987.
10.
Chittick, p. 149.
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f
For more information about the worldwide centers and locations of
classes,
MTO Shah Maghsoudi, School of Islamic Sufism, please write
to:
MTO Shah Maghsoudi Department of Meditation and Healing P.O. Box 26866 San Diego, California 92196
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Messenger Within is a complete survey of the origins, theories Sufi poetry
This
and
and
practice of meditation, enriched
by
history.
book illustrates how we can eliminate the sources of our lives by discovering the natural resources
stress in
within that connect us to the
ISBN 0-7734-9882-6
infinite.