From tariqas-digest-approval@europe.std.com Mon Jul 29 21:07:41 1996 Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 21:44:53 -0400 (EDT) From: tariqas-digest-approval@europe.std.com Reply-To: tariqas-digest@world.std.com To: tariqas-digest@world.std.com Subject: tariqas-digest V1 #80 tariqas-digest Wednesday, 24 July 1996 Volume 01 : Number 080 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Salikun@vnet.net Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 15:38:57 -0400 Subject: Poetry - Late & Rude Assalaamu Alaikum Tariqas! Volume of mail? After over a week off-line, I think the bug/tawhid/shaikh discussion burned my modem as well as my thoughts, your voices were almost too big to embrace. Yet, deleting all the mail from poets, new age mystics, alchemists and wanna-be shaikhs who are rude, and yes, woodsong too, made my task much simpler. I think I'll toss all the defiled bits into the well with my books. I'm enjoying the "Rays" Tanzen, I'll toss my $.02 your way when I've spent some more time adusting to the brightness. Presently, I blinded after only a few minutes in the sun. Amy... What you gonna do? I sure do, wanna take hand with you. More rude, shaitan inspired poetry to follow, Muhsin ------------------------------ From: "Cory Mogk" Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 19:06:34 -0400 Subject: LONG - Book Available - Streams to the Ocean Please pass on to any interested parties you may know... Streams to the Ocean provides a general introduction to the teachings, values and orientation of the Sufi mystical path. The book does not presuppose any prior knowledge of this tradition, yet, it offers a fairly extensive overview of many facets of the Sufi perspective. The general style of Streams to the Ocean consists of ninety, relatively brief, essays. Each essay assumes the form of an exploration of a particular theme which has importance to, and ramifications for, spiritual life, as well as everyday problems. The essays are not intended to be definitive treatments of any given issue. Instead, the intention is to entice the reader with a series of complementary, contemplative exercises which establishes a starting point for further reflection on, and study of, the self in relation to various mystical themes. Although the perspective being given expression in Streams to the Ocean is Sufi, nonetheless, anyone with an interest in spirituality will find much to mull over in the pages of this book. The treatments of different topics throughout the book are not intended to prove a particular point of view but to induce people to begin, or continue, to examine spirituality as something which is fundamental to existence. As such, the chapters of this book provide the individual with something to push against: spiritually, emotionally and conceptually. Dr. Whitehouse attended Harvard University where he earned an honours B.A. in Social Relations. He received his doctoral degree in education at the University of Toronto. Dr. Whitehouse was initiated into the Chishti Order of the Sufi path nearly twenty-five years ago. Bismillah Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Dhawk Chapter 3 Initiation Chapter 4 God Chapter 5 Fatiha Chapter 6 Nisbath Chapter 7 Courage Chapter 8 Ego Chapter 9 Backbiting Chapter 10 Adab Chapter 11 Doubt Chapter 12 Listen Chapter 13 Contentment Chapter 14 Idols Chapter 15 Capacity Chapter 16 Forgiveness Chapter 17 Obedience Chapter 18 Mureed Chapter 19 Heedlessness Chapter 20 Equality Chapter 21 Ghayr Chapter 22 Kashf Chapter 23 Humility Chapter 24 Balance Chapter 25 Awe Chapter 26 Gardens Chapter 27 Hatred Chapter 28 Detachment Chapter 29 Jinn Chapter 30 Annihilation Chapter 31 Keys Chapter 32 Ayats Chapter 33 Kun Chapter 34 Hope Chapter 35 Evil Chapter 36 Hal Chapter 37 Expansion Chapter 38 Jamal/Jalal Chapter 39 Intention Chapter 40 Knowledge Chapter 41 Dream Chapter 42 Expectations Chapter 43 Blessings Chapter 44 Prophets Chapter 45 Khalifa Chapter 46 Jealousy Chapter 47 Fear Chapter 48 Exoteric Chapter 49 Qawwali Chapter 50 Dependence Chapter 51 Zikr Chapter 52 Beliefs Chapter 53 Identity Chapter 54 Devolution Chapter 55 Death Chapter 56 Gratitude Chapter 57 Betrayal Chapter 58 Ascension Chapter 59 Commitment Chapter 60 Judgement Chapter 61 Haqiqa Chapter 62 Covenant Chapter 63 Mithal Chapter 64 Faith Chapter 65 Aspiration Chapter 66 Curriculum Chapter 67 Baqa Chapter 68 Ruh Chapter 69 Autonomy Chapter 70 Fanaticism Chapter 71 Ibadat Chapter 72 Love Chapter 73 Catalysis Chapter 74 Yaqueen Chapter 75 Justice Chapter 76 Patience Chapter 77 Intoxication Chapter 78 Guidance Chapter 79 Light Chapter 80 Gifts Chapter 81 Freedom Chapter 82 Silsilah Chapter 83 Jihad Chapter 84 Government Chapter 85 Integrity Chapter 86 Jami' Chapter 87 Prayer Chapter 88 Friend Chapter 89 Science Alhamdulilah Chapter 90 This book is available for US $20.00 (+$5.00 S+H) and CAN $25.00 (+$5.00 S+H) Checks or Money Orders Payable to THE SUFI TEMPLE OF GNOSIS Station F, PO Box 54, 50 Charles Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 2L4 ------------------------------ From: ASHA101@aol.com Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 23:28:22 -0400 Subject: Re: commentary >>>>I think we can use our understanding of the written as our 'map' to explore the unwritten and use our understanding of the unwritten to re-check the accuracy of our 'map'. Can we do that?<<< When wisdom leads, they say, and power (as in information, maps and etc.) follows everything goes aright, but when power leads and wisdom follows everything goes awry. I suppose that someone somewhere said, "To get there without a map, is rather more difficult than you might imagine, but to get there without understanding, that is impossible!" Others have said that sufism only teaches that which you already know ... university is for teaching you the excitement of new things ... Maybe this is what all that discussion about not becoming illuminated by reading books was all about, knowledge following wisdom... And, yes, a wonderful shaikh will ususally lead with wisdom, not knowledge things, but sometimes sprinkle them around and sometimes give you a tool when you are ready to use it. We've all noticed this when we ask our shaikhs for guidance, Sometimes wishing they'd tell us what to do, they do give guidance, mostly saying something which touches our hearts but never tell us what to do .... It is wonderful and deeply interesting to me to discuss the maps, there is some very deep connections between our various "sufi" maps, and some of the other maps as well. But some people spend a long time in getting outfitted properly, getting knowledgable about the maps and never get out on the road, and then when they do they are surprised that even sufi maps are not the same as the territory itself. It is in that sense that i ment that the unwritten is to be delved into first, that the heart is opend first, the blocks unblocked; not in the sense that the maps etc. are not important and needed and useful and interesting, they are all that and more, but that in today's world, full of "science" and building projects and wars and those engineers who know how to build nearly anything but don't know why to build or have any sensitivity to life, or build something just because they can, they are not in touch with that inner life and what they produce is harmful us and our earth. So, you could say, it would be better if they learned some sensitivity first, delved into their beings first, maybe even got some therapy for what bugs them, first and later that they could have learned all that powerful stuff ... and sometimes when we find ourselve going right to the edge of our understanding of the maps, we find ourselves discussing the maps and not the territory - and someone calls us back to earth and says "Boys! enough of this bull-roar, time's a-wasting!" Asha ------------------------------ From: "Alan G. Keyes (Abdual Alim)" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 01:11:23 -0400 Subject: Return after a little break Assalaamu Alaykum' I nned to get with any one from the Jerrahi Order, which used to be under Sheikh Nur al Jerrahi, I need to get instruction. I am in Phoenix, Arizona and in need of a brother to get me back on the path. ------------------------------ From: Giles Davidson Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 23:30:28 GMT Subject: Re: Frithjof Schuon and Shaykh Alawi salamu alaykum, I don't doubt Abdul Qadir's intellectual abilities, but I report as I find. >From what I observe of his people, and what I learn from ex-followers, and I know many - i think he is dangerous to have as a spiritual director. I did say that he appeared to do good work when he was with Sheikh Habib, and I regard it as a great shame that this can't be said now. However people must make up their own minds - but please keep your eyes open. Generally, for what it's worth, I try not to speak out against such people since I am well aware that it is easy to mistake the significance of people's actions, and that gossip is an unreliable witness. - -- Giles Davidson ------------------------------ From: "Ivan J. Rumi" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 15:07:39 +0600 (GMT+0600) Subject: Re: ...I'm new around here :) Hello again !!! I have to make one more reply and tell thank you to one more person who wrote me :)) I'm really glad that I found so many friends who can share with me my gladness about Rumi's poems...I have noone here who like him :( I'm reading his poems..and it's so beautiful..I want to share it with another..But..Noone needs it :( > Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. I'm sorry :) What does it mean ??? So long word or phrase :)) I like arabian very much I try to learn it...But I have only first steps with this language..I think that if I want to understand Rumi more than now I have to know his language :) I have one poem on audio cassete..and it sounds so perfectly...Great !!!! > Welcome to the most beautiful mailing list in the cyberspace. Thank you very much I'm so glad to find new friends here...Wish all planet to be my brothers and sisters :))) > By the way, in which Asian country do you live? I live in Kirgyzstan..It is on eof the republicks of the former Soviet Union ...Middle Asia > I'm in Indonesia, SE Asia. Great I have on friend in Indonesia and I wish to have more :) > Call him whatever you like, he is still our lovely Rumi. :-) > His followers called him Mevlana (Our Master). Thank you one more time..I'll call him Mevlana...It's really what I have to say when I read his poems :) > your brother who also loves Rumi, Thank you Brother ...Thank you very much..:) Thanks to all who helped me :) - -Ivan J. Rumi ------------------------------ From: "Ivan J. Rumi" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 14:57:44 +0600 (GMT+0600) Subject: Re: Ivan J. Rumi =09Dear Friends !!! Thanks to all who helped me and met me with such warm words...I'm really=20 glad to join your club :) I think I have to tell something about myself=20 and why do I like Jelaluddin Rumi... =09If someone know group 'Enigma'...then you can understand=20 it...they have a great picture with text about searching for God...I=20 found it very intersting and just beautiful...then I tried to find=20 something more..but..it was not so easy..everytime I ask somebody about=20 Rumi..They can't tell me anything..That's why I'm so glad that I found=20 this mailing list :) I'm 18 ( I think you're wondering about my age ) :) =09'm really interested with arabian culture..language..It's very=20 intersting. > Dobro pozhalavaty, Ivan! That's right but it sounds not in russian but in Ukrain :) > Dabro pazhalovat, Ivan! And this absolutely right ...Thank you :) > Welcome, Ivan! By the time Jalal-ad-Din's name comes to us from Arabic > through Persian and Turkish, it doesn't even look Russian anymore! If you > really want to write it correctly, you'll have to use Arabic script. Can you tell me please how can I write it in Arabic script...It's really=20 interesting for me . > And if > you want to read his Mathnavi or Mesnevi, you'll have to use both head an= d > heart, which I see you already do. Thank you :) I really try to do it not only with my head and eyes..It=20 goes much deeper..Deep in my soul .. > The best introduction to Rumi I know of > is Rumi's Mesnevi by Erkan T=FCrkmen, professor of Persian literature at = Konya > University. He is a scholar and Sufi, who is able to condense the core of > commentaries in Turkish, Persian, Urdu, Arabic and other languages. Can I find it on net..because I know that I'll be not able to find it in=20 my country...I found only some little poems...but no more :( > My ochen vas lyubim, dobro pozhalovat, Ivan! Spasibo !!! How can you speak russian so great ??? Where are you from ?? One more time thank you for your help :))) - -Ivan J. Rumi ------------------------------ From: frank gaude Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 06:40:14 -0700 Subject: Olympics Hello, everybody! Noticed that Turkey's Naim Suleymanoglu was a gold medal winner in the Olympics. Anyone here have comments on the merits of athletic competition? A STORY Determined to "take it with him" when he died, a very rich man prayed until finally the Lord gave in. There was only one condition: he could bring one suitcase of his wealth. The rich man decided to fill the case with solid gold bullion. The day finally came with God called him home. St. Peter greeted him, but told him he couldn't bring his suitcase. "Oh, but I have an agreement with my Lord", the man explained. That's most unusual", said St. Peter. "Mind if I take a look inside?" The man opened the suicase to reveal shining gold bullion. St. Peter was amazed! "Why in the world would you bring pavement?" END OF STORY tanzen ------------------------------ From: Martin Schell Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 20:45:48 +0700 Subject: Re: commentary Spoken like a true Cups (heart) person judging the Pentacles (mind). The different suits are different paths that lead to the same place. One should not pretend to judge the other. martin At 11:28 PM 7/23/96 -0400, you wrote: >>>>>I think we can use our understanding of the written as our 'map' to >explore >the unwritten and use our understanding of the unwritten to re-check the >accuracy of our 'map'. Can we do that?<<< > When wisdom leads, they say, and power (as in information, maps and etc.) >follows everything goes aright, but when power leads and wisdom follows >everything goes awry. > I suppose that someone somewhere said, "To get there without a map, is >rather more difficult than you might imagine, but to get there without >understanding, that is impossible!" > Others have said that sufism only teaches that which you already know ... > university is for teaching you the excitement of new things ... Maybe this >is what all that discussion about not becoming illuminated by reading books >was all about, knowledge following wisdom... > And, yes, a wonderful shaikh will ususally lead with wisdom, not knowledge >things, but sometimes sprinkle them around and sometimes give you a tool when >you are ready to use it. We've all noticed this when we ask our shaikhs for >guidance, Sometimes wishing they'd tell us what to do, they do give guidance, >mostly saying something which touches our hearts but never tell us what to do >.... > It is wonderful and deeply interesting to me to discuss the maps, there is >some very deep connections between our various "sufi" maps, and some of the >other maps as well. But some people spend a long time in getting outfitted >properly, getting knowledgable about the maps and never get out on the road, >and then when they do they are surprised that even sufi maps are not the same >as the territory itself. > It is in that sense that i ment that the unwritten is to be delved into >first, that the heart is opend first, the blocks unblocked; not in the sense >that the maps etc. are not important and needed and useful and interesting, >they are all that and more, but that in today's world, full of "science" and >building projects and wars and those engineers who know how to build nearly >anything but don't know why to build or have any sensitivity to life, or >build something just because they can, they are not in touch with that inner >life and what they produce is harmful us and our earth. So, you could say, it >would be better if they learned some sensitivity first, delved into their >beings first, maybe even got some therapy for what bugs them, first and later >that they could have learned all that powerful stuff ... >and sometimes when we find ourselve going right to the edge of our >understanding of the maps, we find ourselves discussing the maps and not the >territory - and someone calls us back to earth and says "Boys! enough of this >bull-roar, time's a-wasting!" > Asha > ------------------------------ From: woodsong@juno.com (Carol Woodsong) Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 11:12:00 PST Subject: Re: breaking a habbit No cigarettes forty eight hours two patches lungs breathe easier! Kaffea Lalla rain, gentle rain, flow over me! reveal my habits, that they may dissolve away like the long held heat of summer being carried with each drop of rain to the heart of the Mother Kaffea, you are almost home free! :) love, love, love ya! woodsong ------------------------------ From: Well333@turbonet.com (Jacquie Weller) Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 11:10:13 +0100 Subject: Thankyou Thankyou for your support and friendship. It is 73 hrs now. I am so happy, after yrs of damaging my health, to be able to breath sweet and gentle air. A day of joy, one hour at a time. My poem today for you my friends: What did I do to recieve such criticism! I thought I was hid as a bee in a cave simply drinking from a honey-comb But you honored me with distintion by Calling me names unworthy of my ignorance. I shall step on the soil of such indignity And praise the creator for showing me One more moment to love the face of another. Kaffea Lalla ------------------------------ From: "Michael J. Moore" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 11:26:30 -0700 Subject: Re: Olympics frank gaude wrote: > > Hello, everybody! > > Noticed that Turkey's Naim Suleymanoglu was a gold medal winner in the > Olympics. > > Anyone here have comments on the merits of athletic competition? > I view it as idol making. It strikes me as odd that so much energy and resource should be spent on the Olympics when people are starving all over the world. It seems to be a total exercize in self indulgence. Sports in gereral serve as a social soporific. It is a dream woven by that most diabolical of dream weavers. While we dream, our beds are burning. IMHO - -- Michael Moore home page --> http://home.aol.com/michaeljm8 ------------------------------ From: woodsong@juno.com (Carol Woodsong) Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 14:01:59 PST Subject: Re: Olympics >I view it as idol making. It strikes me as odd that so much energy >and resource should be spent on the Olympics when people are >starving all over the world. It seems to be a total exercize >in self indulgence. Sports in gereral serve as a social soporific. >It is a dream woven by that most diabolical of dream weavers. >While we dream, our beds are burning. I caught a bit of the Olympics last night... and at first, my thoughts were running along these same lines... i was wondering 'why' everyone seemed so concerned with this 'event'. But as i watched, i began to get a sense of something else. I saw pure JOY radiating through some of those competing... one could even feel that energy being transferred from one to another.... right there! :) The best performances seemed to be those given without so much regard for 'competition', as the awareness of the art of doing what one /loves/ to do. But who am i to judge ... maybe i only see what i want to see... love & light, woodsong ------------------------------ From: "Michael J. Moore" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 13:30:46 -0700 Subject: Re: Olympics Carol Woodsong wrote: > > >I view it as idol making. It strikes me as odd that so much energy > >and resource should be spent on the Olympics when people are > >starving all over the world. It seems to be a total exercize > >in self indulgence. Sports in gereral serve as a social soporific. > >It is a dream woven by that most diabolical of dream weavers. > >While we dream, our beds are burning. > > I caught a bit of the Olympics last night... and at first, my thoughts > were running along these same lines... i was wondering 'why' everyone > seemed so concerned with this 'event'. > > But as i watched, i began to get a sense of something else. I saw pure > JOY radiating through some of those competing... one could even feel that energy being transferred from one to another.... right there! :) The > best performances seemed to be those given without so much regard for > 'competition', as the awareness of the art of doing what one /loves/ to > do. But who am i to judge ... maybe i only see what i want to see... > > love & light, > woodsong > > A story. A man and his friend were sitting on a park bench when a carriage pulled by two horses went racing past. The friend wistfully, "That's a shame." A moment later another carriage identical to the first one raced past. The friend responded "Praise Allah!". The man said to the friend, "Friend, we have two identical situations, yet one brings you sorrow and the other joy, please tell me how this can be?" "You see", said the Friend, "The first carrage had no driver and the passenger was at risk. Beyond, those buildings, the first carrage is now deep into the mud. The second carrage had a highly skilled driver and the passenger is now sitting down to a huge banquet." - -- Michael Moore home page --> http://home.aol.com/michaeljm8 ------------------------------ From: maarof@pc.jaring.my Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 05:04:23 +0800 Subject: Re: Olympics Thanks for the story tanzen, In Olympic history, my country has had only won 2 bronze medals (and one was from exhibition sport) :) Compared to war, and the amount spent on weapons, the amount spent for sport is small IMO. However I think Olympic/sport especially the sport "dress" has become indecent, especially with the close-up by television. I see there is improvement in the swimming event, with some female swimmers wearing "pants". What do you think? Any list-members who have participated in Olympic? My best sport achievement is bowling, where I emerge champion among my colleagues, so many moons ago. salam maarof ------------------------------ From: Martin Schell Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 07:30:37 +0700 Subject: Re: Olympics, joy, and exercise >In Olympic history, my country has had only won 2 bronze medals (and one >was from exhibition sport) :) Compared to war, and the amount spent >on weapons, the amount spent for sport is small IMO. > - --Excellent point, brother Maarof. The physical effort and fanaticism of sports is often a good substitute for the desire to make war. If you don't agree with this analysis, watch a boxing match or American football game and listen to the audience. - --Michael Moore's superb story of horses and riders prompts me to ask: "How many of our Tariqas members do some sort of physical exercise at least 3 times a week?" - --The joy of physical vitality that Woodsong perceived is open to each of us as one of life's opportunities. Physical exercise is especially important for those of us over age 36 or so. martin ------------------------------ From: "Earl Yunus Torrey" Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 17:07:34 +0000 Subject: A poet's Heat Whispers of lotus blossons brushing against hearts open Enough Where are lovers of blood Who scream intoxicated into the night spirit pulling passsions bright naked in my beloved's moonlight Jumping thru darkness my jealous mistress hunter,hunted, becoming the hunt in heat demanding everything ripping at any pulsing heart Teeth at the very pulse Love me with everthing or exist loose everything but burning heat zikr howling in the night Where are these lovers! Where is this longing loosen are the bars of ruin Who cries out for Love's great lusting passions Blessings' Earl Yunus Torrey ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He first loved us, 1 John 4:10 ------------------------------ From: Gale Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 18:42:26 -0700 Subject: Re: Olympics Well.... maybe I have a very different understanding of idol making. I = honestly don't believe anyone watching the Olympics is looking at any of = the athletes as avatars, messiahs, or Godwo/men (wow I wish I was as = diligent in my dhiker as these athletes are in their sporting events!). = Sure, if I want to always find something to complain against, the list = would be endless; but if my ignorant criticism blinds me from seeing the = good in things as well, then I prefer to see the goodness. Besides, = friendship between nations is so important today, and I don't give a = s*** how much it costs or the commercialization around it. I'm sure = people participating, the athletes and spectators, will take home with = them that sense of the global community so we may have some peace in = this world. Any, God willing, the young people will have a taste of = that as well and will work towards creating a harmonious world in the = future when they take charge. I once saw in an Iranian consulate overseas their int'l magazine with an = article essentially saying "Women's Sports are Alive and Well in Iran" = with these ridiculous pictures of women in black purdeh running 100 = meter dashes and jumping hurdles. (hmmm... I wonder if veiling is = required for Iranian women swimmers and divers as well?). And then I'm = reminded that Muslim women who veil have the highest incidence among any = other group of glaucoma and eye infections. (Please, I don't want to = getting into the veiling issue on tariqas again!). So, if male critics = are getting erections from watching the little girls doing acrobatics, = that's their problem. For my part, I enjoy their mastery of their art. Blessings to you, Nur Jemal ------------------------------ End of tariqas-digest V1 #80 ****************************