To Demonstrate the Living Truth.....

This is the last of the blogs on Islam.

My approach in writing this blog "Flowers From Gardens of Faith" is to provide a small bouquet (about 10 entries) ) for each of the seven religions whose gardens of faith I am exploring, enjoying, and sharing with you, my readers. I am enjoying the comments some of you are sending my way, and finding that you are providing me with the feeling of a community of support as I continue with my project.

The book I am writing (see my first blog) will contain 30 readings from each Garden of Faith, as well as suggestions for using them individually or with others in interfaith meditation and sharing.

The suggestions will include a couple simple rituals to use for each faith before and after the reading.

I have found that doing a simple ritual helps me focus and reminds me of the sacred purpose of what I am about to do. I believe our bodies as well as our souls need to be engaged in prayer and meditation, and ritual serves that purpose. It also serves to create a unity of mind and heart when done with others.

I will also be suggesting music for meditation, mostly in the way of simple chants, so that anyone can purchase or download it for their use. I have found that meditative music, from whatever religious tradition, takes me more quickly to the heart of a faith than almost anything else. To me, it is an ideal way to absorb the feeling of the faith I am engaging, sort of like "taking time to smell the flowers."

For the purposes of this section of the Blog, which has focused on Islam, I would recommend A Sufi Song of Love, by Robert Gass and Wings of Song ( easy music to relate to for Westerners) and Ocean of Remembrance, which is a whole CD of chants by Oruc Guvenc. It is more Middle Eastern in it's musical flavor, yet can be quickly learned by any listener.

The one ritual I recommend for use with the readings when done for meditation, or devotionally, is that of ablutions, or washing one's hands. Muslims do ablutions five times a day, before each time of prayer, and their ablutions are considerably more complex than a simple washing of the hands. But the intent can be the same:

to pause a moment to remember what one is doing, and why, and to purify oneself in preparation for a spiritual practice.

Here, then, is the final reading for the Muslim section of the blog.

I chose it because it is another passage from the Koran, in the form of a meditation on Surah 98 by Lex Hixon in his book "Heart of the Koran," which clearly shows a broad, inclusive,universal perspective re: religion.

To demonstrate the Living Truth,

the Ever Present Source sent

as clear signs from God/Allah Most High,

purified human messengers

who selflessly transmit Divine Words

which become the illuminated pages of revealed Books

full of pure and just teaching.

But after these sublime pages of Revelation are received through noble messengers,

their followers often begin to disagree and become fragmented into religious factions.

This is regrettable

because all nations are given the same instructions from the Source of Wisdom.

"Turn directly towards God alone and make your entire life

a sincerely devoted offering to the Source of Life."

The Voice of Truth calls to human beings throughout history

to turn around completely to their own True Source,

to plunge wholeheartedly into prayer each day, and

to offer constant tenderness and assistance to those in need of any kind.

This is the single Religion of Truth natural to the human soul,

which transcends all religious factions with its perfect clarity and directness.

For my response to these inspired words, I want to use, not my own words this time, but those of a great Islamic scholar, poet, and mystic named Ibn 'Arabi. I have learned these words by heart (which is much more than memorizing!) and they have shaped my life in many ways. I invite you to join me in the caravan of the Camel of Love of which he speaks so eloquently!

My heart has become capable of every form.

It is a pasture for gazelles,

and a monastery for Christian monks,

and a temple for sacred images,

and the pilgrims shrine,

and the tablets of the Torah,

and the Book of the Quran.

I follow the Religion of Love.

Whatever way Love's Camel takes

That is my religion,

that is my faith.