The Invisible Rain of Ramadan

The Invisible Rain of Ramadan

 

Ramadan comes glowing
after night’s long hours.

Ramadan comes to earth
thirsting for fresh rain.

Ramadan comes like a friend
embracing with strong arms.

Ramadan opens the door
of our invisible home.

~Kabir Helminski

 

Ramadan has so many dimensions: purification, sacrifice, community, the still and subtle emptiness of the heart. It reorients us in so many ways. Ramadan is less something that we do—instead it is a force field we enter and are transformed by. But it does take intention and effort on our part. If we can, we participate in the fast. Perhaps we also find other intentions, new aspects of awareness that become part of this sacred time. I’d like to share something I’ve learned.

There are some things we habitually give our attention to that drain us, or reduce our spiritual attunement, things that we take for granted as aspects of modern life: the media, entertainment, the internet. If we pay careful attention to the state that is created as a result of our communing with these sources and how much time we give to them, we might learn something important.

Conversely, if we pay attention to the state we experience when we turn toward trusted spiritual sources, we may begin to discern a significant difference. Some things drain us and some things replenish us.

Ramadan is a time to notice what we give our attention to, what energizes us, in contrast to what drains us of joy, love, peace, hope.

Community Call Audio

 

 

  • Comments (6)
  1. Aubrey says:
    July 30, 2011 at 9:23 pm

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  2. Nooshin Dahya says:
    July 31, 2011 at 8:02 am

    Salaam Kabir & Camille,

    Thank you for the sensible, simple and beautiful reminder and meaning of Ramadan. May your Ramadan be filled with Love and Beauty. Please take care & God bless. Sincerely, Nooshin

  3. Reha Celikel says:
    August 2, 2011 at 10:30 am

    August 2, 2011 and Ramadan 2, 2011

    Dear Dede,

    In your little poem, how beautifully you described our Dear Friend called Ramadan who comes and visits us for a month every year. We spend days and nights with him/her at home, at work, at the park, at the market place … here and there and everywhere … sit with him, walk with him, talk with him, listen to him, fast with him, eat with him, close our eyes and fall asleep with him and get up with him … We should in fact celebrate the Eid Ramadan at the beginning of this special time, welcoming the Dear Friend as it is very difficult and kind of sad to do the celebration at the end of the month when the Friend says to us ” Good bye and see you next year” …

    I guess the force field you mention is the Divine Love being showered on us like refreshing rain; it is the Rahmat giving us a good soak from skin to the bone marrow. As we take a step towards the Friend and hold his hand, he grabs us forcefully and crushes us to almost nothing making us to have a taste of the taste of nothingness … Come and grab us dear Friend, we are more than ready to be with you for the next thirty days.

    My love and respect to you and to Camille dear Dede,

    Wes’selaam and Ramadan mubarak again to you and to all other friends,

    Yaaa Hz. Mevlana,

    Reha

  4. Reha Celikel says:
    August 2, 2011 at 10:45 am

    See the comment above

  5. Muaaz says:
    August 10, 2011 at 11:41 am

    Asalam O Alaikum! Sure, this is very well written and very informative article, this is a good reminder and like a river that is closed in a drop.

  6. Muaaz says:
    August 10, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Asalam O Alaikum! Sure, this is very well written and very informative article, this is a good reminder and like a river that is closed in a drop.

    Thank You!