May 2014

Reflection on April’s theme: Your inner being is a sanctuary; cleanse it with the light of compassionate awareness.

I was reminded of this month’s theme when I read the following line, as it speaks of the relationship between my inner being, returning to my origin and seeking refuge in God: “O You who return their servants to their origin! O Most Merciful! O Most Loving One!” (Mevlevi Wird). I am reminded to manifest a kindness towards this self, a kindness which helps me to turn and journey in the right direction – inwardly – knowing that it can be difficult, and that I absolutely must do this work with love.

Recently, I completed the 99 Day Program. I found that there were habits, resentments, conditionings, etc. that were necessarily brought to light as I sought this inner sanctuary. I found myself sometimes delaying the practice because I didn’t like what I was seeing. On some level, I believe my ego was telling me that this inner sanctuary wasn’t really in me, or if it was, that it was buried so deep I couldn’t reach it. But the Prophet tells us, “Whosoever knows himself knows his Lord”, so I found as I stuck with it that this work can only be done with love and compassion towards whatever may come to light. It feels as though this light of compassionate awareness is also the light of the inner sanctuary, and what does it matter what is met when exploring it, as long as all this time is being spent with it? Perhaps this is what is meant by the destination being the journey itself.

This month’s theme also made me so thankful for this beautiful tradition, in particular ibada (worship) in the sema. It’s so difficult to find the words to describe it, but there is a sense of finding sanctuary in turning that brings us nearer to the experience of La illaha il Allah (There is no God but God). A freedom is felt from all thoughts and emotions; even thoughts about God. A quote from the 99 Day Program: “Be certain that remembering God is not thinking about God, but being in that state of presence through which we feel the companionship of God.”

May we all learn to truly know our inner being, and to be compassionate towards ourselves in our seeking of it. Amen.

~ Siema Taj, London

May’s theme is: Your body is a servant; train it with love.

We welcome your reflections on this theme. Please email thresholdsociety@yahoo.com.

Movement as Worship of the One

Shaikh Kabir speaks about movement as worship of the One and why dervishes whirl, exploring the physical dimensions of remembrance and how ceremony can facilitate coherence at the individual and community level.