The Reason We're Here

The Reason We're Here

We have called a council
To Determine the reason we're here.
It is not really a council
But a worldwide feast of fools.

We have gathered an assembly
Across the world wide web.
All are invited;
Criminals, Public Servants, Tricksters

It could turn into a party,
Celebrating Love's Insistent Song.
Many are called But you are chosen
Join us now
At http://noospherelights.ning.com/

© 2007 Noosphere Communications
http://noospherelights.com

Sufism 101 Lesson 16

Sufism 101
Lesson 16
Love's Journey – Stages
Infatuation
We have all been here (or most of us). Oh, how sweet the light of love! It is healing ... it is life giving ... it is such a seductive gift!
This is the stage that convinces us to take the plunge, even at the cost of our existence. Like moths to the flames, we dive into the fire of our passion. Thank God for infatuation; Without it, we would never get involved.
The blessings of this stage are many. We shall explore some of them next lesson.
Commitment
Conflict
Negotiation
Re-commitment
Real Love is born
Freedom
Hey, I must have missed some stages ... help me out in the comments.
Light,
Shams
© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 15

Sufism 101

Lesson 15

Love's Journey – Stages

From the International Sufi Movement Website:
http://www.sufimovement.org/lessons_in_the_inner_school.htm

“SUFI MYSTICISM (3)

The method by which a mystic prepares his heart to tread the spiritual path

In the first place one asks, "What is the heart? Where is the heart?" And man is accustomed to say that the heart is in the breast. Yes, that is true. There is a nerve centre in the breast of man which has so much to do with the feelings that always the heart is pictured in the breast; that centre which is the most sensitive to our feelings. When a person feels a great joy, it is in that centre that one feels something lighted up, and by the lighting up of that centre, the whole person seems light. The person feels as if he flew, there is a great joy in his life. And again, if depression or despair has come into his life, this has an affect upon the centre. Man feels his throat choked and his breath is laden heavily with a load; it again means that it is that centre that feels.

But it is not that only which is the heart. It is like a mirror standing before the heart, focused to the heart, and everything, every feeling is reflected in this mirror, in the physical being of man. A man is ignorant of his soul, so he knows not where his heart is, nor where the centre is where his feelings are reflected. This is a fact which is known by the scientists, as well as that it is the heart which is the beginning of the formation of a child. But if one comes to a mystic's conception, one sees that it is in the heart, which is the beginning of form, which is also the beginning of the spirit, which makes man an individual. The depth of that spirit is in reality what we call the heart. By this we understand that there is such a thing as a heart, which is the deepest depth of man's being, and if one knows something of it first, it is from the impression which he receives in this nerve centre, which is in the breast of man, and therefore man calls it the heart.

In these days people give less importance to sentiment. They rely more upon the intellect. The reason is that when they meet two sorts of people, the intellectual and the sentimental people, they find in an intellectual man greater balance than in the one with sentiment. This is no doubt true. But the lack of balance is the very reason that there is a greater power than the intellect which is sentiment. The earth is fruitful, but not so living and powerful as the water. The intellect is creative, yet not so powerful as the heart and the sentiment. In reality the intellectual man in the end will prove unbalanced too if he has no sentimental side attached to it.

Are there not many people of whom their surroundings say, "I like him, love him, admire him, but he closes his heart?" The one who closes his heart neither fully loves others nor allows others to love him fully. Besides, the person who is only intellectual in time becomes sceptical, doubting, unbelieving, destructive, as there is no power of the heart to balance it. The Sufi considers the devotion of the heart as the best thing to cultivate for spiritual realization. It might seem quite different from what many think, but the one who closes his heart to man, closes his heart to God. Jesus Christ did not say, "God is the intellect." He said, "God is Love." And if therefore, there is a piece of God that can be found anywhere, it is not in any church on the earth, nor in heaven above, it is in the heart of man. The best place where you are sure to find God is the loving heart of a kind man. It may be said that by the help of reason man will act according to a certain standard of morals, but that does not make a person good. If they are good or righteous, they are artificially made good. All the prisoners in the gaol can be righteous.

But if a natural goodness or righteousness can be found anywhere, it is to be found in the spring of the heart from which life rises, a springing virtue and every drop of this is a living virtue. That proves that goodness is not man-made; it is his very being. And if he lacks goodness, it is not the lack of training, nor training which is very often wanted most; it is because he has not yet found his self.

Goodness is natural. For a normal person it is necessary to be good. No one needs teaching to live a good and righteous life. If love is the torch on his path, it shows him what fairness means, the honour of the word, charity of heart, righteousness. Do we not see sometimes a young man, who with his boisterous tendencies finds a girl whom he begins to love, and if he really loves her, he begins to show a difference in his life, he becomes gentle for he must train for her sake, he leaves off things he was never before willing to leave off. And in the same way forgiveness, where there is love, it is not a very difficult thing. A child coming before his mother, having offended her a thousand times asks her forgiveness. There is no other to go to. It does not take a moment for the heart of the mother to forgive. Forgiveness was waiting there to be manifested. One cannot help being kind when there is feeling. That person whose feeling goes to another person, or who sees in his child the want of his feeling, he strikes a note of sympathy in every person, because he finds that point of contact in every soul he meets, because he has love.

There are people who say, "But is it not unwise to give oneself in an outgoing tenderness to everyone, because people are not trustworthy?" But I should say, "If a person is good and kind, this goodness ought to be manifested to everyone, the doors of the heart should not be closed." A mystic like Jesus Christ said, "Love your friend", and he went as far as to say, "Love your enemy." It is the same path a Sufi treads. In his charity of heart towards his fellowmen he considers it is the love of God and in showing love to everyone, he considers this as giving love to God. In this method the Sufi and the Yogi differ. The Yogi is not unkind. He says, "I love you all, but I had better stay away from you, for your souls are groping in darkness, and my soul is in the light. With your friendship I shall spoil my soul. So I had better keep away and love you from afar, from a distance." The Sufi says, "It is a trial, but it is to be tried. I shall take up my everyday duties as they come to me." Although knowing how little important the things of the world are, and not giving too much value to these things, he is attentive to his duties towards those who love him, like him, depend on him, follow him.

For those who dislike, despise him, he tries for the best way to meet them all. He lives in the world and yet he is not for the world. In this way the Sufi considers loving man as the main principle in the fulfilment of the purpose of his life. How true it is that those who love their enemies and yet lack the patience, remind one of this picture of their life, which is like a burning lantern with little oil. It cannot endure. In the end the flame becomes faded. The oil in love is patience. Besides this, in the path of love, what is the oil? From beginning to end unselfishness, self-sacrifice from beginning to end. And he who says 'give and take' does not know love, he knows business.

One says I have loved dearly once, but I was disappointed, as if a man would say, I dug in the earth, but when the mud came I was disappointed. It was true that mud came. But with patience he would have reached the water one day. Only patience can endure. Only endurance makes great. The only way of greatness is endurance. It is endurance which makes things valuable and man great.

The imitation of gold can be as beautiful as real gold, the imitation of the diamond as bright as a real diamond. The difference is that one fails in the test of endurance, and the other can stand it. Yet man must not be compared to objects. Man has something divine in himself, and he can prove this by his endurance in the path of love.

And the idea is now whom should one love, how should one love? Whatever one loves, whether duty, human beings, art, friends, an ideal, his fellow-creatures, he has certainly opened the door through which to pass, in order to reach that love which is God. The beginning of love is an excuse, it leads to that ideal of love which is God alone. Many say, "I can love God, but not the human beings." It would be the same if we said to God, "I love you, but not your image." Can one hate the human creatures in which God's image is to be found and yet claim love of God? If one is not tolerant, not willing to sacrifice, can he claim the love of the Lord?

The first thing to teach is the broadness of the heart, and the awakening of the heart is the inner feeling. If there is a sign for saintliness, it is not the power of words, not the high position, either spiritual or intellectual, not magnetism that can prove that saintly spirit which only expresses itself in the love of their creatures. It is the continuous spring of love from that divine fountain situated in the heart of man. Once that fountain is open, it purifies the heart, it makes the heart transparent to see the outer and the inner world. The heart becomes the vehicle for the soul to see all within and without; man not only communicates with another person, but also with God.

Commentary:

You find your spiritual center by centering.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 14

Sufism 101

Lesson 14

Love's Journey

The Sufi Path is a journey of loving awareness. Jesus said that we must be 'born again' to experience our lives in this light.

“Toward the One, The perfection of Love, Harmony, and Beauty, Thee only Being, United with All.”

Like any journey, Love's journey has stages, identifiable and partially describable. Think about your past lovers and your rich experiences of love on this journey. Are you still in a loving relationship? What has worked? What has not?

How have you grown as a Lover and a Beloved over the many practice relationships of your past?

If you feel open, share a story in the comments section and let's get some love and light flowing!

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 13

Sufism 101

Lesson 13

Practice as a path, requires concentration, faith, and dedication.

• Concentration

A practice done without concentration is like is doing by rote. The fruit of rote is more rote which is the opposite of awakening. Develop your concentration. It is one of the wings required to fly.

• Faith

A practice done without faith is like a candle blowing in the wind. Both will go out. Sufi practice is done with faith in the Divine Light within each of us.

• Dedication

Practice that brings results requires dedication. It is difficult to restart your practices once you have let them slide. Those that advance on the Sufi path are those who do their practices.

Leave Comments.

Blessings,
Shamsuddin

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

http://noospherecomm.net

Sufism 101 Lesson 12

Sufism 101

Lesson 12

Practice as a path, requires slips, falls and missed targets (sin).

We are the chess pieces in the game thinking we are someone. But, we can never, of ourselves, know the larger game plan. Grace is an integral flow of inner light, from the perspective of the whole game. We call it, intuition.

The goal is perfection; the path is correction by learning from our mistakes

Follow your intuition for a week.

Leave Comments. Blessings,
Shamsuddin

Sufism 101 Lesson 11

Sufism 101

Lesson 11

Perfect Practice Makes for Clear Improvement

Sufism is a path of Perfection Practices The Truth will set you free. Truth is simple, truth is breath ...this breath ... now! Take a deep breath in through your nose. Imagine healing life energy from the earth entering your feet and rising to your TanTi'en. It continues up your spine to your crown. Now breathe out through your nose while the energy falls to your TanTi'en. It summersaults and continues on down and out your soles taking with it all impurities where Earth turns your waste into composted fertilizer. Repeat this breathing five times. Make Comments Please.....

Sufism 101 Lesson 10

Sufism 101

Lesson 10

Practice Makes Perfect

Sufism is a path of Practices Think of all the many many things we have already practiced and mastered. Holding our head up, rolling over,crawling, speaking, walking, writing, reading, math, and more ... How we practiced! Now think of something you would still like to learn. How much practice do you think it will take? Will it be worth it? And here is the kicker: What makes you have any perspective to even know the answers to these questions? Imagine you are a chess piece, Queen, King ,Pawn or Knight, Bishop or Rook. How are you to know your next best move, in the perspective of the whole game? Trust the higher mind who created, is playing, and ever shall be recreating and replaying this match.

Sufism 101 Lesson 9

Sufism 101 - Lesson 9

What is about this Initiation Stuff? - Continued

There are various stages of initiation, for example those taken with the help of inner guidance, or by the helpful hand of a person in whom one has put all of one's trust, or even by inspiration. These first stages could perhaps be understood as the stage of friendship toward the guide. Although one might come in contact with false gurus, one should always be aware that there is a teacher within; that teacher is one's own sincere self. Therefore one shall without doubt sooner or later find true teaching, because in the end, the real shall vanquish the false for the simple reason that truth is more real than falsehood. As there is water in the depths of the earth, in the same way there is truth in the depths of all things, false and true. In some places, one has to dig deeper than in other places, but just as there is no place where there is no water under the earth, there is always truth to be found in the depth of the heart. If one believes in right guidance from above, one shall always be guided aright.

The next steps on the path of initiation consist of successfully passing the tests of life, some of which are experienced unconsciously, and others consciously. One faces tests of all natures, where one must display such qualities as faith, sincerity, truthfulness, patience, endurance and humility, even if such qualities appear at times unreasonable, odd, meaningless, unkind and even perhaps unjust. Further initiations awaken the urge to meditate upon all that one has discovered in one's relationship with others, assimilating the results with insight, gratitude and understanding. Still further initiations are the result of one's ideal, and the greater one's ideal, the greater the power of initiation received. Such an initiation is a phenomenon in itself because the initiate then radiates the luminosity of the ideal. When one really sees the Divine in all things and in all beings, one need not say that one sees; that sight is evident.

Alhumdulillah, Praise God for the paths of Initiation! May your guide within have room to be heard.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 8

Sufism 101

Lesson 8 - What is about this Initiation Stuff?

First, remember that the soul goal of your initiator is to get you to take full responsibility for yourself and your experience.

The Opportunity of Initiation

As we know, the word "initiation" is interpreted by different people in different ways. By some it is considered to be a commitment to a secret order; to others it is understood to be a promotion to a higher grade; these and many other such explanations make up a catalog of misunderstanding as to what the word initiation really means.

When one begins to feel that there is something behind the veil, and that one wishes to make every possible effort to discover that mystery, one then takes the first step. "Initiation" could be understood in many ways, according to the disposition that one has when confronted by that experience, but among the many possible definitions of that term, one could be associated with the concept "initiative". Initiatives can be of a material, cultural, religious or spiritual nature, among numerous other possibilities, and are taken out of free will. Nevertheless, reasoning often holds one back from taking an initiative which could have been successful; although it is the reasoning power which helps one to accomplish one's purpose, it is often just that same reasoning power which holds one back from taking an initiative. Every initiative taken by great creative souls has been as powerful as it was only because the power of that initiative was not handicapped by lack of conviction as to its value, or by doubt as to its outcome.

As to initiatives taken without any logical explanation, these are the result of influences received, which can regrettably be negative ones, but can also be of a very positive nature, as for example when inspired by knowledge received or through the influence of an inspiring person. An initiative can also be brought about through spiritual understanding, which is bestowed upon one inasmuch as the heart is open to the silent call or as the result of one's attunement to personalities whom one respects, and whose example one wishes to follow, having been won by their charm. There is also such a thing as trust, confidence and admiration.
But contrary to the confusion brought about by so much abuse of the word initiation, in reality initiation means to take a step forward, a step taken with hope and courage, a step taken with conviction — and this of course implies absolute honesty and truthfulness on the part of the person bearing the responsibility of an initiative taken.

These words of Pir O Murshid Hazrat Inayat Kahn. The man who brought Sufism to American in the early 1900's.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 7

Sufism 101
Lesson 7

What is the goal of a Sufi?

There are many definitions of a Sufi. I like this one: 'A Sufi is one who has three days left to live and two of them are gone!'

I have said before that Sufism is not a religion. What is it, then?

I like to think of Sufism as an honest attempt to befriend Divine Presence.

As a Sufi, I would be tempted to say, “Don't tell me about God, introduce me!” Of course, I would never say that, because I would want to hear your definitions of God. Sufis know that words will never be able to describe the GodReality, so we do not engage in religious debates about Who is The One God. We know that each one is at their own level of understanding and evolution.

Perhaps a Sufi is one who has decided to live harmoniously for the sake of ALL.
What do you think?

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 6

Sufism 101
Lesson 6
Toning: Elixir of the Soul – Continued

One of the best practices for experiencing inner peace and joy is a toning CD done by Andrew Weil. You can purchase it HERE!

According to one who has made it a daily practice, this CD has holographic Theta frequencies embedded behind the music which naturally entrain the brain to this deep theta meditation state. This allows one to experience deep meditation effortlessly through grace and technology.
Anyone own the CD?

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 5

Sufism 101
Lesson 5
Toning: Elixir of the Soul

Here is one result of my Google search on toning. To give credit where it is due, here is the website: http://www.toning.org/toning.html

Vocal Toning
It is the natural voice of the human body. You use it every day. You use it when you groan, sigh, cry, moan, laugh, say, “AHHH”, or yell, “ouch”, etc. These are all spontaneous sounds produced without your conscious direction. Sounds produced by us through the body remove tension and pain. Almost from birth we begin the process of repressing these natural sounds and thus begins our journey of learning to be vehicles of storage rather than what we are naturally meant to be, which are vehicles of expression. Toning helps to shift us into expressing again by using these natural sounds to release pent-up or blocked energy and re-establish a natural flow of energy, which leaves the physical body feeling peaceful and cleansed.
Because sound is inner dimensional it is a perfect vehicle to lift consciousness. Sound shifts the awareness from the mind to the feeling self, from the analytical to the intuitive faculty where it woos our feeling nature and our desires into alignment, bringing new hope and insight, and a feeling of peace and oneness. It will greatly increase the quality of your meditation if used prior to it.
Toning energizes us and gives us a balanced, confident feeling. It also helps raise consciousness above the reactionary level to the heart flow level where Divine inspiration is clear and direct. Toning can be done anywhere; while showering, driving or resting. It does not require development of a talent or a special gift that only a few have. It is built within us all. And, it is available for us to use at any time.
In one-on-one sessions, you will be guided by inspired instruction to use the sound of your own voice to explore and create new awareness, stimulate spiritual growth and creativity, and enhance your psychological and physical well being. The sounds are often accompanied by movement to increase the awareness of the effect of the sound vibrations in the body. You can expect a freeing up and releasing of stored and stagnant energy from your body, and the energy fields surrounding it. The result will be greater freedom, reduced stress and a new connection with your inner feeling Self. These experiential sessions are for those who wish to break free from old programming and embrace a full and enthusiastic adventure toward wholeness using the tool of vocal sound.
Toning can also be utilized in a group as a workshop or class, and/or combined with Yoga.

The Hindu practice of intoning Aum (Om) is a powerful practice for actually discovering what real peace feels like on the inside. Try five minutes of toning OM (pronounced Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooommmmmmmm).

Leave a comment describing your experience.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Sufism 101 Lesson 4

Sufism 101
Lesson 4
Breath Continued – The Breath a doorway of the Heart

Stop, Look, Listen ......Breathe........
Just One Question .........................................
Can you or can you Not
Slow Down???

Will you?
(Breathe)
Willyounot??

Want to stop the treadmill
Long enough to abide
With me?
Long enough
To Feel The Longing?

Want to go for more
... more to keep track of ?...
.... more worries ?....
..... more obligations? .....
...... more of anything to cover-up ......
The Broken Heart Fractures
Through which the Light must pour.

Shams dares say no more
I have already been a break,
An interruption
To your already harried day.

Come back
When you have nothing
To say.
Then we will rest in each other's arms
And the arms of All Is Well.
And truly,
It IS.
© 2007 Shamsi

Divine peace is the center of your being and is closer than your jugular vein. The breath is the key to its discovery. Don't ask me how I know this; but I have ultimate faith that, awareness on the breath will bring results.

Do a Google search on 'toning' and return tomorrow as we share the results of our explorations together.



© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Lesson 3

Sufism 101

Lesson 3

Breath Continued – The Breath is here, now.

On the Breath, Flys Freedom

On each breath, flys freedom’s joy.
The Choice Floats on silent currents of Divine Light.
Love or fear; deeds hidden in the dark
Or deeds of light and fine report?

On each breath
Surrender
To the Guiding Light Within the Heart;
The Truth writ large
In stillness’ silence;
The Unity which gently binds Us
In Unlikely Oneness born of Love.

Jesus made the sacrifice
Just so none need bleed for feed.
Salvation’s done, Glory’s arrived,
So Dance for your Dinner;
Sing for our pride.
You’ve three days to finish
And two days are gone.
Oh, Gentle Sufi
Surrender,
To Silence.

Ó 2007 Shamsujim


The breath is the doorway to now and here. Be the one typing these words and breathing in and breathing out. I, reread ..., and still you are behind. Breathe your own breath and be conscious of it. This is all ... and all brand new.

There are many things to do with the breath, but they all involve the basic process of watching it, feeling it, experiencing its full effect. So take two minutes and watch/feel your breath.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Lesson 2

Sufism 101
Lesson 2
Breath Is Central to Sufi Practices

In Just One Breath

In just one breath
I fell in Love all over
Again.

I rose to meet
Your Pure Light.
In that rising,
I became as meaningless
As You.

Alas, the moment passes.
The next breath,
Your Light: a faded Memory.

It’s all OK,
Move with the flow
Of even next breath’s blow.

Be not afraid
We’ve all been saved
From the moment we were born.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications


You have probably heard that breath is life. This is literally true. There is more to breath than we first can know. It is the breath that influences every attitude, though, or feeling we ever have. All of creation breathes. The breath of a rock is very long, perhaps tens of thousands of years.

Mastery of the breath, therefore, is mastery of life.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications

Lesson 1

Lesson 1

Sufism is not a religion.

But like all true paths, some of its followers will always misunderstand and try to make a religion out of it.

Sufism is an initiating path in which the initiator provides a link to the Masters who have passed before. The initiate, called a mureed begins a set of disciplines or practices assigned by his or her initiator.

We pause now for questions.

© 2007 Noosphere Communications