November 15, 2011 at 4:10 pm (Poetry)
There’s a tree walking around in the rain,
it rushes past us in the pouring grey.
It has an errand. It gathers life
out of the rain like a blackbird in an orchard.
When the rain stops so does the tree.
There it is, quiet on clear nights
waiting as we do for the moment
when the snowflakes blossom in space.
November 10, 2011 at 3:00 pm (Poetry, Sufi)
Moses heard a shepherd on the road praying,
“God,
Where are you? I want to help you, to fix your shoes
and comb your hair. I want to wash your clothes
and pick the lice off. I want to bring you milk
to kiss your little hands and feet when it’s time
for you to go to bed. I want to sweep your room
and keep it neat. God, my sheep and goats
are yours. All I can say, remembering you,
is ayyyy and ahhhhhhhh.”
November 9, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
A guided meditation designed to help the student engage the practice of the Eleven Rules of the Naqshbandi Order. A reminder of the Eleven Rules can be found by clicking “more” below the video.
November 8, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
The Eleventh Rule or Secret of the Naqshbandi Order, as read by Omar Ali-Shah.
11.UKUFI QALBI
The Heart-Halt
This is not the physical stopping of the heart. It means that
the person uses the “Heart” concept, putting together love
and duty at the same time in the same place. The heart is at
the disposal of the Master, and he will do with it what is
necessary.
November 7, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
The Tenth Rule or Secret of the Naqshbandi Order, as read by Omar Ali-Shah.
10.UKUFI ADADI
or The Number-Halt
These are interior exercises carried out with numbers. They
are based on the Abjad system and you divide the parts of
your body into segments. Different segments can be put
into operation at different times, under different circumstances.
Your Master will tell you which, and with which
parts of the body you can or should operate at a given time.
Again, from the conditioned point of view, do not ask why
or how: do it.
November 6, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
The Ninth of the Rules or Secrets of the Naqshbandi Order, as read by Omar Ali-Shah.
9.UKUFI ZAMANI
or The Time-Halt
This is the halting of intellect and conditioned thinking.
This is not a halt of thought. You put yourself into a situation
where your so-called educational background, terms
of reference, conditioning and brainwashing are put to one
side. You basically suspend judgement based on your social
conditioning. You put aside preconceived attitudes.
Your concern may be the exterior function of your being,
but you put the decision in the hands of your Master.
November 5, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
The Eighth of the Rules or Secrets of the Naqshbandi Order, as read by Omar Ali-Shah.
8. BAAZ GASHT
or Restraint
“Restraint” is the imposition of self-discipline upon oneself
in various ways. It should reflect in ones everyday
activity and in ones activity in the Tradition. One restraint
that one imposes is patience.
November 4, 2011 at 4:00 pm (Sufi)
The Seventh of the Rules or Secrets of the Naqshbandi Order, as read by Omar Ali-Shah.
7. YAD KARDAN
Remembering, or Recollecting Exercises
”Remembering” is an exercise in remembering situations
in which one has been. Remembering positive situations
in the past which one could have used more positively.
”Remembering” is remembering that one is in the Tradition,
never forgetting this, and using it as an energy and a
source of strength.
