May 2019 Message

Beloved Family,

Just back from a successful journey to the Federation of the Sufi Message Harmony Gathering in Charlottesville which was filled with harmony, sweet friendships and some excellent presentations. Here is a link to the unedited talk I gave at the Federation Gathering.

From Charlottesville we traveled to Richmond VA and offered an evening presentation with Pir Zia Inayat Khan at the new Inayati Order center called the Astana.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure offering a Morning Raga Concert at the Garden of Allah, a home where I lIved for 7 years and the same place I met my Indian Music Guru, Pandit Pran Nath! We are working on the video of the concert and should be able to send a link in the next Constant Contact letter.

We also went out to University of Davis, CA where Tamam presented on all her research on the “Mothers of Islam”!

Now my travel schedule is once again picking up. Off to Kauai in a week for a Sufi retreat, then two weeks later I’ll be at the Lama Foundation for the Jamiat Aam at Murshid Sam’s Dargah. In middle June, I go across the pond to Russia for our Annual Russian Ruhaniat Summer Camp.

When I return, I’ll concentrate on directing the Mendocino Sufi Camp.

Sending all love and blessings,
Shabda

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Wazifa Practice

Recite 101x YA AWWAL, YA AKHIR, YA ZAHIR, YA BATIN

72. Ya 'Awwal (yaa OW-wal)
Al-'Awwal is the first, without a second. It is the first, without a before. Al-'Awwal never was born and never initiated anything. It is pure potentiality. In meditative practice, it may be discovered in the perfectly still point, the kamal point that you briefly experience at the apex of each inhalation of breath. Al-'Awwal is the primary source from which all things arise. It is different from al-Mubdi' (58), which is the one who begins things in the finite sphere. Al-'Awwal’s sacred quality should be considered in conjunction with the three divine Names that follow on the list. See Ya Akhir (73), Ya Zahir (74), and Ya Batin (75).

73. Ya Akhir (yaa AA-ḳḥir)
Al-Akhir is the last, without a penultimate. In other words, there is no next-to-last, or anything previous to it. And al-Akhir is the last without an after. Nothing can possibly follow it. Al-Akhir is the one fully manifest in time. In meditative practice, it may be discovered in the perfectly still point that you briefly experience at the end of the exhalation of the breath. Al-Akhir is the final destination of the ultimate return of all things. It is different from Al-Mu'id (59), who is the one who brings all things in the finite realm to closure. See Ya 'Awwal (72), Ya Zahir (74), and Ya Batin (75).

74. Ya Zahir (yaa ḌḤAA-hir)
Az-Zahir means completely present in space. It is fully materialized, fully visible. Az-Zahir is the most outward and the most manifest. There is no otherness with which it could be in relationship. Like the Sun at its height, it is so evident, so bright, that you may not even notice its existence. Allah’s quality of being most manifest is hidden in plain view. Az-Zahir should be considered along with Ya 'Awwal (72), Ya Akhir (73), and Ya Batin (75).

75. Ya Batin (yaa BAA-ṭin)
Al-Batin is the most hidden treasure, the secret of secrets. The essence of God is utterly hidden, but it is not hidden inside of something else. There is nothing for it to be hidden within. The four corners of the transcendental throne of God, as described by 'ibn 'Arabi, are four beautiful Names: al-'Awwal (72), al-Akhir (73), az-Zahir (74), and al-Batin. Sometimes they are described as four angels. In the center is stillness. This is the throne of God, the 'arsh, or Heart Throne. These four divine qualities seem to revolve about the 'arsh, like spheres.

In meditative practice, as you consider these four divine attributes together you become aware of the eternal still point in the center that is not first or last, not manifest or unmanifest, and has no beginning or end. Invocation of Ya 'Awwal, Ya Akhir, Ya Zahir, and Ya Batin together is recommended, along with contemplation of the 'arsh.

To hear the pronunciation: Ya 'Awwal Ya Akhir Ya Zahir Ya Batin

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TEXT and COMMENTARY to STUDY

This month we finish working with theGitha Ryazat Series IIwithCommentary by Murshid Samuel L. Lewis(Sufi Ahmed Murad Chisti). Read and reflect on the development and purification of the breath, Numbers 9-10, pages 36-44. Click here to download the document.