November 2021 Message

Beloved Family,

Hope the changing of seasons is treating you well. For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, may we each find the deep well of gratitude for all that we have been given in this precious life.

We are gradually gearing up to start teaching in-person in 2022. Hopefully, the world situation will support the wisdom of my choices. We start with a local Celebration of Murshid Sam’s Urs, which will also have a Zoom component.

March 11-17, 2022 we are planning an in-person Sufi Sesshin at Mandala Springs Retreat Center in Cobb, California. Still don’t know what protocols we will use, but likely there will be a need for everyone to be vaccinated or recently tested.

Beginning in April off to Germany for the Jamiat Ahm Gathering followed by teaching in the countryside of the Czech Republic.

It is likely we will also have a Mendocino Sufi Camp in 2022 and a retreat at the Southwest Sufi Community from August 16-21, 2022.

Our daily walks in Nature continue to be inspiring with our Red-tailed Hawk friend, Blanca, showing up nearly every day since I wrote you last.

For our next wazifas let's recite YA RAQIB and YA HASIB. These lead to the practices of Murakkabah- the one who concentrates with Love at the root; and Muhaasibah - the one who takes an honest account, both such important life skills.

I would like to suggest one more practice for the month (and the rest of your life) It is the breathing practice of SHAGAL. Outwardly it is the closing of the doors of the body to connect with the inner senses. Instructions attached.

Much love,

Shabda

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Wazifa Practice

Recite 101x

YA RAQIB ~ YA HASIB

43. Ya Raqib (yaa ra-ḲEEB)

Ar-Raqib combines the qualities of protection and watchfulness. Its meaning of “watching over” integrates two concepts: to watch the stars until the dawn comes, and to watch a baby while it is sleeping. Ar-Raqib means to fully give loving attention, and at the same time to possess the inner quietude that makes real concentration possible. The best technique for learning to concentrate is to awaken loving interest for the object of concentration and to use this love as a focus for one-pointed attention.

Concentration can best be held and grow within the context of caring for what we love.

From Ar-Raqib comes muraaqabah, an advanced Sufi technique of concentration that begins with 55 hush dar dam, watching the breath. Ar-Raqib brings expanded awareness of the inner world, taking one beyond the physical into the metaphysical. Repetition of Ya Raqib is helpful in attaining focus in your concentrations. See Ya Hasib (40) and Ya Muhsi (57). These three Names are considered in relation to divine knowledge and the psychological challenges of the superego in Chapter 22, God’s Omniscience.

40. Ya Hasib (yaa ḥa-SEEB)

Al-Hasib is the action of accounting for the full meaning of everything. Nothing goes unrecorded and nothing is ever lost. It means taking full responsibility for one’s actions, words, and even one’s thoughts. To become completely accountable allows for a new beginning of what is possible. It brings realization. A root meaning of al-Hasib is to record a business transaction in an account book with exactitude and honesty.

An advanced Sufi technique called muhaasibah is an honest taking account of oneself while never forgetting that you are within the ocean of divine mercy. Repetition of Ya Hasib can be an antidote for those of us who get lost in minutiae. It is also recommended for those who are fearful or who get caught up in the habit of scheming. See Ya Raqib (43) and Ya Muhsi (57). Together with Ya Hasib, these Names are considered in relation to divine knowledge and the psychological challenges of the superego in Chapter 22, God’s Omniscience.

To hear the pronunciation: Ya Raqib ~ Ya Hasib

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Text and Commentary to Study

This month we continue reading Yours in the Infinite, a series of letters from Hazrat Inayat Khan to Murshida Rabia Ada Martin 1911-1926. We last read these wonderful letters in 2016.

To quote Mother Krishnabai:

“Better to read the same book one hundred and eight times than to read one hundred and eight books.”

Read the letters, pages 25-31.

Click here

to download the document “Yours in the Infinite”

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PHOTOS

My friend Blanca, the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, came to find me on my walk