The purification of the body leads to the purification of the breath, the purification of the breath leads to the purification of the mind, and the purification of the mind leads to the purification of the heart.
Since I was introduced to Sufism back in 2012 while listening to a talk on Sufism by Osho, it has been a constant reminder of the importance of these teachings.
I have listened to and applied many of the teachings from the countless books I have read. The accounts of Rumi’s life, the meeting with Shams. The first introduction to deeper Sufi teachings I had was a lecture series by Andrew Harvey called Song of the Sun. I cried and cried each time I listened to this series.
Only recently have I had the realization that the deep sadness and sorrow I feel is an ever-present longing. It is torturous. A longing for union, a longing to rest in the comfort of the divine, so to speak. It feels like a desire to be safely back home. In the loving embrace of God/Universe/Source. To feel at one with all that is. To be in the world, but deep inside, resting in arms, cradled in peace where nothing can ever harm me.
It has been some comfort to realize it’s the longing. I don’t feel as sad, confused, or distraught.
Many years ago, I wrote this. It’s probably around 2012 since I remember where I was when I wrote it.
Inspired by Rumi
Destroy my world again and again, for I now know what waits for me on the other side.
Fill my body as much as you can, so I may explode in your glory.
Let me see beyond the torturous borders of this human form.
Throw your flames directly at me.
I am within the stream of Universal Life.
Your love illuminates my soul.
As I write this, I am called to pull a card from the Sufi Wisdom Oracle and journey of love.
Fine Whine – O, heart! Learn from the unopened bud. Stop complaining about enclosure. Don’t you know the morning breeze unties all that is closed? The cure for the hardened heart is the temptation of love. Raise your head! The remedy is here, and so is the one that heals. Hafiz
riding the cosmic wave – Your spirit flies like the wind. Warms like the sun and watches the sky. How wise the earth, waiting for the moment to be touched.
I will leave you with the poetry of the cards to feel into the meaning for yourself.
Currently, I am reading Daughter of Fire: A Diary of a Spiritual Training with a Sufi Master. I am reading about 10-20 pages a day savoring the information. It is a large book, 800+ pages. I sit with a coffee and read each word. I am slowing my pace if I need to, reminding myself it is not a race to finish the book. It is a slow immersion and contemplation of her experiences. A feeling into the parallels in my life or not so much. It was a very different time in the 1960s. Feeling the energy and emotions she was going through. Almost feeling what it’s like to receive such training.
It is quite a task to live in our society with all of the requirements, money, jobs, family, etc. Such busyness. It is required that we make time to slow down and make time to watch the birds, pet the cat, smell the flowers, slow the mind, and breathe. Pause, enjoy the moment even in the middle of chaos. It is not selfish. It keeps you young looking and feeling. Rest helps the body heal. Anyone can go sit on a mountain or in a cave and become enlightened. The sufi way is to slowly, slowly, and bring that peace into daily life. Be fire, be water, be wind, and tether yourself to the earth. Be what you need to be in each moment.
Jenn
Spirit Love Studio 