Guest contribution by Stewart Bitkoff
Author of the book A Commuter's Guide to Enlightenment
1.
The thing we tell of can never be found be seeking, yet only seekers find it.
- Sufi Master Bayazid Bistami
Take a step away from yourself - and behold - the Path!
- Abu Sa’id Ibn Abi’l Khayr
These are my thoughts on the Divine Longing or inner emptiness. In daily life, how it can be useful to the Traveler along the Path.
This morning as I awoke- the inner burning or longing was present pushing me onward. This unease to be with the Beloved filled me with tremendous energy to go and do. Early on, in our training with the Teacher, we were taught: this state is a very dangerous one . . . This longing, burning, unease to be with God. Also, we were instructed that it was amongst the Holiest of times, and the traveler was to take this energy and put it to use in the world; for this energy in the form of burning was to make the world a little better. We could also pray for others and send out healing energy. We were cautioned not to take this energy and use it for our own selfish purposes.
So after I walked our dog, I went and ran some errands for my wife, who as you know is disabled by medical conditions. And when I returned home, it occurred to me that this state and my consequent awareness could answer some of your reader's questions.
When the great Ones speak of burning: it is an admonition to serve, act and make the world better. This is the greatest of prayers.
I cannot tell you of my experience.
Nor can I share with you
The joy of the unseen world.
However what I can give you:
Is the Name of God.
The Name is a treasure
That will make you rich
Beyond your wildest dreams.
All the dreams you ever had and all the thoughts you ever experienced are no longer necessary. They were there to take you to a certain point, then, they must be discarded like an old pair of shoes. Begin the work of the next world in this one. Discard your old life. The life that was lived for self and embrace the eternal you. It is covered over by many layers of secondary selves.
In daily life, there comes a point when these selves are to be pushed aside. Learn this technique: these selves are veils that hide the Truth.
Daily, surrender to you higher self and the Unseen Forces.
2.
Renounce the good of the world, renounce the good of heaven, renounce your highest ideal, and then renounce your renunciation. - Fariduddin Attar
As a child learning to walk falls a thousand times before he can stand, and after that falls again and again until at last he can walk, so are we as little children before God.
Every step in evolution makes life more valuable. The more evolved you are, the more priceless is every moment; it becomes an opportunity for you to do good to others, to serve others, to give love to others, to be gentle to others, to give your sympathy to souls who are longing and hungering for it. Life is miserable when a person is absorbed in himself; as soon as he forgets himself he is happy. The more he thinks of himself, his own affairs, work and interests, the less he knows the meaning of life. When a person looks at another he cannot at the same time look at himself. Illness, disappointments and hardships matter very little when one can look at them from a higher standpoint. - Hazrat Inayat Khan
3.
Welcome to be a guest contributor: If you wish to share your inspirations, realization in life, flash of sudden awakening or awareness of inner reality of things, what Zen masters call Satori, inspired dreams - feel free to send them for sharing with the world. Perhaps, God willing, its sent from the unseen world to be shared at the common feasting table of seekers. The email address will be, [email protected]
If you choose to publish it Anonymously, thats fine too. Just mention it in your email. Peace be with you.
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