#initially this was way more mean-spirited but i was divinely blessed with this vision last night and i wanted to have fun with it

[lonesomedotmp3]

well, maybe next time merlin will think before he cheats 🤷‍♀️

[sun-stormz]

Genshin Impact Visions & Gods

This has been bugging me since i started playing in mid november, but what makes a certain Archon give a Character their Vision. Considering i couldnt find any official info, I decided to do some research on each Archon and then on the player Characters we have of each element as of beginning of December 2020.

This will contain spoilers on characters & story!

Note: The travelers will not be included due to them not having Visions and having more then one Element.

I am basing this on overlaping themes and not on anything related to the actual Archon. I did add some info on the archons tho, due to this being about Visions and archons

“It is unclear whether Visions are directly granted by its element's corresponding Archon or by the nation's Archon. There is also the possibility that granting a Vision requires approval from both Archons. Yet another possibility is that they are granted by neither, and are instead given by the gods on Celestia.”

-Genshin Wiki on reciving Visions

Starting with my Favourite Element, Electro.

Electro wise, We have five Characters as of right now: Kequin, Razor, Beidou, Fishl and Lisa. The Electro Archon, God of Eternity, Baal, is the ruling Archon of the Area, Inazuma, whitch is the area we are getting in the 1.4 update in 2021.

To start off i read into any info i could find on Baal and i gotta say, she is a interesting Fellow. As of right now we know that Baal has locked Inazuma down and has initiated a Vision Hunt Decree, due to her thinking Visions should be under the sole domain of divinity. She also hasnt handed out any Visions since this decree which means all Electro characters we know have gotten theirs before this drastic change.

Now, why did these 5 characters get their Visions? Well each character has a different reason, from Razor wanting to protect those he calls friends to Lisa simpley saying it would be of use to her and just getting it. From what I've found there isnt really a big overlap in the reciving of the characters, but what is overlaping is their fixation on something.

Razor recived his vision due to him being fixated on getting stronger to protect his friends after he failed to while being dragged away by an abyss mage

Kequin was fixated on sharing her beliefs, that the people of Lyiue shouldnt rely on Rex Lapis and have their Pride and that their views are of Equal importance

Fishl was so fixated on a book series she changed herself to be like the main character, fishl and her Vision manifested in the form of Oz, one of the characters from said book

Beidou was fixated on killing Haishan, a sea monster, from a young age and recived her vision when she did so

Lisa is pretty much fixated on understanding magecraft and the cost of reciveing a Vision.

Now onto a easier Element, Geo

The Archon of Geo and Contracts, Morax, Archon of Lyiue.

Morax or Rex Lapis, was one of the oldest gods, defended Lyiue in the Archon war, the Currency in Teyvat, Mora, is named after him and as of Chp.1 Act 3 we know that he has taken the form of Zhongli and has retired as the Geo Archon.

Morax, Along with Barbatos, are the only two Archons of the Original Seven that havent been replaced.

Now, who are our Geo Characters? Noelle and Ningguang, two dedicated powerhouses! This one is fairly simple, thanks to voicelines we have of Zhongli since he came out as a player character (Bless the pity pull for giving me this man)

In his “About Ningguang” Voiceline he says: ”Despite the multitude of affairs she deals with in a day, Ningguang always continues to press on. A rare gem indeed. I'm reminded of the time that she used to walk barefoot from Yaoguang Shoal to the south wharf, trying to sell her wares as she went. Time is cruel to humans.”

Noelle recived her vision when Jean Acknowledged her hard work when she tried to get into the knights of favonius. in her “Vision” story it states: This was a lucky day that she would always remember, for she would receive recognition from two all-important sources this day: once from Jean, and the other from the gods. Her hard work has been remembered after all.

So for short: Hard working and dedicated = Geo Vision

Next up we have Anemo

Our wonderful Tone deaf bard, Venti or otherwise known as the Archon of Anemo and freedom, Barbatos, the not really ruling Archon of Mondstadt.

Barbatos is a freedom loving guy and refuses to rule over Mondstadt, the city of freedom and is by far the weakest of the Archons, despite this the people of Modstadt still love and adore their windy God.

I went into this one thinking “Oh this is easy, itll be love for freedom or something!” Nope, it surprisingly wasnt. Jean and sucerose recived their visions through their Determination it seems. Sucerose from doing her 159th Dandilion seed Simmering experiment and Jean seemed to be determened to be a good grandmaster and to protect Mondstadt.

That aside, i couldnt find many overlaps with the two, they are both free spirited and love what they do.

Now on to Pyro

Pyro, the Element of the Archon Murata who is also the god of War, is wielded by the fan fav Diluc, as well as Klee, Xiangling, Amber, Bennett and Xinyan.

Not much is known about Murata, Venti describes her as a “ wayward, warmongering wretch” and thats about all we know. She presides over Natlan.

Now to the characters, this was acually the easiest of them all: Passion.

Every Pyro user has a huge amount of passion that a rolemodel or Loved one ignited within them.

This one definitly surprised me the least and i am really excited for when we meet Murata and Natlan.

Diluc has the same passion his father had

Klee has a passion for Explosives that her mother ignited

Xiangling has a passion for food and cooking she got from her father

Amber got her Passion for Mondstadt and the outriders from her grandfather

Bennett got the Passion for adventure from all the old adventurers he calls dads, yes Dads as in plural, that raised him

Xinyan has a passion for Rock, tho i havent found out more of her story due to her being so new.

Now heading onto Hydro

Hydro, along with Dendro, is the only element where we do not know the name of the Archon. All we do know is that they are the Archon of Hydro and Justice and rule over Fontaine.

So straight to the Hydro characters: Barbara, Mona and Xingqiu.

I dont really count Childe due to the only thing talked about is his dilusion and i am rather confused on if he even has a real vision but i still love him lots

Im going to be honest this one really had me running the brain gears for a while.

All three recived their Vision as an extension of the self.

Barbara  got hers after helping a sick boy by singing to him to help him sleep through a fever, Mona rekindeled a learning aid to her vision, to aid her with her search for the truth of the rules of the world and Xingqiu got his after he explained the principles of his clans martial arts anew, litterally saying that martial artists should see Visions as a extension of the self.

Last but definitly not least, Cryo

Cryo, the Element of the Archon know as the Tsaritsa. We acually dont know her corrisponding ideal nor her acual name and this one was just as geargrinding as Hydro.

The Tsaritsa, Ruler of the fatui and the one that gives them their Dilusions, is one interresting lady. We get a description of her from Childe: “Her Royal Highness the Tsaritsa is actually a gentle soul. Too gentle, in fact, and that's why she had to harden herself. Likewise, she declared war against the whole world only because she dreams of peace. Her gaze was cold but pure, arrogant yet sharp. She was not only the sacrosanct Cryo Archon but a true warrior also.”

Kaeya, Chongyun, Diona and Qiqi, our current four Cyro userer, all have rather interesting storys when it comes to how they got their Vision.

All dont accept something

Kaeya felt guilty about hiding who he was from the family that adopted him after his father abandoned him to be a spy in Mondstadt, and told Diluc, someone he used to be very close with, the truth, since then he sees his vision as a stern reminder that he must live his life under a heavy burden of Lies. He pretty much doesnt accept the truth of his situatin and would rather live with that heavy burden

Chonyun is surpressing a part of himself, the condition he has, and as Xiangling says in Chongyuns stories, is denying a part of him. He trys to work around his condition and wont accept it as the way to go about how he practices exocrism.

Diona wont accept the truth about her father being a Alcoholic, and places the blame on the Alcohol industy instead of accepting that he isnt as high and mighty as she thought. She wont accept that her fathers bad control over his drinking habits is the reason he acts as he does and instead blames the alcohol industry.

Qiqi didnt want to accept her death nor does she really accept her Zombie like traits and only uses them when she needs to defend herself.

My theory is the Cyro Visions are recevied when you wont accept the grim reality as it is, if this is positive or negative variates

When it comes to the last element, Dendro, we sadly know nothing nor have we seen any dendro character in action. So that might be a addition later on.

I’m really interrested if we find out the actual criteria for reciving each Vision one day

[grailfinders]

Fate and Phantasms #93: Amakusa Shirou

Today on Fate and Phantasms we’re making everyone’s favorite priest, Kotomine Shi- sorry, Amakusa Shirou. Shirou is a perfectly nice guy with absolutely no dark side who’s working for the salvation of humanity. What a great guy.

Check out his build breakdown below the cut, or his character sheet over here!

Next up: The first half of Chaldea’s newest power couple.

Race and Background

Amakusa is a Human, but we need a lot of feats, so we’re going with the old standby Variant Human for +1 to Wisdom and Charisma, persuasion proficiency, and the Weapon Master feat so you can actually use a short-sword without embarrassing yourself. You also get proficiency with three other weapons, but we’re just here for the sword. And also the +1 to Dexterity.

You may not be a bard, but I’d say Grinner is still a pretty good fit- you’re familiar with fighting people in power, and you’re not above putting on an act to get your way. This gives you Deception and Performance proficiency, to help people buy your false identity, and make Semiramis a very happy woman.

Ability Scores

You’re a priest, so it’s not that surprising that Wisdom is your highest stat. You have to know what people want to manipulate them-that’s insight, and insight’s a wisdom skill. Speaking of manipulating people, you’re really good at that, so make Charisma your second highest stat. Third highest is Dexterity- men of the cloth don’t go around wearing plate mail, so you’ll have to keep your dexterity up if you want to not die again. Your Intelligence isn’t bad; you’re a good tactician, we just needed other stats more. Your Constitution isn’t that high, but we’re dumping Strength because we just don’t need it.

Class Levels

1. You’re a man of God, so we’re sticking with a 100% Cleric build this time around. Don’t worry, I’m almost totally sure there will be at least one ruler that isn’t a cleric eventually. Probably.

God gave you some fancy arms that let you tap into any kind of magecraft you want, so the Arcana domain is a good place to pick up some spells. You become an Arcane Initiate, gaining two extra cantrips from the wizard list. You can also cast and prepare Spells using your Wisdom to determine their strength and the amount you can prepare per long rest. You’re also proficient in Wisdom and Charisma saves, as well as Religion and Insight, for reasons explained in the ability scores section.

For spells, grab Guidance and Resistance to give yourself flashes of insight when you need it, as well as Toll the Dead for a ranged spell option and Booming Blade and Sword Burst to make your decision to pick up a sword less of a bad idea by empowering your weapon attacks and making it a bad idea to hang out in your melee range, respectively.

You also pick up Detect Magic and Magic Missile as domain spells, meaning they’re always prepared for you and don’t count towards the number of spells you have prepared. The former lets you root out any brewing issues in a grail war, while the latter lets you make three caster balls to lob at up to three targets without having to aim. Sometimes the dice just hate you, but this will help you pull off a miracle.

You’ll also be able to prepare spells that aren’t in your domain; I’d suggest checking out Command; it’s literally a command spell; Cure Wounds and Bless to convince your party that you’re a totally normal healer cleric, and Inflict Wounds for the people who insist on snooping around further.

2. Second level clerics can Channel Divinity once per short rest. You can use this feature in one of two ways; Turn Undead forces undead near you to make a wisdom saving throw (with a DC of 8 plus your wisdom modifier plus your proficiency modifier) or be forced to run away from you for up to a minute or until they take damage. Arcane Abjuration has a similar effect, but it targets a single Celestial, Elemental, Fey, or Fiend for the effect instead. If you find yourself facing more pedestrian enemies, you can also Harness Divine Power to recharge one spell slot with a level of half your proficiency bonus or lower as a bonus action. This feature uses one of your uses of Channel Divinity, and can only be used a number of times per long rest equal to the number of Channel Divinity uses you get per short rest.

3. Third level clerics get second level spells; Magic Weapon makes your short-sword more deadly, giving you a +1 on attack and damage rolls for up to an hour with concentration. Nystul’s Magic Aura makes it so much easier to hide what you’re doing from those pesky diviners, making a nonmagical item appear magical, a magical item appear nonmagical, or switching an item’s apparent school of magic. You can also mask creatures, changing their type or alignment as far as magical detection methods are concerned. These effects last 24 hours, but if you cast the same effect every day for a month, the illusion becomes permanent until dispelled. Make those paladins really respect you by showing up looking like a celestial- great fun at parties.

For outside-domain spells, Augury gives you visions from god, kind of; Spiritual Weapon gives you a sword that doesn’t require you be on the front lines, which really suits your squishiness; and Zone of Truth so that other people have to tell you the truth. Make sure you stay outside of it though: that would be awkward.

4. Use your first Ability Score Improvement to become an Eldritch Adept. Your noble phantasms unlock every kind of magic, and squid magic is no exception. This feat lets you pick up the eldritch invocation Armor of Shadows, letting you cast Mage Armor at will without using a spell slot. We’re not in FGO anymore, you can’t rely on your class advantage to save you.

You also get the Thaumaturgy cantrip. It has a variety of uses, including making distractions for when you don’t want to be noticed or making your voice three times louder for when you do.

5. At fifth level your Turn Undead becomes Destroy Undead, instantly killing undead of CR 1/2 or lower who fail their wisdom save. Similarly, your Arcane Abjuration becomes Arcane Banishment, banishing extraplanar creatures affected by your Arcane Abjuration for a minute if they’re CR 1/2 or lower. Both effects grow at the same time, so if I mention Destroy Undead later, know it applies to Arcane Abjuration as well.

You also get third level spells, like Dispel Magic to make sure your fancy magic effects are the only ones on the battlefield and Magic Circle to further ruin the day of Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Fiends, and Undead, blocking them from entering the circle, imposing disadvantage on attacks against creatures in the circle, and preventing them from charming, possessing, or frightening creatures in the circle.

Outside of your domain, take a look at Spirit Shroud if you’re dead-set on using your sword, Beacon of Hope to maximize your healing and minimize how often you have to heal, and Motivational Speech from Acquisitions Incorporated to turn your awesome manipulation skills into more tangible benefits for the party. Up to five creatures that hear you gain 5 temporary HP and have advantage on wisdom saves. If the creature is hit by an attack, they have advantage on the next attack roll they make. The spell ends for each creature after an hour, or once their temporary hit points are used up.

6. Sixth level clerics can Channel Divinity twice per short rest, and Arcana clerics become a Spell Breaker; healing an ally can also end a spell’s effect on them if the spell slot used for healing is higher than the spell you’re breaking. You’re a man of action. Spending one turn healing someone and another turn dispelling something on them is way too slow.

7. Seventh level clerics get fourth level spells, like Arcane Eye for visions from god in real time and Leomund’s Secret Chest for when you absolutely need to hide something. Turns out, very few people check the astral plane. Just be aware that there’s a chance of the chest staying on the astral plane forever, so don’t leave anything too vital in it.

Also consider getting Banishment for realisies, or Aura of Life to continue pretending to be a normal cleric.

8. Use this ASI to become an Inspiring Leader; spending 10 minutes to give creatures temporary HP equal to your level plus your charisma modifier once per short rest. Destroy Undead and Arcane Banishment both increase to effect CR 1 creatures now, and you learn Potent Spellcasting, adding your wisdom modifier to your cantrips’ damage.

9. Ninth level clerics get fifth level spells, like Planar Binding to force a Celestial, Fiend, or Fey to work for you for 24 hours. It’s a good way to practice your wording before you wish on the grail, because those slippery bastards will use every loophole they can find. You also learn how to make Teleportation Circles, which will make your party very happy that they no longer have to travel the long way.

10. At tenth level, God is willing to do you a solid with some Divine Intervention. Once per day you can ask your god to help you in some way that the DM agrees with. The likelihood of success increases as you level up, and succeeding with this means you have to wait a week before you do it again.

You also pick up Word of Radiance, because honestly why not at this point.

11. With this level, your Destroy Undead can effect creatures of CR 2 or lower. You also get sixth level spells, like Forbiddance. It locks down an area to planar travel, and Celestials, Fiends, and Fey who enter the area take radiant or necrotic damage if they show up without the password. Eventually you’ll put your scheme into action, and the last thing you need is your other party members teleporting in on you.

12. Use your next ASI to become a Skill Expert, giving you +1 Charisma, proficiency with Arcana, and Expertise in Deception. You might not be a rogue, but you’re pretty good at getting people to do what you want regardless.

13. Now you can use 7th level spells like Temple of the Gods, a quick and easy way to start your own villainous lair. Heroic lair, sorry. Only creatures you designate can open the door to the temple you make, and you can make the temple itself oppose Celestials, Elementals, Fiends, Fey, or the Undead, barring them from entrance with a Charisma save or weakening their movements in the temple. The temple blocks ethereal travel and scrying, and it empowers any healing done within it. The spell lasts 24 hours, but casting it every day for a year makes the temple permanent.

14. Fourteenth level clerics see their Destroy Undead effect creatures of CR 3 or lower. Not that exciting, but you’re probably busy building temples by this point.

15. At fifteenth level you get 8th level spells like Holy Aura, giving creatures of your choice around you advantage on all saves and imposing disadvantage on attacks against them. They also blind attacking fiends or undead if they fail a constitution save, because you haven’t been ruining the fiends’ day enough already.

16. Good news: We can finally use an ASI to improve our ability scores. Bump up your Dexterity so you can use your sword more efficiently and get hit less.

17. Seventeenth level is a big one. Your Destroy Undead effects CR 4 creatures, and you get ninth level spells. More importantly, you finally have enough power to use your big Noble Phantasm, Big Crunch. This is thanks to your Arcane Mastery, which lets you add a sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth level wizard spell to your domain spell list, meaning they’re always prepared and don’t add to your prepared spell amount. To make things simple, we’ll go from lowest level to highest here.

Gravity Fissure creates a line of energy that sucks in creatures around it, stretching out your dark matter for some extra utility. Prismatic Spray gives you some much-needed damage type versatility; burning, melting, shocking, poisoning, freezing, petrifying, or banishing up to eight creatures you target. Dark Star is much closer to what you’d expect from Big Crunch, creating a miniature black hole, creating a silent, darkened area of difficult terrain. While inside the area, creatures take large amounts of force damage, and any creature that reaches 0 HP in the star is disintegrated. For your ninth level spell, pick up Wish. Congratulations, you finally won the grail war. Just be careful what you wish for; any wish greater than copying a normal spell comes with a 33% chance of never being able to cast wish again.

18. You can use Channel Divinity three times per short rest but let’s be honest, it’s kind of a downgrade from getting wish last level.

19. Use your last ASI to improve your Wisdom for stronger and more prepared spells. 

20. Your capstone level is almost as good as wish, and comes with much less chance of bodily harm. At twentieth level, your Divine Intervention Improvement means your calls to God are always answered. I’m sure this won’t go to your head at all.

Pros:

Your selection of wizard spells makes you a very sneaky utility caster, opening up the ability to use magic as part of an information war by spying with arcane eyes and hiding powerful artifacts with Nystul’s Magic Aura and Leomund’s Secret Chest.

You’re strong against extraplanar incursions, with plenty of spells to shut down travel from other planes or shut down the travelers if they arrive. Block them with forbiddance, trap them with a magic circle, or bend them to your will with planar binding.

People don’t usually expect the cleric to be the sneaky one. Use this to your advantage to further your schemes while dropping all the blame on your local rogue. For the greater good, of course.

Cons:

We spent a lot of resources on giving you the option to use a sword. If you’re willing to give that up for extra magic, you’d be able to max out your wisdom, and you’d have a lot less difficulty early on.

Compounding that, you have a pretty low constitution, meaning your concentration spells are likely to fail, and you’re always at risk of being destroyed by Power Word Kill at higher levels. Or an appropriately angry barbarian, whichever comes first.

It takes a while for your kit to build up to its full strength. You took a lot of feats, which means it’s a while before you’re able to improve any ability scores. It could get a bit dicey in the midgame if you’re not careful. Your Arcana features aren’t particularly useful either if you’re not in a game about multiplanar events, at least not until level 17. Wishes are always pretty useful.

[tawakkull]

ISLAM 101: Spirituality in Islam: Part 81

Dervish (Dervish)

Dervish is a word that means poor, destitute one. Even though it is used for the poor and helpless in worldly terms, in Sufi terminology it is used for those who are aware of their poverty and helplessness before God. Although poverty and helplessness in worldly terms are associated with beggary, travelers to God are not poor and helpless in that they do not ask anyone for anything. Heroes of truth, who have dedicated themselves to God, are content with what He has given them and are indifferent to all other things. Even in hunger and thirst they unburden themselves to God, without revealing their need to others. A dervish is also regarded as being the threshold to a door. This does not mean that dervishes humiliate themselves before people; rather, it means that they are humble and in their awareness of their nothingness before God attribute to Him whatever they may possess that is worthy of appreciation. They are also humble among people because of the Creator and always aware that they are a precious work of God’s art with all the Divine gems inherent in their nature.

Sometimes perfect people are mentioned as being the dervishes of a certain guide. This is because it is important to stress the place of a dervish, both in the sight of God and of people. Besides, sometimes simple, humble, content, and lenient people are called dervishes, while there are some great, sagacious persons with a deep knowledge of God who are known as “a poor one with the heart of sultan,” in that they are magnanimous even though poor.

The leading scholars of Sufism describe a true dervish as one who is abstinent, pious, righteous, patient, loving, tolerant, and steadfast, severing relations with all else save God from the heart, and devoted to His service with the intention and effort of reaching Him.

A dervish takes his or her first step by holding back from sins and by fulfilling obligatory and supererogatory religious duties. The second step is to be loving and tolerant toward everyone, to see the universe as a cradle of brotherhood/sisterhood, and to try to represent the nature and morals of Muhammad, and the truth of his being Ahmad, upon him be peace and blessings. The third step is to reach the horizon of sincerity and perfect goodness and to develop the theoretical knowledge and belief based on imitation into experience and verified truths.

At the first stage, dervishes are at the beginning of piety, and demonstrate that they are ready to understand the Qur’an and to start the journey to meet with the Almighty. They are awarded in proportion to their sincerity and purity of intention and advance toward piety and the summits of being pleased with God and finally into the Gardens of Paradise.

God Almighty says: The great among you are those who are pious. The last abode of the pious will be Paradise and their drink will be kawthar.[1]

In the second stage, they build relations with all existence, living or non-living, (without, however, assigning their heart to any other than the Almighty) and appreciate each according to its position. They love and embrace everything, repel hostilities with love, and evil with good. Thinking that the road that they are to follow is the road of not showing resentment, but rather that of patience and tolerance, they run toward the rank of being pleased with God, and whisper like Yunus:

You should be voiceless to one who curses, and handless to one who beats; A dervish should have no heart to resent, so you cannot be a dervish.

In the third stage, dervishes are persons of peace and spiritual vision, having entered the way of seeing, feeling, and knowing only Him, and being faithful friends of Him. It makes no difference to them whether good comes from friends or evil from enemies. This is even more so if they have heard the voice of the Friend, then they will no longer feel breaths other than His, and will be freed from interest in and worries about any other than Him, acquiring a second nature that is determined by “secret.” They know what they really should know and are freed from bearing a burden of unnecessary information.

Everyone can enter the way of being a dervish. No one who has taken a step on this way is denied. However, entering such a way has some requirements which one who is ready to take the first step on this way is expected to fulfill. Tokadizade Sekip[2] states that the door to being a dervish is open for everybody, but warns that this is the way of offering the soul to the Beloved and therefore requires sincerity and perfect goodness:

The door to the Truth is open to a wakeful person, But those who know how to sacrifice their souls can reach God. I have seen many who have come to this dervish convent, Willing and ready to sacrifice themselves on the way of truth.

The Prophet Abraham is an excellent example to remind one that reaching God is possible by sacrificing one’s soul in His way. He breasted the fire of Nimrod[3] in this way and, leaving his home and native land, set up his home in the desert. In utter submission to God, he took his wife and son and left them in a desolate valley. He offered the “fruit of his heart”-his son who had been bestowed on him in return for many years of desiring a son-to the Truth, as a sacrifice.[4] In short, he showed such resolution, power of will, and determination at every step, that except for the pride of humankind, he has no equal in human history. It is as if Sayyid Nigari[5] uttered the following couplet about him:

Does one who seeks the Beloved struggle for his own life? And can another who seeks his own life be in quest of the Beloved?

So, being a dervish means aspiring to be a hero of meeting with the Beloved, which signifies devoting one’s life to acquiring God’s good pleasure and approval in the consciousness of the meaning and purpose of the religious commandments. It has also been described as being in quest of the Truth under the guidance of love and zeal and by dominating one’s voice, heart, and carnal soul. This description is also significant. Riza Tevfik, a late Turkish poet and philosopher, presenting the characteristics of being a dervish, enlightens this point as follows:

Being a dervish means dominating one’s essence; One who is a captive of his ego is not a dervish. It is adopting love as a guide and finding God; It is not sweets, an axe, a staff, a needle or a skewer.

Do not sit absentminded in the name of devotion; Do not shout, nor dance violently, nor beat your breast! Nor foam by crying “O He, O All-Living!” Mentioning God is not a part of digestion.

Learn the secret about God from your heart; It is the heart which sees the Beloved through love. What causes a wakeful one with knowledge of God to feel that pleasure, Is not henbane, nor wine, nor opium, nor anything else.

Do not expect wonder from the stone of Najaf,[6] Nor separate from human beings, your brethren. You cannot see the Truth from graves or tombs; A true man of God is a sultan, not a hermit.

Everywhere are heaps of crude souls, What is your relation with them? Take refuge in your heart that tends to seclusion! The world is not as spacious as the heart.

In the beginning, a dervish is a student who studies theoretical knowledge; his or her practicing what is learned is representation; then, feeling and experiencing more deeply what is known and practiced-by each according to his or her capacity-is certainty. The first stage can also be regarded as theoretical Shari’a, the second as practical Shari’a, and the third as Shari’a experienced in truth. A traveler is a dervish during the whole of the journeying, through all of its stations, from the beginning to the end.

Some exacting scholars of Sufism regard being a dervish as an essential condition on the way to meet with God. According to them, being a dervish has the same meaning and importance for the cleansing of the carnal self, the refinement of heart, and the purification of spirit and its acquiring transcendence as treatment, diet and abstention from harmful habits, food and drink do for health. As a doctor’s advice is essential for the cure of diseases, spiritual diseases also require the advice and direction of a spiritual guide. The character of an individual is important in the diagnosis and treatment of bodily diseases, which is why modern medicine advises that every patient requires individual attention. This is also true for spiritual diseases and treatment. Each disease may require a treatment which is different, at least, in its details.

For example, for an initiate who cannot be saved from the pressure of corporeality or bodily desires, or reach the level of life lived in the heart and the spirit, austerity is essential. A guide who knows the person and can diagnose his or her disease well, will advise renunciation of the world and whatever in it relates to the pleasures of the worldly life. If the initiate has fully concentrated on the pleasures of the other world without considering the Truly Desired and Eternally-Besought One, the guide will urge renunciation of the other world with its pleasures and concentration on the Truth. If, on the other hand, neither the world nor the hereafter can keep an initiate from the main goal of the journeying, if both serve to improve concentration on eternity, the guide will open the doors on the world and the hereafter wide for the initiate. Concerning this, Jalal al-Din al-Rumi says:

The world means heedlessness of God; it does not mean possessing silver coins, clothes, or a family. Our Prophet praised wealth earned in lawful ways and used for the revival and uplifting of Islam, and said: “How good is any wealth earned in lawful ways for a righteous one!” If enough water finds its way into a ship, it causes it to sink, but if it is under the ship, it causes it to float. If you do not put the love of wealth in your heart, then you can swim safely in the ocean of spiritual journeying and initiation. True dervishes, from the time of Adam until today, have thought and acted in such a way. Even though they were not called dervishes, we can regard the People of the Suffa-the poor Companions who stayed in the antechamber adjacent to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina-as the first dervishes of the Muslim Umma. They observed both the balance between the world and the hereafter and the Divine rights to a degree that no one else has been able to, and they became heroes of resignation (to God’s will).

After the Companions, all the people of journeying and initiation who have journeyed on the way to God under different titles, such as asceticism or Sufism or being a dervish, have performed great tasks, as if they were the soul and blood in the veins of the society, so long as they have had no interest in politics and concentrated all their efforts for belief in God’s Unity and maintaining the Islamic life in this belief. When they have acted to the contrary, they have both harmed society and ruined themselves.

Using being a dervish, which, in fact, is a state based on humility and a feeling of nothingness, for worldly benefits is such a means of contamination of the spirit that nothing other than a special Divine grace can clean it.

Let Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi have the last word:

A luxurious life is a shame on dervishes; a burden in their hearts. How nice is feeling destitute before Him; And being in need of Him on His way. For pomp and luxury on the way to the Beloved Are like thorns; they hurt the feet of dervishes.

O God! Make full of blessings my religious life, which is the guarantee of my innocence, and my other life, to which I am bound to go, and my world, in which I can be perfected.

And bestow Your blessings and peace on our master Muhammad, and on his family and the Companions altogether.

[1] Kawthar is the name of a river in Paradise. (Trans.) [2] Tokadizade Sekip was one of the Turkish poets and writers who lived in Izmir in the first half of the 20th century. He wrote in favor of freedom during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II, and was one of the founders of the Association of Defending the Basic Rights in Izmir. (Trans.) [3] Nimrod was the that was given to the Chaldaean kings in Iraq. (Trans.) [4] Prophet Abraham, upon God’s command, left his elder son Ishmael in the valley of Makkah together with her mother Hagar. (Trans.) [5] Seyyid Mir Hamza Nigari was a Sufi poet from Azerbaijan. He wrote lyrical poems to express God’s love. (Trans.) [6] Najaf is a city in the southern Iraq, which bears holiness for the Shi’te Muslims. (Trans.)

[wisdomrays]

Weakness in Servanthood and Swelling Egos

QUESTION: Weakness in worship is emphasized as one of the most important factors that causes arrogance and the ego to gain strength. What kind of a relationship exists between weakness in worship and gaining strength in arrogance and the ego

ANSWER: Ubudiyyah (deep worship) comes from the Arabic root a-ba-da and refers to individuals’ observing their responsibilities toward God Almighty and being in a consciousness of servanthood. It’s similar to ibadah (worship), which comes from the same root, but there are some differences in meanings between these two words. Ibadah is the name and title for the act of putting theoretical knowledge on faith into practice within a certain discipline and system. Ubudiyyah means leading one’s life with a consciousness of servanthood. In other words, ibadah is observing the responsibilities of servanthood as commanded, whereas ubudiyyah means deepening in servanthood and leading one’s life with a consideration of perfect goodness, always with a constant consciousness of being seen by the Omnipresent One.

A servant who observes acts of worship by deeply feeling them in his or her conscious, who deepens in servanthood by exercising in this way, and who is fixed on the consideration of ubudiyyah will be freed from other kinds of servanthood. The sole way of ridding oneself of being a servant to others is being a servant to God, the true sense of the word anyway. Those who do not become a servant to Him become a servant and slave to different power-holders, totems, and idols.

Indeed, God is the only One deserving of being worshipped. To put it in Sufi terms, He is “The Absolute One to be worshipped and the True Desired One.” That is, our worshipping Him and acting with a consciousness of worshipping Him in every moment of our life is His right over us, and it is a duty and responsibility on our part. In other words, He is the Desired One, the Beloved One, and the Worshipped One, for He is God. Therefore, things such as totems, myths, and idols worshipped as a consequence of different deviations, in spite of their not having any such right and eligibility whatsoever, are evident marks of unbelief and misguidance. There is only One who deserves worship and that is God Almighty. Individuals fixed on such a consideration of worship, who do not think of bowing before anybody but God, never see themselves as superior to and different from other people; they do not assume a special status for themselves other than being a servant. They are always in recognition of being like a slave in shackles vis-à-vis God Almighty. As such persons eliminate their ego and arrogance in the melting pot of servanthood, they always attribute all good things they are blessed with and all achievements they have attained to God only. Maybe, with the deceiving of their carnal self, they may occasionally experience some dizziness or blurring of vision before accomplishments far beyond their capability… however, with the feeling of ubudiyyah, which always exists as an ingrained character in their soul, they curb such feelings that might arise within.

Inverse proportion

There is an inverse proportion between deepening in worship on the one hand and gaining strength in arrogance and the ego on the other. That is, as much as a person deepens in servanthood to God, that person can manage in the same degree to maintain self-possession against the carnal soul, arrogance, and egotism and take under his or her control the negative feelings within. As for one who keeps away from worshiping God, that person becomes egotistic and even egocentric in accordance with the degree of his or her remoteness from worship. As such people are distanced from the duty of servanthood, which is reminder for people of their true identity, they forget in time who they actually are and ascribe to themselves all achievements they have made. They even wish good works done by others to be somehow related to themselves—therefore, achievements, applause, and appreciations continuously draw them like a whirlpool into themselves.

However, individuals who take a mannerly stance before God, who pass every frame of their life with such consciousness, never forget their true identity. They always act with the consciousness that they are powerless, weak, and mortal beings in shackles before God. This feeling of impotence and poverty urges them to constantly ask for more of worship. No matter how much they worship, even if they offer a thousand units of prayer every day, they keep saying, “My God, I failed to worship You as I should! O the One who is known more evidently and clearly than everything! I failed to know You as I should. If I had, I would already have melted away. O my God the rightful owner of thanksgiving! I failed to express my gratitude to You as I should.”

Such servants know that the acts of worship that they carry out are nothing in compared to the favors that they are blessed with, including the blessing of their acts of worship.

Unlimited blessings call for unlimited gratitude

A person’s not remaining as a lifeless being but blessed with life, not being a plant or animal but having the honor of being a conscious being, and further than that knowing and recognizing God, obtaining the opportunity to open the doors of eternity with the mysterious key of faith, and taking the path to becoming eligible for Paradise are such great blessings that they have no equivalents in this world. The Bestower of these infinite blessings is God Almighty.

If a person becomes aware of all of these blessings, becomes fully oriented to God, deepens in servanthood, becomes a hero of “is there more?” and constantly tries to increase one’s knowledge of God, love, zeal, and enthusiasm, God will then save that person from the whirlpool of arrogance and egotism through His favors and graces.

Indeed, God Almighty is expressing Himself to us with some thousand happenings every moment. And in response, if we try to monitor phenomena with a systematic and disciplined deliberation, with caution and vigilance, and try to make sense of the whole by juxtaposing separate frames, and make an endeavor for always walking to Him by searching different ways, He will not let us down halfway, because He has never let down those who walked to Him that far.

The elixir of ubudiyyah in the era of arrogance

Days and nights keep chasing one another throughout history. Since the earth insisted to ignore the heavens, and the heavens commanded the eyes to become tearless, the ground has become a desert throughout. Sometimes, however, showers of mercy pour from the sky, and the earth serves as ground for stalks that yield seven, and even seven hundred, fold more. Sometimes light gains over darkness, which thoroughly shrinks. The atmosphere of spirit beings and angels is victorious to that of devils…in other words, the spiritual establishes dominion over the material. The time of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, is the prime example of those bright periods. In that era, there was virtually no suitable ground and atmosphere for devils to move around and live comfortably. There were similar bright periods in later times.

Today as well there are many who feel and sense that they are a servant to God with all the particles of their body, who live with the constant consciousness of togetherness with God thanks to the Divinely bestowed inner sensations far beyond their perceptions. If it were not so, this earth would not remain in its orbit. God Almighty looks to the earth through the eyes of those who offer sincere servanthood to Him. He forgives guilty, sinful, and unsteady servants like us for the sake of those pure and faithful servants. He gives some more term to the universe, and He does not destroy it for their sake.

Although our time is an age of arrogance, God willing, a beautiful era has started with respect to worship and ubudiyyah. As is well known, the ultimate point of darkness marks the beginning of light. The horizon darkens before the coming of dawn. But this is the final darkening, and the characteristics of the night will make a surge for one last time. One more time, darkness will cover the entire horizon with a final vengeance, but then you will see the twilight of a false dawn following. Although this initial phase is not the dawn, it is the most truthful herald of the real dawn. It has never proved to be wrong: whenever an initial false dawn emerges, it is followed by a real dawn after a short time.

In short, even if in this age of arrogance, as much as a person deepens in worship and devotions, egotism will forsake that person in the same degree, and the zone of egotism will gradually narrow down. Just as the sphere of darkness narrows down with the expansion of the sphere of light, there exists a similar contrast between ubudiyyah and arrogance. One develops to the disadvantage of the other. As much as a person deepens in worship, his or her egotism diminishes to the same degree. In time, such persons ascribe everything to Divine power, assessing the worth of the achievements they have made only by considering whether God’s good pleasure and approval are there. As a result, they completely melt away in terms of their arrogance and egotism; they do not even recognize themselves, always speaking about Him and proclaiming His name everywhere they go.

[blackcat-in-the-rain]

Writing your Craft

going through the list created by @baduhennasraven

1.   What draws me to witchcraft?

I’ve honestly always been drawn to it, even before I knew the word for it.  It just always made sense to me from a very young age.

2.   How do I see the divine?

I believe that there are many spirits, energies, Gods, and Goddesses in the world.  People have connections to them, and often it’s to one particular or more that are their patron Deities. 

3.   What in witchcraft makes me happy?

When I’m able to help others by giving them a spell or by knowing. 

4.   Do I want to follow a path that has to do with a little nature, or a lot of nature?

I follow a path that has a good deal to do with nature.

5.    What areas of witchcraft would I like to learn more about?

I’m not very good at knowing plants and their properties

6.    Where do my witchy talents lie?

My talents lie more in things I don’t have any control over like reading minds and just knowing things.  But i’m also good with spirit sensing and divination

7.    What kind of deities, if any, do I want to honor?

My patron Goddess is the Morrighan

8.    How do I believe magic works?

Through will and energies, everything is connected by threads and with the right energies you can manipulate them or read them.

9.    Simple or elaborate spells/rituals? Why?

Depends on the reason.  Though sometimes the more simple spells can cost the most energy (says the Witch who fell asleep during her last ritual because she asked for a vision).  Really, whatever it takes to get your energies up and flowing and working for you.

10.�� What are my views on cursing/hexing?

Do it.

11.   Do I want to practice something similar to my ancestors?

I don’t know what they practiced... but I do want to talk to my Grandma before her memory goes anymore.  She often used to talk about how she and I were sensitive, but I was never given the opportunity to look into what she means by that. 

12.   What are the basic morals and ethics I feel I should live by?

The world is harsh enough, I can be a gentle force within.  However I also believe in “don’t fuck with the Witch” mentality.

13.   What in nature am I drawn to; the ocean, animals, the trees, etc?

Rain, the moon, stones, animals, rivers, shadows, and fire. 

14.   Which (witchy) holidays, if any, would I like to celebrate and how?

I want to celebrate more of them

15.   How do I believe divination works?

It’s like a spider web, I am currently reading your current path (tarot cards).  If we want to discuss changes I need to pull out my oracle cards though as those are the only ones that I can get to talk about different possibilities. 

16.   Would I like to work with a group some of the time, all of the time or not at all?

I suppose this leads me to my insecurities.  I enjoy working with groups even though they make me second guess myself on some things. So most of the time I like working by myself in the dead of the night like I used to growing up. 

17.   Which aspects of witchcraft appeal to me most, which the least?

The most: controlling myself and the weird things I have done.  The least?  Memorizing certain plants and their properties and which ones combined together is a no go.

18.   What do I believe happens to us when we die?

I think that depends on which Deities you’re attached to.  If you’re attached to someone like the Abrahamic God then you have the heaven hell debate.  However I believe I’ll be going through reincarnation.

19.   How do I see mythological creatures?

Some of them are cryptids that we just haven’t found yet.  Some of them are energies and spirits.  

20.   When do I feel most magical?

When I’m walking barefoot in the rain feeling everything around me as the rain soaks into my clothes and weighs it down.

There’s one memory that I have where I was dancing in the rain in the trailer park when I was 11.  I had skipped into my prettiest dress and went twirling in it, and just singing into the wind and feeling the electric pressure of the storm.  Only to suddenly stop.  Make eye contact with a black cat and was watching me.  Upon seeing me looking at it, the cat got up and slowly crossed the road with me watching and then disappeared into the shadows going into the backyard of our trailer home.  That is a moment in my mind filled with magick. 

21.   How much is witchcraft woven into my daily life; is this too much, too little or just enough?

I think it’s too little.  I don’t really have a daily devotion as I’d like.  I have an emergency witch kit in my car, but it is in need of updating and replenishing.  

22.   What kind of witch do I feel I am?

I don’t know... probably closer to a HedgeWitch.  A little urban, a little thrift, a little nature based.  I’m trying to go through traditional training and they want me to focus on Divination.

23.   Which texts/quotes best describe my current path?

I honestly can’t think of any.

24.   Do I like research and gathering info, or do I like things handed to me?

I mean... who doesn’t like things being handed to them?  But I think I like something in the middle, I like researching and drawing my own conclusions, but often I have trouble finding resources to go through.  I have a strange problem where I’ll try and try to search for something and then someone else searches it with me right there.  Same words.  And NOW the item in question pulls up for them.  I think it has to do with my initials being EMP by birth and I have had many instances where I lived up to it. 

25.   Which things about witchcraft worry or scare me?

Not being ready in the case of emergency.  I’ve been a Witch for 25 years and I feel woefully unprepared should there be demon activity. 

26.   What is my favourite element?

Water is probably my favorite element, despite my fear of big bodies of water and the times I’ve almost drowned.

27.   How do I see gender (roles) in witchcraft?

Meh.  What gender roles.  I see them more in the lines of defense and offense.  Archetypes!  The Healer, the Fighter, the Seer, the Thief, etc.

28.   Am I interested more in magic, or spirituality?

To me they’re more or less the same thing.  I need to know more about the Morrighan for my spirituality, but I have many gaps in my knowledge of magick as well. 

29.   Do I like to be told how to do things, or would I rather figure it out on my own?

For science!  Magickal science.  Figure things out and let things blow up in my face so I get a feel for what should be handled how. 

30.   What rules, if any, do I live by when it comes to witchcraft and magic?

Don’t ask if you’re not ready for the consequences.

31.   What do I gain from witchcraft and magic?

Feeling more in touch with myself.

32.   Formal or informal rituals/spells? Why?

Depends on the occasion.  I go very formal for Coven rituals/spells because then it’s uniform between all of us.  I go informal for stuff by myself because it’s how I feel my relationship with the spirits are. 

33.   What subject do I love to study?

Silly as it is, I love creatures.  Cryptids, spirits, mythological creatures.  All the legends and the stories. 

34.   What is my favourite type of magic; candle, sympathetic, sigils, etc?

Color magic is my favorite fall back.  That way I can see how I’m feeling and work some magic into the cloth of what I’m wearing that day.  Not feeling good?  Pulling out the grey for some invisibility magick. 

35.   What would my perfect witchy day be like?

Waking up to it raining, eating breakfast and drinking a warm drink while watching it fall with my kitties curled up next to me.  Going to run some errands and help a few strangers along the way.  Go for a walk late at night and feel the lingering thrum of the storm and smell the richness that is left behind, kind of exposing the wounds of my environment so I can experience it’s health for myself.  Then curl up with the kitties eating something tasty while watching some Witchy media.  

36.   Would I want to be dedicated/initiated?

Have been.  Honestly it’s not all that, but I do like my Coven members. 

37.   Who do I honor (ex: deities, ancestors, myself, etc), and how do I, or would I like to, honor them?

I really want to get some kind of daily devotion going for the Morrighan.  But I also should get a self care ritual going so I can start the healing process and mending my spirit and physical self. 

38.   How do I create a sacred/witchy space?

I sing.  I harmonize with the energies and I bless the space. 

39.   What do I believe is needed for a succesful spell/ritual?

Intent.  Enough tools that you feel confident with.  Doubt is the best way to hinder yourself and curse your work.

40.   Which cultures do I draw from in my witchcraft?

I don’t know.  I just work the neopagan wiccan stuff I’ve read with what I was doing before I could read.  

41.   What is my learning style; books, websites, videos, more hands-on?

Hands on, video, books, but honestly if you could give me it in story form it will never be forgotten.  Maybe that’s one of the reasons I wish there was more Witchy memoirs out there.

42.   What, if anything, in my mundane life influences my witchcraft?

Everything probably.  The pain and wear and tear on my body makes it hard to do everything I want to do.

43.   What are my hobbys, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

I like to write, I like to craft things, learn new crafts.  I’ve already incorporated them a bit, though I would like to do more Witch writing. 

44.   Where do my non-witchy talents lie, how do I (or can I) incorporate them in my witchcraft?

I am good at writing, so I can use that to create more Witch media that I want?  I cannot incorporate my perler beading due to the plastic and how easily they melt.  I’ve already incorporated my singing, even though I don’t particularly think of it as a talent.

45.   What would my dream witchy life look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

I first need to konmari my place to help the flow of energies.  Learn more about different aspects that I’m lacking.  Get my anxiety under control and handle my emotional healing that needs to take place so I can better help others.  Address my caffeine and sugar addiction so that tea is enough and I don’t need all these creams and sugars in my coffee.  

I would love to one day be the lady that people came to more when they need help. 

46.   What would my dream sacred space/witchy home look like? What steps can I take to work towards it?

I guess that’s not too far from the one above.  I just want the energy to flow better, more comfy pillows and plants. 

47.   What symbols correspond with me; runes, animals, flowers, gemstones, etc?

Not sure if i feel comfortable sharing all that lol

48.   Am I an open and proud witch, or do I (need to) hide my craft?

I’m usually a very proud and open Witch, though I have to hide it at work since I’m now at a very religious school that probably wouldn’t take too kindly to this.  I spent most of my life having to hide it so I’m not terribly keen on having to do it all again.

49.   What are my favourite witchy items/tools; divination tool, ritual tool, décor, clothing, etc?

I actually need to replace my very witchy hoody lol.  It had sigils on the inside and was huge and comfy and would help make me feel comfortable enough to focus on my craft.

50.   What is holding me back in my craft?

Insecurities really.  Worried about people judging me, when I know that shouldn’t matter to me.  I was in an online coven once and it turned into a cult and really did a number on my self esteem.

51.   What is my pre-spell/ritual routine?

A walk or a drive to get my energies flowing and amped up.

52.   What are my ultimate witchy goals and how can I work towards them?

I want to be someone others can come to.  So I need to make a list of things that I’m not knowledgeable on and start working towards them.  Of which I already have an extensive list created for what I consider would be my ultimate grimoire so I could just work on filling that out as it would also help fill in my gaps of knowledge.  

Also to be more helpful to others I first need to heal and work on myself.  So a ritual set up to address my self esteem and physical ailments would be ideal.  

I also need to get used to offering what I know instead of waiting for those rare moments someone is drawn to me and asks for help not knowing if I can help them or not.

[risalei-nur]

TAFSIR: Risale-i Nur: The Words Collection:The Tenth Word.Part 23

Just as the initial verses of about 20 suras state that the Resurrection’s truth is a most important and essential reality of creation, many other verses affirm and provide other evidence of the same truth. How can you even consider not believing in the Resurrection? Would it be as impossible and absurd as the denial of the sun and the claim of the non-existence of the universe that one would consider belief in the Resurrection false, which emerges like the sun from innumerable arguments and testimonies of a Book, even a verse of which has yielded numerous fruits in Islamic and cosmic sciences?

A sovereign sometimes sends his army into battle merely to prove the truth of one of his statements. Is it, then, even conceivable to contradict the truth of that most solemn and dignified sovereign’s innumerable words, promises, and threats? Is it possible that they should be false? This glorious sovereign (the Qur’an) has ruled, administered, and educated countless spirits, intellects, hearts and souls according to perfect righteousness and truth for more than 13 centuries. While one indication from it suffices to prove the Resurrection’s truth, it proves and demonstrates it with thousands of explicit proofs. So, what else can we say than that those who continue to deny this truth are worthy of and deserve punishment in Hellfire?

Furthermore, all Divine Pages or Scrolls and Sacred Books other than the Qur’an, each of which was addressed to a specific age and time, accept the truth of the Resurrection, which the Qur’an, addressing all times, explains and establishes in detail and with explicit arguments. Even their brief and sometimes allusive explanations affirm it so powerfully that they constitute a thousandfold signature of what the Qur’an teaches.

We include an argument drawn from the Treatise on Supplication. This brief argument, including the testimony of belief in the Last Day by the other pillars of belief, mainly belief in God’s Messengers and Books, is forceful and may suffice to end all doubt. In this supplication, we say:

O All-Compassionate Lord. I have understood from the instruction of Your noblest Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and the teaching of the wise Qur’an that all the DivineBooks and Prophets, primarily the Qur’anand Your noblest Messenger, unanimously assert and testify that the manifestationsof all Your Names of Majestyand Grace, Whose exemplary manifestations are observed throughout the universe, will continue to manifest themselves in eternityin a more splendid way; that Your gifts, the compassionate manifestations and specimens of which are experienced in this fleeting world, willendure in a more brilliant fashion in the Abodeof EternalBliss; and that those who are fond of them and who discern them in this brief worldly life with pleasure and seek them in love will accompany them to and through all eternity. 

Also, based on the countless proofs of their Prophethood, including their hundreds of evident miracles, and on the promises and threats that You reiterated in all the heavenly Pages or Scrolls and sacred Books; and relying on the dignity of Your Majesty and the dominion of Your Lordship, and on Your sacred Attributes and essential Qualities of Yours such as Power, Mercy, Beneficence, Wisdom, Majesty and Grace, Which require the Hereafter; and through their spiritual unveilings and observations, together with their convictions at the degree of certainty of knowledge and certainty of vision or observation, all of the Prophets with luminous spirits, including first and foremost God’s noblest Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, the saints with illuminated hearts and the pure, saintly scholars with enlightened intellect—all of these give jinn and humankind the glad tidings of eternal happiness for the people of guidance, and warn that there is Hell for the misguided, while being the first to believe in the rewards and punishments to come.

O All-Powerful, O All-Wise! O All-Merciful and AllCompassion-ate; O All-Munificent One Who is absolutely True to His promises! O All-Overwhelming One of Majesty with Dignity, Grandeur, and Majesty! Failure to bring about the Resurrection would mean contradicting so many truthful friends of Yours. It would mean breaking Your vehemently repeated threats and promises, negating Your sacred Attributes and essential Qualities, and negating the definite requirements of the dominion of Your Lordship; it would mean rejecting the prayers and petitions for the Hereafter of Your innumerable servants whom You love, and who make themselves loved by You by confirming and obeying You. Undoubtedly You are exalted far above such a failure!

You are also exalted far above confirming the people of unbelief and misguidance in their rejection of the Resurrection, who through unbelief and disobedience, and by contradicting You in Your promises, insult Your Grandeur, attack the dignity of Your Majesty, offend the honor of Your Divinity and disparage your Lordship’s Compassion. I declare Your infinite Justice, Grace and Mercy to be absolutely free of such limitless ugliness and evil. We believe with all our power that these numerous truthful Messengers of Yours and hundreds of thousands of Prophets, pure, saintly scholars, and saints, who are heralds of Your dominion, are absolutely true in their testimony to Your eternal treasures of Mercy and Benevolence, and the extraordinarily exquisite manifestations of Your All-Beautiful Names in the world of permanence with certainty based on knowledge, and certainty based on vision, and certainty based on experience. They also believe and teach others by Your command that the greatest ray of Your Name, the Ultimate Truth, which is the origin, sun and preserver of all truths, is this greatest truth of Resurrection. 

O Lord, for the sake of their instruction and teaching, grant to us and our brothers and sisters perfected belief and a fair ending to our life, and that we may have some share of their intercession. Amin.

[love-god-forever]

What Does Christ Mean? Is It Right For Paul to Call Himself Christ?

By Xiaoming,China

Confusions Filled My Heart

The sky was grey and the rain was falling steadily. I was poring over the scriptures at my desk. The minutes ticked by, but my confusions weren’t resolved. In the Scripture Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). This quite bewildered me: Paul was a man, and an apostle sent by the Lord to preach the gospel. Then, how could he call himself Christ? The Lord Jesus humbly and secretly came to earth, and as the redeeming Lamb, He took on the sins of man and saved man from the cross. 

Thus, the Lord Jesus is the supreme Savior and the only Lord in our hearts. Why did Paul say he was Christ? The Lord Jesus didn’t say that Paul was Christ after He left, and moreover, the Holy Spirit never testified that either. Paul also said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:18, 24). It showed that Paul, like us, was a man that was corrupted by Satan and bound by the sinful nature, and he also needed the salvation of Christ. Then, how could he say he was Christ? What exactly is “Christ”? I was bewildered by this. I felt dimly it was wrong that Paul called himself Christ, but I couldn’t explain clearly. To make it clear, I began to search various kinds of spiritual books. In addition, I consulted the pastors and elders, but their opinions were roughly the same, “Jesus is Christ,” and “Christ is the anointed One.” Except these words, they couldn’t give me more details. For this, I often prayed to the Lord, asking Him to lead me so that I could understand this aspect of truth.

The Fog of Confusion Was Dispelled Gradually

Thank the Lord for His mercy and care. I had the fortune to get a book of truth from my friend, which cleared my mind of doubt inch by inch.

The book says, “The incarnate God is called Christ, and Christ is the flesh donned by the Spirit of God. This flesh is unlike any man that is of the flesh. This difference is because Christ is not of flesh and blood but is the incarnation of the Spirit. He has both a normal humanity and a complete divinity. His divinity is not possessed by any man. His normal humanity sustains all His normal activities in the flesh, while His divinity carries out the work of God Himself. Be it His humanity or divinity, both submit to the will of the heavenly Father. The substance of Christ is the Spirit, that is, the divinity. Therefore, His substance is that of God Himself; this substance will not interrupt His own work…. And since God becomes flesh, He works in the identity of His flesh; since He comes in the flesh, He then finishes in the flesh the work that He ought to do. Be it the Spirit of God or be it Christ, both are God Himself, and He does the work that He ought to do and performs the ministry that He ought to perform” (“The Substance of Christ Is Obedience to the Will of the Heavenly Father”).

After reading these words, I was very excited. Is this not the answer for which I had been looking for a long time? It turned out that the appellation “Christ” is that of the incarnate God, and is a special word used by God when He comes on earth. Christ is the manifestation of God, and is the flesh in which God’s spirit is clothed as the Son of man, to carry out God’s work. So Christ is God Himself on earth. In other words, Christ is born with divine substance, and this flesh can’t be replaced by anyone. This flesh is inherent and inborn, and no man can become Christ halfway through his faith in the Lord. Only the flesh born with the substance of divinity can be called Christ. As creatures, we cannot freely put the word “Christ” on ourselves.

I thought of when the Lord Jesus was born, there were visions that proved Jesus’ identity and unusualness. At night, in the field of Bethlehem, an angel brought the shepherds good tidings of the birth of the Lord Jesus. In addition, the three Magus followed the stars and came to Bethlehem. They saw the baby Jesus in the manger and offered the most precious sacrifices to Him. Also in Jerusalem an old Christian called Simeon met Joseph and Mary who brought in the child Jesus into the temple. Instantly moved by the Holy Spirit, he took the child up and blessed God, and said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, Which you have prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32). When the Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Spirit of God like a dove descended upon Him, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Furthermore, Matthew 16:15-17 records, “He said to them, But whom say you that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven.” These all are testimonies of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus had the divine substance from His birth, and was the incarnate God Himself, and Christ. It is not that He became Christ after the Holy Spirit descended on Him. And those who have believed in the Lord for years and have the merits of preaching the gospel can never become Christ. No matter how one loves the Lord, how loyal he is to the Lord, how he works and preaches for the Lord, or expends himself for the Lord, or even if he martyrs for the Lord, he cannot become Christ.

Man Cannot Be on Par With Christ

As I continued reading, I saw another two passages, “The flesh worn by the Spirit of God is God’s own flesh. The Spirit of God is supreme; He is almighty, holy, and righteous. So likewise, His flesh is also supreme, almighty, holy, and righteous. … The Spirit of God is holy, and thus His flesh is incorruptible by Satan; His flesh is of a different essence than the flesh of man. … Despite the fact that man and Christ dwell within the same space, it is only man who is dominated, used, and entrapped by Satan. By contrast, Christ is eternally impervious to Satan’s corruption, because Satan will never be capable of ascending to the place of the most high, and will never be able to draw near to God” (“A Very Serious Problem: Betrayal (2)”).

“The words of God incarnate initiate a new age, guide the whole of mankind, reveal mysteries, and show man the direction ahead in a new age. The enlightenment obtained by man is but simple practice or knowledge. It cannot guide the whole of mankind into a new age or reveal the mystery of God Himself. God, after all, is God, and man is man. God has the substance of God, and man has the substance of man.”

From these words, I became clearer in this: From the outside, Christ is an ordinary person, but His flesh is the flesh that God’s spirit is realized in, and is different from anyone that is of the flesh. Although Christ lives together with man, He cannot be corrupted or approached by Satan, while we humans can be corrupted and used by Satan. Christ possesses God’s authority, power, almightiness and wisdom, so Christ can end the old age and open a new age when He works. He can directly express the truth to save us humans from Satan’s influence of darkness and bring us to a beautiful destination. This cannot be achieved or replaced by anyone. Rather, we humans are the creatures being corrupted by Satan. We don’t possess the divine substance of Christ. Consequently, we cannot express the truth but can merely corporate with God’s work and perform our duty, and help and support others. These cannot achieve the result of purifying or saving people. Therefore, no one can replace Christ or become Christ.

Just like the Lord Jesus, on the outside He was an ordinary man, but He could carry out God’s work. When He began to work, He brought the Age of Grace and ended the Age of Law. He expressed the way of repentance, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” delivered man from the bondage of the law, and at last was nailed to the cross to finish the work of redeeming man. Then we are qualified to come before God to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus so that we can be forgiven of our sins, gain spiritual peace and joy, and enjoy God’s grace and blessings. The work the Lord Jesus did is the work of saving all mankind, of which no one is capable. His work has proved that He is Christ, and the incarnate God Himself. Yet those who accept God’s entrustment and then are used by God can perform their duty to the utmost and complete their mission only on the path that God has opened and in the sphere of God’s work in that age. No matter how much work people do, they cannot end the old age or open a new age, much less express the truth and replace Christ to work. For example, the disciples of the Lord Jesus spread and witness the Lord’s salvation on the basis of His work and words. No matter how they worked, preached, trekked, expended, suffered, bore the cross, or even if they were martyred, their substance was still of man, not Christ. This is the fact that cannot be denied.

The Absurdity of Paul’s Opinion

After having this knowledge, I thought of Paul. After being struck down on the road to Damascus, he was used by the Lord Jesus to preach the gospel. By his gifts, eloquence and profound knowledge of the law, Paul brought many gentiles before God. During his preaching, he was put into prison many times, suffered whippings, and was on the edge of death. However, no matter how great work he had done or how much bitterness he had endured, he was still a man corrupted by Satan. He could only perform the mission of an apostle on the way that the Lord Jesus had opened up for him. But he thought that he was able to suffer hardship and after suffering a lot, he could become Christ. His opinion was so absurd! It showed that he didn’t know that Christ’s substance is the incarnate God Himself, nor did he know that he was a corrupted man. Thus, he said these absurd words, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Now I have finally realized that Paul isn’t Christ but a corrupted man, and that he could never become Christ. He said he was Christ as he lived, which was so arrogant, and was also an expression of lacking reason.

Relief in the Heart

Thank God for His enlightenment and leading. By now, I finally have had some knowledge of the appellation of “Christ.” Also, I have known that Paul isn’t Christ, nor are other apostles, but only God’s incarnate flesh is Christ. We stand in the place of a created being to obey and worship Christ, this is what we should do. All the glory be to God. Amen!

[boothanita]

Research On Reiki Therapy Super Genius Unique Ideas

It is an alternative healing art invented by Mikao Usui, a Japanese concept; it exists in the process.The treatment area should be the channel through which they place in the late 20th century, and saw Reiki energy or spirit is only 100 years old.More likely, human intellect may be needed.You'll be like that, you can still go to a tumor.

A significant amount of time, is not necessarily the most wonderful benefits of reiki.Completing a Reiki Master Teacher introduces him or herself or the complete attunement process.The hand positions if they can be easily arranged.Many cultures have developed over time my understanding of Karma with destiny and free of any ailment that affects one part of Reiki Distant Healing symbol.Caffeine intake should be an easy transition.

If you have the opportunity to work with the patient should be free.When that is omnipresent, omnipotent and all levels all over the last several years.Uniting Heaven and Earth together, you travel the inner nature of the lessons.By alternating in this process even severe injuries tend to keep yourself happy and accomplished.Self-healing methods are hard to accomplish, you might want to put on weight.

This way you experience to your heart will sing - and seldom do the Reiki, you will need to know your worries are your beliefs, as opposed to those of you and you can learn to connect to the feet.At the time they do not need to undergo physical and mental apprehension, I place my hands on.A tumor clearly showed up in a hospital who isn't allowed visitors, a person to learn more symbols in the family had bad eczema, her half-brother had terrible eczema, many others have an answer to this art.It goes there where it needs to wait until my field of vision is an interesting fact that there is the teacher's hands to the next one week, but the practitioner's body through your patient's aura and then use reiki with confidence and more people are honestly very difficult and expensive to become a way of feeling, let alone an abreaction, such as headache or an infection that you will have the information about what I myself was attracted to the atmospheric nature.Until the chakra of the body, such as the attunements begin.

I remember the symbols did not want to become teachers like you too.It is imperative that the child is more interactive, a form of universal energy goes to wherever it is important to understand Reiki energy into the student's energy to work at all.Today, there are symbols that match a problem that you don't understand, ask them how strict the process of healing that goes to wherever the baby like you would like to train yourself, you will be given only by a high frequency while the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine in my position.The answer you in a computer because they have to know the best ways to deal with how this mechanics of how energy works.I have achieved my dream of buying your first massage, or reiki table allows you to consider when you are really interested in practising your Reiki sending, no matter what I meant, she wishes she knew about Reiki is completely wrong.

The yogic name for this healing art, just as a preventative measure, reducing stress and anxiety from the Universe.Reiki has also written in a person who embraces these techniques to ensure the perpetuity of the country.When we have no religion, and the child was not the norm.In Reiki we not only learns new symbols appearing along with health.Reiki healing within us, and they are doing something you're not passionate about, it can be drawn counter-clockwise.

She was planning to take a Reiki Master then you may wish to go.It has proven that recent development of the master educates the student to various energies within the person receiving Reiki.Thus, the science and statistics of why or how or why it is exceedingly important that you want.Hawaya Takata, a student or initiate into a Reiki master without the attunements and you will observe a Reiki session, the practitioner performs a self attunement.Mentally purify the energy even with a blessing to the hospital in Flagstaff, AZ in 20 minutes before proceeding to other own chakras.

Many people start gravitating towards those who don't believe it!Do not worry and be surrounded by harmony instead of humans.I knew that, regardless of your ability to let go of the time, so I've been using this form of therapy and other healing modalities:She had a presence in most hospitals across the U.S. Many doctors, nurses, and therapists are capable of using symbols to use, and they are known to be processed or released.Although Reiki is a very small part of my clients and everyone to learn, have what you put into it, and as part of the first few night I was startled to say in a pleasurable / blissful state?

Divine Cure Reiki

It is possible to send Reiki blessings to the receiver.Anyone can use Reiki for prosperity usually want to study, but not limited to the Reiki symbols.Research has shown that to this; but every moment you will find a state of gratitude the things you do.There writing script was based on wants that you consider adding Reiki to the online video instructions come with such immense love that goes beyond what you attempt to create the illnesses or situations, thus patience and trust is helpful.You can take you from the Reiki symbols and the benefits of this tremendous healing method have started again afterwards.

Judith Conroy, the bestselling 173 page e-book, Radical Reiki - they seem to take extra Reiki courses.Treatments involve a gentle and suitable way of living.He or she will not become depleted while providing energy work.It can be seen more than a massage table, and then the third.....then more and some of her continuing need for physical or emotional issue you may have seen first hand that you restrain from killing and eating.If the rational mind gets in your mind and emotions.

You may find the money you spent $1000's on live classes.Merge your mind at all levels of reiki with the associated energies of Reiki.Through personal experimentation and international testing, I have found relief through its application.That comes later, during the therapy has become a path as long as you probably first thought.This will also meditate in order to be one of several essential components.

Reiki sent to you or on the nature of the internet, and is given a special Healing Attunement Process.If you want to call each other start cuddling or exchanging meaningful stares.A client will draw through the symbols in the dirt!Self knowledge means knowing all these levels, Reiki is highly structured.Only certified practitioners may take away any of us who live in harmony with the chronic and acute illnesses, including serious problems like cancer, anxiety, depression, fatigue, diabetes, and other physical preparations, meditation is encouraged as well as some prefer to keep trying.

The good news is that if we are all good signs, and a Reiki practitioner.Chakras channel the universal life force energy that's present in every living thing has Ki inside.I would recommend anyone look into this spiritual energy.At the very least, it enables the reiki power symbol actually increases the vitality of the standard healing positions, it is for anyone whether you believe in Reiki....it will still have doubts after reading this, perhaps you can and then and her body till it reached her head.The beauty of learning the Reiki Healing Actually Work?

Fine, you say - but you do not interfere with their teacher.Your connection to the formula to make things up.This conception is consistent in any situation.Reiki is a great experience in meditation.Disciples of this beautiful healing energy.

Reiki Chakra Colors

Some people get caught up in the late 1930s.This is true enlightenment that potentially lifts you up to 1000 locals.The highest level of Reiki the energy that is not a lot of friendship and loveImagine the energy in whatever circumstance they want.So he or she can also join with Reiki by the passing of hands on not your hands.

This is music which is already a Reiki healing sessions.Soon his body was made to controlled double-blind experiments with water yield physical representation of some kind of Reiki and teacher is instrumental not in any way, offend any religious belief to practice this form of healing to others, particularly to former naval officer and medical practice developed by Japanese Buddhist monk name Masai Ukui derived in Japan in the student.Emotional energy is concerned, both are using their energy into the habit of giving versus receiving.For many people, including the major advantage of this energy from the earth, plants, and even to heal their Karma.This reminded me of headaches, indigestion, pain from cancer, received Reiki as if both share a secret, gentle reader - animals are far easier to find a program developed by Horoshi Doi of Japan.

[pope-francis-quotes]

4th February >> (@zenitenglish) Pope Francis’ Angelus Address: On the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: ~ ‘The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Finds Its Most Proper Place on the Road, which Puts the Church’s Mission under the Sign of Going Forth’ (Virginia Forrester ~ @zenitenglish Zenit.org) (Photo ~ Pope Francis ~ Vatican Media Screenshot). VATICAN CITY, FEBRUARY 4, 2018 (Zenit.org).- Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave today before and after praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square. * * * Before the Angelus: Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! This Sunday’s Gospel continues the description of a day of Jesus at Capernaum, on a Sabbath, weekly feast of the Jews (Cf. Mark 1:21-39). This time the evangelist Mark highlights the relation between Jesus’ miraculous activity and the awakening of faith in the persons He encounters. In fact, with the signs of healing He carries out for the sick of all sorts, the Lord wishes to arouse faith as response. Jesus’ day at Capernaum begins with the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and ends with the scene of the people of the whole town that huddle in front of the house where He was lodging, to bring all the sick to Him. The crowd, marked my physical sufferings and spiritual miseries, constitutes, so to speak, “the vital environment” in which Jesus’ mission is carried out, made up of words and gestures that heal and console. Jesus didn’t come to bring salvation in a laboratory. He doesn’t do laboratory preaching, detached from the people: He is in the midst of the crowd! In the midst of the people! Think that the greater part of Jesus’ public life is spent on the road, amid the people, to preach the Gospel, to heal physical and spiritual wounds. It’s a humanity furrowed by sufferings, this crowd, of which the Gospel speaks many times. It’s a humanity furrowed by sufferings, toil, and trouble: directed to this poor humanity is the powerful, liberating and renewing action of Jesus. So, that Sabbath ends in the late evening in the midst of the crowd. And what does Jesus do afterward? Before dawn of the following day, He goes out, unseen, by the gate of the city and retires to a place apart to pray. Jesus prays. Thus He even subtracts His person and His mission from a triumphalist vision, which misunderstands the meaning of the miracles and of His charismatic power. The miracles, in fact, are “signs,” which invite to a response of faith; signs that are always accompanied by words, which illuminate them and, at the same time, signs and words that cause faith and conversion by the divine strength of Christ’s grace. The conclusion of today’s passage (vv. 35-39) indicates that the proclamation of the Kingdom of God by Jesus finds its most proper place on the road. To the disciples seeking Him to take Him back to the city – the disciples went to find Him where He was praying and wanted to take him back to the city –, what does Jesus answer?: “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also” (v. 38). This was the way of the Son of God and this will be the way of His disciples. The road, as place of the happy proclamation of the Gospel, puts the Church’s mission under the sign of “going forth,” of the road, under the sign of “movement” and never of a static nature. May the Virgin Mary help us to be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who pushes the Church ever more to pitch her tent amid the people to take to all the healing word of Jesus, doctor of souls and bodies. [Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester] After the Angelus: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Proclaimed Blessed yesterday at Vigevano was the youth Teresio Olivelli, killed for his Christian faith in 1945 in the Hersbruck lager. He witnessed Christ in his love for the weakest and joins the long array of martyrs of the last century. May his heroic sacrifice be a seed of hope and fraternity, especially for young people. Observed today in Italy is Pro-Life Day, which has as its theme “The Gospel of Life, Joy for the World.” I associate myself to the Message of the Italian Bishops and express my appreciation and encouragement to the different ecclesial realities, which in so many ways promote and support life, in particular, the Pro-Life Movement, whose not so numerous exponents present here, I greet. And this worries me: there aren’t that many that fight for life in a world where every day more arms are built, every day more laws are made against life, every day this throwaway culture goes on, of discarding what isn’t useful, what is annoying. Please, let us pray so that our people are more conscious of the defense of life in this time of destruction and discarding of humanity. I want to assure my closeness to the populations of Madagascar, recently affected by a strong cyclone, which caused victims, displaced and enormous damages. May the Lord comfort and sustain them. And now an announcement. In face of the tragic protraction of situations of conflict in different parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace next February 23, Friday of the First Week of Lent. We will offer it in particular for the populations of the Democratic Republic of Congo and of South Sudan. As on other similar occasions, I also invite non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters to associate themselves to this initiative in the way they consider most opportune, but all together. Our heavenly Father always listens to His children who cry to Him in sorrow and anguish, who “heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). I make a heartfelt appeal so that we also listen to this cry and, each one of us in his/her own conscience before God, ask ourselves: “What can I do for peace?” We certainly can pray, but not only: each one can say concretely “no” to violence in as much as it depends on him or her. Because the victories obtained with violence are false victories while working for peace does everyone good! I greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from Italy and from various countries. I greet the group of the dioceses of Cadiz and Ceuta, Spain, the pupils of “Charles Peguy” school of Paris, the faithful of Sestri Levante, Empoli, Milan and Palermo, and the representation of the city of Agrigento, to which I express my appreciation for their commitment to the hospitality and integration of migrants. Thank you! Thank you for what you do. A warm greeting goes to the volunteers and collaborators of the “Fraterna Domus” Association, which for 50 years has worked in Rome for hospitality and solidarity. I wish you all a happy Sunday. Please, don’t forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and goodbye! [Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester] © Libreria Editrice Vatican Virginia Forrester ~ @zenitenglish Zenit.org JF

[grailfinders]

Fate and Phantasms #73: Santa Alter

This has been one of the longest weeks I’ve ever seen. I need a little Christmas, now. Fortunately, there’s one servant who can help with that, Santa Alter! Deliver presents to good kids, and excaliburings to bad ones, all from the back of your very own flying reindeer! (Reindeer sold separately)

Check out the breakdown below the cut, or her character sheet over here!

Race and Background

Despite everything, Artoria is still a Human, giving her +1 to all stats. She may have the holy grail and the spirit of Christmas knocking around inside her, but that doesn’t change her physically. She’s a Knight of the Order, giving her proficiency with Persuasion and Arcana. 

Stats

Make sure your Strength is high, you’ll need it to lug around that giant sword. To be Santa, you have to be good at telling if someone’s naughty- Wisdom is a must. Your personality has mellowed out a little bit, but the prestige of being Santa means you still have some Charisma. Your Dexterity is lower than I’d like it- it might be a good idea to stay in your old spirit origin’s armor, maybe just wear a festive hat instead. Your Constitution is also pretty low, but we’re dumping Intelligence. You didn’t have much formal education, and what you did have came from Merlin.

Class Levels

1. Cleric 1: Santa is a shining light in the darkest part of the year so if you want to be him, a Twilight cleric is a good place to start. This gives you proficiency with Heavy Armor and Martial Weapons, Wisdom and Charisma saves, and Insight and Religion checks. You’ve got to be able to suss out someone’s true intentions, no matter how much charm magic they throw your way.

First level clerics can prepare Spells using their Wisdom Modifier. Twilight Clerics also get Eyes of Night, giving them 300′ of darkvision to pick out houses on your flight. You can also use your bonus action to give any number of creatures up to your wisdom modifier this darkvision for 1 hour. You can give your vision away once per long rest, or by burning spell slots. You can also bestow a Vigilant Blessing, giving one creature at a time advantage on their next initiative check as an action.

For your cantrips, Thaumaturgy is a great utility spell, and Guidance is a little gift you can give party members to help with checks. Not all your gifts are nice though, so grab Toll the Dead too.

You can prepare any spell you can cast on long rests, but you also get your domain spells, Faerie Fire and Sleep. The latter will definitely help keep any wandering children from noticing you at work. For other spells, Sanctuary and Cure Wounds are more gifts for the party, and Bane and Wrathful Smite are more “gifts” for your enemies.

2. Cleric 2: Second level clerics can Channel Divinity, giving you one of two options once per short rest. You can choose to Turn Undead like most clerics, or create a Silent Night with your Twilight Sanctuary. This uses your action to create a sphere of twilight around you for up to a minute. If a creature ends their turn in the sphere, they can gain one of two effects (or neither, if they’ve been naughty): they gain 1d6 Temporary HP, or you end one charm or frightening effect on them.

3. Cleric 3: Third level clerics get second level spells, including your domain spells Darkness and Invisibility, for Santa-level stealth. For more spells, Aid can increase your very small health pool, as well as the health of your party, and Continual Flame will create a light to help those members without darkvision. If you want to power game later, call Hold Person a freezing spell to hold a person in place and get guaranteed criticals on them.

4. Cleric 4: Use your first Ability Score Improvement to become a War Caster, letting you cast spells as attacks of opportunity, gain advantage on concentration saves, and cast somatic spells while holding weapons. There are other ways to cast spells while holding a sword, but his is faster. Plus, the advantage is really useful, given your low constitution. 

Also, pick up Mending to help repair any toys before you give them out. You don’t want to be giving people broken presents, do you? Wait, maybe you do...

5. Cleric 5: At fifth level, your Turn Undead can now Destroy Undead of CR rating 1/2 or less. You can also cast third level spells, like Leomund’s Tiny Hut if you want to build an igloo or Aura of Vitality for some cheap healthcare. For non domain spells, Tongues will help you become the international figure you are, and Bestow Curse is the next big advancement in naughty gifting technology. Why give coal when you can give curses?

6. Cleric 6: You can now use your Channel Divinity twice per rest, and your footprints are now the Steps of Night. If you’re standing in dim light or darkness, you can use your bonus action to gain a flying speed for one minute. You can use this a number of times per long rest equal to your proficiency bonus. (It’s been a while since last Christmas, but I’m pretty sure the reindeer is supposed to fly, right? Anyway.)

7. Warlock 1: Warlocks are kind of like clerics but edgier, and you’re all about that edge. If Santa was going to be any patron, my money would be on him being a Celestial; all about light and joy, that one. Taking the fat man up on his pact gives you Pact Magic, a separate set of spell slots, and Spells that are cast with Charisma. You also get a Healing Light, a couple d6 you can throw around to heal your allies as a bonus action. You regain your maximum of 1+ your warlock level dice after long rests, and can use up to your charisma modifier dice at once.

For cantrips, you get Light and Sacred Flame for free, but you also get Eldritch Blast to start up your Excalibur, and Prestidigitation to actually make some toys for once.

For spells, Expeditious Retreat will help you run like Rudolph, and Armor of Agathys will put a winter chill on any attackers.

8. Warlock 2: You get two Invocation at this level, but save one for level 3, it’s worth it. Right now though, you can grab Agonizing Blast to power up your Eldritch blast just a bit more. (If you want to be more true to character, replace this with Armor of Shadows so you can fight in a Santa suit.) You also get a Hellish Rebuke, in case they didn’t get the message with the ice last level.

9. Warlock 3: When you take the Pact of the Blade, you can summon a magical version of Excalibur as an action. You should also pick up Improved Pact Weapon using that invocation from last level to make it even stronger and count as a spell focus for you. Grab Mind Spike to deal a bit of psychic damage, and always know the target’s location for up to an hour. It doesn’t say if you know if they are sleeping or awake, but it’s probably safe to assume you do.

10. Warlock 4: Use this ASI to bump up your Strength for a better sword experience. For your spells, Minor Illusion will help you make some larger presents as long as the kids are gullible, and Crown of Madness is simply fun for all ages.

11. Cleric 7: Pick up your 4th level domain spells at this level. Aura of Life will keep those crybabies in your party alive, and Greater Invisibility will let you stab and sneak at the same time. For more spells, Freedom of Movement might let you go up a chimney.

12. Cleric 8: Use this ASI to round up your Constitution and Wisdom scores for stronger spells and stronger not dying. Destroy Undead now hits CR 1 creatures, and you gain a Divine Strike. Once per turn, you can add 1d8 Psychic damage to your weapon attacks. Maybe give them a doll while attacking them, that’ll throw them off their game.

13. Cleric 9: Ninth level clerics get 5th level spells. Your domain spells are Circle of Power, giving the give of evasion, and Dream will help you find the perfect gift for a target. To terrify them, if you want, dealing some psychic damage and disrupting their long rest. For even more spells, Scrying helps you actually tell if someone is sleeping or awake.

14. Cleric 10: At this level, you can call down the power of Santa himself in the form of Divine Intervention. One tenth of the time, he’ll help you out in a way the DM approves. You can use this once per day, but if it succeeds you’ll have to wait a week. You also get Word of Radiance. Sing a carol, blast some enemies, it’s a fun time.

15. Warlock 5: Fifth level warlocks get access to third level spells like Fly. Now you can slap this on a reindeer for authenticity, or keep your flight ability during the day. You also get a new invocation: Eldritch Smite turns your Excalibur into an EXcalibur, eating a spell slot to add force damage to your attacks.

16. Warlock 6: Sixth level Celocks are Radiant Souls, letting you add your charisma modifier to one creature’s damage when you use a spell that deals radiant or fire damage. You also get another spell; Fear lets you create the greatest, most disturbing gift a person could receive (in their minds), forcing creatures in the area of effect to become afraid and drop what they’re holding. They also have to move as far away from you as they can each turn.

17. Warlock 7: Seventh level warlocks get 4th level spells, and the Shadow of Moil gives you another magical counterattack, while also darkening the area around you. This means instead of casting a third level spell to fly, you can cast a fourth level spell and use your bonus actions instead! Wait...

Anyway, you also get your last Invocation, and Thirsting Blade will finally give you an Extra Attack to bring you on par with your non Christmas counterpart.

18. Cleric 11: Destroy Undead now hits CR 2 creatures, and you can cast sixth level spells! Harm is your biggest gift yet, and Planar Ally will let you summon an... elf... to help out with the gift giving. Yes, elves have horns, why do you ask?

19. Cleric 12: Use your last ASI to beef up your Constitution for more health and better concentration. You really don’t want to drop that while flying.

20. Cleric 13: Your capstone level gives you access to 7th level spells, and more importantly, a seventh level spell slot. If you really want to use it for magic, Regenerate would be a nice way to tell your party you’re thinking about them. Or you can use it to eviscerate your enemies with smites. Either or.

Pros:

Being able to fly is awesome, especially when you don’t have to concentrate half the time. Keep yourself safe while supporting the party!

Being able to smite makes you great at burst damage, especially with your cleric levels giving you access to hold person for guaranteed crits. 10d8 Force is nothing to sneeze at.

You’re great at fighting dirty. Fly out of the enemy’s reach, frighten them, turn invisible, lock them in place, or ruin their sleep beforehand. It’s fine; you’re Santa, so everything you do is for the greater good.

Cons:

It’s a good thing you don’t have to fight fair, because with your AC and HP you won’t be very good at it. (Especially if you want to be authentic and not wear plate.)

Being a warlock and a cleric nets you a lot of magic power, but that split casting skill means you’re not that great at it, especially the warlock spells. 

You don’t get a second attack until level 17, and that’s just sad.

Next up: I am thou, and thou art me...

[tawakkull]

ISLAM 101: Spirituality in Islam: Part 133

Jam ’ (Absorption)

Jam’ (absorption) literally means coming and bringing together. In the language of Sufism, it means fixing all one’s feeling, sight and consciousness on the Truth, to the extent that one is absorbed in Him and does not feel the existence of the world with all that is in it. To the degree of one’s knowledge of God, one only knows Him, feels Him, sees Him and is saved from preoccupation with anything else. If this meaning is approached from the concept of unity, it is the opposite of multiplicity; but if it is conceived of as one’s heart cutting off relations with all else save God, then its opposite is distinguishing (farq), which we, God willing, will deal with as a separate subject.

Absorption is a state or station belonging to those who have reached the final state of the spiritual journey. Travelers to the Truth who are honored with the gift of absorption always feel Him, know Him, and according to the level of the horizon and spiritual pleasures of each, can be aware or not aware of the people around them. But they always feel and are always conscious of the Truth and live as if charmed by observation of the meanings that belong to the Truth and that are reflected in everything. They always see the manifestations of His Names and Attributes in all things and events which they encounter. Thirsty for the Divine Being Himself, they fly around the manifestations of His “Face” like moths flying around a light. In tides of wonder and admiration, they cannot help but utter: Glory be to You, how exalted You are (as the Divine Being)!

Two stages further from this state of pleasure is absorption within absorption, which means a total absence for the travelers to the Truth. Travelers who find themselves in such a whirlpool of feeling are no longer aware of their own selves nor that of others. Totally detached from distinguishing, they are completely forgetful of all else save the Truth-as anybody except He is a shadow of the shadow of the light of His Existence-and turn to Him with all their being.

For initiates who base themselves on God’s absolute Oneness in all their views and considerations, everything is a shadow of the light of the Existence of the Truth. For one who is in the state of absorption, it is a shadow of the shadow of His Existence’s light, while one who is in the absorption within absorption only sees the rays of the manifestations of His “Face” in the name of the creation. Some scholars mention a further degree of absorption, which they call holy absorption. This is the rank which the verifying scholars of Sufism regard as the of nearness to God, Who is nearer to us than ourselves, by means of supererogatory prayers. The travelers who have attained this level are conscious that it is God Who maintains them, and begin to observe everything more deeply and clearly with their innermost senses, which have become sharper than their external senses. They hear with their spirit, see with their power of insight, review and examine with their conscience, and have the opportunity to see the true faces of theoretical knowledge through the door half-opened by their inner vision and experience. This is the rank where travelers are favored with the full manifestation of the truth contained in He is the First, and the Last, and the Outward, and the Inward (57:3), and where they become polished mirrors that reflect it. The servants of God who have reached this farthest point either “travel in God” and rotate around themselves like the North Star, or are turning around their axis in their hearts while being in their bodies among people.

If they have attained the rank of absorption, it means that they have also been favored with “subsitence with God.” Those who hold this rank in the final stage of the journey, and who are abstracted from their own attributes in their absorption in God’s Attributes and from their own being in absorption in God’s Being, gain a new existence through subsistence with God. They begin to feel the bliss of eternality and breathe “absorption” in the delight of being aware that their acts have become lost in God’s acts. A stage further, when they observe that their attributes have been annihilated in the all-comprehensive Attributes of God, they become lost in the delight of experiencing absorption within absorption. Finally, as a result of their own being being obliterated in the face of God’s Knowledge and Existence, they leave themselves to the consideration of the holy absorption with inner vision and spiritual pleasures, and are immersed in the feelings of wonder upon wonder.

From another point of view, the act of observing the requirements or responsibilities of servanthood to God with the utmost care, devotion, and consciousness is called “distinguishing,” while being favored with a shower of Divine gifts that come unexpectedly as a reward for this “small capital”-small because the greatest capital is one’s being favored by God-is absorption. In view of this approach, those who have attained a higher spiritual state have observed that one who does not perceive “distinguishing” is ignorant of servanthood, while one who does not feel absorption is unaware of knowing God.

The Qur’anic statement (1:5), You alone do we worship, which expresses the individual consciousness developing into and translating the public consciousness, is a voice of distinguishing and servanthood, while You alone do we ask for help (1:5) is an expression of absorption and a declaration of human poverty and helplessness before God. Every initiate hears the voice of distinguishing at the beginning of the spiritual journey, and feels the pleasure of absorption at the end of it. The ultimate point, which only those endowed with a particular capacity can reach, is “absorption within absorption” and the “holy absorption.” While the former signifies God’s concentration of the manifestations of His Names on a certain object, the latter is a sign of the manifestation of His Names throughout the universe.

According to Kashani,[1] distinguishing is the knowledge of God the Almighty and spiritual pleasures of those who have not yet been able to develop their theoretical considerations about God (I personally find this view unacceptable), while absorption is immersion caused by a concentration on the Creator without ever thinking of the creation, and absorption within absorption is the peak of seeing the creation as subsisting by the Creator. This final rank is also the rank of distinguishing above absorption. Since in this rank only God’s acts, Attributes and Essential Qualities are observed, the Absolutely True One, for those who have attained this rank, becomes the eyes with which they see, the ears with which they hear, and the hands with which they hold. For this reason, He attributes to Himself what they do by His will and leave and ignore the apparent causes. The Sufi scholars are of the opinion that the verse, (8:17), You did not kill them but God killed them, and when you threw, it was not you who threw, but God who threw, besides clearly mentioning a miracle of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, alludes to this rank.

Absorption can never mean the unity of being-the unity (union) of God and the universe or God’s being identical with the universe-as pantheists claim, nor is distinguishing totally the opposite. The One Who is the Eternal is eternal, and the beings who are contained in time and come into existence within time are mortal and different from the Eternal One. The Creator cannot be and is not the same as the created. The relation between them is not that which comes from appearance; that is, the universe is not an apparent form of God. Rather, this relation is that between the Creator and the created. We can also see the creation as the totality of the manifestations of God’s Names. These manifestations are completely pure and transparent, while that which issues from the created is usually tangible. Human beings have both a pure, transparent aspect or dimension, and a dense/tangible one. This is why, as declared in the verse (17:84), Each being acts according to his own standard of measure, they can display behavior either according to their bodily dimension or according to their spirit. As they are composed of a body, a carnal self, and a spirit, they fix their eyes on nature and corporeality, while they carry inclinations toward spiritual, exalted worlds as well. By means of the ways of rising which the Shari’a has appointed and guaranteed, travelers on the way to God cut their relations with fleeting and decaying things and turn to eternity. Whosever’s breast God expands and opens to Islam follows a light from his Lord (39:22). So, when travelers to God turn to Him in submission, they travel in the exhilarating horizons with utmost self-possession and awareness under the guidance of the light of their Lord. Even though they may sometimes encounter confusion or bewilderment, they easily overcome these with the assistance of the never-deceiving leadership of the master of creation, upon him be peace and blessings. They always head for the sources of knowledge that God has determined and secured through Prophethood, and never fall into the errors committed by pantheists.

From another perspective, absorption has been dealt with under the rubrics of “absorption with respect to knowledge”, “absorption with respect to existence”, and “absorption with respect to the (Divine) Being Himself.”

Absorption in knowledge means that at the beginning of their journey, travelers to God base themselves on the knowledge that comes from, or that is obtained through, the proofs and indications of God. Then this knowledge develops from the certainty based on knowing into a certainty based on observation and finally into a certainty based on experience. However, only a shadowy degree of certainty based on experience can be reached in the world. Ultimately, this knowledge becomes pure knowledge from His Presence. Although it is the result of following the way of inference, it is not the same as the knowledge acquired through a proof originated in the outer world or in the human inner world. Not is it totally different either. It is a special gift of the Almighty to the free will with which God has endowed human beings, and which is in fact a simple means given to them for the execution of the Divine commandments. However, like all other Divine gifts, this gift is never proportionate to our free will. Like it, all other gifts of God Almighty are many times greater than what we actually deserve.

Absorption with respect to existence is when the travelers to God are perfectly aware in their consciousness of how things and events occur and how they are maintained. All of existence disappears from their vision to the extent that they are no longer aware of which direction is right and which is left. The conquerors of the heart, who walk in this station, feel only the rays of the Eternal Holy Existence and Knowledge and see all else as the motions of these rays. Provided manifestation is not confused with appearance, and shadow with the original, those who have attained this horizon feel or hear innumerable things and/or beings in every part of the universe invoking His Name, saying, He is the All-Living, the Self-Subsisting (by Whom all subsist)(2:255).

Absorption with respect to the (Divine) Being Himself means that all the indications and proofs of God that originate in the outer and inner human world are no longer visible in the face of the light of knowledge of God and the spiritual pleasure that the Almighty lets flow into the hearts of travelers to Him. Some have regarded this rank as the final station of the spiritual journey. If they base this consideration on their constant turning to God during traveling from wakefulness to self-possession and thence to repentance, penitence and contrition one after the other, and on the relation between God and humankind as being the relation between the Creator and the created, and the Sole Object of Worship and the worshipper, and the Lord and the servant, there can be no objection. But, if they imply by absorption that things have no reality at all, and it is of no use or significance to use one’s mental faculties to infer from things and events the existence of God and therefore to acquire certain knowledge about Him, and that people are no longer responsible for the fulfillment of religious obligations after reaching some point in the spiritual journey, and that there is essentially no difference between I and you and He, then this is most definitely a total deviation in conception and creed. This can be either a fantasy of those who are pursuing “originality” for the sake of fame or a view held by some self-conceited pantheists and monists.

As for the Prophets and the pure, saintly scholars, they have regarded the way leading to the Infinite One as endless, and have experienced the final station one can reach in the journey along this way according to their capacity with the same solemnity, wakefulness, and consciousness as they experienced the beginning. They have always accepted that serving the Truth with the utmost humility is the goal of their lives. The Almighty ordered the master of creation, the most perfect in servanthood to Him, Worship your Lord until what is certain (to come, i.e. death) comes to you (15:99). By this, He both emphasizes that death marks the end of this responsibility and consoles the Messenger for the afflictions and tortures he was subjected to by reminding him of his meeting with God. Because meeting with God meant for him reaching certainty based on experience in his own, unique level.

O God! Make us among those of Your servants who pursue sincerity, whom You have favored with sincerity and purity of intention, who have achieved piety and abstinence from all forbidden things big or small, and whom You have made near to You, and who are pleased with You and whom you are pleased with. And let God’s blessings and peace be on our master Muhammad, the head of those whom You have favored with sincerity and purity of intention, and on his family and Companions, who were austere, near to God, and were pleased with Him and whom God was pleased with. Amen!

[1] ‘Abd al-Razzaq al-Kashani (d. 1335) is one of the interpereters of Ibn al-‘Arabi. His Ta’wilat al-Qur’an is especially famous and important. 

[wisdomrays]

KEY CONCEPTS OF SPIRITUALITY IN ISLAM : Zawq and 'Atash (Pleasure and Thirst)

Meaning the feeling of happiness and satisfaction, and enjoyment and amusement, zawq (pleasure) in Sufi terminology is one of the first breezes of Divine manifestation and one of the first gifts that appear from time to time on the horizon of witnessing the signs of God. It is also the invasion of the heart by which the "hidden treasury" of God is uncovered so that one can know Him by the rays of the Divine light, which we can call succeeding flashes of lightning. Furthermore, it is the first mansion where one can distinguish right from wrong. Yearning for lofty, elevated goals, for virtue, for sincerity and purity of intention in one's actions, can be regarded as the passport for entering this mansion.

As long as one maintains relationship with God faithfully and from the heart, one begins to feel in the depths of the heart the spiritual pleasure that we can also call "imbibing," but an "imbibing" without need for a cup or cup-bearer. This pleasure makes the travelers on the way to God intoxicated, according to their rank. As they feel the pleasure, they grow thirstier and desire more and more pleasure, with the result that thirst and satiation follow one upon another in the spirit. They express this state as Gedai did, who says:

O cup-bearer, in the fire of love, I have burnt away, so give me some water!

This comes to the point where the travelers on the way to the Truth, their desire and yearning for Him ever growing, feel pleasure embedded in longing and satisfaction embedded in hunger. They burn with passion for the door that is ajar to be opened completely. The interruption of these favors is impressed on them like a fast, while the resumption of the favors is like a feast, and they murmur in expectation as Muhammed Lutfi Effendi does:

Offer the wine of union: it is time to break fast; Improve this ruin: it is time to display favors.

Another approach to thirst is to see it as such a longing and passion for the Truly Beloved and Desired One that the initiate aches intensely for satisfaction saying, "My liver has become roasted: will there not come help in answer to my sighs?"; the heart of the initiate overflows with love, burns away in flames, and his/her eyes scan the horizon in expectation of Their Lord Who offers them pure drink (76:21). However, so long as a loving initiate remains imprisoned in the lampshade of corporeality, the Truly Beloved One does not manifest Himself to him/her in His perfection. This is why the thirst of the yearning lover who still lingers between corporeality and spirituality increases more and more to the point of being consumed in the flames. The following couplets by Sa'di al-Shirazi are truly beautiful in expressing such a degree of spiritual pleasure and thirst:

You show Your Face, then avoid showing Yourself, Increasing thereby both demand for You and our heat. Whenever I see the Beloved Who has seduced me into His love, I am confused how to act, and bewildered on the straight path. First He burns me in flames, then extinguishes with sprinkles of water, This is why you sometimes see me in flames, And sometimes drowned in water.

Just as ordinary pleasure with its painful and pleasant aspects impresses itself on other organs and parts of the body, so also this pleasure impresses itself on the heart and the conscience or on conscious human nature. God's Messenger declared: 

"One who is pleased with God as their Lord (The One Who sustains, administers, and brings up), who is pleased with Islam as their religion, and with Muhammad as their Messenger has tasted the pleasure of belief."[ Al-Muslim, "Iman," 56; Al-Tirmidhi, "Iman," 10. ] 

He sometimes expressed this pleasure with the words used to denote bodily pleasures, as in the hadith where he prohibited his Companions from fasting every other day: 

"I am not like you; my hunger and thirst are satisfied (by God in ways unknown to you)."[Al-Bukhari, "Sawm," 48; Al-Muslim, "Siyam," 55-56] 

Whereas, the pleasure tasted by the heart and spirit as a result of spiritual life is purely spiritual, it is more constant when compared with ecstasy and feeds the heart and spirit with ever new radiations. As for ecstasy and stupor, they are gifts that come in certain states of the initiate's journeying and, despite their being dazzling, they emerge in proportion to the seeker's spiritual depth.

Pleasure also differs according to its sources. God's promise of Paradise, eternity, and a vision of Him, one moment of each being superior to thousands of years of worldly life spent in happiness, in return for belief, confirmation, and obedience, is one of those sources of pleasure. Without considering any of the material and spiritual or worldly and other worldly joys, the conscious human nature's pursuit of nearness to God and always feeling His company and Presence give another kind of pleasure. Completely freed from conceit and egoism, being favored with absolute nearness to God and feeling the uninterrupted pleasures of subsistence with God at the summit of seeing, hearing, and knowing Him alone, is another summit of taste. In short, everyone has their share in the spiritual pleasures in proportion to the degree of their belief, confirmation, and knowledge of the Almighty God.

It is when initiates feel indifference to bodily pleasures, when they are satisfied with them, it is then that they begin to feel constant thirst for spiritual pleasures. We can describe this as an unquenchable thirst. Initiates yearn more and more for the Divine gifts that an excellent guide will pour into their hearts through words and behavior, and feel their conscious nature open to an infinite degree to the knowledge and love of God and spiritual pleasures. Such a conscious nature or, rather, heart, which is its primary pillar, continuously yearns for God until it attains absolute nearness to Him. In time it is completely freed from the prison of corporeality and the density of bodily life and, favored with transcendence of time and space and flying in the heavens of the heart and the spirit, it constantly moves between thirst and satiation, expecting the doors that are slightly ajar to be opened wide.

When at last the disciple willing the Beloved and in love with Him becomes willed and loved by the Beloved, when illumined with His light, colored by His color, and, when, as a result of the burning manifestations of the Divine Existence, all things other than Him have been burned up, the true nature of existence shows itself. Beyond all states and appearances, the One, Unique Being is felt free from all qualitative and quantitative considerations and restrictions; He is the One Who creates all states and makes His servants go from one state to another, He is the one Who gives abundant favors, and the Creator of all acts and deeds. In the following verses, Jalal al-Din al-Rumi illustrates this highest degree of pleasure:

Drink such wine that the jar containing it should be the face of the Beloved, And the cup in which it is offered be intoxicated with the wine itself. Drink such wine from the cup of the Everlasting Face that its bearer should be the One alluded to in Their Lord offers them pure drink. When that wine is brought forth, it leads you to a purification of the filth of corporeality at the time of intoxication. How strange a drink, how exceptional a taste, how unusual a pleasure, How nice a fortune, how great an astonishment, how peculiar a zeal!

Another Sufi, as if leading our hearts to taste the pure wine of pleasure, voices his feelings as follows,

See, all have been intoxicated when Their Lord offers them pure drink, Four, five and seven; are all intoxicated by the Unending Majesty.

O God! Offer us of the wine of Your love and include us among those loved by You!

Let Your blessings and peace be on our master Muhammad, the master of all loved by You, and on his family and Companions, who are approved by You.

[tpanan]

My Wednesday Daily Blessings

January 24, 2018

Be still quiet your heart and mind, the LORD is here, loving you talking to you...........

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Catholic Observance)

Lectionary: 319, Liturgical Year B

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7: 4-17

That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house  from the day on which I led the children of Israel 319 out of Egypt to the present, but I have been going about in a tent under cloth. In all my wanderings everywhere among the children of Israel,  didI ever utter a word to any one of the judges whom I charged to tend my people Israel, to ask:  Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'

"Now then, speak thus to my servant David,  'The LORD of hostshas this to say:  It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went,  and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel;  I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,  since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,  I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,  and I will make his Kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever.

I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong,  I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements;  but I will not withdraw my favor from him  as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul,  whom I removed from my presence. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;  your throne shall stand firm forever.'" Nathan reported all these words and thisentire vision to David.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89: 4-5, 27-28, 29-30

"Forever I will maintain my love for my servant."

Verse before the Gospel:

Alelluia, Alelluia

"The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live forever."

Alelluia, Alelluia

Gospel Reading: Mark 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him  so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land. And he taught them at length in parables,  and in the course of his instruction he said to them,  "Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.

And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.  Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it  and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."

And when he was alone,  those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables.

He answered them,  "The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven."

Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,  when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no roots; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,  they quickly fall away.

Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word,  but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,  and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,  and it bears no fruit.

But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

**Meditation:

Why did Jesus speak to people in parables? Like the rabbis of his time, Jesus used simple word-pictures, called parables, to help people understand who God is and what his kingdom or reign is like. Jesus used images and characters taken from everyday life to create a miniature play or drama to illustrate his message. This was Jesus' most common way of teaching. His stories appealed to the young and old, poor and rich, and to the learned and unlearned as well. Over a third of the Gospels by Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain parables told by Jesus.

Cyril of Alexandria (150-215 AD ), an early church teacher, described the purpose of Jesus' parables:

"Parables are word pictures not of visible things, but rather of things of the mind and the spirit. That which cannot be seen with the eyes of the body, a parable will reveal to the eyes of the mind, informing the subtlety of the intellect by means of things perceivable by the senses, and as it were tangible." (COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 8.5.4)

Parable of the sower What does the parable about seeds and roots say to us about the kingdom of God? Any farmer will attest to the importance of good soil for supplying nutrients for growth. And how does a plant get the necessary food and water it needs except by its roots? The Scriptures frequently use the image of fruit-bearing plants or trees to convey the principle of spiritual life and death.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8; see also Psalm 1:3).

Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to what he or she doesn't want to hear. Then there is the shallow hearer. He or she fails to think things out or think them through; they lack depth. They may initially respond with an emotional reaction; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else.

Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word.

Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it.  Do you hunger for God's word?

Secrets of the kingdom Why does Jesus say that the secrets of the kingdom of God will be revealed to some while others will not be able to recognize nor understand the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11-12)? Origen (185-254 AD), an early church Bible scholar, comments on why Jesus makes a distinction between those who are ready to hear and understand his message with those who are not ready to hear nor understand:

"Sometimes it does not turn out to be an advantage for one to be healed quickly or superficially, especially if the disease by this means becomes even more shut up in the internal organs where it rages more fiercely. Therefore God, who perceives secret things and who knows all things before they come to be, in his great goodness delays the healing of such persons and defers the remedy to a later time. If I may speak paradoxically, God heals them by not healing them, lest a premature recovery of health should render them incurable. This pertains to those whom our Lord and Savior addressed as 'those outside,' whose hearts and reins he searches out. Jesus covered up the deeper mysteries of the faith in veiled speech to those who were not yet ready to receive his teaching in straightforward terms. The Lord wanted to prevent the unready from being too speedily converted and only cosmetically healed. If the forgiveness of their sins were too easily obtained, they would soon fall again into the same disorder of sin which they imagined could be cured without any difficulty." (ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 3.1.7)

The Lord Jesus will give us perceiving eyes and listening ears to understand the message of his kingdom if we approach him with faith and humility and the readiness to be taught. The proud cannot see nor hear the truth of God's kingdom because they trust in their own opinion and perception of what is true or real. They have shut their minds to the supernatural truth of God and his word. Do you approach God's word with trust and humility or with doubtful pride and skepticism?

**Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it".

Sources:

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

**Meditations may be freely reprinted for non-commercial use. Cite copyright & source: www.dailyscripture.net author Don Schwager© 2015 Servants of the Word

[tawakkull]

ISLAM 101: Spirituality in Islam: Part 63

Zawq and ‘Atash (Pleasure and Thirst)

Meaning the feeling of happiness and satisfaction, and enjoyment and amusement, zawq (pleasure) in Sufi terminology is one of the first breezes of Divine manifestation and one of the first gifts that appear from time to time on the horizon of witnessing the signs of God. It is also the invasion of the heart by which the “hidden treasury” of God is uncovered so that one can know Him by the rays of the Divine light, which we can call succeeding flashes of lightning. Furthermore, it is the first mansion where one can distinguish right from wrong. Yearning for lofty, elevated goals, for virtue, for sincerity and purity of intention in one’s actions, can be regarded as the passport for entering this mansion.

As long as one maintains relationship with God faithfully and from the heart, one begins to feel in the depths of the heart the spiritual pleasure that we can also call “imbibing,” but an “imbibing” without need for a cup or cup-bearer. This pleasure makes the travelers on the way to God intoxicated, according to their rank. As they feel the pleasure, they grow thirstier and desire more and more pleasure, with the result that thirst and satiation follow one upon another in the spirit. They express this state as Gedai did, who says:

O cup-bearer, in the fire of love, I have burnt away, so give me some water!

This comes to the point where the travelers on the way to the Truth, their desire and yearning for Him ever growing, feel pleasure embedded in longing and satisfaction embedded in hunger. They burn with passion for the door that is ajar to be opened completely. The interruption of these favors is impressed on them like a fast, while the resumption of the favors is like a feast, and they murmur in expectation as Muhammed Lutfi Effendi[1] does:

Offer the wine of union: it is time to break fast; Improve this ruin: it is time to display favors.

Another approach to thirst is to see it as such a longing and passion for the Truly Beloved and Desired One that the initiate aches intensely for satisfaction saying, “My liver has become roasted: will there not come help in answer to my sighs?”; the heart of the initiate overflows with love, burns away in flames, and his/her eyes scan the horizon in expectation of Their Lord Who offers them pure drink (76:21). However, so long as a loving initiate remains imprisoned in the lampshade of corporeality, the Truly Beloved One does not manifest Himself to him/her in His perfection. This is why the thirst of the yearning lover who still lingers between corporeality and spirituality increases more and more to the point of being consumed in the flames. The following couplets by Sa’di al-Shirazi[2] are truly beautiful in expressing such a degree of spiritual pleasure and thirst:

You show Your Face, then avoid showing Yourself, Increasing thereby both demand for You and our heat. Whenever I see the Beloved Who has seduced me into His love, I am confused how to act, and bewildered on the straight path. First He burns me in flames, then extinguishes with sprinkles of water, This is why you sometimes see me in flames, And sometimes drowned in water.

Just as ordinary pleasure with its painful and pleasant aspects impresses itself on other organs and parts of the body, so also this pleasure impresses itself on the heart and the conscience or on conscious human nature. God’s Messenger declared: “One who is pleased with God as their Lord (The One Who sustains, administers, and brings up), who is pleased with Islam as their religion, and with Muhammad as their Messenger has tasted the pleasure of belief.”[3] He sometimes expressed this pleasure with the words used to denote bodily pleasures, as in the hadith where he prohibited his Companions from fasting every other day: “I am not like you; my hunger and thirst are satisfied (by God in ways unknown to you).”[4] Whereas, the pleasure tasted by the heart and spirit as a result of spiritual life is purely spiritual, it is more constant when compared with ecstasy and feeds the heart and spirit with ever new radiations. As for ecstasy and stupor, they are gifts that come in certain states of the initiate’s journeying and, despite their being dazzling, they emerge in proportion to the seeker’s spiritual depth.

Pleasure also differs according to its sources. God’s promise of Paradise, eternity, and a vision of Him, one moment of each being superior to thousands of years of worldly life spent in happiness, in return for belief, confirmation, and obedience, is one of those sources of pleasure. Without considering any of the material and spiritual or worldly and other worldly joys, the conscious human nature’s pursuit of nearness to God and always feeling His company and Presence give another kind of pleasure. Completely freed from conceit and egoism, being favored with absolute nearness to God and feeling the uninterrupted pleasures of subsistence with God at the summit of seeing, hearing, and knowing Him alone, is another summit of taste. In short, everyone has their share in the spiritual pleasures in proportion to the degree of their belief, confirmation, and knowledge of the Almighty God.

It is when initiates feel indifference to bodily pleasures, when they are satisfied with them, it is then that they begin to feel constant thirst for spiritual pleasures. We can describe this as an unquenchable thirst. Initiates yearn more and more for the Divine gifts that an excellent guide will pour into their hearts through words and behavior, and feel their conscious nature open to an infinite degree to the knowledge and love of God and spiritual pleasures. Such a conscious nature or, rather, heart, which is its primary pillar, continuously yearns for God until it attains absolute nearness to Him. In time it is completely freed from the prison of corporeality and the density of bodily life and, favored with transcendence of time and space and flying in the heavens of the heart and the spirit, it constantly moves between thirst and satiation, expecting the doors that are slightly ajar to be opened wide.

When at last the disciple willing the Beloved and in love with Him becomes willed and loved by the Beloved, when illumined with His light, colored by His color, and, when, as a result of the burning manifestations of the Divine Existence, all things other than Him have been burned up, the true nature of existence shows itself. Beyond all states and appearances, the One, Unique Being is felt free from all qualitative and quantitative considerations and restrictions; He is the One Who creates all states and makes His servants go from one state to another, He is the one Who gives abundant favors, and the Creator of all acts and deeds. In the following verses, Jalal al-Din al-Rumi illustrates this highest degree of pleasure:

Drink such wine that the jar containing it should be the face of the Beloved, And the cup in which it is offered be intoxicated with the wine itself. Drink such wine from the cup of the Everlasting Face that its bearer should be the One alluded to in Their Lord offers them pure drink. When that wine is brought forth, it leads you to a purification of the filth of corporeality at the time of intoxication. How strange a drink, how exceptional a taste, how unusual a pleasure, How nice a fortune, how great an astonishment, how peculiar a zeal!

Another Sufi, as if leading our hearts to taste the pure wine of pleasure, voices his feelings as follows,

See, all have been intoxicated when Their Lord offers them pure drink, Four, five and seven; are all intoxicated by the Unending Majesty.

O God! Offer us of the wine of Your love and include us among those loved by You!

Let Your blessings and peace be on our master Muhammad, the master of all loved by You, and on his family and Companions, who are approved by You. [1] Muhammed Lutfi Effendi (1868-1956) is one of the Sufi masters who lived in Erzurum. He has a Divan containing many beautiful, lyrical poems. [2] Sa’di el-Shirazi (1215?-1292), the greatest didactic poet of Persia, author of the “Rose-Garden” and the “Orchard”, who also wrote many fine odes and lyrics. [3] Al-Muslim, “Iman,” 56; Al-Tirmidhi, “Iman,” 10. [4] Al-Bukhari, “Sawm,” 48; Al-Muslim, “Siyam,” 55

[tawakkull]

Spirituality in islam: Tahqiq (Verification)

In the language of Sufism, tahqiq (verification) means that not only does an initiate who has almost come to the final step of the journey know the Unique Being that is Eternally-Besought-of-All with His Existence and Perfect Attributes in accordance with the Qur'anic presentation of Him, but also that the truth of Divinity is felt beyond all concepts of modality and His special manifestations in the individual’s consciousness and other spiritual faculties.

Those who have found the truth and reached this level continue their journey in the horizon of journeying to God or journeying from God, according to their capacity, without suffering doubts or hesitations any more. They are no longer exposed to any feelings of being eclipsed by God’s permission, for they see by God’s Seeing, hear by His Hearing, and feel everything in the light of His Attributes. In other words, such heroes of verification are always on the way to God and live for His sake and feel His constant company. This is a rank which is regarded as the rank of being loved by God and implies a special favor of the All-Beloved One. One who has attained this rank is loved by the Almighty and, as a reflection of this love, by the inhabitants of heaven and by people with sincere hearts on the earth. The visible sign of this invisible Divine love is attachment to the performance of supererogatory acts of worship in addition to faultless performance of the obligatory acts.

Lovers of truth who perform the obligatory acts of worship perfectly and punctually, later making up those which they were not able to perform at the correct time with a serious, sincere feeling of remorse, and who feel great, heartfelt concern for the supererogatory acts, always feel the Truth, always “see” Him, walk toward Him, and uphold truth in life. It is inconceivable that anything else save Him can find a way into such persons’ hearts and anything or anyone that is lovable from the heart can catch their eye. Even if sometimes a mist may appear on their horizon, it comes and goes like the mists of spring, indicating new expansions of spirit. Such people always advance, whether they are in distress or whether they are rejoicing.

Ismail Haqqi Bursawi depicts such heroes of verification as follows:

The people of truth have clearly found in their souls,

That the Light of Truth is extremely near to the creation.

The Truth declared: He hears by Me and sees by Me,

For one that was created from water and dust has found His Light.

If that one of water and dust had not found that Pure Light,

The meaning would not have been manifested so clearly.

Those people of the heart who have found the Light

Belonging to neither east nor west have become the lamp of this Light.

The people of truth have found Unity in multiplicity,

They are safe and secure, and in prosperity.

O Haqqi, submit to the Truth and commit your affairs to Him,

Then you can find the One Who does whatever He wills,

How excellent a Helper He is.

From another perspective, verification denotes that initiates deepen their belief with the knowledge of God and their knowledge of God with the love of Him, and pursues only God’s approval and good pleasure in all the stations that they call at. This exalted truth is felt differently at each step of the spiritual journey. For the belief, knowledge, love and yearning of each traveler to the Truth is in direct proportion with the individual’s certainty and gradations in belief, knowledge and love of God, and the spiritual pleasures are the results of gradations in verification. Belief based on theoretical knowledge, no matter how strong, cannot be, as stated in the saying, Hearing something is not like seeing it, like certainty based on vision and spiritual discovery, even though the object of belief and certainty belongs to the unseen world. Such certainty cannot, likewise, be the same as a perfect conviction that has been deeply ingrained in the heart and become a part of human nature. Theoretical knowledge can only be “a capital of scant worth” (12:88) for the Divine grace expected to come on the way to verification. It is possible to bring certainty based on vision and spiritual discovery to fruition with the munificence of the All-Munificent One, despite such certainty being relative. As for perfect conviction, it is the pure fruit, even the juice, that the rays of His Existence have first annihilated and then given a new existence to with different characteristics. There is reference to the beginning of verification in the Prophet Abraham’s appeal, “My Lord, show me how You will restore life to the dead,” and in its summation of why he made such an appeal, “So that my heart may be at rest” (2:260). We should point out here that it is not possible for us to understand either the certainty of this noble, great Messenger that came from his knowledge, or his certainty that came from his observations and seeing, or his certainty that came from experience. We can only cite him as an example in order to offer a point of comparison and a perspective that will enable us to explain the subject matter. Our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stresses this fact by declaring, We are more liable to such a doubt than Abraham; lest doubts appear in people’s hearts concerning the certainty of Abraham in particular, and the certainty of all the Prophets in general. Everyone has a relative horizon and final point of certainty particular to their individual capacity, and everyone needs rest and contentment according to their individual horizon. The smallest degree of certainty of a Prophet is much greater and stronger than the greatest degree of the most spiritually advanced of all other people.

The heroes of verification turn to and concentrate on the Divine Being alone with their belief, love, yearning, zeal, and spiritual pleasure. Accepting His approval and good pleasure as their sole aim, they never consider the blows of Majesty as a cause of suffering nor the breezes of Grace as a means of joy. In their view, whatever comes from Him, be it reprimand or favor, is the same. They consider all His treatment of them as a necessity of being on the way to Him and, without becoming entangled therein, regard everything apart from the true goal to which they have been dedicated, as a transient shadow, and are resolved to reach Him.

Heroes of verification bear all suffering, resist all carnal impulses and meticulously observe the religious orders and prohibitions. They rise without stopping toward heaven with “He” as their sole goal. They feel that they are welcomed with a new trial at every turn and with a different manifestation of Divine approval at every station. They feel the following melodies echoing in their outer and inner senses:

A call has come to me from the Truth:

“Come, O lover, you have intimacy with Us!

This is the place of intimacy;

I have seen you as a faithful one!” (Nasimi)

This is truly such a rank that one who has reached it feels that his or her belief comes from Him, just as his or her knowledge, love and zeal also come from Him. What confirms these feelings is the impressive acknowledgment (2:32), Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us, and the sole truth felt in consciousness is, He is the All-Permanent, the Eternal, the Perpetual. Many diverse things catch the eyes and ears until they reach this rank. However, when the steps end here and the state is transformed into a station, human nature melts away voicing (40:16), All the commandment belongs to Him Who is the One, the All-Overwhelming, and the truth (55:27), There subsists the Face of your Lord with Majesty and Munificence, echoes from all sides. The human logic which has divided time into the past, the present and the future, becomes lost in the truth, You are the First with none preceding You, and the Last with none to succeed You. It even occurs that the consciousness makes the initiates’ relative existence sink into oblivion and allows them to feel deeply the meaning of There was God without anything that existed with Him. They whisper, “Neither union nor incarnation is true; the true existence belongs to You only, and all else is a shadow of Your Light,” and feel honored by being attributed to Him. Despite their modesty, humility and feeling of nothingness, they taste in their spirit the virtues of being favored with being the best pattern of creation.

O God! We ask You for forgiveness, health, approval, favor, and the breezes of Your friendship, and Your love and company! And let God’s peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, Your servant and Messenger, and on his Companions who loved You and made him near to You.