In my neck of the woods, the Democratic races and liberal issues carried the election by narrow margins. Washington state’s electoral votes went to Mr. Obama and we elected a Democratic governor. But in both cases, when you look at the statistics by county, it is clear to see that it was not at all a state mandate. I look at this and feel the division. I wonder what there is to learn, to take away from this experience.
What comes to my heart about it is that we can’t simply write-off, discount, ignore or label people who have a different point of view than we do. If we don’t like what we see in others, the first thing to do is to look inside and see where we find the same thing in our selves. We need to work to clean our own ignorance, prejudices and illusions.
Secondly, it is a time to put our faith into action by carrying the message of love and mercy. It is a time to look at others, not as “other,” but as people who have hearts and thought and beliefs, just like me. I am reminded of this beautiful poem by Rumi –
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other” doesn’t make any sense.
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As Sallaamu Alaykum
I enjoy reading your newsletter. The simplest kind actions that a person can do to another means so much to the other person. Sometimes I sit and wonder especially when I get frustrated what is happening around me. Not being able to live closely with my community of beloveds, sometimes I feel the loneliness inside, althoght I know that I am not alone Allah swt is with me all the time. But, I guess it is the physical part of being aroung my beloveds and being able to do dikhrs, potlucks, gatherings. At the same time the loneliness helps me to get closer to Allah. This may sound funny or crazy, but sometimes I talk out loud like if Allah was sitting next to me. Even though I am married, but he belongs to another Sufi order, the Jilani Sufi community keeps to themselves. I do listen to all free lectures have been in classes with Ibrahim Jaffe (99 Qualities) so I guess I am not alone Shukran Allah for the cell phone! And your newsletter that I enjoy reading. Shukran Beloved .
Dear sister Rahma,
I’m so glad to hear from you. Community IS important, and whether we are near or far physically, we are always together in our hearts, in Allah. Al humdu li’llah, I’m glad it brings you some comfort to read our newsletter and that you are able to be on Ibrahim’s class. Many thanks for your note. You are in our hearts and prayers! Love ~Amina