Whoever Saw a River Run Straight to the Sea? Do not denigrate silt. That is the seed-bed In which all life grows. The channel allows The water to find Its true home In the ocean. But it, too, has A double life. Without it Nothing that is … Continue reading ‘Whoever Saw a River Run Straight to the Sea?’
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‘Opening to Truth: The Sower and the Seed’
A little while ago I began to write some more on the subject of speaking up, speaking out, in defence of ‘Truth.’ Although Truth needs no defence for it can certainly protect itself from lies, liars, and obfuscators, human beings certainly are vulnerable to such ‘endarkenment.’ It therefore appeared to me, then, and more clearly … Continue reading ‘Opening to Truth: The Sower and the Seed’
‘From Darkness to Light’
Even light itself, released from the dawn of the universe, must travel for billions of years to reach us, to tell us its story of the beginnings of all things. Who are we to know this, yet we must try for it speaks to us of significance and proportion, of ambition and its … Continue reading ‘From Darkness to Light’
‘Making Straight the Ways of the Lord: the Path of Return’
What is this ‘straight path’ that Muslims pray to be led on many times daily? Is it the shortest distance between two points (leaving aside for the moment what these two points may be)? A straight line? Is it perhaps the abandonment of all in the pursuit of self-liberation? I remember once sitting during a … Continue reading ‘Making Straight the Ways of the Lord: the Path of Return’
‘Topographies 5: In Search of the Orient’
The Prophet, in a hadith is claimed to have instructed his followers to ‘Seek wisdom (or understanding) even as far as China.’ Although some dispute this saying and others attempt to rationalise it to say that he meant the actual country, Sufi thinking suggests that it is intended to show the distance one should be … Continue reading ‘Topographies 5: In Search of the Orient’
‘What Price Progress: 2’
The kitten climbs the rose arbour with grace and ease, legs around the upright wooden posts, claws dug in, much like the method olden day lumberjacks used (only with straps and spiked metal attachments on their boots in place of claws) to climb trees. Every now and then he pauses as if to allow his … Continue reading ‘What Price Progress: 2’
‘What Price Progress: Change and Stasis on the Path of Return’
All ‘progress’ is change, however not all change is progress. One – the latter – is inevitable, the other, not so. Sometimes today in the modern or post-modern world we tend to assume the first but overlook the second. In our headlong rush towards tomorrow it is entirely possible to lose today. It was not … Continue reading ‘What Price Progress: Change and Stasis on the Path of Return’
‘Topographies 4: Making Flesh the Soul’
For quite some time now I have been playing with a metaphor for outlining the journey of the soul through this world in my attempt to make sense of an inner vision (as in ‘way of seeing’) that may offer some light to others (as well as myself) in relation to what such a journey … Continue reading ‘Topographies 4: Making Flesh the Soul’
‘Topographies 3: A god’s eye view’
‘Raise us above the distinctions and differences that divide’ The Journey of Return Recently I have been writing about the journey of return as it may be known if one were able to take a bird’s eye view of a life (i.e. from above) akin to what one is presented with on a topographical map. … Continue reading ‘Topographies 3: A god’s eye view’
‘Topographies 2: Stories and Metaphors on the Path of Return’
Walking the 'Straight Path' The Muslim prayer known as the Opening or Al Fatiha, which the faithful recite at least five times a day every day, asks Allah/God to ‘guide us on the straight way, the way of those upon whom thou hast bestowed their blessings’, ‘not on those who have been condemned (by Thee) … Continue reading ‘Topographies 2: Stories and Metaphors on the Path of Return’
Tracks in a Pathless Land 