Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
A word on the world
...people buy things they don’t want, with money they don’t have, to impress people they don’t even like! If this is you–and maybe you have a lot of this, or a little of it–remember the grave. That’s where it ends.
http://www.ilmfruits.com/al-hakumu-at-takathur
http://www.ilmfruits.com/al-hakumu-at-takathur
more on Wara: Two hadith
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: What is lawful is plain and what is unlawful is plain, and between the two are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus whoever avoids doubtful matters maintains clarity and assurance in practicing the religion and protecting his or her honor; but whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into the unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures his flock around a sanctuary, letting it graze almost but not quite inside. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased, and truly it is the heart. [Bukhari and Muslim]
The highest degree of wara’ is indicated in the saying of the Prophet (s.a.w): "One will never achieve the level of mutaqqin (Godfearing virtuous persons) until he avoids even what is not considered sinful because he is afraid of failing into the prohibited." [Tirmidhi]
The highest degree of wara’ is indicated in the saying of the Prophet (s.a.w): "One will never achieve the level of mutaqqin (Godfearing virtuous persons) until he avoids even what is not considered sinful because he is afraid of failing into the prohibited." [Tirmidhi]
Scrupulousness
The abstinence known by humanity during the Age of Happiness50 was perfectly observed by the blessed generations following the Companions, and became an objective to reach for almost every believer. It was during this period that Bishr al-Khafi’s sister asked Ahmad ibn Hanbal:
O Imam, I usually spin (wool) on the roof of my house at night. At that time, some officials pass by with torches in their hands, and I happen to benefit, even unwillingly, from the light of their torches. Does this mean that I mix into my earnings something gained through a religiously unlawful way? The great Imam wept bitterly at this question and replied: Something doubtful even to such a minute degree must not find a way into the house of Bishr al-Khafi.
O Imam, I usually spin (wool) on the roof of my house at night. At that time, some officials pass by with torches in their hands, and I happen to benefit, even unwillingly, from the light of their torches. Does this mean that I mix into my earnings something gained through a religiously unlawful way? The great Imam wept bitterly at this question and replied: Something doubtful even to such a minute degree must not find a way into the house of Bishr al-Khafi.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Happiness
Ultimately what guides human experience? Fundamentally there is a quality that we all value in life- and it is such an absolute good that it i almost moral in nature- It is Happiness.
The Buddha said:
I teach one thing and one only:
that is, suffering and the end of suffering.
What is this in some sense but that he taught happiness.
What makes us strive for heaven? and how is heaven measured? Happiness.
Happiness is what makes life worthwhile.
More thoughts on happiness:
Happiness: Buddha Quotes
Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.
Happiness: Buddha Quotes
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Mediation to become happy:
Imagine your buddha-nature – the essential purity of your own awareness – symbolically as a pearl of radiant white light at your heart. And all of that incandescent, radiant white light is of the nature of joy, of loving-kindness that has always been within you. Then, with each in-breath, imagine drawing from this inexhaustible source of light at your heart, as if you were drawing water from a well. With each in-breath imagine drawing out the light from this source, a source that can be so easily obscured while we attend to others things, as our priorities become lost in distractions. With each in-breath imagine drawing this light out, like drawing from a deep well. Then with each out-breath imagine this light of well-being, this light of loving-kindness, suffusing every part of your body, your mind, your spirit. Then think: May I experience genuine happiness and the very source of happiness itself. May I be well and happy.
Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment, B. Alan Wallace
Instruction for happiness:
Instructions for Happiness
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Religion is about making people happy. It is about long term successful happiness.
I am thinking now in the mdist of beign really miserable- should I just work to be happy and fulfill my religion? IS then religion just instructions on how to do that?
All religious instruction aims merely at creating happiness.
The Dalai Lama
see more at: http://www.buddhism-blog.com/happiness_quotes/
“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness.” — The Dalai Lama
see more:
http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2009/03/09/happiness-tips-from-the-dalai-lama/
The Buddha said:
I teach one thing and one only:
that is, suffering and the end of suffering.
What is this in some sense but that he taught happiness.
What makes us strive for heaven? and how is heaven measured? Happiness.
Happiness is what makes life worthwhile.
More thoughts on happiness:
Happiness: Buddha Quotes
Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.
Happiness: Buddha Quotes
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Mediation to become happy:
Imagine your buddha-nature – the essential purity of your own awareness – symbolically as a pearl of radiant white light at your heart. And all of that incandescent, radiant white light is of the nature of joy, of loving-kindness that has always been within you. Then, with each in-breath, imagine drawing from this inexhaustible source of light at your heart, as if you were drawing water from a well. With each in-breath imagine drawing out the light from this source, a source that can be so easily obscured while we attend to others things, as our priorities become lost in distractions. With each in-breath imagine drawing this light out, like drawing from a deep well. Then with each out-breath imagine this light of well-being, this light of loving-kindness, suffusing every part of your body, your mind, your spirit. Then think: May I experience genuine happiness and the very source of happiness itself. May I be well and happy.
Genuine Happiness: Meditation as the Path to Fulfillment, B. Alan Wallace
Instruction for happiness:
Instructions for Happiness
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Religion is about making people happy. It is about long term successful happiness.
I am thinking now in the mdist of beign really miserable- should I just work to be happy and fulfill my religion? IS then religion just instructions on how to do that?
All religious instruction aims merely at creating happiness.
The Dalai Lama
see more at: http://www.buddhism-blog.com/happiness_quotes/
“I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness.” — The Dalai Lama
see more:
http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2009/03/09/happiness-tips-from-the-dalai-lama/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Jesus and the man born blind
WHO SHOULD WE BLAME?
John
Chapter 9
1
1 As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
2
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3
Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
4
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6
When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes,
7
and said to him, "Go wash 3 in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
8
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"
9
Some said, "It is," but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am."
10
So they said to him, "(So) how were your eyes opened?"
11
He replied, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see."
12
And they said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."
13
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14
Now Jesus had made clay 4 and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."
16
So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." (But) others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them.
17
So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
18
Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
19
They asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?"
20
His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21
We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for him self."
22
5 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue.
23
For this reason his parents said, "He is of age; question him."
24
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise! 6 We know that this man is a sinner."
25
He replied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see."
26
So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27
He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28
They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses!
29
We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from."
30
The man answered and said to them, "This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
31
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
32
7 It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
33
If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything."
34
They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.
35
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36
He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
37
Jesus said to him, "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he."
38
He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.
39
8 Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."
40
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?"
41
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.
John
Chapter 9
1
1 As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
2
2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3
Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
4
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6
When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes,
7
and said to him, "Go wash 3 in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
8
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"
9
Some said, "It is," but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am."
10
So they said to him, "(So) how were your eyes opened?"
11
He replied, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see."
12
And they said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."
13
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14
Now Jesus had made clay 4 and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."
16
So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." (But) others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them.
17
So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
18
Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
19
They asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?"
20
His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21
We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for him self."
22
5 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue.
23
For this reason his parents said, "He is of age; question him."
24
So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise! 6 We know that this man is a sinner."
25
He replied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see."
26
So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
27
He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
28
They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses!
29
We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from."
30
The man answered and said to them, "This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
31
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
32
7 It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
33
If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything."
34
They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.
35
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36
He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
37
Jesus said to him, "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he."
38
He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.
39
8 Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind."
40
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?"
41
Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.
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