I’m still flying from last Wednesday’s panel discussion with some graduates who are working in the healthcare fields. It was so beautiful to hear how the basic spiritual principles of love, compassion and oneness are being put into practice in the healthcare system!! We need lots more of this!
If you missed the panel discussion, click here to watch the replay.
Now we are turning our focus to preparing for the holy month of Ramadan, which begins with the sighting of the new moon, projected for Tuesday, June 7.
Ramadan is a very holy month in Islam. It is a time of fasting and deep prayer, and also for giving charity. It’s the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a time when those who are able abstain from food, drink and certain activities during the daylight hours. And really it is fasting from anything other than being with the Beloved Allah.
Sidi ‘Abd al-Qadr al-Jilani, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“Fasting is restraint from seeing anything but Allah; and my breaking of fast also goes back to You.”
Others have said:
“My self (nafs), through my fasting from everything but Allah has become One and pure, by the Bounty of His Generosity for me.”
Then, the knower’s absence from everything that is not Allah is in a special Presence (hadra), which is that of the Essence, and which the Folk refer to as the Presence of Omnipotence (jabarut).
The coming month is a good time for scheduling retreat time for yourself – time to go inward, time to deepen your practice of Remembrance and prayer, or a spiritual practice that feeds your heart.
We offer you a teaching from the archives from our guide, Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal, regarding the month of Ramadan.
With love and gratitude for you!
Mastura Graugnard on behalf of all your friends and family at UOS
