As some of you may know if you saw my emergency prayer request late last night, my father’s partner had emergency open heart surgery this morning.
Her health has been quite frail for some time, and there was a debate as to whether going into surgery would be a longer lease on life or the final goodbye. To put it mildly, it was risky!
I saw fears take over and polarize my family as intense emotions were flying. Even the doctors were divided on which to advise.
But one thing is certain – even in the strong division, every single person wanted what was best for her. Each person was concerned for her safety and her quality of life. They just held varying beliefs on what the most likely outcome would be.
I’ve recently had the opportunity to engage in some deep discussions with friends of different political views as well. As far apart as we may seem on the surface, when we really dig deep, we all want the same things. We just have differing beliefs about the best way to bring about safety, security, justice, equality and peace.
Ultimately, Allah calls us all home to return to our connection with love and peace. He just guides us along different roads with varying signs, speed bumps and detours and sometimes we have fender benders and even head-on collisions.
No matter what beliefs our life experiences have affixed into our minds, the hearts still know the truth, and they yearn to return to subsist in divine love and eternal peace.
In the words of our beloved friend and faculty member, Rahima Susan Schmall, “True home exists in the depths of your own heart where a well spring of love and healing awaits you.”
This will be the topic of Rahima’s Journey Home class coming up this Wednesday, August 17th. In this class you will learn how to call the names of the Divine into the challenges of everyday life to open the door to the sacred place of peace in your heart.
Rahima will be sharing some very powerful tools at the foundation of the Sufi practices that are used to bring about healing and spiritual transformation.
I pray that my family and friends and all people of the world will know and use such powerful tools for discerning truth for their own hearts, and for bringing clear guidance for their journey home.
Be sure to mark your calendar and set your reminder. And you are welcome to invite friends.
We hope to see you there.
With love and gratitude for you on your journey home,
Mastura Graugnard on behalf of all your friends and family at UOS
P.S. Mary came out of the surgery better than could be expected. I believe with all my heart the prayers made the difference. Thank you for your love and prayers, from me and my family.
