FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE

FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE There is a tree beside my house. I call it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual inspiration from it. A tree is an evergrowing being that was initially a seed possessing the potential of becoming a full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the universe around it and then grows into a tree. The same is true with spirituality, the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an integral part of, the very nature of, every human being. To realize this spirituality, Man must derive spiritual food from the universe around him. A tree converts carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan THE DISCOVERY OF DIVINE BLESSINGS M AN has been granted numerous blessings by God. The greatest form of worship for man is the acknowledgement of these blessings, which he expresses as thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is, without doubt, the greatest act of devotion, whereas not thanking God is the worst form of impiety. None of these divine blessings come to man with any prior announcement. For instance, the global supply of oxygen is continuing at every moment. But man has never been verbally informed about this. There are many such divine blessings that are received by man at all times. But this whole process is going on without any fanfare whatsoever. Given this situation, how should man perform the act of worship which expresses his genuine thanksgiving, or acknowledgement? There is only one way of doing so. That is, man should constantly strive to discover God’s blessings through contemplation, for the discovery of divine blessings must perforce precede thanksgiving. One who has made no attempt at such a discovery will certainly never experience the profound satisfaction of thanksgiving.