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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OTHERS—BASIS OF LOVE I N Islam, acknowledging others for the good they have done to you is considered very important. The Prophet went to the extent of noting: “One who does not acknowledge people, cannot even acknowledge God.” (Ahmad) If you add a pinch of dye to a glass of water, all of the water becomes coloured. Likewise, is the case of love. When a believer has love in his heart for his Creator, at the same time he cannot resist showing his love to his neighbours. And in this electronic age, the whole world is one’s neighbour. Thus one who acknowledges God in prayer regularly, but is not grateful to the people who have benefitted him in life, cannot be regarded as paying sincere thanks to God. This acknowledgment of and gratitude towards others is at the root of developing love for them. Not only does this make us positive for those who are immediately around us and from whom we receive help and support directly, but this also fills our heart with love for humanity at large. What is the rationale behind the ‘love-all’ formula? It is that every other person is your benefactor. It is lack of awareness of this fact that makes one unable to adopt this love-all culture. We are living in a civilization. Whatever we make use of is a gift of this civilization. What is civilization?