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 SIMPLE FORMULA OF MA’ARIFAT I recognized my Lord by failing to execute my will. ― Ali ibn bin Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph of Islam. T HIS is a simple formula of Ma’arifat or God realization. All human beings undergo such experiences daily when they realize that whatever they desired was not achieved. Sometimes this is a small experience and, sometimes a bigger one. Every such experience reminds man of his limitations. Such experience tells man that he can desire, but to achieve his desire is not in his control. Whenever any of a man’s plans is unaccomplished, it reminds him of this reality that he has his limits. Whenever man reaches his boundary, he should realize that immediately after this, the boundary of God starts; whether it is a small experience, for example, letting something fall from one’s hand, or else a bigger experience, like a plan or idea not being fulfilled according to one’s desire. If a man is intellectually awakened, he will discover God on every such occasion, and it will become a source of Ma’arifat or God realization for him.