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hen Muhammad (SAAS) left Mecca for Medina, the heat was on him around town. His enemies had decided to kill him before he could spread Islam any further. On the night the hijra began, he gave Ali (RAAS) his cloak and told him to sleep underneath it in his bed so his enemies would think he was there. (Despite the inherent danger in slumbering in a wanted man's place, the faithful Ali apparently had no trouble catching some z's.) Meanwhile Muhammad fled with Abu Bakr to a cave outside of town.

His enemies figured out what was going on soon enough and were hot on the trail. But a spider had spun an intricate web across the entrance, so they passed on by, thinking no one could have been inside for years. For this and other reasons, we are a spider-friendly household.

It's a good thing, too, because the number and variety of spiders around here is astonishing. On the deck outside our bedroom, a huge web stretches from the railing to the roof, with a giant fat spider making himself at home. We don't plan on disturbing him.

The other night I was bitten as I slept three times on my head and neck. One of the bites swelled into a painful lump behind my ear. I'm hoping it will help innoculate me for the future, because with houses and nature, I think there should be some compromise.

Posted by Satya at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

oday is the second Urs of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, who led the Sufi Order International for many years and is dearly beloved by our community. There's a formal service, but I prefer to stay home and remember him in my own way. An Urs, by the way, is a kind of celebration on the day someone has died, to symbolize their union with the Beloved. It's not like, "yay, they're dead" but more an appreciation of their life - I think there is always some sadness if you knew or loved the person, but also recognition that their soul has continued on from this place to a greater (and more mysterious) existence. In India, where Pir Vilayat is buried, they will probably do a procession of the cloth (chaddar) covering his tomb from his father's tomb (dargah) to his, and say some prayers, and perhaps have some music and food.

I didn't know Pir Vilayat well personally, but he has always been a large figure in my life. He formed the spiritual community where I was born (and where Suluk is held) and was my parents' spiritual teacher, and mine as well up to a certain point. He named me (there's a funny story about that). He also initiated me into the Sufi Order when I was ready, and I attended many of his seminars and classes.

Continue reading "Urs of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan" »

Posted by Satya at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

've been inspired recently to change my look. I've been needing an aesthetic direction for awhile and have been highly encouraged in this endeavor by M., who himself is a master of carefully chosen apparel and accessories. Where did this impulse come from?

One of the most rewarding things we've done at Suluk is forming a relationship with a matron/patron master, saint, or prophet that inspires us and who we feel connected to (we affectionately call them MSPs). We did this in the first year and have continued to nourish that connection through attuning to our MSP with various meditation practices. My main MSP is still very strong in my life, but recently a new one has come in (I'll write about her later).

One very Sufi idea is that by concentrating on your ideal in the form of a person who represents that, you can become that ideal gradually by inviting that person more and more into your life and getting into their consciousness, lifting you out of your limited perspective. I think it's usually done with dead people, but I'm not sure on that point.

Anyway, I recently saw a photo of my new MSP and was very struck by it. Something shone out from her picture that was so appealing and attractive, in both personality and appearance. I've been thinking about her life constantly lately and dreaming about her sometimes. What would it be like to have her conviction, her courage, and her sensitivity? Furthermore, what would it be like to be aesthetically influenced by a person I actually honor and admire, rather than Jennifer Aniston and In Style magazine?

I don't know, but in a fit of hallelujah-style decluttering I went through my closet and pulled out everything I couldn't imagine her wearing, which was a lot that wasn't really me anyway. Maybe her courage and conviction will come, but in the meantime I'll take her hair, her eyebrows, and her language.

Posted by Satya at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)