Come, recognize that your sensation and imagination and understanding are like the reed-cane on which children ride.
The spiritual man's knowledge bears him aloft;
the sensual man's knowledge is a burden.
God hath said, Like an ass with books;
heavy is the knowledge that is not inspired by Him;
But if you carry it for no selfish ends,
the load will be lifted and you will feel delight.
How can you become free without the wine of Him,
O you who are content with the signs of Him?
From attribute and name what is born?
Phantasy; but phantasy shows the way to Truth.
Do you know any name without a reality?
Or have you ever plucked a rose from R.O.S.E.?
You have pronounced the name: go, seek the thing named, The moon is in the sky, not in the water.
Would you rise beyond name and letter,
make yourself entirely pure,
And behold in your own heart all the knowledge of the prophets, without book, without learning, without preceptor.
*Rumi. "Immediate Knowledge," in A Rumi Anthology. Trans. by Reynold A. Nicholson. Italicized quote is from the Koran.
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Meditating on divine names is a central practice in religious faiths. Rumi was of the Sufis. The Sufis meditate on divine attributes and names to arouse love for the One. This way of meditation has a revered tradition among Hindus and Christians, also. Form is a means of connecting with the Formless.
Contemplative faith does not seek to bypass the importance of such practices as meditating on divine names and qualities. These mediate Divine Presence and connect us to the innate sacredness within us.
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Go into meditation. Slowly, silently recite a divine name or quality. Do this, open for a movement toward an arousal, or connection, with that name or quality. When the connection is strong, practice releasing recitation to rest in the sense of union with the formless aspect implied by the recitation. You can do this practice practically anywhere and anytime.
Do this in intervals day and night. Try doing this practice just before you go to sleep, to usher you into a peaceful rest in Love.
You may wish to meditate with one divine quality or name daily. Or you may wish to stay with one quality or name over many days.
To explore one like practice of recitation, study use of the Jesus Prayer.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his two beloved dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Southwest Florida. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons, along with empathic relating with other world religions, East and West. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry, for all spiritual seekers.
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