Shaykh Ibrahim's Podcast

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Salaam Aleikum, Bismillah Rahman nirRahim,

Weclome to another Sufi podcast. My name is ibrahim and my post is that of Shaykh, or spiritual guide. This is being recorded during the Time of Isolation: Allah’s Stop, Look and Listen signpost.

For many of us, this is a difficult time. It seems like things have gone haywire, off the rails. But from the Divine’s point of view: What a brilliant way to stop pollution, climate catastrophe and runaway greed. And this is not achieved by exterior force or warlords. This halt to all outer activity is accomplished by something so small you need a microscope to see it. As of this time, there is no vaccine or cure. Thousands are dying, millions are sick. We must seek communication through technology- online and phone or wave from a distance.

For those of us who work alone like artists, composers, writers, musicians, there is nothing odd or disruptive about this time. As a matter of fact, it is conducive to catching up on practicing and completing long-term projects.

For those of us who go out, collaborate, network and congregate, it is shocking and exceedingly disruptive. We are forced to stop and perhaps take the time to look a little more inward and take stock of the path we have chosen, whether it is working - or not - and reflect on what we have learned so far and where we want to go from here.

This is an excellent time for us to reflect on our choices, and whether we acted appropriately- and if not, then to apologize to those we may have hurt or abused.

Other things to look at: How can I improve my relationships? What am I learning right now? What do I need to learn? How can I connect action and intention?

I am reminded by the power of this virus of a story about King Nimrud.

“It is narrated that Allah (the Exalted) sent an angel to Nimrud, ordering him to believe in Allah, but he refused. The angel called him to believe a second time, and he refused again; then a third time, and still he refused.

The angel said, “Gather your armies and I will gather mine.” Nimrud gathered his army together at the time of sunrise, and Allah sent to him mosquitoes, so many in number, that the people of the army could not even see the sun. Then Allah gave power to the mosquitoes over them: they ate their flesh and blood, leaving them as decomposed bones. One of those mosquitoes entered into the nostrils of the king (Nimrud). Allah punished him by it, and he was in so much pain that he would continually hit his head against objects (hoping to make the mosquito exit or simply because of sheer madness that resulted from the pain) until he finally died.”

What gets me about this story, and like today, is that it is the smallest thing that somehow wields the most power. In my view, that is so Allah- busting expectations and making you humble and astonished at the power inherent and compelling when it comes from the Source.

Remember, this is just the beginning. We may need to do this for a couple more weeks, so put on your adult pants. Be patient, compassionate, positive when you can. Listen to others more than you speak. Find your inner peace a

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

We appreciate you, and are happy to share our Sufi Message. Your donation will help support our Sufi Centre in Sydney where we offer Zikr, Sohbet, spiritual counselling and healing services. We believe the message should be free, but it costs equipment, rental, services, software and hardware to get this to you.

Thank you for choosing our podcast amongst all the millions available. If

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Stress

Just half a million years ago we were discovering fire. Another serveral hundred thousand years after that we figured out how to grow crops and raise livestock. We adapted.

And then came war after war and the technology to support it.

With it came medicine to heal the war wounds.

Then Bang! Money! Taxes!

And then Bang! Electricity!

Bang! Radio! TV! Telephone! Computers! A.I.! Smart phones!

We are not adapting well to these intrusions. We forget where we came from. We are distracted by trying to keep up with technology and relationships. We are caught in the grinder of trying to ‘make it’.

We are part of Nature. We originally knew what to eat, how to chill, how to walk on the earth, naturally. And then comes the culture you have grown up in- culture meaning:

• what you wear,
• your language and how to talk,
• how to think properly,
• your values - what is right and wrong,
• What to eat and drink,
• your music,
• your behavior,
• your beliefs - how the universe works,
• your expectations - supposed to marry, have kids...,
• your gender and how it is supposed to behave...

And then Bang! Time! Bang! Death!

Whew! That is a lot to deal with. I never received the manual about how to deal effectively and appropriately with all this. I’m guessing you didn’t either. We muddle through going on what our parents and friends have shown us, and then when confronted with questions we query the internet hive mind which is generally infected with various biases and imperfections like our own brain and culture.

We deal with this pressure:

• Self-medication - tried and well-practiced in Australia, England, America, Western and Eastern countries - actually, now that I think more about it, everywhere. The problem is your body is being severely damaged, and the ‘cure’ creates more problems and stress.
• Back to the country - returning to a more rural environment works for a lot of people.
• Meditation, sports - also works for a lot of people. Slow movement like Tai Chi and Yoga are fantastic healers,
• Walk in nature
• Art - writing, painting, music.
• Spiritual path like Sufism or Buddhism. One which has professionaly trained teachers and can vouch for its authenticity through a clear chain of transmission. Anything else is a cult.

The point is, you are a Great Experiment. Your primary job is to find out what works for you, what brings you back to your ‘Neutral’ or ‘Nominal’ state. Discover what activities, places or people Nurture your heart. My advice is to seek out where you feel the most safe, secure, trusting and loved.

You are your own self-help book. There’s great ideas and inspiration in there. You just need to learn how to read it. How to attain inner literacy?

Stop looking outside yourself for the answers. You already know enough. The truth is there, in your heart. Determine what is interfering with hearing your heart’s true desires. Your heart knows what will bring contenment. You just need to shut your brain off long

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

We appreciate you, and are happy to share our Sufi Message. Your donation will help support our Sufi Centre in Sydney where we offer Zikr, Sohbet, spiritual counselling and healing services. We believe the message should be free, but it costs equipment, rental, services, software and hardware to get this to you.

Thank you for choosing our podcast amongst all the millions available. If

Support the show

Send us a text

Expansion/Contraction

Shaykh Ibrahim

On this sufi path, there are times of expansion and contraction. Expansion is when, for example, you feel Allah’s blessings, an opening of awareness, your heart warming and growing. You may understand concepts more clearly, or realize the unity of Allah.

Contraction is feeling separation, fear, unworthiness, inability to cope, and a desire to run away from problems.

Contraction and expansion are connected. They are as breathing. You cannot keep inhaling. At some point you must exhale. Then you can inhale again. Your heart beats and gives you life through its ongoing expansion and contraction. That is part of life: duality. For the sufi, we try to keep a larger perspective so we can ride these waves a little easier, like a cork on the water.

Sometimes contraction seems much worse than usual, because the expansion you have last experienced has stretched your awareness into a new shape. Then, when you come back to the old self, it seems much smaller or more constricted than usual. In truth, it is the same old self, but in comparison, the experiences of the new self just don’t fit in the same space. What happens? Usually, you will experience a lot of internal friction, resulting in anger, frustration, blame, pettiness, and general grumpiness. This goes on until this old self is eventually dumped overboard, so the new self can take its place. Then the process begins all over again.

What are some tools to use during contraction? Do Zikr, of course, and stay close to your shaykh. When we give bayat, and say, “Hold tight to the rope of Allah”, this is that time we are referring to. You grab Allah’s rope, whether it is made of faith, belief, hope, or love, and know that this too will pass. Each level of the nafs has its own “guardian” or gate you must pass through, and this constriction is part of that process. To get through the eye of the needle, you must leave your self behind, and trust Allah, or at least your shaykh.

Also, know that Allah does not put you through these constrictions out of meanness, or vindictiveness. It is always from His Love, so that you can know Him without distractions. You have asked for Allah, and Allah is responding. For you to be with Allah, nafs must be burned away in the most appropriate way for you. Therefore, if it hurts, it is probably good for you. Why does it have to hurt so much? First, it will not be more than you can bear – that is guaranteed in the Koran. It may feel like more, but it actually expands your capacity. And that is the second reason for constriction – it increases your capacity to take on Allah’s blessings. It shows you that your limits are far greater than you thought. It also may give you insight into other’s sufferings, and therefore more tolerance, compassion, understanding, and wisdom.

So it might help when you are experiencing either contraction or expansion to keep your focus on Allah, like the horizon, and know that if you go up on the wave, it will also come down, but that’s okay. It is part of life, and you will get through it. It is Allah’s Love in motion.

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

We appreciate you, and are happy to share our Sufi Message. Your donation will help support our Sufi Centre in Sydney where we offer Zikr, Sohbet, spiritual counselling and healing services. We believe the message should be free, but it costs equipment, rental, services, software and hardware to get this to you.

Thank you for choosing our podcast amongst all the millions available. If

Support the show

Send us a text

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

We appreciate you, and are happy to share our Sufi Message. Your donation will help support our Sufi Centre in Sydney where we offer Zikr, Sohbet, spiritual counselling and healing services. We believe the message should be free, but it costs equipment, rental, services, software and hardware to get this to you.

Thank you for choosing our podcast amongst all the millions available. If

Support the show

Send us a text

Salaam Alaykum, murids, seekers, curious and interested listeners,

We appreciate you, and are happy to share our Sufi Message. Your donation will help support our Sufi Centre in Sydney where we offer Zikr, Sohbet, spiritual counselling and healing services. We believe the message should be free, but it costs equipment, rental, services, software and hardware to get this to you.

Thank you for choosing our podcast amongst all the millions available. If

Support the show