Dhikr and Love

The Sufi follows the path toward God mainly by means of love. In contrast, one who is not in love with God to this degree will not see what is so awesome about existence. Hence, by remembering God's forgotten reality and beauty, Sufis reawaken the flame of their love for God. It is remembrance that makes the heart grow fonder. In a nutshell, this is the relationship between dhikr and love.

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Gossip, Backbiting, Complaining, Slandering

In the Holy Quran, the ability to speak and communicate is regarded as one of the greatest blessings that God has given to mankind. Through this ability, people express their views, beliefs, ideas, and thoughts. People can employ this God-given power of speech anyway they wish; they can do it thoughtfully, knowledgably, and with faithful care, or under the cloud of heedlessness, guided by selfish desires and Satanic temptations. Unfortunately, most people today pick the later one, becoming unmindful of what they say and do. For example, there is hardly a single meeting somewhere that goes by without some sort of gossip, backbiting, complaining, or slandering. This sinful and profitless behavior has become so widespread that most people accept it as normal and socially tolerable (of course, so long as they themselves are not mocked or criticized). Moreover, and on the contrary, people who posses this disease maintain that this sort of behavior is harmless, somehow adding to the color of life: they believe it "good entertainment." However, God warns in the Holy Quran about the incorrectness of this kind of behavior, labeling it as abhorrent as "a person eating the flesh of his dead brother." Therefore, anytime a person forgets or lowers his/her guard and falters into heedlessness, Satan right away senses the situation and drives the person to speak meaninglessly as much as possible, with no aim other than to cause harm and injury to others. Satan's wish being to fill the person's record with shameful acts, resulting in great despair and torment in the hereafter.

For this reason, and as a remedy to this great disease of heedlessness, in this month's Soul Booster, Mawlana Faizani focuses our attention on the only way to find salvation from this abhorrent behavior: he calls us back to the remembrance (Zikr / Zikir) of Allah using our tongues and hearts. By praising God's most beautiful names at all times and in all situations, He empowers us to find and adopt the type of speech and style of behavior most pleasing to God and hence perfectly suited to the situation in which we find ourselves.

The Solution: Putting one's tongue to proper use

Feeling excessive temptations in the heart is an indication of Satan's domination over a person's inner and is a major cause of the breakdown in a person's reasoning and thinking abilities. The resulting instability of such a breakdown paves the way for the person to react more offensively and vengefully. While overcome by such instability, a person engages in vile behaviors, without first taking into account the consequences and outcomes of their words and actions. Because according to Islamic philosophy, the heart is the initial source for decision-making, logically it follows that in the long-term the necessary and wisest route is to busy oneself in purifying, fortifying, and making sound this critical spiritual element (i.e., the heart). By healing the heart, a person thereby permanently eliminates the chances of this organ's misuse by Satan, who since the beginning has been plummeting humanity into the pits of harmful, inhumane, and frequently destructive behaviors.

Though one way to stay away from gossip, meaningless talk, backbiting, and slandering is to remain silent and speak only during matters of importance, the more effective way is to engage our God-given tongue, a powerful and beneficial appendage, in the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah. The human tongue is a great blessing from Allah and if used properly can be a means to attaining great spiritual benefits and heights in paradise. To misuse the tongue for meaningless talk and to destroy virtues is a great loss indeed. Through countless Hadith and in the verses of the Qur'an, humanity is shown the way on how to defend and safeguard themselves against egoistic desires and Satanic temptations. For example, the Qur'an informs us with the following:

"Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of God: for without doubt, in the remembrance of God do hearts find satisfaction."

This verse clearly reveals that if a person were to engage his/her tongue in the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah by mentioning His glorious names, the resulting light and blessings that emanates therefrom will bring peace and satisfaction to his/her heart, safeguarding the person against doing any type of prohibited action, and removing from within the excessive Satanic temptations and abundance of unwarranted egoistic desires and longings. Furthermore, the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah enhances the person's spiritual perception and enables him/her to perceive Almighty Allah as Present, Observant, All-Knowing, All-Hearing, Exalted and Absolute in His infinite names and in His attributes. One perceives Him everywhere: in the hidden and in the open, in public and in private. If through the remembrance of Allah a person obtains this certainty about Almighty Allah's Greatness and Presence in both his mind and heart to the extent mentioned above, then that person will undoubtedly find the strength to abstain from all egoistic behaviors and other evil temptations. That person achieves a life of greater purpose, greater understanding, greater virtue, and greater joy; that person becomes conducive to the benefit of one and all!

— by Mawlana Faizani 
from the book, Daleelul Zakireen or Reasonings for those Remembering

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Art & Photography Festival in Ajmer

The Al Ikhlas Gallery, The Movement of the Triangle was inaugurated by
Mr Rajesh Meena, SP Ajmer during the International Sufi Festival India
2011 which was held in Ajmer on the 21-27th Oct 2011.

The gallery held the 7 day Art & Photography exhibition displaying
Digital Paintings by Michael Templin, Germany, Sacred Art by Gulshaa
Begum, Mughal Paintings by Vijay Singh Chauhan, Mandana with
Calligraphy by Sanjay Sethi and Mystical Photography by Deepak Sharma.
The other artist who participated was Meenakshi Mangal, Chandni Jain
and Alka Sharma by a display of Mandana and Rajasthani Folk Art.

Many dignitaries attended the 7 day exhibition. The display of Islamic
Calligraphy and Sufi Art was also a part of the most talked about
exhibition in Ajmer. The main highlight of the gallery is its sequence
of the mystical sacred art which is one of the rare arts ever in the
history of the world.

The Ikhlas collection, therefore, is an important historical as well
as sequential time-line of the entire movement of sacred art in the
country. As one of the largest such repositories of Sacred art
anywhere in the world, it is one of the most significant links for
anyone with an interest in Sacred art – whether art-lovers,
collectors, academicians, scholars, researchers.
Sacred Art is a reflection of the deep hidden Divine Design of
universe. It is by nature a reflection of light, order, beauty,
mystery, meaning, cohesiveness, oneness, and natural, joyful wonder.
To the extent that we have the inner Eye of wisdom to see, the art
becomes a lens through which we know ever more clearly, aspects of
divinity, within and without. – says Gulshaa Begum
At its very beginning, the Ikhlas motto was to establish a museum of
the sacred art .Entire collections of the sacred art of the mystic is
compiled, restored, archived and made available for global spectators.
As a result, the extensive list is recognized for its quality of
artworks.

Extensive exhibition – part of its ongoing efforts on shedding new
light on, of course, the well-established artists and their genres,
but also on the lesser-known but equally talented painters and
sculptors – is a measure of the seriousness of Ihklas’s effort of
concentrating not just on the names of Indian artists familiar to all
art-lovers, but also those artists who deserve their space on the same
platform providing the perfect stage to revive the ancient culture of
Sufi art in the country. This meant re-discovering the great artists
of the century, many with proven track records who had been allowed to
descend into anonymity.
Al Ikhlas Art Gallery will be committed in bringing together the most
determining works of artists from all over the world, all of whom are
represented at Al Ikhlas, to their associates, the important and
diverse schools and groups spread throughout India, to artists of more
recent vintage with their own, established track records.
Al Ikhlas Art Gallery, unlike most others, owns more than 500 objects
in its entire, exhaustive collection. It is, simply, the most
important institution for 20th century sacred art not just in India
but around the world.

For regular updates on events and festivals follow
www.sufipaintings.blogspot.com or visit our website
www.sufipaintings.com
To participate or visit write to sufipaintings@gmail.com

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Nizamuddin Aulia

Nizamuddin Dargah  is the dargah (mausoleum) of one of the world's most famous Sufi saints, Nizamuddin Auliya. Situated in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi, the dargah is visited by thousands of Muslims every week, and sees a fair share of Hindus, Christians and people from other religions. The tombs of Amir Khusro and Jehan Ara Begum are also located within the Nizamuddin Dargah complex, and Inayat Khan's tomb is just around the corner

Sultan-ul-Mashaikh, Mehboob-e-Ilahi, Hazrat Shaikh Khwaja Syed Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliya (1238 - 3 April 1325) , also known as Hazrat Nizamuddin, was a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order in the Indian Subcontinent, an order that believed in drawing close to God through renunciation of the world and service to humanity. His predecessors were Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Bakhtiyar Kaki and Fariduddin Ganjshakar. In that sequence, they constitute the initial spiritual chain or silsila of the Chisti order, which is widely prevalent in India and Pakistan.

Nizamuddin Auliya, like his predecessors, stressed upon the element of love as a means of realisation of God. For him his love of God implied a love of humanity. His vision of the world was marked by a highly evolved sense of secularity and kindness. It is claimed by the 14th century historiographer Ziauddin Barani that his influence on the Muslims of Delhi was such that a paradigm shift was effected in their outlook towards worldly matters. People began to be inclined towards mysticism and prayers and remaining aloof from the world

Nizamuddin Auliya, had more than 600 disciples who were further allowed to have disciples under them so as to spread the message of love and humanity to as much as possible! It was Nizamuddin’s heightened sense of equality  and humanity that made people inclined towards mysticism of Sufism . The place where he lived for more than six decades is now a shrine and is visited by people from diverse background all year long.

Early Life
Nizamuddin Aulia was born to in 1238 AD in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh (east of Delhi).  When Nizamuddin was a little boy of five, his father passed away and his mother brought him to a school where he learned to recite the holy Quran. In a short time, he achieved quite a mastery over it. By the age of twelve, Nizamuddin had studied Arabic grammar, traditions of Prophet Mohammad, and had become distinguished in the commentary of Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, mathematics and astronomy. His sharp wittedness and understanding had earned him the title of a Debater. It was during the eighteenth year of Nizamuddin that he travelled from Badayun to Delhi. Accompanied by a firm believer of Bada Farid’s teachings, Musamma Ayuz, who said nothing but praises for him; Nizamuddin’s faith in Baba Farid began to reach new heights.

Career
In the year 1257, Nizamuddin went to Ajodhan (present Pakpattan Sharif in Pakistan) and became a disciple of Sufi saint Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakkar, commonly known as Baba Farid. He lived in the company of Baba Farid, who had now become his spiritual guide, for seven months and a few days before returning to Delhi where he ascended the throne of Khilafat-e-piran-e-Chisht or the Caliph of the Chishti Sheikhs. After residing for a few days in Delhi, Nizamuddin felt that he needed to move away from the crowd and thought of withdrawing himself to the desert. It was then that he received a revelation that he should take up a residence in a village outside the city, Ghiyaspur. It turned out to be perfect place untouched by the noise and chaos of the city life. Thus, he built his Khanqah, and lived there for more than sixty years without changing his residence. The Khanqah is visited by many people till date. Nasiruddin Chiragh Delhavi, spiritual successor of Nizamuddin Aulia; Amir Khusro, the most loved disciple of his master; Aqi Seraj, Burhanuddin Gharib, Jalaluddin Bhandari, Syed Mahmood Kashkinakar, Ajan Fakir, and Syed Ahmed Badepaa were the few disciples that reached spiritual heights among the 600 that Nizamuddin had.

Key Beliefs
As opposed to the belief that merger with God is possible only after death, Nizamuddin believed in embracing God within this life by cleansing the soul and destroying the ego and that it was possible though considerable efforts involving Sufi practices. He did not much bother about the theoretical aspects of Sufism but focused on practical aspects like having complete trust in God, turning away from distinctions made on the basis of social and religious status, being generous to the needy and oppressed, and holding an uncompromising attitude towards all form of social and political oppressions.

Death
It was on 3rd April 1325 that Nizamuddin died because of a four months long illness and was buried in Ghiyaspur itself. His shrine, the Nizamuddin Dergah is located in Delhi and the present structure that stands over it was built in 1562. The place is visited by people from all faiths through the year.

References :www.iloveindia.com, http://en.wikipedia.org

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By living the dream, you transform the world.

Spirituality can refer to an ultimate irrelevant reality, an inner
path enabling a person to discover the core of his/her being; or the
“deepest values and meanings by which people live. Spiritual practices
are intended to develop an individual's inner life; spiritual
experience includes a association of a larger authenticity, yielding a
more complete self; with other individuals or the human community;
with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm. It is a source of
inspiration or orientation in life. It can include belief in
immaterial realities or experiences of the transcendent nature of the
world. The path of spirituality leads to Self Realization

Self-Realization – is nothing but the consciousness of our complete
&inseparable union with God, which also means that the ego-self has
come to identify itself so evidently, & sensibly that it is no longer
run by the Shadow. When one is in the Illumined State there ceases to
be any more inner or outer excitement. The personal ego-self has
surrendered fully & willingly into the loving grip of the Soul
Illuminated souls are the being who has become Self-Realized and
serves humanity; a being who has raised his/her vibration to a
continuous occurrence of light.

These self realized souls/ beings are the great Spiritual Masters who
come and go at will from the earth plane without the Birth//Death
cycle. These spiritual Masters have worked with mankind throughout the
centuries. Historically, Jesus, Prophet Mohammed ( s.a.a.w), Gandhi,
Martin Luther King and countless others have realized the suffering
that greed and domination inflict on the world. They have responded
courageously. Through their words and deeds, they have challenged and
dismantled influential, rigid systems by presenting - and living - a
different worldview. By living the dream, you transform the world.

Most significantly, we must share our love and spirituality freely,
even in public. The reality is this: society is dying from the lack of
love and strength, not the lack of possessions or money. Money isn't
life. We can breathe life back into our societies by expressing love —
allowing the soul to shine through us — in as many relationships as
possible. In short, we can support Social progress by raising
awareness about the damage that our financial and marketing
institutions are causing; create and support evolutionary models and
structures; and surpass our fear of "being different" and love
fearlessly. The reason we feel "different" is because so many others
like us are afraid to express that characteristic in public. If
everyone who felt this way expressed it freely, we would see that we
are not so different: the media culture has convinced many that our
nature is something other than it is. In reality, those whose hearts
are sedated are different.

However apart from these Sufi Masters there are few other illuminated
being who have contributed to the cause of Humanity :

Syedina Ghous-ul-Azam is not only known as the greatest of all
helpers, but was also a great preacher, a great educationalist, a
great moralist and a great doctor of Muslim law. He was the glory of
the learned and the light of Islam; the Spokesman of theologians, the
Interpreter of men of spiritual knowledge, the unique Leader of
Leaders; the Leader of nations; the Chief of the chiefs; the Succourer
of men and the Jinn; the Reviver of Religion; possessed of very high
and perfect spiritual knowledge; and hailed as the Honour of Religion

Rumi a 13th-century Persian Muslim poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi
mystic. taught about the science of Islamic spirituality, of which the
best known form remains the Sufi tradition in which a spiritual
master or Pir transmits spiritual discipline to students. The general
theme of Rumi's thought, like that of other mystic and Sufi poets of
Persian literature, is essentially that of the concept of tawhīd –
union with his beloved (the primal root) from which/whom he has been
cut off and become aloof – and his longing and desire to restore it.
Rumi also believed passionately in the use of music, poetry and dance
as a path for reaching God. For Rumi, music helped devotees to focus
their whole being on the divine and to do this so intensely that the
soul was both destroyed and resurrected. It was from these ideas that
the practice of whirling dervishes developed into a ritual form. His
teachings became the base for the order of the Mevlevi which his son
Sultan Walad organized. Rumi encouraged Sama, listening to music and
turning or doing the sacred dance. In the Mevlevi tradition, samāʿ
represents a mystical journey of spiritual ascent through mind and
love to the Perfect One. In this journey, the seeker symbolically
turns towards the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds
the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker then returns from
this spiritual journey, with greater maturity, to love and to be of
service to the whole of creation without discrimination with regard to
beliefs, races, classes and nations.

Khwaja Shamsuddin Muhammad Hafez-e-Shirazi (1325/1326 – 1389/1390),
was a Persian lyric poet. His collected works composed of series of
Persian poetry (Divan) are to be found in the homes of most Iranians,
who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to
this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis,
commentary and interpretation, influencing post-Fourteenth Century
Persian writing more than any other author.

Gautama Buddha was one of the great enlightened ones. He taught
detachment and the middle way. The Buddha represents the wisdom
energy. Ascended 2500 years ago, Buddha "gave it all up" to find
meaning in life and the reason why some suffered so much. It was
during a meditation under the Bodhi Tree that he received
Enlightenment. Buddhism was formed out of his Teachings.

Lord Krishna incarnated 5000 years ago as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Born as a cowherd boy, Krishna displayed his perfect divinity
with the all attractive features of wealth, power, fame, beauty,
wisdom and detachment. He was a slayer of demonic tyrants and
enchanted all with the music of his flute. Krishna is believed by some
to have reappeared as Lord Maitreya in modern times. Twin Flame /
Divine Complement / Twin Ray: Lakshmi .Also known as: Krsna, Vishnu,
Embodied as: Krishna, King Rama, Vamana, and Parasurama

Sri Ramakrishna A devotee of the Divine Mother as Kali, Ramakrishna
(1836-1886) is widely revered as one of the greatest Hindu saints
known for his great devotion, he experimented intensively with other
religious paths, including Christianity and Islam. He taught a
universal love and understanding of all religions

Maitreya, whose name is derived from the Sanskrit maitri, meaning
universal love, is known to Buddhists as the embodiment of loving
kindness. Some believe this planetary master was Krishna, and that he
inspired the life of Jesus. Maitreya is a Buddha, working diligently
behind the scenes to enlighten humanity and birth the age of light.
Lord Maitreya was an incarnation of Krishna. He works to enlighten
humanity and bring in the new Golden Age. He is the head of the
Spiritual Hierarchy and is often called the "Master of Masters". He
has served this position for 2500 years.

However a spiritually based world culture is the height of Social
Evolution — a description of Heaven on Earth. Here, we have
personified the true soul of humanity. Love of creation and the love
of truth, rather than the love for money, produces the most beautiful
things with the deepest insights. Money cannot create art, beauty,
inspiration, truth, or genius.

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Divine Abode further collaborates with Kashmir Society, International center for Kashmir Sufism

Divine Abode is pleased to announce its further collaboration with Kashmir Society, International center for Kashmir Sufism along with the existing Interfaith Foundation, India .Dr. Farook Renzu Shah the chairman of Kashmir Society says" Its a honour to be a part of this great progress. we are indeed very happy to collaborate with Divine Abode. The festival will be a grand platform for bringing together all the community around the globe conveying the message of the true sufi spirit of peace, harmony and oneness.

The first edition of the  International Sufi Festival India 2011, will be held in Ajmer on the 21-27th Oct with the mission and aim of spreading the message of " Love All, Malice None.

The chairperson of Divine Abode Ms. Gulshaa begum says" The festival is free for all. This festival does not belong to any organisation or any individual, the festival belongs to all the people who are a part of this grand mission. You can avail the passes by sending us a email at festivals@live.in. We would request each one interested to attend the festival to kindly make a effort to be a part of the festival and support us in making the event a great success.

Link to the press release: http://your-story.org/divine-abode-further-collaborates-with-kashmir-society-international-center-for-kashmir-sufism-264438/

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Posters of International Sufi Festival India 2011

Be a part of the festival. For information or passes write to festivals@live.in
--
Gulshaa Begum
Chairperson
Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)
International Sufi Festival India

News & Updates:
Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

http://divineabode2011.blogspot.com
http://prdivineabode2011.blogspot.com
http://sufifestivals.blogspot.com
http://gulshaabegum.blogspot.com
http://sufifestival2011poster.blogspot.com
http://sufimusicconcert.blogspot.com/
http://sufifestival.blogspot.com
http://sufifestivalajmer.blogspot.com

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JOURNEY TOWARDS THE BELOVED

STIR YOUR SOUL

Time spent sitting with a mystic or healer can lead to a relationship
where you might establish your express line to god. How does one
improve one’s relationship with god? How to develop infinite
compassion… how to use prayer, devotion and faith on the face of
suffering and yet go through the process of sacred waiting.

It is important to know that having a direct line with god is like
having the admittance of his private number which is not available to
all. However this can be developed over a period of time on the path
of mysticism. To get connected onto this direct line one needs to pass
the various tests that are levied on the entity. The direct line is
not for the ego, or for the self rather it is to set you free.

It is not about achieving some height of personal enlightenment. It is
the line of communication that has many characteristics that change
the nature of one’s relationship with self, ones relationship with god
and ones relationship with others. It is all about learning to sit in
the between and know the deep mysteries which is hidden in the
universe.

Either one can be a mystic seeker or one can reach the direct line
through a mystic/ healer. That is the way it is. Everyone cannot be on
a direct call. At times you can speak through an operator. Learning
about the sacred healing relationship and training involves learning
the language of god. This language takes many forms and understood as
the sacred language of god. However language cannot express the
totality of the sacred communication. If one sets in the proper
perceptive, language makes its contribution in making the novice. It
is understood by all mystics that language can take any form, to fit
any person with any situation or within any culture. Such is to be
expected from compassionate and infinite sacredness.

There is always a mystery in the sacredness. God is the infinite
sacred mystery. To begin the journey, involve yourself in the stirring
of the soul. The key to the countless mysteries of the land of the
mystifying. Drive into the land of secrecy to know the true
mysticism.

Written By Gulshaa Begum

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Spirituality- Surrender

There are so many things we must all release, and it often seems like
an unconquerable and endless task. Fortunately, there is a way to
swift and wide-spread releases so it is not necessary to specify or
remember every last item to be released. It is all done through the
process of surrender. To become free from the pain and limitations of
life, you must release the past, and meditation coupled with a
surrender is the way.

When you first hear that you are to surrender, you might feel
threatened for you remember the use of that word in warfare in which
the side that loses surrenders. Like many people surrendering, losing
their homes and being banished to the wilds and desert regions.
However, the surrender I am talking about doesn't mean giving up your
power or anything else. It is not resignation. It is actually
expanding into a greater empowerment - surrendering to something
greater. Here's how it works...

It does not mean surrendering to an 'unknown mystery. When you
surrender to God, you are surrendering to the Infinite, not the
finite. The will of God can only be for your greater good. By that I
mean greater life, greater love, greater happiness, greater abundance,
greater expression, in fact, as much life as one can conceive will
become a part of that person's experience. As you keep your mind
focused on the greatest good you can conceive, that is what unfolds
for you more and more.

The Law of life is this, God and the Universe tend to multiply and
expand our gifts because in so doing God and the Universe expands Its
own experience, Its own pleasure, Its own love, Its own feelings of
fulfillment, joy, ecstasy, etc. So when you surrender, you are
surrendering to more and more of what life can be. Many people think
they are supposed to be happy with less and think they are
surrendering to less.

Surrender means "taking no thought" and watching as the "Red Sea" of
obstacles parts before you. Yes, obstacles melt, and the hand of God
goes before you to straighten out all the crooked places. You stay
focused on your highest good, and you are taken care of.

Surrender is trust to the highest power. It is letting go of
controlling "how" life will manifest for you, but knowing it is always
the expansion of Good. Surrender is releasing how we thought things
should be, to make room for the greatest good imaginable.

So go through your life and give up, release and fully surrender
everything you can think of; this is the art and science of surrender.
Surrender every person, every possession, every feeling, every hope,
every desire, everything you like and don't like. Include: your body,
your need to be right, your dreams, your fears, your gray hair, your
fat stomach, your anger, your mind, your mortgage, your mate, your
fear, your need to be enlightened, your discouragement, your children,
your friends, your enemies, your debts, your lacks, your limitations,
your impatience, your mind, and your life. Then affirm your highest
ideals which is the natural unfolding of your True Self. Hold to those
ideals regardless of outer circumstances, and the world of illusions
will melt and a greater reality will unfold around you.

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Quote of the Day

"Behind me is infinite power, before me is endless possibility, around me is boundless opportunity."

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News Release - Divine Abode

Divine Abode is pleased to announce its collaboration with Interfaith Foundation, India towards the forthcoming International Sufi Festival India 2011. Further to this we have tied up with Marwah Studios, A Creative Enterprise and Nai Duniya, Urdu Weekly India.

We sincere thank our Hospitality Partner: Swad Ri Dhani

And above all Divine Abode is most appreciative of the initiative taken by Mr.Rajesh Bhargav for supporting the International Sufi Festival India 2011 as its Venue Partner.

We also thank all our esteemed patrons:

Temple of Understanding, India
National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) - New Delhi
Kashmir Sufism Society, Srinagar, Kashmir
Judah Hyam Synagogue - New Delhi
Rai Foundation – New Delhi
Reesha Foundation, New Delhi
Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chishtia Khuddam Khwaja Sahib Syedzadgan,
Dargah Sharif, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Aradhana Tents & Decorators
Hotel Data Inn
Ajmer Property & Builders
Bangladesh Guest House
Lok Kala Sanstha
Mudra Theatre
Thinking Space, Real Estate & Investment
Movement of the Triangle - Sacred Art Gallery

for their support in making this concept a reality.

Thanking You

Sincerely,

Gulshaa Begum

Founder- President

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

News Release- International Sufi Festival India 2011

Divine Abode is pleased to inform its collaboration with Interfaith Foundation, India for the forthcoming International Sufi Festival India 2011 to be held in Ajmer on the 21-27th Oct 2011. Further to this Divine Abode is pleased to announce its media partners -  Marwah Studios, A creative enterprise and Nai Duniya, Urdu Weekly, India.

Official Release as on 7th August 2011

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

International Sufi Festival India 2011

A Project by Divine Abode in collaboration with Interfaith Foundation, India

 In October , Ajmer will be hosting Ajmer’s first World Sufi Festival, with the aim of capturing positive messages about peace and love that have been around for centuries and recognized in the east and west. These messages are often conveyed through arts and culture.

The International Sufi Festival India 2011 is a yearly festival that will take place in Ajmer, Rajasthan. It brings together performers and artists from around the world.

 Divine Abode, is a non profit organisation which is currently organizing the event to promote International Peace & Oneness. The festival aims to capture and project the messages and spirit of Sufism. Sufism is a mystical way of life, which emphasizes the unity of all religions. It plays a part in the lives of people of all religions and the festival will greatly promote this by helping to better understand where we have come from and what we have in common. It will highlight the importance of treating all countries with fairness and respect and bring to all people more understanding of our heritage and history.

 The festival promises to be an entertaining and enchanting week with events inside and outside. It’s from 21st Oct 2011 to Oct 27th 2011 with lead up events including workshops for the community. The festival itself will showcase performers, artists, crafts, fashion, poetry, from the local area, India and abroad, encircling both the traditional and modern around the Sufi theme. Workshops and presentations are also given with discussions of Sufi themes

 Be a part of the Prestigious Event.  

 Host: Divine Abode, a Spiritual registered Organisation

 About the organiser:  Ms. Gulshaa Begum , a  Entrepreneur, Internet Visionary, a Trained Fashion Designer & Visual Merchandiser, her Passion Towards Art, and Compassion Towards Humanity... a Mystic on the path. Healing and Counselling is a part of her existence.

Gulshaa Begum hails from a family of Sufi Saints. She is dedicated to the blessed work of Hazrath Gulsha Qadri Chishti. Her ancestor a Sufi Saint from the Northern Frontiers of Afghanistan, who travelled across the Indian sub- continent and later settled down in Southern Indian Coastal Region. The Dargah of the blessed saint is situated in South Kanara.
Gulshaa Begum was blessed to experience a spiritual awakening which opened up her experience of God's reality. This profoundly transformed her life, and after this experience she was able to feel God's presence everywhere, and came to understand from within the meaning of the teachings that had so eluded her earlier. The difference between religion and spirituality allowed her to discover her own experience of God's reality, and from this inner experience, to understand and embrace not only her own religious background, but all religions. 

 

Collaboration: Interfaith Foundation, India

 Interfaith Foundation, India, was setup as a registered charitable and non-profit Public Welfare Trust in 2004 with its registered office at R-265 B, Greater Kailash I, New Delhi, with a vision of the world of togetherness, brotherhood, cooperation and united efforts for the common good of human kind – a world in which men stumble not, in which they walk straight and live for each other- a world free from ignorance, poverty, superstitions, darkness, exclusiveness, fundamentalism and obscurantism -  a world in which people are free to profess and practice the tenets of their respective faiths which ought to unite mankind as the children of one Supreme Reality, living in peace and happiness.

To achieve its goals, Interfaith Foundation, India, has been organizing conferences, discussion meetings at important venues and disseminating knowledge regarding the commonalities among world’s major religions through printed materials. The founder President, Dr M M Verma is an eminent scholar of Interfaith, known nationally and internationally; having organized and addressed more than forty national and international conferences – from New York to Nagasaki; having seven published works to his credit. The VIPs associated with Interfaith Foundation, India, in advisory capacity are : Air Chief Marshall N C Suri (Retd.), Swami Shantatmanada (Ramakrishna mission)  Prof. Tahir Mahmood (former member, Law Commission GoI), Dr Mohini Giri (President, Guild of Service), Dr J S Neki (renowned Sikh Scholar) Ezekiel Issac Malekar (Rabbi), M K Kaw (former Education Secretary, GoI), among others.    

 For details regarding Conferences, Events and Published Works along with Photo gallery. Please visit the website: www.interfaithfoundationindia.com

 

Venue Partner: ATD & Divine Abode

Media Partners: Marwah Studios, A creative enterprise

Nai Duniya, Urdu Weekly India

Hospitality Partner: Swad Di Dhani

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Expectations

Having expectations of support and sympathetic will lead only to
disappoint, anger and frustration. By letting go of expectations, you
become more stress-free and go with the flow. Work on yourself and
learn to understand yourself more, more so than putting energy and
effort into the other person - trying to transform them, convince
them, etc. The path is about you, not them.

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

International Sufi Festival India 2011

A Project by Divine Abode

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

The First Edition of ISFI-2011

                                                                                                                                                 Divine Abode in Collaboration with 

                                                                                                                 Temple of Understanding - India AND Interfaith Foundation - India

Presents

INTERNATIONAL SUFI FESTIVAL INDIA 2011

A project by Divine Abode (NPO). Towards International Peace, Harmony and oneness through the Sufi Culture

Date: 21-10-2011 to 27-10-2011

Venue: Rajhans Vatika, Ajmer (Raj).

Al Ikhlas, Ajmer

Event Partner: Showfest Productions

Media Partner: Marwah Studios- A Creative Enterprise

Venue partner: Rajhans Vatika, Ajmer

Divine Abode, Ajmer

Hospitality Partner: Swad Di Dhani, Ajmer

Hospitality: Bangladesh Guest House, Ajmer

For Regular updates and information kindly check our blogs

http://sufifestival.blogspot.com/

http://sufifestivalajmer2011.blogspot.com/

http://www.sufifestivals.blogspot.com/

Gulshaa Begum

Founder- President

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

WHY DON'T MUSLIMS EAT PORK?

Definition of Pig as per Merriam Webster's Dictionary:

1. a: A young domesticated swine not yet sexually mature; broadly: a wild or domestic swine b: an animal related to or resembling the pig
2. a: Pork b: the dressed carcass of a young swine weighing less than 130 pounds (60 kilograms) c: Pigskin
3. a dirty, gluttonous, or repulsive person
4. a crude casting of metal (as iron)
5. slang : an immoral woman
6. slang usually disparaging : Police Officer

In order to understand why it is prohibited one must first appreciate the manner in which the animals are slaughtered.

In order for an animal meat to be classed as Halaal (made permissible) it must undergo the manner prescribed:

This method of slaughtering animals consists of a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck, cutting the Jugular Veins and Carotid Arteries of both sides but leaving the Spinal Cord intact.

This results in automatic total blood loss of the animal and no injuries to any of the vital organs. This method if performed correctly is painless for the animal.

Advantages of this method results in:

• A cleaner meat (no blood) - This is because Uric Acid is abundantly found in blood can lead to several harmful diseases. Some of the diseases are llisted below:

1. Arthiritis - Can lead to Gout
2. Cardiovascular Disease
3. Diabetes
4. Metabolic Syndrome
5. Uric Acid Stone Formation
6. Many others

• The Animal does not feel any pain - as Dr. Zakir Naik quite rightly pointed out “the swift cutting of vessels of the neck disconnects the flow of blood to the nerve of the brain responsible for pain. Thus the animal does not feel pain. While dying, the animal struggles, writhers, shakes and kicks, not due to pain, but due to the contraction and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood and due to the flow of blood out of the body”

• No injuries to any of the vital organs of the animal.

Known Medical Facts about the Pig:

• Medical Science finds that there is a risk for various diseases as the Pig is found to be a host for many parasites and potential diseases.

• As we've already discussed Uric Acid in the blood, it is important to note tha the pig's biochemistry excretes only 2% of it's total uric acid content, the remaining 98% remains as an integral part of the body.

• New studies show that Pig's Milk is Red and not White, also that pig's meat could carry harmful disease / bacterial easily.

• The Pig's anatomy shows that it does not have a neck, there is an internal jugular vein which is unreachable and therefore cannot be slaughtered in the Islamic manner

Other Facts:

• The Pig is a filthy animal, no farmer can guarantee any pig hasn't eaten any rats, own excrete or any other body waste during the time which is not supervised.

• It is important to note that Islam not only forbids pork meat but it forbids all meat of all those animals who eat their own or some one else's body waste; the most commonly known animal in this category is the Pig or Swine whose meat is commonly known as Pork.

• Interestinly the Bible also forbids the flesh of swine in Levictious Chapter 11, verse 8.

• Therefore no matter how clean the farms and environments on which it is raised may be, the pig is not by nature a clean-living animal. It often plays in, and even eats, its own excrement. Due to this and its biological structure, the pig produces much higher levels of antibodies in its body than other animals.

• In addition, far higher levels of growth hormone are produced in the pig compared to those in other animals and human beings. Naturally, these high levels of antibodies and growth hormone pass across to and collect in the pig's muscle tissue. Pork meat also contains high levels of cholesterol and lipids. It has been scientifically proven that these significant amounts of antibodies, hormones, cholesterol and lipids in pork represent a serious threat to human health.

  Article Source: http://www.truthexposed.co.uk/Why%20do%20Muslims%20not%20eat%20Pork.html

Thanking You

Sincerely,

Gulshaa Begum

Founder- President

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

THE JOURNEY

Sufism is seen as a spiritual path of self knowledge that leads to a knowledge of the Divine. God is Love and can be seen by the "eye of the kernel", not by logical intellectual knowledge or theological  customs. The outward form called religion is a mere shell which hides the core inside it. The kernel is the Truth, the Sufi's goal on his spiritual embarkment.

The various stages (Maqamat) and states (Ahwal) begins with repentance when the seeker finds the Spiritual Teacher. The teacher (Sheikh, Pir) accepts the seeker as his disciple by the ritual of initiation when he imparts his grace, gives him strict ascetic rules to follow and a certain secret word for meditation. The disciple's path is one of continuous struggle against his lower soul. He passes through a number of spiritual stations and states clearly defined by various Sufi teaching.

The different Sufi stations: 

1. detachment from the world (zuhd).

 2. patience (sabr).

 3. gratitude (shukr), for whatever God gives.

 4. love (hubb). 

5. pleasure (rida) with whatever God desires.

However linked to these stations are specific moods / emotions (ahwal) such as fear and hope, sadness and joy, yearning and intimacy, granted to the pilgrim by God's grace for a while with the goal of leading him to on to Ma'rifah (esoteric knowledge), Mahabbah (Love) and to the ultimate goal which is annihilation of personality and unity with God.

Beyond this stage the Sufi then enters the state of Baqa', or perseverance in God. He returns from his state of intoxication (Sukr) back into the world completely transformed - reborn.

The Sufi path has three ways: Makhafah, the way of fear of God leading to purification. Mahabbah, the way of love leading to sacrifice. Ma'rifah, the way of intuitive knowledge leading to Enlightenment.

Gulshaa Begum
Divine Abode

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International Sufi Festival India 2011

We are delighted to inform you that our event - International Sufi Festival India - has just been published on MyRajasthanInfo.com. The event can now be enjoyed by all future visitors to the website, to check it out just click the link below:

http://www.mydestination.com/rajasthan/events/7393896/international-sufi-festival-india-21-october-2011

For your cordiality, trust & whole-hearted support,

Thanking You

Sincerely,

Gulshaa Begum

Founder- President

 

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Website:www.thesufifestivals.com

               www.divineabode.info

Blog: www.sufifestivals.blogspot.com

Mobile:+91 9414259240

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum

Spirituality

Ms. Aditi Vasishtha - Secretary
NEW AGE EDUCATIONAL TRUST
SRI AUROBINDO MEMORIAL SCHOOL. BANGALORE

Divine Abode- Al Ikhlas( The Purity)

International Sufi Festival India

Website:www.thesufifestivals.com

               www.divineabode.info

               www.showfestproductions.com

Blog: www.sufifestivals.blogspot.com

Mobile:+91 9414259240

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Gulsha Fawzia Begum