WE ARE EXPLORING THE PRACTICE OF HEAVENLINESS
+ This is a post on the style of The Way of Nature as we
continue to explore Heavenliness through the lens of the 12 styles of the Mandala process. There are 5 more styles to
explore and then we will move on to the 9 Attributes of Heaven.
+ Anyone who has
some knowledge of mysticism and of the lives of the mystics knows that what
always attracts the mystic most is nature. Nature is his bread and wine. Nature
is his soul's nourishment. Nature inspires him, uplifts him and gives him the
solitude for which his soul continually longs. Every soul born with a mystical
tendency is constantly drawn towards nature; in nature that soul finds its
life's demand, as it is said in the Vadan, 'Art is dear to my heart, but nature
is near to my soul'. ... Nature does not teach the glory of God; it need not
teach this as nature itself is the glory of God.
Read more at http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XI/XI_III_7.htm
What appeals to us in being near to nature is nature's music, and
nature's music is more perfect than that of art. It gives us a sense of
exaltation to be moving about in the woods, and to be looking at the green; to
be standing near the running water, which has its rhythm, its tone and its
harmony. The swinging of the branches in the forest, the rising and falling of
the waves, all has its music. And once we contemplate and become one with
nature our hearts open to its music.
Read more at http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/II/II_10.htm
+ As in the previous post, this is Hazrat
Inayat Khan explaining the importance of nature because nature is indeed
nothing less than “the glory of God.”
God is revealed in this wonderful creation we see, hear, touch, taste everywhere
and at all times. We are part of this
glorious reality. It is heavenly. It is now. It is here. We are called to
create and enjoy this glorious reality, finding ways to expand compassion, peace, justice and sustainable abundance for all. When we do this we are expressing our true
nature, our real identity, as a heavenly being.
It is simply natural that we do this.
+ So much of this great teacher’s writings can be found
at Wahiduddin’s
Web including a daily
Bowl of Saki.
+ The Sufis have a long history of representing the
mystical dimension of the Islamic wisdom tradition. I think it is fair to say that they pioneered
InterSpirituality long before the term was invented by Wayne
Teasdale. I love the idea that we
all share sacred scripture because we all have this amazing Book of Nature
which ultimately reveals all truth
to us.
+ The 12 styles of Mandala: Creating An Authentic Spiritual
Path: An InterSpiritual Process by Edward Bastian are listed in SE206.
+ To get inspired and illuminated by Ed Bastian, I invite you to set aside some time for these videos: Seven Steps of InterSpiritual Meditation (11 minutes) | 15 minute introduction to InterSpiritual Meditation and the Mandala Process | 2 hour lecture & conversation
+ I would love it if you offered a guest post on this practice or any practice. And, I have work to do on my Heavenliness page. Maybe you can help. Send an email with the subject “Heavenliness” or “Love” or “Guest Post” to John@abundancetrek.com.
+ You can always find a link to any of the Spiritual Explorations posts by going to http://abundancetrek.com/sepostsaccess.html
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