"You can't transform yourself by trying to become better. You know it doesn't work. But by accepting your divinity instead of wallowing in guilt and self-denigration, now that's the moment of glory. And the consequence is, that's what one does when one says, 'La, after saying Illa, when one's prostrating, 'La, that's a moment of glorification, of glory. And it is followed by the third step which is, as soon as one has accepted one's divinity, one ensures the divine presence, one is the Divine Presence."
A deep shagal-based guided practice that takes one through the phases of transmuting radiant light–from within, from one’s aura, and from the cosmos–into all-pervading light. One’s consciousness propels itself upward by a fiery emotional attunement with the quest for the unattainable, until one’s glance becomes the vehicle through which God sees.
The last session of a retreat, this is a slow and deep guided meditation with light. Starting with purification practices and the main principles of meditation–energy, consciousness, ecstasy–and three levels of light–physical, uncreated, luminous intelligence–participants visualize light emerging from a horizon, dream state landscapes of the soul, being like a crystal and firefly, and consciously radiating light from the chakras. Gradually, one moves into other dimensions–realms of light: luminous intelligence, archangels, light upon light. The session ends with the zikr of light.
A thorough explanation about different forms of light that human beings may exhibit and experience is followed by instruction on light practices through breath. These move from converging the light of the universe into one’s being as one inhales and radiating light as one exhales, sweeping light and heat upward and downward through the chakras, and projecting light forward from the third eye and the physical eyes. This is very advanced practice, one of the most important practices one could do every morning,
The first part (to 0:21:05) explains the purification breaths as baptisms with the elements: the outbreath makes manifest certain divine qualities, the inbreath is returning to the One. Earth: Divine bounty through which one creates the Temple of the Epiphany. Water: flow and action and return to solitude of Oneness. Fire: Truth coming from Divine Presence. Air: Quickening the lifeforce with Pure Spirit. The second part invokes a sense of spacelessness and timelessness, letting go of limited perspectives, understanding the essence of one’s being as free, Pure Intelligence.
Morning of second day of weekend retreat. The first 20 minutes is talking, followed by sound and music to guide the meditation. Explains that wazaif and mantram correspond to archaic language and their sound conveys meanings. Intones wazaif like Qadr, Quddus, Haqq, Hayy, Fattah, Alim, Ishk Allah M'ahbud Lillah. The sound of the singing bowl, gong, harp, vina express primitive forms of life and convey the universe in the early stages of evolution. Talks about music of Brahms, Schumann, Bach. Ends with choral music from Thomas Luis de Victoria's Lamentations.
Last morning of a three-day retreat in which participants are led in ascent of the planes. Summarizes kasab with spirals, from previous days: kasab can be used to propel the consciousness upwards into the planes: will and magnetic energy help part of the way; longing and attunement to the ecstasy of the plane will take one further. Describes the emotional attunement of each plane, its inhabitants, the tests that correspond to each plane, and music that conveys the emotions of the plane, compared to the Kabbalistic system.
Close to the end of a weekend retreat. An inspiring introduction to Zikr – the “staple food” of Sufis. Previous sessions have been about wazaif and God’s qualities. Zikr is about the breakdown and rebirth of one’s whole being, an encounter with God that is oneself, the Divine Presence. Explains the meaning of the movements, words, and experience of zikr, from personal and God’s consciousness,and illustrates personal retreat stories. Occasional comparisons to Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity.
Explains the meaning and practice of the zikr and its four stages. Circle as encompassing the bounty of the universe, vertical line as the experience of descending from the higher spheres and being rebirthed. Identify with your eternal being and yourself as a bridge. Your lower self is the support system for the higher: don’t despise or try to discard it. Put it to service–like the monkeys in the Ramayana. And experience the moment of transformation as freedom from limitations, and glorification.
