Good Bye

The new year approaches,
Thoughts turn to ash,
You bring your reproaches,
Each word felt as a lash,

I have no more qualms with this or that,
I feel no remorse nor regret,
I keep my love far away from a Cat,
I won't be forgotten yet,

Start a new page, a new chapter, a new book,
Keep turning your words until you reach enlightenment,
Never hold grudges or forget what you took,
Love brings the utmost contentment,

I say my final goodbye,
I hope you find Truth,
I pray we can both forgive,
I love what we were,

I hope for what we will be... Happy.

Feliz Navidad! 


Happy New Year!



Nya Saal Mubarak! (Urdu)

Sretna Nova Godina! (Bosnian)

Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun! (Turkish)

 







Media Polarity

I just read this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8433285.stm


To give you the gist of it, it's about a British national who went to China in 2007, he was arrested carrying 4kg of Heroin and was executed today. His name was Akmal Shaikh, a Muslim, who left behind 5 children and a wife. His family insisted he was bi-polar and was tricked into carrying the case of heroin, the British government sent representatives to China 27 times over the last two years to work out terms of clemency, they met with a Chinese ambassador this week and made no progress, the last ditch effort failed, and Mr. Shaikh lost his life.


The thing is, the whole time I am reading this, I am thinking, "Oh, of course it was a Muslim, he deserved what he got."


Thinking this frightened me a great deal, it's still scary just typing this out, admitting how greatly the media has drilled into my head that I am a bad person, that Muslims are all evil. We, the readers of such an article, go on what the article tells us, then we are allowed to ponder to whatever extent the actual course of events and make assumptions, eventually agreeing upon the innocence or guilt of the deceased.


Who am I to say Mr. Shaikh was a bad man? That he deserved this? Unfortunately, I automatically thought this upon reading his name and looking at his picture. "Only a Muslim would do something like this." Or even funnier, "Only  a Muslim would get caught." In the end though, this is RIDICULOUS logic! Implanted by my own society.


I keep forgetting that the Muslims that do indeed commit the terrible atrocities of our time are only a minuscule fraction of the majority of us, but unfortunately, they make 100% of the news when it comes to Muslims. These people make life harder for all of us, because someone is trying to increase their ratings or the number of newspapers they sell, wonderful, all for the almighty dollar.


The day we all stop worshiping money and start worshiping God will be the day blood ceases to be spilled.

I am sorry for Mr. Shaikh's family, and I apologize to them for my lack of sensitivity and over-judging nature, it's not even me judging anymore, it's the program in me that makes me see people in a good light or a bad light, time to deprogram and think for myself, this should have been done LONG ago. At least now I am aware of it, good luck to those still thinking they are not brain-washed.



Ina Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon. Ameen.

Words of Wisdom

"Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you."

 

"Pray not for lighter burdens but for stronger backs."

 

 "Our true wealth is the good we do in this world. None of us has faith unless we desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves."

 




Shia for Thought


"Nothing can ever take root without the strength of a woman. Just as we would not have Karbala today without the strength of Bibi Zainab. Ya Allah may all our women cultivate some of the lion-heart strength of Bibi Zainab."



The Missingness

What am I supposed to do when you are all I think about?

This missingness business is draining. Exhausting. Frustrating. Deflating. Exasperating. Depressing. And, unusually warm.

Oy! Will it really truly end? I am sure it will, either by my wife, or a knife.

You were truly something to marvel at. I hope this missingness business is going better for you than it is for me.

Merry Christmas



Merry Christmas!

"Behold! the angel said, ‘O Mary, indeed God gives you the good news of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and of those who are near to God. He will speak to the people in the cradle, and in adulthood, and he will be of the righteous.’ (The Holy Qur'an) 
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Roots of Happiness

“Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness.”



Facing Truth

I am not the writer, I am the pen. The hand that holds me belongs to another. I am not the musician, I am the flute. The lips against mine belong to Shams.

 

[Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi]




Ya Ali Madad!



Knowledge is the most precious of treasures, and the most beautiful. It is easy to carry, tremendously useful, beautiful in its completeness, and delightful in its uniqueness. 

[Imam Ali ibn Talib]

Commencement

Finally, the journey's end has revealed itself, a sheet slipping off gracefully from the gem it used to protect from uninvited eyes.

Congratulations Richard, you did it.



Happiness Happiness

A friend of mine traveled to Cypress a few years ago to meet our Sheikh and Master, Sheikh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani. My friend, was not entirely convinced of the Way, but decided he should find out for himself. Upon his arrival he noticed the surreal state of affairs, he was taken aback and lost any inclination to further himself on his journey.

Before it was his time to leave, he met with the Sheikh, as does every traveler before they leave Cypress. The Sheikh asked him if he had any questions, he responded with a brief, yet polite, "No, Sheikh." The Sheikh asked him where he was headed once his ferry arrived on the coast of Turkey. He responded with, "Istanbul, Sheikh".
The Sheikh replied, "Konya?"
"No, Sheikh, Istanbul." replied my friend,

"Konya?" again said the Sheikh,
"No, no Sheikh, I am going to Istanbul." Now losing even more inclination and desire to tread this path, said my friend,
"Konya?" once again repeated the Sheikh,
Realizing his futile attempt to correct his Sheikh, he submitted and responded with,
"Yes, Sheikh, I am going to Konya."

The Sheikh told him, that when he reached his final destination, which was Istanbul, that he should go and buy 50-60 rolls of bread and pass them out to the people, the Sheikh told him that there he would find happiness.


He finally was given permission to leave and boarded the ferry. Now, I am unaware to the thoughts that muse of coursed through my friend's mind as he was floating across the sea to Turkey, but a mixed feeling of relief, anxiety, and curiosity must of plagued him.


He boarded the bus upon arriving on solid earth. The bus was a non-stop service to Istanbul, however, sometime along the trip, a mandatory detour was made to avoid an obstacle in the road, which led my friend and the rest of the passengers to Konya.


Astonished, my friend decided he would of course carry out the command of his Sheikh. When he arrived in Istanbul, he bought the bread and began to pass it out. He noticed that people were very eager to receive the bread, not just the beggars, but normal people, pepple in suits, some people even came two or three times in 15 minute intervals, from the shops that stood right in front of where he was passing the bread. Where at last, he was giving the last peice of bread away to an elderly man, that once he took it in his hand, he looked at it as if it were a shining ruby and proclaimed out loud, "Happiness! Happiness!"


Needless to say, my friend was won over by our Sheikh.



I am so happy, I cannot be contained in the world; But like a spirit, I am hidden from the eyes of the world. If the foot of the trees were not tied to earth, they would be pursuing me; For I have blossomed so much, I am the envy of the gardens.

[Mevlana Jaluluddin Rumi]

Dervish






Dare to Dream

Dreams provide incredible insight.

They tell you what you are thinking, deep down, they tell you what you should have done, they tell you what you should do now. They tell you things that you feel are entirely inconsequential, yet, little do we know, what they really mean.



I wouldn't suggest interpreting dreams on your own, unless they are that straightforward and simple, but interpreting them no less and applying them to your daily existence has its effect. 

For instance, I usually dream about a particular person when they are in distress or trouble. This has been going on for the past two - three years. The dream itself isn't exactly cozy. They actually inspire dread and fear and worriment. I never wake up smiling from these dreams, and why would I, when the person I am dreaming about is hurt or in misery?

Today, I had one such dream, about this particular person. I never feel it appropriate to share intimate dreams like this to anyone, so you won't be hearing about it. But I will be writing it down for my own reference. Sorry >_<

I will share a little bit though. Today's dream was too real. It was scary real. I also pulled one of those waking up in a dream thinking you are awake in reality, and then waking up again to realize the first time you woke was a dream, but this time is for real, so you pinch yourself for extra measure.

The dream was also the worst I have ever seen about this person. It is actually scaring me how horrific this dream was and how helpless I am. Helplessness, to me, is one of the most scariest states a person can encounter. This dream, I am praying to God, is insignificant. I am afraid to even try contacting this person for fear that it might be representative of yet another calamity in their life. Usually, I am the one to help make it all better and fix things, but I know I can't now, and this is my fear reaching the pinnacle of reality. I am so helpless right now.
 
I am praying for you, and trust God has His reasons for whatever hardships are currently befalling you, don't forsake Him and He won't forsake you. Be strong. 

Dreams are deep mirrored tunnels into the subconscious, make sure you pay attention.


Caring Too Much

Too much of anything is bad, same goes for caring too much.

It's been my experience that caring too much leads to three things:

1. You are easily taken advantage of
2. You are easily uncared about
3. You are unappreciated (especially when you do a lot)


Granted, this is just my small scope of experience in relation to the rest of the world, life, and existence. Yet, this is where my path has led me, so if I am to continue on this path, I wish to change a few things that will lead me to contentment.






Stop caring so much.



People will do as they do, whether or not you are in their life. If they want to do something that is unhealthy for them, what you will succeed in accomplishing is either aggravating them or making them hasten towards that goal. Probably both. Some people may actually appreciate you, and in turn, will heed what you say and actually listen to you, but the VAST majority will do as they originally intended. I am not excluded from the vast majority. No one is perfect, but perfection is the goal. Start with the small and simple obstacles to conquer the larger and more grander obstacle.


I try very hard not to be a pessimist, right now, I am just being real. I learned this from someone who let me down many times over. They aren't letting me down anymore, since I stopped caring. To their utter dismay, I am sure.


Essentially, the lesson learned is: Worry about yourself, because if you don't, no one will. 




Lasting Impressions

“Meet people in such a manner that if you die, they should weep for you. And if you live, they should long for you."




Was denkst du?



"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."  -Nietzsche

Stimmt, oder stimmt das nicht?

This is My December


This is My December
This is my snow covered year,
This is My December
This is your time to hear,

Give it all away,
Give me one more day,
Give us another chance,
Give me a subtle glance,


Walk past the golden white light,
Walk into the place,
Walk all day and all night,
Walk gazing at my face,


So many memories,
So long before,
So many worries,
So close and sore,


In the end, you became a part of me,
In the end, you never let me be,
In the end, we set each other free,
In the end...


This is Our December.



I love Mevlana


Oh, star Canopus, even the sun, on the sight of you, fades in ecstasy. You are sultan of the skies and yet you hide from the ephemeral world. Oh, beloved of all confessed, you are so secreted that you have completely concealed yourself. You are so plain to see, this is more than concealment.

 [Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

Happy the one who has become like us; who has become all surrender and contenment;Who has become the pledge of love and madness; who has become a jewel in the sea of purity.

 [Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi]

I have no peace, in this world or any other. The lovers of God have fallen in a furious river; They have surrendered themselves to Love's commands. Like mill wheels they turn, day and night, day and night, Constantly turning and turning, and crying out.

 [Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi]


Everyone is forgiven in the end




Ever been hurt by someone or mad at someone and really frustrated with the whole situation? 



Yes you have, we all have. 


Ever said, "I will never forgive you!" Well if you did, lighten up, because you know you will.


Forgiveness is a release for you and the person you are upset with. If you live your life without forgiving anyone that intentionally or unintentionally harms you, then you are increasing the weight of the boulder attached to your leg. You are carrying so much negative energy that it will consume you. It will turn you into a sour, senile, and easily agravated person.


It's not always easy to forgive though, I understand that. Especially when the offense is nearly unbearable, I won't list examples because we all have different levels of tolerance and find different things unforgivable, like taking the last cookie my friend baked me, I will kill you. Too late for not giving examples, but you know what I mean.


Yet, once you take the time and courage to build yourself up to the point of giving and receiving forgiveness, life will suddenly become bright. You will have removed the shackles of grudges and hate and have replaced them with the lightness of air, in other words, nothing. You will have set yourself set free, from yourself. 


Perhaps this is true for you, but what is most definitely true for me is that I have a MUCH harder time forgiving myself than I do forgiving others. If I hurt someone, intentionally or unintentionally, I regret it inconsolably, I even forget that they may have initially hurt me, and lament on the fact that I retaliated and hurt them. It takes me a long time to forgive myself, and normally, I do my best to make it up to the person. I sometimes make it worse, I sometimes set it right. I am slowly learning how and when to address individual situations, how to make someone smile and not frown.


This is a letter for everyone, saying I forgive anyone and everyone that may have hurt me, and wish they will forgive me too if I hurt them.


Life is better when we all get along. 


Know each other,

Trust each other, 
Love each other.



~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~


After writing all that, I understand there are somethings that are truly unforgivable, I myself am still working on trying to forgive someone, and no, you guys have no idea who I am talking about. If you know me, you don't know this person. If you know me, and you did something to offend or hurt me, you were forgiven long ago. So no worries >_<


What I am saying is, if we want mercy to be shown to us, we should show mercy to others.


Have a good day.





Hope and Success

The pious ones should not be complacent on this way,


       Their horses legs will be cut in the stony desert.


But nor should the wine drinkers lose heart,


       Suddenly, in one leap, they may reach their goal.



[Saying of Abul Hasan Abu Shanja]

[Excerpt from Kashful Mahjub]



Divine Mercy


"When my heart was hardened and 


my ways were blocked, I made my 

hope a ladder to Your  forgiveness; 

My sins are too great in my sight, 

but when I weigh them against 

Your forgiveness,  Your forgiveness 

is much greater than my sins."






"O God! if I worship Thee in fear of

Hell,  burn me in Hell; and if I 

worship Thee in hope of Paradise,

exclude me from Paradise; but if I 

worship Thee for Thine own sake, 

withhold not Thine everlasting

beauty!"








Pouring Forth



"Wells may run dry, tear ducts never do."

 
 
Just stay,
Stay as you are,
You are pain,
You are comfort,

Just stay,
Stay as you are,
A gentle breeze,
A stormy obsession,

Smooth as silk,
Jagged as rough cloth,
Sometimes you quarrel,
Sometimes you're stubborn

So full of fragrance,
I don't want to change you an inch,
 
Without adornment,
Without purity,
No more,
No less,
 
In your rainfall,
I want to dissolve,
In your flame,
I want to burn and turn to ash,

If you wound me, soothe me with a balm,
I will soon love the wound you inflict,
You are a river,
Let me drown in you,

I love you just as you are.

[Delhi 6]

Defining the Lover







'A lover', said the hoopoe, now their guide,

'Is one in whom all thoughts of Self have died;

Those who renounce the Self deserve that name;

Righteous or sinful, they are all the same!

Your heart is thwarted by the Self's control;

Destroy its hold on you and reach your goal.

Give up this hindrance, give up moral sight,

For only then can you approach the light.

If you are told: "Renounce our Faith", obey!

The Self and Faith must both be tossed away;

Blasphemers call such action blasphemy -

Tell them that love exceeds mere piety. 

Love has no time for blasphemy or faith,

Nor lovers for the Self, that feeble wraith.

They burn all that they own; unmoved they feel

Against their skin the torturer's sharp steel.

Heart's blood and bitter pain belong to love,

And tales of problems no one can remove;

Cupbearer, fill the bowl with blood, not wine -

And if you lack the heart's rich blood take mine.

Love thrives on inextinguishable pain,

Which tears the soul, then knits the threads again.

A mote of love exceeds all bounds; it gives

The viral essence to whatever lives.

But where love thrives, there pain is always found; 

Angels alone escape this weary round -

They love without that savage agony

Which is reserved for vexed humanity.

Islam and blasphemy have both been passed

By those who set out on love's path at last;

Love will direct you to Dame Poverty,

And she will show the way to Blasphemy.

When neither Blasphemy nor Faith remain,

The body and the Self have both been slain;

Then the fierce fortitude the Way will ask

Is yours, and you are worthy of our task.

Begin the journey without fear; be calm;

Forget what is and what is not Islam;

Put childish dread aside - like heroes meet

The hundred problems which you must defeat.


[Farid Ud-Din Attar]
{Excerpt from "The Conference of the Birds"}



Remembrance

Why do my thoughts always go back to you?

I have been doing pretty good these past few months, being strong and moving forward, not looking at the past knowing it won't bring up anything good. But, nowadays, the past is all I see and you are the only one in the past.

Let's hope that we both find some peace soon, whether or not it comes in the way we expect.

Praying for you always,

Shabbah Khair



Eid Mubarak!

I know this is a little belated, but,


Eid Mubarak! (Urdu)
Eid Saeed! (Arabic)
Bajram Serif Mubarak Olsun! (Turkish)


This Eid is the big eid, otherwise known as Eid Al Adha. This Eid commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham.

The following is from Wikipedia:



Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى‘Īdu l-’Aḍḥā) "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
Eid al-Adha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran. Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).
Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for three days or more depending on the country. Eid al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.


[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al_adha]


Happy Thanksgiving and Eid Mubarak everyone!

Change

Do you have anything to spare?


Can you help a man get some food?


I just need to get a few cents for a train fare, can you help me?





Ever been asked this walking in downtown Chicago? Or anywhere for that matter?



Times are rough, but some signs you see now describe a deeper desperation.




"Evicted. Lost my job. Can you help me find a new one?"


"Just lost my job, need a new one, help me please."




Pray for those in need and be grateful for what you have. You never know when or if you will lose it.

Some Inspiration




There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; 

not going all the way, and not starting. 

 

[Buddha]


Can You Meet Me Half Way?

This weekend trip I just returned from Michigan was very... different. Typically, when returning from Michigan and visiting Sheikh, I feel revitalized, ready to face the world until my next meeting. This trip however... I sort of do and sort of don't feel that.


My typical feeling of a cleaned heart and mind is with me, but anxiety is starting to bubble and is pushing me to let it boil over. I won't let it. No point in being anxious about anything. I keep learning and re-learning the same lesson, almost every single day, this lesson was amplified during this trip.


PATIENCE.


Why does it elude my grasp so often? My close friends tell me I am patient, but that's relative isn't it? I don't feel like I am patient at all. I can lose my temper, I can slip and be discourteous, I have my moments and it is to my great shame that those moments are numerous.


I need to start judging myself more thoroughly and being more critical with my actions and thoughts than I have been as of late. I know some of my friends will tell me that's not a wise thing to do since they believe I am already too hard on myself, but honestly, if I am not hard on myself, who will be? I need to check myself constantly. I am no longer under the wings of my parents that they will tell me how to take each step and in what direction. God is guiding the steps I intend to take.


Truly, writing this makes me feel like a hypocrite. I don't have patience. I shouldn't write certain things, but I do. I should forget certain things, but I don't. I should be more tolerant and accepting of others, but I tend to either shy away or assume the incorrect, both are wrong.


My world is not governed by me, rather I am governed by the world. In some lights, I have control, or the illusion of control, in any case, to feign control often times leads to control, so let's say I have it. As much control as I think I have, I realize more and more how it escapes me and realize that having control is not important and truly isn't real. Does it matter if I control a thing? Not really.


I have turned a new book in my life. Not page, a page is too insignificant a change.


This new volume holds certain principles to be true:


1) All men are NOT created equal.
2) All men initially deserve equal rights (rights are forfeited due to acts of injustice).
3) Extremists of any sort are cancers for the society (this includes social movements that take it too far, religious extremists, racist organizations, anything else that when taken beyond a healthy point can hurt people).
4) Love is unconditional, given to everyone without holding back.
5) Everyone is deserving of Love.
6) Knowledge is the most powerful weapon and tool in Existence.
7) Compassion is not weakness, but strength.
8) Patience bears the sweetest of sweetest fruit. Patience isn't baring with something, bust accepting and cherishing.
9) Men and Women are equal partners on Earth with different capabilities and duties. Neither male nor female are insubordinate to the other, neither are their duties considered less critical.
10) Wealth and materials bring about limited joy, envy, jealousy, hatred, admiration, and power.
11) Knowledge and Love bring about true immortality.
12) Those we love are never forgotten.
13) Hope is the key to God's Love and Mercy.
14) Nothing is permanent, not your family, not your health, wealth, friends, lovers, children, nor this earth.


15) Sentimentality is frivolous and not befitting of a temporary state.
16) All love and relationships were made prior to our arrival on Earth.
17) Knowledge dismisses ignorance from the Open Mind.
18) Love knocks on the door of the Open Heart.
19) Work and build your life like you will live forever, prepare for your next life like you will die today.
20) Love and Knowledge are never-ending oceans, don't think they have dried up.




That's a pretty good list, I can think of dozens more, but these come to my mind most insistently and hence have been published.


Love and Knowledge.


I believe if we possess both of these, we can make our world a peaceful place.
Can you meet me half way?






Physics Meets Spirituality (Slides)


Below are the slides of the lecture I gave on Physics and Spirituality


 






 





 


 


 


 


 




I got a really good response from the crowd, people more or less understood what I was talking about and enjoyed the lecture overall. One of the mothers came up to Huseyin later and told him about a saintly person who lived in the village she grew up in, in Bosna, and how he would be in her village one moment and end up in a village three hours away the next. They would get word that he was there not ten minutes after seeing him in their own village. Pretty cool stuff!


Here is the link to the Lecture Notes

Physics Meets Spirituality

I recently gave a lecture on the relationship between Physics and Spirituality.

My audience was varied in age from 10 years old to 50 years old. I had about 50 people in attendance and lectured to this specific group for the first time. I decided to post the notes I used during my lecture. it is not at all a coherent paper on the relationship between Physics and Spirituality, these are the guiding thoughts I used in trying to explain this relationship to my audience.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Basics of Physics

When we think of physics, what do we think of first?

E = mc^2

or

Apple falling on Isaac Newton's head. At least, that's what I think of.

What did this observation determine? The existence of gravity.

Physics is the science of how things work, typically, determining how things work comes from observations, repeated and controlled experimentation.

Then you can go on to the classical laws of physics, which are Newton's Three Laws:

1) An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.
    ***Person A throws ball to Person B
    ***Person A throws ball to Person B but is intercepted midflight by Person C

2) F = ma which is the Force experienced by a body is determined by it's mass and acceleration

3) Each action has an equal and opposite reaction.
    ***If I punch Kashan, he will punch me back, {thus maintaining equilibrium in the universe since the law of equal and opposite reactions was maintained.}


Basics of Quantum Mechanics


[Quantum theory says that everything exists and doesn't exist at the same time.]


Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics which deals with the study of particles at the atomic and sub-atomic level. Basically, the study of the very small!

This is where your chemistry can come in handy since a lot of it deals with electron-proton intercations, such as the concept of anti-matter which is essentially the negative image of an object, or even you. So if you touched your anti-matter self, there is potential for your non-existence leading to a black-hole. Because a black hole is was sucks in the light and traps it.

Sort of similar to the idea of the black spot in your heart. It traps light, it doesn't emit it. You want to shrink te black holes of your heart so that light can shine through, God's Noor.


- Quantum physics is all about probability. Scientists often use this to prove or disprove the existence of God, a good proof of the existence of God can be given through the equilibrium of entropy of the universe. {Won't demonstrate the math}

-Light is quantized, meaning it can be seen as a number or have a value.

-Based on quantum theory, we are all in a constant state of levitation. Hence, it is possible to levitate and even levitate several inches above the ground. This is possible when your negative energy is being repelled by the negative energy of your surroundings. Say the ground beneath you exhibits a negative charge, a spot on the ground experiences a concentration of negative energy, if you train yourself, you can channel your energy to different parts of your body, and in order to achieve successful levitation, you can channel your negative energy to your feet, which will then act like two magnets when their south poles meet, they will repel one another.

***However, it seems that we are never being repelled from the earth, rather attracted to it, since the core of the earth is dense rock that is magnetized, we are pulled down by the resulting gravity created by the earth, while the electric energy within us is trying to push us back up.***

*** Balloon and static energy trick


String Theory

String theory states that instead of the typical 4 dimensions that we live in (up and down, right and life, front and back, and time), there are in fact 13 dimensions. Worm holes can be created and time travel is possible. Being in multiple places simultaneously is also possible.

When Rasulullah (S) went on his night journey, it was a physical, mental, and spiritual ascension, not just a spiritual or mental ascension. This physical ascension proves aspects of String theory, primarily the part about moving beyond our four dimensions.

Rifts in space are possible, worm holes rather, that can allow for instant teleportation and travel, similar to what the Prophet (S) experienced.

Meditation allows us to reach into new dimensions. Some scientists believe that your dreams are considered an entirely separate dimension. It can be argued that as we perceive this, our here and now as our present reality, that when we are in our dream dimension, at that time, that is our reality and this is our dream.

If you consider the variety of dreams you have, you experience many different things and sensations. Sometimes you actually feel objects in dreams, who's to say you are not actually touching it? If you are holding a book in your dream, and you can actually feel it, you can feel it's weight, who's to say you aren't actually holding it?


Some elaboration on how this relates to us and faith

Humans beings have the ability to grasp knowledge at various degrees, we are all at different levels and can reach different levels. The depth of knowledge is an endless Ocean. God puts His light in our hearts, to guide us and bring about understanding of our Reality. All knowledge in the end helps us to understand our Lord. There is no point behind knowledge unless it helps us understand Him.

Understanding the theories of quantum mechanics is another piece of the puzzle. Truly we know nothing, God knows all.

Miracles described in the Quran, such as the night journey, or Moses' staff taking the form of a serpent, this is all possible. The interchange of atoms in an object lead to the metamorphosis and change into another. There is a divine code imprinted in everything, this code, at the will of our Lord, can change form and adapt to something entirely new.

Why does God say that deep contemplation for an hour is better than 70,000 years of worship? Contemplation on our Lord leads us to new heights of understanding.

The greatest minds became that way by contemplation over a problem or a mystery that required solving. Hence the birth of knowledge on subatomic particle dynamics.

Our Master, Rasulullah (S) knew all these secrets. He passed them down to his Sahabas who in turn relayed that to their followers. Leading to this point in time that we are here understanding what they knew 1400 years ago.

Relativity?

The principal of relativity states that
  1. The laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion relative to one another.
  2. Relativity of simultaneity: Two events, simultaneous for some observer, may not be simultaneous for another observer if the observers are in relative motion.
  3. Time dilation: Moving clocks are measured to tick more slowly than an observer's "stationary" clock. To illustrate this further, imagine an observer sitting beside an oval race track, with a motorcycle rider traveling close to the speed of light for several years around the track.The sitting observer will age faster because time for the motorcycle rider will elapse relatively slower.
  4. Length contraction: Objects are measured to be shortened in the direction that they are moving with respect to the observer.
  5. Mass-energy equivalence: E = mc2, energy and mass are equivalent and transmutable.

God-Particle - The Higgs Boson, subatomic particle of subatomic particles.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Comments?



The only Love that is Truly Eternal

The Love between God and Servant





Take away what I want.


Take away what I do.



Take away what I need.



Take away everything



that takes me from you. 



[Mevlana Jalalludin Rumi]



Socialism vs. Capitalism

"Socialism is for the rich, Capitalism is for the poor."


~ Ambrose Finnegan, Vice President Joe Biden's Grandfather.


I recently read a book entitled: "The Meaning of Marxism"


First know straight off the bat that I am not a socialist or communist. I agree with certain principles and ideas, but as a functioning government or society, it doesn't really do justice.


Haha, I liked that last sentence, so many ways to interpret it.


Anyway, I read the book on the suggestion of my friend Defne, she dated one of my best friends for a while and she came recently from Turkey. She is, if you didn't guess, a Socialist. Which is fine, for her.


I accepted the book from her, which she later turned into a gift (such crafty people, give a book to someone to "borrow" and then when they are getting ready to return it tell them it's theirs, I'd rather a person be straight up with me, but that's cool), and read most of it, I got really bored and tired of reading through the same exact ideas being expressed over and over again in new and mildly interesting ways.


Essentially, this is what I took back from the book.


Socialism = GOOD!
Capitalism = EVIL!


Really, that's all there was to it, someone could have shown me the above two equations and I wouldn't have had to waste my time reading that tedious book. Granted, if I read a similar book that looked favorably upon Capitalism, those equations would be interchanged.


I have read parts of the Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx for you illiterate people, and read works by Friedrich Engels, I actually just really enjoy their styles of writing. The German is really interesting.


Anyway, I will be more sporting and give a broader explanation of the knowledge secretly locked within the bindings of this book.


Essentially, the goal of Socialism is an admirable one, one I respect and am myself working towards, in my own way. We'll call this, "Salmanalism" (Salman-ism is something else, this word refers to incredibly bad jokes and puns that only I would say, carrying on...).


How Socialism works is well, nationalizing almost everything. From schools, to hospitals, to construction, to food distributors, to your mom. Everything. Okay, let's say I agree with this, then what? Well, okay, I guess I am guaranteed food, housing, education, and medical services. Sweet! What else do I need? How about some flexibility? I want to choose what I eat, where I sleep, where I study, and how I get treated, or even not get treated. Truly, socialism isn't this rigid or strict, you do have some choices. But we won't get carried away and say you are actually free. The government actually decides whether you are allowed to move around to different parts of the country, or move out entirely. See how we have Mexicans trying to sneak into the US? You would have people sneaking out of their socialist states.


The thing that gets me is, this concept is way to ideal. Also, it seems that it is almost impossible to see come to perfect fruition without an immense loss of life. Now, I have not studied every case, but I feel confident enough to assume that loss of life is part of every revolution. Even Ghandi's peaceful revolution of reaching independence from Mother England left the country in such a hostile state that scores of Muslims and Hindus died in vain. A very tragic loss of life. Let's not forget the Sikhs or Jains either, they are often overlooked due to their small numbers. Even Buddhists and Christians were killed. Such nonsensical violence always upsets me, violence period is terrible. Not all violence is physical either, remember that.


Their arguments against capitalism are enticing, but you can make anyone look bad by talking specifically about his bad qualities and not referring to his good qualities, which very likely may outrank his bad ones. I agree capitalism isn't perfect, no economic, social, or governmental institution is. If anything on this earth was perfect, it would be a miracle and only divine intervention would allow for such a thing. I do believe there are perfect people out there, literally perfect people. But I do not believe there is anything close to a perfect government. Nor will there be.


Muslim extremists claim their vision of an Islamic state is the perfect institution, for who? The overwhelmingly vast majority of Muslims, let's say 99%, disagree. Simply because "their vision" of an Islamic states is one that takes us back to over 1400 years ago, they wish to undue what has already been done. No sense at all in that. You must be progressive, working to unlock the secrets of the future through the acceptable means we have now.




Socialism is a system sustained by the already wealthy how did they become so wealthy? Capitalism. Capitalism is a system for the poor, why? Because even the pauper can become a prince.


Train Serendipity

On my way to work this morning, I was running late, which believe it or not is a rare occurrence, and was able to catch the Purple line which typically saves me 15 minutes over the Red line. The only drawback is, the Red line runs every 2-3 minutes while the Purple line runs every 11-14 minutes. So if you make it to the station at the opportune moment, you can have the joy of riding the Purple line and getting to work earlier or right on time if you are running a little late.


Anyway, I hopped on board the Purple and immediately noticed the scarcity of seats, due to it's speed, the Purple line is also more popular, that also may be a result of the fact that it runs about 5 times less often than the Red line which takes you in the same direction and Downtown. Now, I am not someone who really cares who I sit next to on the train, but I will avoid shady looking people, and I will be more prone to sit next to people I find more attractive and less threatening, this is true for males and females alike. I was at the front of the car, unable to find a good seat, I traversed the length of the car to the back and sat down next to a pretty girl.


I don't make moves on the train, that's way too creepy, but often times friendly conversation ensues and a pleasant trip on the train is your reward. Today, however, like most days actually, I had my book ready to read. I recently finished a book by Michael Bulgakov, a great Russian author, the book was entitled "Master and Margarita" given to me by a dear friend. The book I was reading today however is a book I started several months ago, got distracted by school and other books and have restarted today, "Three Cups of Tea" which is always a pleasure to read since I can relate to the people and events described. Anyway, why am I still talking about these books? I wanted to talk about my train ride!


Anyway, as I pulled out my three cups of tea, on a train too! I heard an inquisitive and soft, "Salman..?" Pronounced correctly too, so I knew it was someone that knew me well. It turned towards the girl, who was on my left, and replied with delight, "Nina!" It was my high school friend and college friend, Christina Prescott. She looked great from the last time I saw her. We talked the whole way to her Belmont stop from where she would take the Brown line.


I will admit, it was a little awkward and weird at first, I didn't give her a hug or anything, although she deserved one, but it is a little strange groping someone on the train, or ever really. Haha.


It was great talking to her since we basically stopped hanging out after Freshman year, not for any specific reason, we just sort of drifted into different groups of friends, the only group of friends we ever really shared was in high school and that feels like ancient history. (Does 4 years out of high school feel like ancient history to you too?)


She told me about her research work at Rush Medical on Harrison, a few blocks from where I work on Halsted. She is still dating the same guy that she was with 4 years ago, which is great! I hope everyone is able to find someone they can hold on to for longer than a year. They did break up momentarily but are not back together in a long distance relationship since he is working in California. She has devised a plan to get him to come and stay in the City, I mean, why would you leave Chicago for the West Coast in the first place? Ridiculous! Sehr doff!


As we approached her stop, I didn't quite catch what she said to me, I mumbled something along the lines of, "Have a great day, nice seeing you." She said something in response, but I barely heard it, oh well, got a smile and a good conversation out of it.


I have never bumped into anyone on the train before. Hence the detailed post about it. I pseudo-bumped into Carol, we both got off at the Clark and Lake stop while on the same train but in different cars, haha, I should have known too since we were texting each other while on the train headed to downtown.


Fun stuff, life is great for the only reason that it's dynamic and ever-changing. I don't think I would like the same things happening everyday. The same general template exists (Train-Work-Train-Home-Sleep), but things are so intricately different in each on a day to day that it makes like interesting. Thank God for that.


P.S. Oh! The serendipitous aspect of this event was that I was thinking about her randomly a couple days ago. That tends to happen a lot. I will think about someone I haven't seen in a long time, just out of the blue, and I will see them shortly after. Kind of cool, now only if I can figure this out and harness this power so that I will see whoever I think of when I want to see them! First on my list? I guess I should make a list first!


2012


Last night, I went to see 2012 with my bro and Huseyin.





I will be honest, I was not very interested in watching, but I went to humor them both. In fact, I was invited earlier by Eisha to go watch with her and Kashan, but we both ended up saying no. So, if a girl can't get me to go watch it, then that ought to tell you something, right?



Anyway, we arrive to the movie, enjoy the great trailers (the best part of the movie-going experience), and then, dun dun dun! Here we are, in the present, of course, fast-forwarding to 2012. That's how the story started, which was cool, since it showed what the next steps would be if say this global meltdown was discovered tomorrow by the ever-goofy Indian physicist in, well, India. Who by the way sounded RIDICULOUS *trying* to speak Hindi, sounded like a white-washed ABCD speaking Hindi. Ehan speaks better!


Anyway, I won't be boring myself (my biggest fan) with plot and detailed analysis of the forth-coming calamity. Basically, know that the movie was 2.8 hours of eye candy. It was very visually appealing, overkill to an extent, the plot was rather under-developed, but it was the best they could do considering the impending doom of the planet. Gotta cut 'em some slack right? It was hilarious to me that Africa was the only continent pretty much intact since it was elevated several thousand kilometers above the new sea level, while other large masses of land were submerged. Africa is, after all, the cradle we all came from, no? 


I think it's not worth the $9.50 I paid, but it made my company happy and that's priceless.


I will be having a Barbecue on December 21, 2012. All are welcome.

What turns you?

A collection of words that inspire, amaze, and provoke.