Rabbika a concept which denotes an intimate relationship with Allah is from the root rabb a term for God that reflects a context of nurturance. An term in relation to our gender binary, which has a feminine connotation. The concept of devotion is core in sacred studies. Even the term sacred means something to be revered. Not all who come to ministry, religion or spirituality are interested in the loving relationship with Spirit, but intimate connection is an essential part of truly relating to anything.
This tone of relationship with the Divine is made in the cave of the heart. The intimacy of this connection with the sacred is termed rabbika in Islam, and in yogic studies it is carefree to as bhakti yoga. The Sacred then becomes the Beloved.
This tone of relationship with the Divine is made in the cave of the heart. The intimacy of this connection with the sacred is termed rabbika in Islam, and in yogic studies it is carefree to as bhakti yoga. The Sacred then becomes the Beloved.
The intersectionality between yogic and Sufi studies is not surprising. I find all mystic sects have a common thread. In yogic studies there is a categorization of the ego or ahamkar, in Sufi studies this occurs with the different stages of the nafs.
The Nafs al`Ammara Bissuu' being the lower stage and the higher being the nafs exhibited by the saints and prophets. Just as there are tamasic and sattvic ego states in yogic studies, the sattvic ones corresponding with the consciousness of the guru and ascended masters.
They also both make a distinction from the sattvic state or purified state of nafs and the state of
annihilation into the Beloved or La illaha illallah.
That there is the expansiveness, and self
(individual unit, concept, or categorization)
annihilation when you surrender to merging with
the source of creation. It forms for me another
argument for developing a multi-religious
perspective.
The Nafs al`Ammara Bissuu' being the lower stage and the higher being the nafs exhibited by the saints and prophets. Just as there are tamasic and sattvic ego states in yogic studies, the sattvic ones corresponding with the consciousness of the guru and ascended masters.
They also both make a distinction from the sattvic state or purified state of nafs and the state of annihilation into the Beloved or La illaha illallah.
That there is the expansiveness, and self
(individual unit, concept, or categorization)
annihilation when you surrender to merging with
the source of creation. It forms for me another
argument for developing a multi-religious
perspective.
In yogic studies they also speak of the higher and lower triangles as a division made among your chakra, or body's energy system, with the heart as center. Operating from the higher chakras, is recommended, though practice is needed since we live on a planet with gravity, and the lower ones naturally have more pull.
For the Muslim or Devotee having an intimate relationship with Spirit allows for revelation. It is revelation because it is revealed to you when it is obscured otherwise. “As for those whose fate is disbelief, whether you warn them or do not warn them - it is all one for them; they will not believe. Allah has sealed their hearts and their ears, and on their eyes is a covering” (Baqarah 2:6-7).
“And of them there are some who listen to you; but We have set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they see every one of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) they will not believe therein; to the point that when they come to you to argue with you" (Al-An’am 6:25).
The clear signs are apparent to true believers. Indeed I believe the Ayats or signs become clearer and clearer the more true you become. True believers are ones who learn to honor God in all things. The more you witness and honor the totality, Malik-al-Mulk (the position of creator as owner of all) the more the veils thin and things become apparent. Positing unification with source on a continuum, which reflects the fluid aspect of creator/creation.
“And of them there are some who listen to you; but We have set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in their ears; if they see every one of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) they will not believe therein; to the point that when they come to you to argue with you" (Al-An’am 6:25).
The clear signs are apparent to true believers. Indeed I believe the Ayats or signs become clearer and clearer the more true you become. True believers are ones who learn to honor God in all things. The more you witness and honor the totality, Malik-al-Mulk (the position of creator as owner of all) the more the veils thin and things become apparent. Positing unification with source on a continuum, which reflects the fluid aspect of creator/creation.
The Donkey is your Vehicle, Don't let the Ass ride you
For the Sufi striving in the way of truth toward totality means to call “a spade a spade” condemn what is wrong and lift up what is right, but it also means to be soft like wool with each other. To do Salat, dhikr, any protocols which focus and train the ego to be a good vehicle (a good donkey) on the path.
This training from the practices or Salat, is much like the concept of yoga. Yoga comes from the root yuj which means to yoke. It is used several times throughout the Vedas in analogy to horses drawing a chariot. The horses are the senses and the yoke (yoga) is a harnessing tool that tames and unifies the erratic aspects of your vehicle with the whole. Just as Salat and dhikr train and unify your ego into resonance with the remembrance of divine presence.
Devotion the Best Polish
To truly engage an expanding realization of Allah you must strive to understand more of the totality. In yogic studies this could be understood through the concept of jnana yoga or union with the divine through knowledge and wisdom. The 99 names show Source to be made manifest in many forms as Rachman (compassionate) Raheem (merciful), Haqq (truth) Chay (life), Wadud (love), and to come to know the source in its many forms we understand a relationship can develop between us and those attributes.
Honoring the sacred has the potential to crack open the cave of the heart bringing an element of reverence that is a combination of the impressions of your experience which are unique and private compositions of devotion. In yogic studies they speak of a great seal of the absolute made onto the worshiper who has cleared the misimpressions of the ego enough to be malleable to a saintly imprint from Divine embrace.
Honoring the sacred has the potential to crack open the cave of the heart bringing an element of reverence that is a combination of the impressions of your experience which are unique and private compositions of devotion. In yogic studies they speak of a great seal of the absolute made onto the worshiper who has cleared the misimpressions of the ego enough to be malleable to a saintly imprint from Divine embrace.
A Entrance in Every Direction
In terms of Rabbika I find it is true that the Hanif or internal compass that points to Allah is made clearly apparent by an intimate connection. I also resonate with the concept of portals to Allah. Our heart, and our devotion is a portal. Our heads or higher centers especially when prostrate in remembrance of Supan Allah, (much like touching the feet of the guru or representative of the divine in yogic studies). put to the lowest point in a stance of humility, creates a portal to the Beloved. Each spiritual and religious path a portal to the Divine. I find myself unable to cut off any access points to the Infinite. Ever opening to many divine expressions of the totality.
Allah brought me into this life and sees me through each day. I have learned to be grateful for my losses as well as my gains. I have come through my life experiences with an unflinching conviction in the pure nurturance of divine presence. It fills every void and is the foundation on which I weather every storm. I continue to strive not to judge but to encourage toward practices of remembrance. For when we are in the current of divinity, in a sattvic state or a state of purified nafs, we remember there are no barriers and no distinctions just La ilaha illallah. There is nothing outside of The Sacred.
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