“The way we follow … flows everywhere without moving, never straying from this moment.“ ~ Elias Amidon
Sufism: “… The supreme vision of Sufism is to see God everywhere, to view every part of creation as a reflection of God’s glory. The poet Jami writes: “Every branch and leaf and fruit reveals some aspect of God’s perfection: the cypress gives hint of His majesty; the rose gives tidings of His beauty.” Every atom was created by God so that man could know the highest truth and learn the secrets of love …”… excerpted from Jonathan Star’s own Introduction to his book: In The Arms of The Beloved, Translations By Jonathan Star …
The Tao: “… Heaven and Earth have no preference. A man may choose one over another But to Heaven and Earth all are the same The high, the low, the great, the small— All are given light. All get a place to rest …” … 1st stanza, Verse 5 of Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu, Translated by Jonathan Star …
The verse 5 excerpt captures the essence of The Tao … while Jonathan’s excerpt captures the essence of Sufism …
So, below we offer Elias Amidon’s – a Pir (Spiritual Director) of The Sufi Way – very own The Sufi Tao …
{And, to get a little more taste of Sufism visit Love Religion: Sufism, Rumi & Ibn Arabi … for even more check out our posts to do with Rumi … and click here for our posts on The Tao …
The Way: Sufi Tao
Once, a young seeker asked an old Sufi woman,
“Mother, tell me, what is the way of the Sufi?
What way do you follow?”
She replied:
The way we follow does not lead.
It is like a wind that has no origin
and that seeks no destination.
It flows everywhere without moving,
never straying from this moment.
The way we follow is holy and alive
but to call it a way is to make it a thought,
suitable for the mind but not the heart.
The love-wind we follow teaches without instruction.
It reveals a path without pointing.
Accepting what arises, it holds on to nothing,
holding on to nothing it embraces all things.
Following the way, one is gentle
and does not defend or claim to know.
Not knowing,
one goes the way in wonder.
The way has no abode yet it is home.
In the evening friends gather and sing.
At dawn they go their own way without leaving.
Having no abode they are free.
Free, they are unafraid of rejection and death.
Unafraid, they give comfort to the comfortless.
If someone asks them who they are,
they say, a friend.
The way we follow does not separate or declare,
nor does it draw attention to itself.
Loving, it has no need to possess.
Intimate, its secret remains secret.
Though it is most holy, it is not special.
It belongs to all beings and is never withheld.
No one and nothing is outside of the way,
but few know it.
To know the way is to be the way.
Kind, the way is naturally kind.
Curious, it laughs with amazement.
If you do not know the way, be kind.
If you do not know the way, be curious.
Then like a leaf warmed in the sun,
in autumn you will turn gold, then brittle,
then earth, and never stop living.
~ Elias Amidon
And, here’s a gentle reminder to help those in times of extreme need …
Go Fund Me continues to be a platform (amongst many others) for exercising – and deepening – our kindness and compassion. To this end, we have selected a few “pertinent to this time” campaigns that bring relief … for animals during natural disaster (like the llming IDA Hurricane) … for a family that lost the father – a marine in Afghanistan – while expecting a new baby … for small businesses … for restaurant workers – the world over …
We are all facing financial challenges but IF your situation allows you to donate and help then please do so …
Of course, there are many more worthy and noble efforts – the ones highlighted here are simply suggestions that may inspire you to donate to whatever effort you are drawn to …
Also, … here’s a GoFundMe blog post Fundraising for Coronavirus Relief: How You Can Help the Fight that offers a very comprehensive map for the COVID relief efforts including how you can help, what to give to, and lots more … We are supporting some of these campaigns personally and also as Stillness Speaks (through donations).
THANK YOU!
May you mine the “gems” strewn all around you … as you walk The Way … and …
May you remain safe and healthy as you navigate these unsettling times.
Elias’ writes a monthly Notes from the Open Path which are short contemplations on an approach to living wholeheartedly and in clear awareness (aspects of his Open Path teachings) … visit his website for more of his work: The Open Path – The Sufi Way
The entire italicized text above (aside from the block quoted non-italicized content and excerpts from Tao Te Ching and Rumi: In The Arms Of The Beloved) is authored by Elias: all text re Sufi Tao is excerpted from his August 2019 monthly email Notes from the Open Path (also available on his website). He has graciously given us permission to freely share these notes with our readers.
The opening para or Jonathan Star’s remarks on Sufism from The Introduction of Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved, Translations by Jonathan Star.
1st stanza, Verse 5 from Tao Te Ching: The New Translation from Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition.
Images (edited and logos added): Featured and 1) Beautiful seascape that was created on the volcanic coast of Lan by MikeMareen, 2) Sunrise with huge rays over ceral fields by ARUIZHU, 3) Autumn and spring landscape photos by Muhur, 4) Calm sunrise over ocean on Maldives by sborisov. 1, 3-x) purchased from depositphotos, and 2) purchased from 123rf for use only on our website/social channels (these images are not permitted to be shared separate from this post).
