We are always choosing between options, aren’t we? From the moment we wake up, to the clothing we wear, to the breakfast we eat, the games we play and books we read to the next task, all sorts of choices are made.
What about the choices towards our personal self, the well-being of our mental health? How do I attain inner peace with myself? There are so many interactions that happen in the course of the day, either with me or others. When I reflect upon those interactions, I can identify what I am pleased with and what annoyed me. Then I question why was I bothered by something? It shouldn’t be, I just want to be at peace with everything. Sometimes the self-reflection can go on for a whole afternoon where you realize that I need to solve this once and for all. How come I wasn’t bothered by it before and now suddenly I feel disturbed? It shouldn’t be. I cannot postpone it to another time or just ignore it. Ignorance is very disturbing especially when you are aware of situations deep down.
The thing is that human beings are made in a way where we don’t want anything bothering us and so we want to clean ourselves of debris. Just as we wash our face, the need to stay clean and fresh is within us. We need to do the same with our inner self, the need to stay at peace within ourselves is with us.
How does this cleaning process start? It starts from reflecting on a germ cell. How do I explain the existence of a cell? How do I explain the development of the cell? What is giving life to the cell? If the cell is giving life to itself, then congratulations, we have solved the human problem of death?! As if…let’s be realistic. Is there anything in creation (which is in need to be given existence) bringing the cell into existence? Think about it! Nothing of this universe is the Cause of existence of anything here, let alone a germ cell. That is an obvious conclusion. So how are things coming into existence then? The only possible solution is that there must be a Source giving existence to the cell and the universe (with you and I in it), not of the nature of this universe (we call it Absolute). Bravo! We just experienced reading creation in the name of an Absolute Source that gives existence!
“Read in the Name of your Lord who created” (96:1)
“Created man out of a germ-cell” (96:2)
What is existence? It is you and I enjoying this life with each interaction. We are given basic necessities such as air, water, food… endless bounties to be thankful for to the Source of our existence, the Creator of the universe. (Although a huge topic, let’s keep it brief for now and feel free to check out the following short video on experiencing existence https://bit.ly/32SctOj)
Read for your Sustainer is the most bountiful One” (96:3)
If I am thankful for the One who gives existence, then should I be bothered by anything else? No and that is why I want to clean myself of bothersome feelings and to be like a newborn baby at peace in my existence. Don’t we all desire to be pure and free of corruption? Don’t we like innocence and hang out with little ones because their heart is at peace?
“Nay, but indeed man transgresses” (96:6)
What happened to me now? How did I corrupt myself and allowed for petty things to bother me? I was so at peace in my cradle? Where did I get these bothersome ideas from? What do I derive my value from? Don’t I belong to the same Creator who gave me existence? Why do I transgress against myself? I am perfect in my creation but how do I end up polluting myself?
Every day we eat delicious fruits. If I take the seed of that fruit and sow it, then I may get a fruit bearing tree. If I just eat the fruit and throw the seed away, then I am not working towards a bigger goal. Would you rather have a fruit-bearing tree, a long term investment or just living with day to day transactions? We can all answer that for ourselves because it seems that there are two options offered here. The first one requires some laboring with the sweet fruit, where I question the Source of Existence of the fruit and my need to eat the fruit. Can the fruit happen to be in existence by itself? After this reflective process, we come to a conclusion about an Absolute (as stated above) and so we can be at peace that we have a Gracious Creator taking care of our needs. The other option is an easy and lazy path with the sweet fruit that requires no reflective process. Why would I be given the human tools of reasoning, intellect and the heart if it is not to use them? Can I just follow the lazy way of eating delicious fruits without sowing its seed, which is acknowledging the Source of my Existence? No, a hundred times no. What a waste to my humanity if I do not sow the seeds of the fruits I eat here?! For I am created in a way where I desire to have a tree with endless fruits to enjoy. What do I have to waste if I sow the seed?! Just need to put in some effort into it, that’s it. So are you ready to proceed with this cleansing journey!? (Feel free to check out the following short video on the inner dimensions of pilgrimage/hajj https://bit.ly/2CGZXqi)
Write down everything that bothers you and ask yourself if it is essential to your existential needs. Is this how my Creator created me for? Would a newborn get bothered by such petty matters? If you get that thing, how would your life change at an existential level? Who is the real provider of that thing? What brings value to your existence? Isn’t the Creator of the universe the Provider of all?! This introspection is like putting yourself under a hot pot or fire so that the real you comes out in the form of a newborn baby. When you connect your existence to its Source, then you are sowing a seed in clean soil. That is what we need to work on, make sure that we clean ourselves and connect all our feelings and emotions to the Source of our Existence, the Creator of the whole universe. This process needs to be done frequently because we are all prone to pollution just like soil gets dirty if not maintained properly. Happy cleansing!
”Indeed to your Lord is the return” (96:8)