The Bowl of Saki

[guest587]

The awakened heart says, "I must give, I must not demand." Thus it enters a gate that leads to a constant happiness.

     Bowl of Saki, June 28, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

An unhappy person, being himself unhappy, cannot make others happy. It is a wealthy person who can help the one who is hard up, not a poor person, however much desire of helping he may have. So it is with happiness, which is a great wealth; and a happy person can take away the unhappiness of another, for he has enough for himself and for others.

Earthly pleasures are the shadows of happiness; because of their transitory character. True happiness is in love, which is the stream that springs from one's soul. He who will allow this stream to run continually in all conditions of life, in all situations, however difficult, will have a happiness which truly belongs to him, the source of which is not without, but within. If there is a constant outpouring of love one becomes a divine fountain, for from the depth of the fountain rises the stream and, on its return, it pours upon the fountain, bathing it continually.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_17.htm


Why does a mystic attribute such great importance to harmony? Because to a mystic, his whole life is one continuous symphony, a playing of music, with each soul contributing his particular part to the symphony. A person's success therefore depends upon the idea he has of harmony. Very few people in the world pay attention to harmony. They do not know that without it, there is no chance of happiness. It is only the harmonious ones who can make others happy and partake of that happiness themselves; and apart from them, it is hard to find happiness in the world.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_8.htm


The method of attainment is to endeavor always to make others happy and by experiencing happiness in the happiness of others. In the terms of the Sufi, it is Suluk. Any selfishness prevents us from appreciating another's happiness and therefore we shall be kept back, for the happiness of others is the gate to our own happiness. Real happiness is entering the gate. We must feel satisfaction in another's satisfaction ... If a person needs a certain thing and we can supply it, we should be happy, how ever small the thing may be.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/constancy.htm

[guest587]

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

There is in man a false self and a real self. The real self contains the eternal; the false self contains the mortal. The real self has wisdom; the false self ignorance. The real self can rise to perfection; the false self ends in limitation. The real self has all good, the false self is productive of all evil. One can see both in oneself: God and the other one. By conquering the other one, one realizes God. This other power has been called Satan; but is it a power? In reality it is not. It is and it is not. It is a shadow. We see shadow and yet it is nothing. We should realize that this false self has no existence of its own. As soon as the soul has risen above the false self, it begins to realize its nobility.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_13.htm


In order to see this question more clearly one must picture oneself as two beings, one the king and the other the servant. When one of them expresses a wish, it is the king who wishes. And the part that says, 'I cannot,' is the servant. If the servant has his way, then the king is in the place of the servant. And the more the servant has his way, the more the servant rules and the king obeys. In this way naturally conflict arises and that reflects upon the outer life; one's whole life becomes unlucky. One may be pious or good or religious, it makes no difference. If man does not realize the kingdom of God within himself nor realize his spirit to be a king, he does not accomplish the purpose of life.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_28.htm


The soul of man is a dweller in heaven. It is able to see more than the eyes can see. It is able to hear more than the ears can hear. The soul is able to expand further than man can journey. The soul is able to dive deeper than any depths that man can ever touch. The soul is able to reach higher than man can reach by any means. Its life is freedom, it knows nothing but joy and sees nothing but beauty. Its own nature is peace, and its being is life itself. It is not intelligent. It is intelligence itself. It is spirit. Its nature is not human but divine. ... Man is a process, manifestation is a process through which the spirit goes from one condition to another condition, from one pole to another pole. And through this whole process the attempt of the spirit is to find itself. ... The highest perception of freedom comes when a person has freed himself from the false ego, when he is no longer what he was. All the different kinds of freedom will give a momentary sensation of being free, but true freedom is in ourselves. When one's soul is free, then there is nothing in this world that binds one; everywhere one will breathe freedom, in heaven and on earth.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_27.htm


It is therefore that the Sufi seeks God as his love, lover and beloved, his treasure, his possession, his honor, his joy, his peace; and his attainment in its perfection alone fulfills all demands of life both here and hereafter.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_2.htm

[guest587]

When a person opposes or hinders the expression of a great ideal, and is unwilling to believe that he will meet his fellow men as soon as he has penetrated deeply enough into every soul, he is preventing himself from realizing the unlimited. All beliefs are simply degrees of clearness of vision. All are part of one ocean of truth. The more this is realized the easier is it to see the true relationship between all beliefs, and the wider does the vision of the one great ocean become. Limitations and boundaries are inevitable in human life; forms and conventions are natural and necessary; but they none the less separate humanity. It is the wise who can meet one another beyond these boundaries.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_3.htm

[guest587]

[guest587]

[guest587]

It would appear the wisdom from Hazrat Inayat Khan and the bowl of saki have mysteriously aligned with a recent conversation we shared in the members only section. There I quoted something by Anandamayi Ma, which seems to have drawn a response from Steve. And today, it's as if the Master is elaborating on that expression. For context, this is the quote by Anandamayi Ma...
Anandamayi Ma:
“…My consciousness has never associated itself with this temporary body. Before I came on this earth Father, I was the same. I grew into womanhood but still I was the same. When the family in which I had been born made arrangements to have this body married, I was the same. And Father, in front of you now, I am the same. Even afterwards, though the dance of creation changed around me in the halls of eternity, I shall be the same.” – To Paramahansa Yogananda


Beautiful Ma... Beautiful.
And now, todays message... The One Spirit finds ways to speak through our interest... The bowl of Saki often aligns with many internal musings:

The additional commentary really drove the synchronicity for me:

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Then again it may be said, there is a purpose above each purpose, and there is again a purpose under each purpose; and yet beyond and beneath all purposes there is no purpose.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_2.htm


That which we call composition and decomposition and construction and destruction of things, all those are due to change, one thing turning into another. There is no such thing as death or real decomposition or destruction. It may be destruction of that particular object, but although that part which appeared in certain form or color has changed, it is not the true elements of the thing which have changed. Therefore birth and death, composing and decomposing form the constant changes in the appearance of things of life.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/constancy.htm


The difference between the life known to the generality and the life which is unknown is that of illusion and reality. Man mocks at the idea if he be told that all this is illusion, until he dives deep and finds out by comparison that this life which is subject to birth and death and subject to changes is a life and yet no life. This life is like a drop of water in the sea. The drop is existent and yet in reality non-existent when compared with the sea. And yet we cannot say that the drop of water is non-existent, for it merges in the same sea in which it once appeared; so nothing takes it away but its own source and its original being.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_21.htm


There is only one being, God, who is above birth and death; all else is subject to the law of birth and death.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_13.htm

[guest587]

Continued lessons from a Sufi master:

Belief and disbelief have divided mankind into so many sects, blinding its eyes to the vision of the oneness of all life.

     Bowl of Saki, July 27, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

For the Sufi there exists no one in this world, neither heathen nor pagan, who is to be despised, for he believes in that God who is not the God of one chosen sect but the God of the whole world. He does not believe in a God of one nation, but in the God of all nations. To him God is in all different houses where people worship Him. Even if they stand in the street and pray it makes no difference to him. The holy place is wherever He is worshipped. The Sufi leaves sectarianism to the sects. He has respect for all; he is not prejudiced against any and he does not despise any; he feels sympathy for all.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IX/IX_33.htm


The religion of the mystic is a steady progress towards unity. How does he make this progress? In two ways. In the first way, he sees himself in others, in the good, in the bad, in all; and thus, he expands the horizon of his vision. This study goes on throughout his lifetime; and as he progresses he comes closer to the oneness of all things. The other way of developing is to become conscious of one's own self in God and of God in one's self, which means deepening the consciousness of our innermost being. This process takes place in two directions: outwardly, by being one with all we see; and inwardly, by being in touch with that one Life which is everlasting, by dissolving into it and by being conscious of that one Spirit being THE existence, the only existence.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/X/X_1.htm


'There is One God, the Eternal, the Only Being; none exists save He.' The God of the Sufi is the God of every creed, and the God of all. Names make no difference to him. Allah, God, Gott, Dieu, Khuda, Brahma, or Bhagwan, all these names and more are the names of his God; and yet to him God is beyond the limitation of name. He sees his God in the sun, in the fire, in the idol which diverse sects worship; and he recognizes Him in all the forms of the universe, yet knowing Him to be beyond all form; God in all, and all in God, He being the Seen and the Unseen, the Only Being.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_1.htm

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Thanks Eric; i had a dear friend that has now passed on. She use to laugh hilariously when I said all this life is like an illusion. But this quote sums it up quite well ⬇️ below.

The difference between the life known to the generality and the life which is unknown is that of illusion and reality. Man mocks at the idea if he be told that all this is illusion, until he dives deep and finds out by comparison that this life which is subject to birth and death and subject to changes is a life and yet no life. This life is like a drop of water in the sea. The drop is existent and yet in reality non-existent when compared with the sea. And yet we cannot say that the drop of water is non-existent, for it merges in the same sea in which it once appeared; so nothing takes it away but its own source and its original being.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_21.htm

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Eric thanks for having this topic here it also leads to other interests as well.  i have moved the latest posts from it because they have actually created a whole new topic that i believe is pertinent to us all. It is under the psychic section of our site. The subject is now 'Ghosts and Spirits'....Under 'Spiritual Smorgasbord.'

[guest587]

Some very interesting revelations are re-emerging into focus. It would appear people are quick to become upset when they suspect another of foul play. And how often do people accuse others of wrong-doing? Or even subtler, how often do people become angry when they can not understand why a person is behaving differently- or why something was left unattended? It is a lack of understanding that stirs emotions like doubt, anger, fear or jealousy. It seems so obvious yet most people experience this regardless of ones physical age. Typically, it happens when someone in your social-circle has steered off the course from 'expected' or desired behavior. Sometimes we don't realize the desires or expectations we've placed on others until we are confronted with the emotions previously mentioned.

Meditation is helpful because it allows us to take a step back and recognize when we're crossing undesirable territory. Same with Sufism, LO1 and 'non-dualistic' teachings. A quick example I can give is when a coworker accused another employee of not working. Little did this person realize that the one being accused of not working was actually working just as hard and a new element was introduced into the environment which would cause delay in completing the assigned task. Because these workers were not together at the time the new element was introduced, when one came to check on the other and saw work had been left unfinished- she assumed the other was not working. Before waiting to receive more information her emotions coupled with an exhaustive day caused her to lash out. Let's say that new element was having multiple new customer's demanding time and energy which would otherwise be spent completing the assigned task. If the young lady but held her tongue or communicated in an effective manner, such revelations may have released her from the attachment of a negative emotion. Understanding works like a salve in this way.

Well. You would think that only one person is at fault when these moments occur but life is a mirror and with the example previously mentioned, both workers ended up accusing the other of not working. It turns out, a new element was introduced for both parties. One had to deal with new customers while another had to deal with a completely different department at a last minute request. Both had checked in on the other at some point and saw something other than what they expected, both attached to a negative emotion allowing it to fester throughout the day where an assumption was made about the other for a lack of real data.

It is that lack of data and the assumptions that delight the Ego, when we forget there's a bigger picture and think life revolves around the little i. Yes, all kinds of merriment(suffering) occurs.  What we're owed. What we've had to endure. What you should be doing. I've experienced this kind of thing not just with the example given above but also with friends and family. Myself guilty of poor behavior and attaching to an all consuming negative wave. As I've said, it sounds obvious- like we should know better... lest you've been hit with a bout of 'Spiritual Amnesia' which occurs when you're most comfortable and think you've got it all figured out. Heheheh. Oh gosh. Life has a way huh? Well, the amount of energy behind this theme has been so strong that I am even able to see it in todays Saki. I thought it worth sharing and adding this entry as my personal take-away based on my current environment and the opportunities therein.

I would like to add... Some relief has been given. Lately I can take a step back and watch before I completely succumb to the stirring emotions. Doing so has quickly brought missing data to the fore dispelling the illusion my Ego has placed before me. I can't always guarantee relief will come quickly... So... Now we have some insight archived... Who knows, this may be a post for my self in a future setting or just a cautionary tale for anyone going through similar. ~Namaste~

Volume XIV - The Smiling Forehead
Part II - The Deeper Side of Life
Chapter XIX
The Soul, its Origin and Unfoldment

Is it not amusing to think that the foolish person disagrees more with others than the wise? One would think that he knows more than the wise one. The wise one agrees with both the foolish and the wise; he is ready to understand everybody's point of view. It may not be his idea, his way of looking, but he is capable of looking at things from the point of view of others. It is not one eye that sees fully; to make the vision complete two eyes are needed, and so the wise one can see from two points of view. If we do not keep away our own thoughts and preconceived ideas, if we cannot be passive and desirous of seeing from the point of view of another, we make a great mistake. This third stage gives a tendency to understand every person we meet.

Then again there is a fourth stage of unfoldment. In this stage we not only understand, but sympathize; we cannot help but sympathize, for we can see that life in the world is nothing but limitation. Whether a person is rich, in a high position, or in a wretched condition – whatever condition he is in, or whatever he is – he has to experience this limitation and that itself is a great misery. Every person therefore has his problem before him, and when we begin to see that every person on this earth has a certain problem and weight to carry through life, we cannot help but sympathize.
The one who can awake to the pain of mankind, whether it is his friend or his foe, cannot help sympathizing with him. Then he develops an outgoing tendency; he has always a feeling that he should go out to every person he meets and then, naturally, by his sympathy he looks for good points, for when one looks at a person without sympathy one will always touch his worst point.
When one goes a step further still, then a way is open to communicate. Just as there is a communication between persons who love each other very much, so the sympathy of a person whose soul has unfolded itself is so awakened that not only every person but even every object begins to reveal its nature, its character and secret. To him every man is a written letter.
We hear stories of saints and sages who talked with rocks and plants and trees. They are not only stories; it is reality. It is also told of the apostles that at the moment when the Spirit descended upon them they began to speak many languages. When they understood so many languages, they understood the language of every soul. It means that the illuminated soul understands the language of every soul. And every soul has its own language. It is that which is called revelation.
All the teachings that the great prophets and teachers have given are only interpretations of what they have seen. They have interpreted in their own language what they have read from the manuscript of nature: that trees and plants and rocks spoke to them. Did nature only speak to those in the past? No, the soul of man is always capable of that bliss if he only realized it. Once the eyes of the heart are open, man begins to read every leaf of the tree as a page of the sacred Book.

https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIV/XIV_2_19.htm

[guest587]

It would appear the wisdom from Hazrat Inayat Khan and the bowl of saki have mysteriously aligned with a recent conversation we shared in the members only section. There I quoted something by Anandamayi Ma, which seems to have drawn a response from Steve. And today, it's as if the Master is elaborating on that expression. For context, this is the quote by Anandamayi Ma...
Anandamayi Ma:
“…My consciousness has never associated itself with this temporary body. Before I came on this earth Father, I was the same. I grew into womanhood but still I was the same. When the family in which I had been born made arrangements to have this body married, I was the same. And Father, in front of you now, I am the same. Even afterwards, though the dance of creation changed around me in the halls of eternity, I shall be the same.” – To Paramahansa Yogananda


Beautiful Ma... Beautiful.
And now, todays message... The One Spirit finds ways to speak through our interest... The bowl of Saki often aligns with many internal musings:

The additional commentary really drove the synchronicity for me:

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

Then again it may be said, there is a purpose above each purpose, and there is again a purpose under each purpose; and yet beyond and beneath all purposes there is no purpose.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_2.htm


That which we call composition and decomposition and construction and destruction of things, all those are due to change, one thing turning into another. There is no such thing as death or real decomposition or destruction. It may be destruction of that particular object, but although that part which appeared in certain form or color has changed, it is not the true elements of the thing which have changed. Therefore birth and death, composing and decomposing form the constant changes in the appearance of things of life.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/archives/constancy.htm


The difference between the life known to the generality and the life which is unknown is that of illusion and reality. Man mocks at the idea if he be told that all this is illusion, until he dives deep and finds out by comparison that this life which is subject to birth and death and subject to changes is a life and yet no life. This life is like a drop of water in the sea. The drop is existent and yet in reality non-existent when compared with the sea. And yet we cannot say that the drop of water is non-existent, for it merges in the same sea in which it once appeared; so nothing takes it away but its own source and its original being.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/XIII/XIII_21.htm


There is only one being, God, who is above birth and death; all else is subject to the law of birth and death.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/V/V_13.htm

'I passed away into nothingness -- I vanished; and lo! I was all living.' All who have realized the secret of life understand that life is one, but that it exists in two aspects. First as immortal, all-pervading and silent; and secondly as mortal, active, and manifest in variety. The soul being of the first aspect becomes deluded, helpless, and captive by experiencing life in contact with the mind and body, which is of the next aspect. The gratification of the desires of the body and fancies of the mind do not suffice for the purpose of the soul, which is undoubtedly to experience its own phenomena in the seen and the unseen, though its inclination is to be itself and not anything else. When delusion makes it feel that it is helpless, mortal and captive, it finds itself out of place. This is the tragedy of life, which keeps the strong and the weak, the rich and poor, all dissatisfied, constantly looking for something they do not know. The Sufi, realizing this, takes the path of annihilation, and, by the guidance of a teacher on the path, finds at the end of this journey that the destination was he. As Iqbal says:

'I wandered in the pursuit of my own self; I was the traveler, and I am the destination.'

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/I/I_I_1.htm

[guest587]

In the country you see the glory of God; in the city you glorify His name.

     Bowl of Saki, August 14, by Hazrat Inayat Khan

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:

From Sigoli, where the train journey ends, [Inayat and his father] had six days journey through the forest. This was a new experience to a soul who wanted to breathe a breath of freedom from the crowd and to whom nature was not only appealing but uplifting. ... Inayat's enjoyment was boundless. For the first time in his life there came to him the realization of the saying: "The city was made by man and the country was made by God."

The solitude of the forest, the sounds of the birds that one never feels nor hears in the crowd, the trees standing in stillness for hundreds of years, a place never occupied by man, gave him a feeling of that calm and peace that every soul longs for, consciously or unconsciously. This journey was a kind of answer to the cry of his soul. He felt in the sphere a welcome and blessing given by the long standing trees, venerable in age and appearance. He saw the hand of God blessing in every bending branch. He pictured his hands in the branches that stretched upwards, hands constantly praying and asking for blessing from above.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/bio/Biography_10.htm

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I can relate to Izrat Khan about nature. When nature is uplifting it is very much so! But at times the temperature is difficult and there are parasites that enjoy taking nibbles out of you just as you are getting peaceful. Or perhaps it may rain or snow when you are outdoors.

[Jitendra Hydonus]

I would add that in the city you are inundated by the restless vibrations of the cities inhabitants. Tonight I came back from Lake Michigan pleasantly interiorized and at peace with my self. I think I knew what to say as well when responding to others. Nature wrapped it’s peaceful settling spirit around me. The meditation I had and gazing into the Sun as twilight pulled the Sun brought me back to the peace in soul expression.

[guest587]

Someone once said to a Brahmin, 'O ignorant man, you have worshipped this idol for years. Do you think it can ever answer you?' 'Yes,' said the Brahmin, 'even from this idol of stone the answer will come if your faith is real. But if you have no real faith, you will get no answer even from the God in heaven.' ... The first necessity is the belief that there is such a Being as God, in whom goodness, beauty, and greatness are perfect. In the beginning it will seem nothing but a belief; but in time, if kept in sincerity and faith, that belief will become like the egg of the Phoenix, out of which the magic bird is born. The birth of God is the birth of the soul. Every soul seeks for happiness, and after pursuing all the objects which for the moment seem to give happiness, it finds out that nowhere is there perfect happiness except in God.

   from  https://wahiduddin.net/mv2/IX/IX_9.htm