ای همه ینظر بنور الله شده

بهر بخشش از بر شه آمده

“To you whom have been seen by the light of GOD,

Forgiveness has come from the Source.”

~Rumi

Source: Mathnawi I, 2780

Reflection on the Quote:

A message from Dr. Fariba Enteshari, Founder & Executive Director

If we can ponder together on the meaning of wisdom and love—two powerful words that come together to say something profound—

what comes up for you?

How will this meaning unfold in you?

Wisdom and love contemplated side by side help me to step back from the rush of life, from my own ego, and from the illusion that I am in control of what comes next. I slowly slide into a moment of silence. Life turns suddenly into a garden and the wisdom of love compels me to slow down and choose every seed of my action carefully.

Mind always rushes through all the steps of life, and I have to manage to slow my mind down to walk through the labyrinth of life mindfully. A precious moment of peace comes when I can stare into the face of life and choose carefully that which guards and supports life. And there, as we know, “ In my Father’s house are many rooms… (John 14:2)— I cannot explore all of them in a rush.

Recently, I got a message from someone I have not talked to for over 30 years. Luckily, he reached out first to someone we both know so I needed to let him know whether I was willing to talk. I wanted to say “no” since there was no reason for me to talk to him, but I slowed down and visited the garden of inner peace to enjoy the flowers I have picked so carefully throughout my life. The seeds I have carefully chosen and planted with care and love. I slid into a moment of silence and felt that this person from the past needed to be granted a chance to say what he needs to say. I called him and we had a pleasant talk and during our conversation he asked to be forgiven for any harm he may have caused in the past…

Any harm in the past? Did I remember any harm in the past related to him? Yes, I did. His actions caused lots of pain to my family which impacted years of my life negatively. It was not hard to say, “yes, I have forgiven you long time ago.”

Why? I could not understand my own reaction until I could feel that I was seeing him in a different light. I was open to talking to him because of years of spiritual work of knowing and understanding myself, my vocation and who I am in this walk of life. I may not have needed to talk to him but I knew he needed something and I was able to lean into what was asked of me.

In so many ways, I am often astonished that years of spiritual growth can take one to unexpected crossroads of life. After many years of slow pace, we can get to a place of exponential growth because we are at ease with who we have become in this moment AND give others a chance to become who they can become at their best. Suddenly, all became clear that the wisdom of love runs in the veins of seekers who long to understand who they are, who others are, and the complexity of life.

Forgiveness is one of the fruits of the wisdom of love that has many layers; the layer of letting go of what happened in the past, the gift of overcoming hurts to our ego (poor me), and the layer of being able to dive into the silence which is the gift of connecting to the divine and one’s inner core.

نى مشو نوميد و خود را شاد كن

پيش آن فرياد رس فرياد كن

“Do not despair, become joyous,

ask for help from the One who grants your call.”

Source: Mathnawi I, 3252

Our godly qualities come from beyond but working toward them is recommended.

-Dr. Fariba Enteshari

Touched by Rumi

As the Seasons Change…

Just two weeks ago, we transitioned into Fall, the sun is setting earlier, leaves are turning yellow and falling to the ground, a dry breeze casts itself across California.

Fall represents the maturation of a cycle, it is the time of harvest and abundance, of reaping what you have sown, both in your physical and internal worlds.

How has your spiritual practice developed or matured over the past year? Has it been integrated? Is it being utilized?

This is not a question of material, the quality of your alter, the frequency of your ceremonies, prayer, or mediation. It is a question of interacting with the world with your spiritual knowledge guiding and informing your interactions. You can attend your church every week, but if you do not practice with what you learn in a sermon then where is the meaning in your attendance?

Love is a continuous practice. You can read about it all you want, but for it to be impactful, it must be integrated into your interactions, especially when it first feels difficult or uncomfortable. Live mindfully, and pay attention when you find yourself acting out of fear, hate, or jealousy. Choose love then, and peace and gratitude will blossom from within.

-Kiana Ranjbaran, REC Intern

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