What is Sufism?

Sufism is the name given to the mystical movement within Islam; a Sufi is a Muslim who dedicates himself to the quest after mystical union (or, better said, reunion) with his Creator. 

The name is Arabic in origin, being derived from the word suf meaning “wool”; the Sufis were distinguishable from their fellows by wearing a habit of coarse woollen cloth, in time when silks and brocades had become the fashion of the wealthy and mundane-minded, symbolic of their renunciation of worldly values and their abhorrence for physical comforts.

The ascetic outlook and practice, an indispensable preparation to mystical communion, characterized the life not only of Mohammad himself but of many of his earliest followers.

Even when the rapid spread of Islam and the astonishing military conquests of neighbouring ancient kingdoms brought undreamed-of riches to the public exchequer, not a few of the leading men in the new commonwealth withstood all temptation to abandon the austere life of the desert, and their example was admired and emulated by multitudes of humbler rank. 

Nevertheless with the passage of time, and as Islam became increasing secularized consequent upon further victories and rapidly augmenting complications of state craft, the original ascetic impulse tended to be overwhelmed in the flood of worldly preoccupation.

Write-up Curtsy: http://www.thesufi.com

Image curtsy: www.quopic.com 

God plans in His own way

The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.

When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one" and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. 

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. 

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. 

Then one day, a man and women came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in it's boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. 

Change yourself first

Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a prosperous country.

One day, he went for a trip to some distant areas of his country. 

When he was back to his palace, he complained that his feet were very painful, because it was the first time that he went for such a long trip, and the road that he went through was very rough and stony. 

He then ordered his people to cover every road of the entire country with leather.

Definitely, this would need thousands of cows' skin, and would cost a huge amount of money.

Then one of his wise servants dared himself to tell the king, "Why do you have to spend that unnecessary amount of money? Why don't you just cut a little piece of leather to cover your feet?"

The king was surprised, but he later agreed to his suggestion, to make a "shoe" for himself.

"Everyone thinks of changing the world; but no one thinks of changing himself" Leo Tolstoy.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi

Helping without anyone noticing

Many years ago, there lived a man who was capable of loving and forgiving everyone he came across. Because of this, God sent an angel to talk to him.

'God asked me to come and visit you and tell you that he wishes to reward you for your goodness,' said the angel. 'You may have any gift you wish for. Would you like the gift of healing?'

'Certainly not,' said the man. 'I would prefer God to choose those who should be healed.'

'And what about leading sinners back to the path of Truth?'

'That's a job for angels like you. I don't want to be venerated by anyone or to serve as a permanent example.'

'Look, I can't go back to Heaven without having given you a miracle. If you don't choose, I'll have to choose one for you.'

The man thought for a moment and then said: 'All right, I would like good to be done through me, but without anyone noticing, not even me, in case I should commit the sin of vanity.'

So the angel arranged for the man's shadow to have the power of healing, but only when the sun was shining on the man's face. In this way, wherever he went, the sick were healed, the earth grew fertile again, and sad people rediscovered happiness.

The man travelled the Earth for many years, oblivious of the miracles he was working because when he was facing the sun, his shadow was always behind him. In this way, he was able to live and die unaware of his own holiness.

Are you God?

It is said that when Buddha was first Enlightened he was asked, "Are you a God?"

"No," he replied.

"Are you a saint?"

"No."

"Then what are you?"

And he answered, "I am awake."

Lord Buddha did not answer in affirmation to question  "Are you a God?", as the word God had already a meaning for the questioner. It had a meaning and an idea of God, which essentially is not God. 

Buddha just gave him an indication which could make him realize what God is.

About Zen Stories

Zen stories are not the fiction. These stories are the incidents which really happened with the Enlightened beings and the Zen Masters, who worked or answered the disciples in order to point to bring the awakening in the self.

Zen is a product of Buddhism which traveled with Buddhist monks from India to China to Japan and Zen became popular in Japan. Most Zen masters rather than giving teachings and discourses, would create conditions or use strange looking techniques to awaken and be aware of the working of mind of the disciple..

Zen is creative. It brings about creativeness in one’s self. The popularity of Zen is such that the word has taken the place in normal modern life with Zen accessories like Zen clock or Zen Alarm Clock, Zen Garden, Zen Furniture, Zen Mats.

The stories are there. These short stories can have a profound effect on the readers as they did to the listener, or might just pass away as an amusing, entertaining story or even a meaningless story for some. Readers are free, what to take from these stories. However it is due to the profound meanings in these very short stories, these have been favorites for many. Books still gets printed telling these stories and one can find good resource online too.

How to see God

A Short story of a Sufi Master who was asked can you help me to see God?

On the top of the mountain, lived a Sufi Master. Once every month he used to visit the village at the foot of the mountain. On one such visit, A man approached him and asked, How come I cannot have sight of the God? Can you help me to see God?

"Sure", was the reply of the Sufi Master, but for that you will have to help me.

"What help do you need Master?"

"You will have to pick up five stones of equal size and weight. Carry them to the top of the mountain, so that I can use them to build a platform outside my hut."

The seeker agreed. Both started there journey way up on the mountain. Soon the man got tired and walking became a very difficult task for him.

"Discard one of the stones", the Sufi Master told, "then it will be easier for you."

The man discarded one of the stone and walking became easier.

Once again the man got tired. Walking towards the mountain top was becoming very tough. The master again asked him to discard one of the stone. 

Likewise all five stones were discarded on the way to the top of the mountain.

The Sufi Master then said to the man, "Now I have shown you the way to God."

The man was perplexed. He said, "I cannot see God."

The Master explained, "The five stones symbolize the our major weaknesses to see God. They are Lust, Anger, Greed, Desires and Ego. Learn to discard these. Let me be the first one to warn you, it will not be easy. Strive hard, I shall help you. When you succeed in throwing away all these stones which are but curtains between you and God, then effortlessly you will have sight of your beloved God."

Thus the man began his journey on the Sufi Path under a Sufi Master.

Take risks to enjoy the fruits

Two monkeys, a father and his young son, were sitting in a large tree together.

The son turned to his dad and said, “I’m hungry, can you get me some leaves to eat?”

The father looked at his son and smiled, “Well, then you had better get some yourself.”

“But I don’t know how.” the son protested.

“You have a choice,” responded the dad. ”You can pick the dry, unpalatable leaves that are found near the trunk or you can go to the edge of the limbs and choose the freshest, most delectable leaves.”

“That’s not fair, why can’t the nicest leaves be found where everyone can get to them easily?”

“That’s just the point. If everyone could get to them, they wouldn’t be so fresh.”

“But it’s risky to go out on the smaller branches. They could break or I could lose my grip and fall!”

“Son, listen closely. If you remember this, you’ll be successful in everything that you do and will always have the nicest leaves to eat. When you take a risk and go out on a limb, the fall isn’t nearly as bad as it looks.”

“But why doesn’t every monkey go and get the fresh leaves?” asked the son.

“Because fear of perceived danger is a powerful motivator and too many monkeys would rather eat rubbish and complain about it than take a risk and go for what they really want. The challenges are out there son, go face them!”

What's prettier than freckles

An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo.

Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the line said to the little boy.

Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head.

His grandmother knelt down next to him.

"I love your freckles. When I was a little girl I always wanted freckles," she said, while tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful."

The boy looked up, "Really?"

"Of course," said the grandmother, humbly. 

"Why just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles."

The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's face and more humbly and softly whispered, "Wrinkles.”

Discovering your Inner Light

by Unknown

A man wanted to dig a well to water his farm. After digging for some time in a place recommended by water-diviners, he found no water and got disgusted. He had dug only about fifteen feet.

Along came another man who laughed at him for digging there, and pointed to another place. The farmer went over to that spot and dug and dug, for about twenty feet. Still no water, and very tired, he finally took the advice of an old neighbor who assured him there was water at yet another place.

After he had given up that one too, his wife came out and said, "Where are your brains? Does anyone sink a well that way? Stay in one place and dig deeper and deeper there!" Next day, rested, the farmer spent all day on digging one hole deeper and deeper and found abundant water.

Life is also similar. Its all about learning and discovering your inner Light.

Found at http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com