Islam
"To know oneself, is to know one's Lord." (Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h)
I grew up as a Shia Muslim and as such I am not sure where to begin with such a page. Do I begin at a theological level? A historical one? A jurisprudential one? Do I help readers better understand the plurality of this faith tradition or delve into the perennial foundation as is common in all mystical strands of spiritual inquiry, including Islam. In looking into my heart, I thought I would begin by providing my own lectures and 10 other lectures from Islamic speakers which have guided me through my life, these are rich sources of wisdom that I feel can be beneficial for anyone regardless of faith or background. Farther below are texts and resources that have served as valuable manuscripts to illuminate my mind, spirit and heart on the existential, psychospiritual and practical applications of Islam to our everyday lives.
As Imam Ali (a.s) so eloquently stated “people are either your brothers or sisters in faith, or your equals in humanity.”
“I wonder at the arrogance of a haughty and vain person. Yesterday he was only a drop of semen and tomorrow he will turn into a corpse. I wonder at the man who observes the Universe created by Allah and doubts his Being and Existence. I wonder at the man who sees people dying around him and yet he has forgotten his end. I wonder at the man who understands the marvel of genesis of creation and refuses to accept that he will be brought back to life again. I wonder at the man who takes great pains to decorate and to make comfortable this mortal habitat and totally forgets his permanent abode.” (Imam Ali, The Peak of Eloquence)
“Psychologically speaking, we should point to the close analogy that exists between a religious orientation and all other high-level schemata that influence the course of becoming. Every man, whether he is religiously inclined or not, has his own ultimate presuppositions. He finds he cannot live his life without them, and for him they are true. The error of the psychoanalytical theory of religion (to state the error of its own terminology) lies in locating religious belief exclusively in the defensive functions of the ego rather than in the core and center and substance of the developing ego itself. While religion certainly fortifies the individual against the inroads of anxiety, doubt and despair, it also provides the forward intention that enable him at each stage of his becoming to relate himself meaningfully to the totality of Being.” (Carl Jung)
ISLAMIC MATERIAL
