transcendent truth

transcendent truth | original fine art from The Border Of a Mind Studios

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a young man named Emaan. He was a seeker of truth, and had devoted his life to the path of knowledge. He was filled with a deep longing to understand the mysteries of the universe and the secrets of the divine.

One day, Emaan found himself in the midst of a great crisis. All of the doors that had once been open to him seemed to have closed, and he found himself wandering aimlessly through the desert of despair. He felt as though he had lost his way and that he would never find his way back to the light.

But as he stumbled through the sands of his sorrow, he remembered the wise words of his spiritual guide: “Ponder upon the vicissitudes of life, I implore you to abstain from venturing into the vicinity of despondency and despair. Despite the apparent obfuscation of all avenues, the divine shall unveil a novel trajectory solely for you.

With these words in mind, Emaan decided to focus on gratitude. He was thankful for the blessings that had been bestowed upon him, but also for that which had been withheld. He understood that there was a reason for everything, and that even the darkest moments of his life had a purpose.

As he walked through the desert, he began to notice the beauty of the world around him. The stars shone brightly in the sky, and the sand sparkled in the moonlight. He realized that the desert was not a place of despair, but of wonder and wonderment. And in that moment, Emaan knew that he was exactly where he needed to be.

And so, he continued his journey with a newfound appreciation for life and its many twists and turns. He knew that the divine had a plan for him, and that all of his struggles were leading him to a greater understanding.

Although this story is of Emaan, this is also of me, of you

Whatever happens, never fall into despair. Think about the brighter and positive sides of events in your life and what you can do positively in this moment to move forward. This would make significant changes in our lives. Despair is the keyway to laziness and inconsistency. A giant leap of faith is required and it’s built on the process. God bless you, and thank you very much for the time you’ve taken to read this. My only wish is to stir your soul towards a positive frame of mind regardless of whatever you’re going through.

elusive knowledge

that which is most valuable is often the most elusive.

As I delved into the writings of a theologian from the 8th century , I stumbled upon a passage that struck a chord within me. The author, whose work can be loosely translated as “Contemplations and Reflections on the Deeper Meaning of Prayer,” (Since the work is not in english) posits that the plans of the divine and deeper spiritual knowledge are akin to precious treasures, buried deep and obscured from those who do not actively seek them out. This analogy extends to the fruits of the earth as well, for they too are not immediately apparent, but require peeling away layers to reveal their sweetness. Some of the sweetest fruits are not the easiest ones to grow or has the hardest shells. This, the author asserts, is an immutable principle: that which is most valuable is often the most elusive.

This, I believe, holds true for spiritual knowledge as well. To attain a deeper understanding of the divine, one must engage in a process of laborious exploration and comprehension. Such knowledge is not imparted easily to the indolent (lazy) or impetuous (hasty) souls. It accrues over time, through the application of both mental exertion and patience. It grows with time, comprehension and hard work.

The same can be said of prayer. To experience it in its fullest, one must make a concerted effort to delve deeper, approaching it with a sense of incremental progression and unwavering commitment. To reach the most profound understanding, it is necessary to take it slowly, gradually and incrementally, breaking through screens and levels, struggling to understand and remaining loyal to the knowledge. It is only through this process that the knowledge will start to yield to you.

A fortress of protection is built around you, fending off distractions of the mind, as you strive to understand the deeper meaning of prayer. It is in this journey, this struggle, that we find true understanding and enlightenment.

little invocations

As a parent, it is always a heartwarming and humbling experience to witness your child start to pay attention to the things you do. For me, one of the most memorable moments was when my 1.5 year old son began to join me in prayer on the prayer mat.

At first, I was unsure if he fully understood what was happening, but as time passed, it became clear that he was closely observing my actions and trying to imitate them. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of example and the influence we can have on the next generation.

Recently, a relative of ours gifted us a small prayer mat for my son, and he has taken to laying it beside mine and participating in prayer with me. It is a small gesture, but it fills my heart with joy to see him taking a genuine interest in something that is so meaningful to me.

As we go about our daily lives, it is easy to forget the impact we have on those around us, particularly our children. But moments like these remind me of the influence we can have, and the importance of setting a good example for them to follow.

divine design

Ehan sat by his grandmother’s side, savoring the quiet evening. The sun had long since set, casting a warm glow over the room. Original photography and art by The Border Of a Mind Studios

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of difficulty and wondered why these things were happening to you? It’s natural to feel frustrated and stressed when things don’t go as planned, whether it’s a car accident that wasn’t your fault, losing your car keys, or even not making it through an exam or project that you were well-prepared for.

But the truth is, there is a reason why everything happens. And while it can be hard to remember this when we’re in the thick of it, the fact is that we often only know the goodness or the divine plan behind these events later on in time.

That’s why it’s so important to trust in divine timing. This doesn’t mean that we should sit back and do nothing, but rather that we should focus on our efforts and let go of the heaviness of bringing outcomes under our control. By trusting in the larger plan, we can alleviate our minds and have a more positive frame of mind, knowing that there is a purpose behind everything that happens.

So the next time you’re faced with a difficult situation, remember to trust in divine timing. It might not always be easy, but it can help you navigate challenges with grace and acceptance, and give you the strength and perspective you need to move forward.

accepting divine destiny

Divine Destiny | Original Fine art from The Border of a Mind Studios

In order to live a peaceful and sincere life, it is important to maintain an even tempered demeanour and graceful attitude towards events and encounters in life, no matter how large or small it is. We should not idolize things and believe that they exist outside of God’s control. Saying things like “this medicine will work for me” or “my boss will be angry” are just thoughts created by God. It is wrong to let these events control us and make us forget about God.

It is essential to stay connected to God and understand that everything is created by Him. By doing this, we can try to understand the messages that God is sending and stay aligned and peaceful within. Life can be beautiful, even with its challenges and hardships, which are also a part of God’s plan.

We should not let ourselves be controlled by events and forget about God. Instead, we should strive to maintain our connection with Him and understand that everything including conditions, events, thoughts, situtations etc are created by Him. By following this path, we can find beauty in life, even in the midst of difficulties. This is a miracle of God.

art | Maker

The beauty of a skillfully crafted product reflects the beauty of the craftsmanship. The beauty of the craftsmanship alludes to the beauty of the name, which was the root of the craftsmanship. The beauty of the name of the craftsman’s art speaks to the beauty of the craftsman’s traits reflected in that art. The beauty of man’s being, fashioned as he is in the loveliest of forms, indicates the existence of the Maker, while the reality that, along with his extensive powers, entrenched in that finest of forms, he soon declines and dies, demonstrates the existence of the resurrection. As you read these lines on the blog, pause for a moment, and ponder on the transitory nature of our existence. Are we truly racing after things that matter when we know that life’s too short? As I read somewhere, the most effective approach to recalibrate perspective is  to conceive of today as your last day and look at the world from a wider  perspective. Be a bird.

art and the Maker | Original fine art from The Border Of a Mind

be a bird

The Bigger Picture

This is another scenario where I read or watch something related to a recent notion that has been on my mind. I was reading and pondering recently about giving someone or something my whole attention rather than engaging in undue multitasking. I’m used to completing many activities at once, especially at work and in other settings, and I consider it to be productive. But there are moments when we need to slow down. I’ve been thinking a lot about paying entire attention to discussions and interactions since my child entered my life. We live in a world of distractions and two-minute attention spans. So Jordyn Dunseath’s intriguing video was an ace to the point. Keep an eye on it. (It just takes three minutes.)

She narrates”Be a bird. See from the bird’s eye view. See the big picture. Look, the earth is big and it’s beautiful. The details of life do matter, and yes, and it can get hard , but take a step back sometimes to find what you are grateful for. Drop the unnecessary responsibilites you put on yourself. Sometimes, when life feels so chaotic, the easiest change you can make is your perspective. Be reminded of the birds. Do not worry about your life, what you would eat, what you would drink, your body, what you’ll wear. Look at the birds in the air. They do not sew or reap or store away in barns, yet Almighty feeds them. Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ”

Arriving on time, This was what I wanted to hear. As in the prophet’s stories, “If you trusted on Almighty as He should be relied on, He would make provision for you as He does for the birds.’ They leave hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” I seek for the times when I can hold this mindset with me and see everything from a wider perspective. The sense of relaxation and clarity it provides is simply astonishing. Friends, may God bless you!
I appreciate you taking the time to read the post.

percipience of mortality

The transient nature of our short life in this world is a recurring theme that I usually write about here. In an earnest effort to keep my thoughts and spirits grounded, I try to humbly ponder on it quite often. The following exchange between a sage and a guy whose death was near that I read about recently has had a profound effect on my thought process.

I’ve compiled it in a way, thinking from the mind of the sage’s point of view. In other words, it’s written from the perspective of the sage’s intellect. This discourse is written through the sage’s eyes. I genuinely feel that it all comes down to perspective and how we think about things. May this inspire a soulful rediscovery in us all. May we find the fortitude to put aside trifling concerns and thoughts and engage deeper into much more significant realities.

Photograph of beautiful bougainville flowers at office garden | theborderofamind.com

O learned man!, I have an issue and I want to talk to you,” stated a young guy. “Go ahead,” I said. So we spoke about it. “My first worry is that my death is definite,” he explained. “I will undoubtedly die as a result of a problem.” “No, with God’s grace,” I said. “God controls the duration of one’s life. Many people have died as a result of the deadliest sickness…” “No, this is different,” he responded.
Maybe it was my first time meeting someone who was dying. “So he won’t be living for long?” I wondered. It was an odd sensation. “I’ve accepted this,” he said. It was difficult to embrace this fact at first.

When I woke up one morning, I told myself, ‘You’re going to die.’ Live in the now. Go out. Work. Talk. Interact with others. You’re going to die!’ So I got up and started living. After that, if someone harassed me, I didn’t get irritated. ‘I’m dying!’ I’d exclaim. I wasn’t disturbed at all. I was not envious. ‘I don’t want anything,’ I would say. Let others acquire these items.’ If a car carrying a bride and groom passed by, I was as thrilled for them as their moms. ‘Aww, it’s their wedding,’ I would remark. I hope they’re content.’ I would pray for young people in the same way that I pray for the elderly. If someone stomped on me to go ahead, I’d respond, ‘It’s fine.’ Let him have it.’ I wasn’t seeking to become famous if I helped someone because I wouldn’t live long enough to benefit from such recognition. I’ve gotten quite calm. I don’t see anything wrong. My grasp of good language has improved.”

He went over them one by one. He seemed to be referring to the characteristics of pious individuals from the past that we respect. “I see,” I said. “Will God accept these if I die?” he asked. “Yes,” I answered. “But I’ve gotten this way because of my fear of dying,” he explained. “Do you not believe in God?” I inquired. “Yes!” he said. I do. However, I have not improved as a result of this. I adore God as well. God is the only one I have today. No one will stick around for me. But it was death that taught me a lesson. Is this all right? “Won’t they tell me, ‘When you discovered out you were dying, you rectified yourself?'”

“No, it has been stated, ‘Death is enough to counsel one,'” I replied. You were warned and adjusted yourself.” [He said,] “Thank you. I’ll go.” “Wait!” I exclaimed. Let’s become pals. I’ve discovered a genuine individual.” “No, I don’t want to fire you,” he said. “No, sit down.” I’d want to chat to you more. “What is your illness?” “I’m not sick.” “But you said you’d die.” “I claimed I’d surely die, but I didn’t mention I was sick.” “What? “What do you mean you’ll definitely die?” “I asked whether there was someone who could assist me so that I wouldn’t die, and they answered no.” “So, when?” “One day, thousand days, thirty thousand days from now.” I’m not sure.”

I gave it some thinking and realized that I, too, would die – whether in a day or a thousand days… “So you’re not sick,” I explained. “No.” How many days before you die?


Preparing for joy

Often, all sort of sorrows, anxieties, hardships, and turmoil is to prepare us and to put a pathway for joy. As a famous Persian poet puts it, sorrow violently sweeps everything out of your house so that there’s space for new joy to enter. There’s beauty and gems of wisdom in going through hardships. It matures our souls and puts an appreciative spirit and a sense of profound gratitude in the blessings we count. Cultivating gratitude is key to several delights.

” Preparing for Joy “

fortitude

Impatience leads to resistance. Trust in divine timing.

“Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind.”

― David G. Allen
An old decor theme I tried few years back.