True seeing - the way to a peaceful heart

Jesus said, "If those who lead you say to you, 'See, the kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty." [Gospel of Thomas]

His disciples said, "When will you become revealed to us and when shall we see you?"
Jesus said, "When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then will you see the son of the living one, and you will not be afraid"[Gospel of Thomas]

Here Jesus is stating that you are Divine. And if you focus on the earthly life (self importance, acquisition, the body, and greed) you will miss the mark and be miserable. What does it mean to know yourself as Divine and to act as Divine sons of the Living One?

WHY ARE WE HERE

• Quran [51:56] I have not created the jinn and the humans except to worship Me.
  
• Mark 12:30 - And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
• Psalm 150:6 - “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”.

These quotes from holy scriptures indicate that most of us have it backwards when it comes to meditation practice. To focus on 'our small selves' during meditation misses the mark. To focus on God, Creator, Owner of all that is, and Controller, is the way to a peaceful heart and a loving/forgiving mind.

Forget self, remember God

DISCUSSION

The Quran (the last transmission in the line of prophets that began with Abraham) states that:

• [4:126] To God belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. God encompasses all things.
• [5.120] Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is in them; and He has power over all things.
• [57:20] Know that the worldly life is but play, amusement, ornamentation, boasting among yourselves, and the desire for increases in wealth and children. The example of which is abundant rain that produces plants, which delights the disbelievers. But then it dries up, so you see it turning yellow to eventually become ruined remains. In the Hereafter, there is severe punishment as well as forgiveness from God and approval. The worldly life is no more than the enjoyment of delusion.

These verses indicate that our meditation practice should focus on God and remembering our place: that we own nothing, control nothing, and that all will pass in a flash.

Who would you be if you owned nothing, controlled nothing, and that you may not be here for the next breath?

THE PRACTICE

Jesus points the way in the verses at the top of this page: come to know yourself as Divine by letting go of the world and its ways (trampling on your garments [ego]).

There is no one best way to do this. Pretty much any form of worship (remembering God) will do the job. I might suggest a few phrases to repeat as thoughts, feelings, and body sensations arise during our practice periods.

• God is greater ( الله اکبر‎ ) purify us, revivify us
• You alone I trust thank You
• Help ... guide me home
• You alone I worship, you alone I ask for help
• I take refuge in You alone
• How may I serve You?
• Help me to be appreciative of all that is Yours

Our brains are plastic, and as they say: "Neurons that fire together wire together". We become what we think. Practice is the key! I recommend at least forty minutes each day remembering God, and acknowledging your dependence on Him.

Practice is key. If you think about yourself you will see yourself in the world. If you think about the Divine (God/Allah) you will see the Divine in the world.

They are the ones who believe and whose hearts are assured through the remembrance of God. Absolutely, through the remembrance of God do the hearts find rest. [Quran]

May the Lord shower you with His mercy and bless your affairs with His guidance.