The first delusion - It's mine
FROM THE QURAN
In the name of God, the Merciful the Compassionate
The Almighty taught the Quran.
He created the human being.
He taught him the art of expression.
The sun and the moon, running with utmost precision,
and the stars and the trees prostrate.
And the heaven, He raised it and set the balance.
So do not transgress in the balance.
Establish the weight justly, and do not undercut the balance.
And the earth, He appointed it for the creatures.
In it are fruits and palm trees with hanging fruit,
and grains with husks, and fragrant herbs.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
He created the human being from clay like pottery,
and He created the jinn from a fusion of fire.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
The Lord of the two Easts, and the Lord of the two Wests.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
He merged the two seas. They converge together,
with a barrier between them which they do not transgress.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
Out of both of them come pearls and coral.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
To Him belong the constructed ships, sailing in the sea like mountains.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
All who are on it will perish,
and there remains the Face of your Lord, the Possessor of Majesty and Generosity.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
Imploring Him are those in the heavens and the earth. Every day He sees to some matter.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
We shall deal with you, both of you weighty ones.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
O tribes of jinn and humans, if you are able to penetrate through the regions of the heavens and the earth, then go ahead and penetrate. You will not penetrate without authorisation.
So which of your Lord's favours do you then deny?
In essence this is stating that all belongs to God
and asks the question:
Why do we deny this?
THE THREE DELUSIONS
Tonight's meditation focuses on the first delusion - that it is ours, and to remind ourselves through the practice that all belongs to God, and that we are grateful for that.
THE PRACTICE
As we sit in silence and notice what arises (thoughts, feelings, noises, body sensations), we think to ourselves (about that which has arisen): "Not mine, But Yours, Thank You"
Without the delusion of "me and mine" comes the experience of no-self.
Our brains are plastic. Neurons that fire together wire together.
We become what we think. Practice is the key! I recommend at least forty minutes each day
for the next week
"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.