Thoughts on "Swift Meditation"

 

Thoughts on “Swift Meditation”

1.  Fazeel Chauhan says:

   August 5, 2020 at 3:09 am

   As always, well written article about a very interesting being. Your article is thought provoking. It reminded me of poems by Allama Mohammed Iqbal, poet / philosopher from Pakistan / India. He is known as the reincarnation or continuation of Rumi. He frequently refers to “Shaheen” in his poetry. I believe it refers to Hawk, Eagle, Falcon, because to the layman like me, they seem to be all in the same family. Some of these are well known verses or couplets, some of which we were required to memorize, from our Urdu text books. I think he wrote more in Farsi than in Urdu. In Iran he is well known as Iqbal Lahori. As he resided in the historical city of Lahore, where is shrine is, right at the entrance of the Badshahi masjid.
   Shaheen kabhi parwaz say thak kar naheen girta:
   The eagle never falls down because of being tired.
   Tu Shaheen hay, parwaz hay kaam tera:
   You are a hawk, your work is to fly.
   And this one, sung by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan:
   Naheen tera nashayman qasr-e-sultani kay gunbad par
   Tu Shaheen hay basayra kar pahaRRon ki chatano’n par
   You nest (home) is not on the domes of the palaces of kings
   You are a falcon, hang out in the high cliffs of mountans
   The first line also refers to the crowd, most people: pigeons hang out in warmth of the crowd, at domes where they are given food, where they don’t have to hunt, and can be in the comfort zone.
   Whereas, an eagle is kind of solitary, flies much higher than a pigeon. Does it’s own hunting. Chooses the road less travelled.
   Iqbal, as a philosopher repeats this idea, about the nature of human beings. That it’s our nature to choose that high road. The heat which will produce gold.
   He was also using these ideas to inspire the Muslims of India, to kick the ass of the British, and to no longer live in slavery, which was called colonization.
   Jhapat kar palatna, palat kar jhapatna:
   Iqbal describes how an eagle hunts. It does not attack the prey from behind.
   The eagle approaches the prey (bird) from the front, and at the first encounter, does a close call, a fly-by. A generous move, to allow the prey to get away, if it can.
   Then the eagle turns, and returns to attack again.
   Iqbal lived 500 years after Rumi, but often talked to him. Iqbal calls Rumi his spiritual master. In Rumi’s masnavi, there are many amazing stories, with multiple meanings. In his story about the Merchant and the Parrot. The parrot is in a cage. Some scholars see the metaphors as: The parrot is the ego. Or the human being locked in the cage of the body. The way to freedom, is to kill the ego. Like in Buddhism they say, ego is the I, me and mine, which desires so many things. In psychology and in common language, there are many definitions of ego. In sufism, they say annihilate the ego, to be on a spiritual path. Some teachers say the ego is necessary to survive in the world, as a tool. Though any tool can be used as a weapon. Ego defined in that way, is that thing which makes a man unique, it’s what pushes him to compete, to hunt, to win, it’s what drives him. But that ego needs to be reigned in. If a man does not control his ego, his ego will control him. And that ego kills relationship. Perhaps the ego is also what makes a person selfish, confined, limited, on the ground. While generosity makes a person fly like a hawk, like Shaheen

Translation of Qawali: Ni Me Jana Jogi De Nal

Qawali: Nee May Jana Jogi Day Naal

by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, lyrics by Bulleh Shah

Translation from Punjabi to English, by Fazeel Chauhan

Also published in 2013 on:
https://www.sikhchic.com/poetry/heer_ranjha_the_epic_lovepoem_by_bulley_shah

Going to Mecca is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of prayers are offered

Going to River Ganges is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of cleansings are done

Going to Gaya is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of worships are done

Bulleh Shah, the ultimate is
When the “I” is removed from the heart

[He] read a lot and became a scholar
But [he] never read himself

[He] enters the temple and the mosque
But [he] never entered into his own heart

He fights with the devil every day for nothing
He never wrestled with his own ego

Bulleh Shah, he grabs for heavenly flying things
But doesn’t grasp the one who’s sitting at home

Religious scholars stay awake at night
But dogs too stay awake at night, higher than you

They don’t cease from barking at night
Then they sleep in yards, all higher than yours

They [dogs] don’t leave the beloved’s doorstep
Even if they’re beaten hundreds of times, higher than you

Bulleh Shah, get up and make up with the beloved
Otherwise dogs will win the contest, better than you

O friends, don’t call Ranjha a shepherd
I shy away from calling him one

I am like a thousand Heers to him
Who am I, like countless others

He’s the ruler of Hazara’s throne
And I forever the plain Heer

Bulleh Shah, may God hear my wail
That I become shepherded by the Shepherd

Ranjha became a jogi and arrived
He exchanged into a unique disguise

He changed his name from Ahad to Ahmad
I’m going to be with Jogi

Someone’s with someone else, this one’s with that one
I’m together with Jogi

Since I have become Jogi’s
I have no “I” left in me

Repeating ‘Ranjha Ranjha’
I became Ranjha

Call me Ranjha now
No one need call me Heer any more

It’s not me, it’s he himself
He amuses his own self

The one with whom I connected my heart
I became just like him, O friends

Jogi is with me
I am with Jogi
I’m together with Jogi

After putting earrings in my ears
Decorating my forehead with Tilak

Hey, he’s not [a] jogi
He’s some form of God

He’s disguised as Jogi
This jogi has attracted me

This jogi now resides in my heart
I swear by the Quran it’s true

Jogi is my belief and faith
This jogi has marked me

Hey, I belong to him
Now I’m of no value to all else

I’m floating, I’ve drifted across, O people
My eyes inter-meshed with Jogi’s, O people

Call me Jogi’s female Jogi
Heer is dead, O people

In Khayrray they talk
I have to listen to accusations

I don’t know anything about anyone else
If I know anything, I only know Jogi

No one has attained what he has attained
His shadow is on both worlds

His fame is celebrated in both worlds
His shoes were kissed by heaven

This Jogi is full of wonders
In his hand is the rosary of “There is Nothing But One God”
Hey, his name is “The One With The Shawl”

If Jogi comes to my home
All your fights will end
I will embrace him
And celebrate a million praises

Bulleh Shah, a Jogi came
To our door …

He stole away Heer of Sayal
He came in disguise

(Published October 22, 2013)

Old Blogs of Fazeel Chauhan

 Old Blogs of Fazeel Chauhan

1) Fazeel's writings

https://www.angelfire.com/poetry/sweets/

2) Fazeel's writings

https://www.angelfire.com/my/arms

3) Some links to Bulleh Shah, etc.

https://qawali.tripod.com/hybridaccents/id15.html

4) Men's groups and family of women:

https://www.angelfire.com/apes/sterling/

https://csulbsocialworkers.blogspot.com/

5) Wordpress site (under construction)

https://globalzebra.wordpress.com/tag/fazeel/

6) MySpace website, before there was Fakebook

https://myspace.com/qawali/photos

Fazeel Chauhan Sings at Zawiya

Fazeel Chauhan sings at Zawiya

May 2016 

https://www.zawiyaperspective.org/543

Link to Sound Cloud for Music of Fazeel Chauhan

 

Link to Sound Cloud for Music of Fazeel Chauhan

https://soundcloud.com/sufi-human

It's All Uphill From Here - After Obama's Election

 

  

It's All Uphill from Here
By Fazeel Chauhan

as published in Pakistan Link 11-14-08

https://pakistanlink.org/Opinion/2008/Nov08/14/06.HTM 

 

On this historical moment of hope and change, congratulations! "It's all uphill from here," a colleague said this morning.

The right-wing will make attempts to create obstacles for the Obama administration. So please stay politically active. There is a chance that change will be minor, and in that case also, keep the pressure on your representatives to demand what you need.

Violence vs. a Healthy Conscience

 Violence vs. a Healthy Conscience

by Fazeel Chauhan

as published in Pakistan Link, December 28, 2012
https://pakistanlink.org/Opinion/2012/Dec12/28/07.HTM

    In the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, one wonders how does a person know the difference between right and wrong? We are born with certain traits and tendencies and also parts of our personalities are developed through learning. Some say it is a person’s conscience which reminds him to do the right thing and restrains him from doing the wrong thing. We teach our babies to protect themselves. “Don’t put your hand in the fire, don’t go out in the cold without a jacket, don’t stick your finger in the power outlet, don’t talk to strangers, stand up for yourself against bullies”, we unfailingly tell them. Many beliefs and ideas become cemented in our minds through childhood indoctrination. If those imprints come from a dysfunctional family, it can take decades to undo that flawed early programming. Thus the role of parents to nurture and shape  a child’s behavior and belief system is very important.

    In our lives, what we don’t know gets us in trouble, and more suffering is caused also because we have forgotten valuable lessons we had already learned. So it is important to keep that knowledge alive through reminders including re-enforcement of ethical ideas. The true character of a person is how he behaves when no one else is watching. Perhaps at that moment he is cognizant, or not, that God is still a witness. We are faced with moral dilemmas every day: should I pickup this wallet someone dropped, and keep the cash, no one will ever know. Perhaps the moral compass is located in the conscience, and it has to be kept lubed and tuned up through repetition of learning. Otherwise, like the heart, the moral compass can become jammed and the conscience could deaden.

    Fresh air is important for the mind, otherwise the ideas in there can become stale, which could have toxic effects on the conscience. In war, how can a person in power convince the army soldier to leave the comfort of his home, tear himself away from his loving wife and children, put his own life at risk and then go thousands of miles away to kill other human beings? Usually it requires dehumanization of the “enemy”, that they are not human beings. Also depersonalization of the “other”, that they are very different or crazy, to keep them distant, so that you don’t empathize with them. If you put yourself in the other person’s shoes, then usually you don’t want to harm them. So the military man has to be convinced by his superiors that what he is doing is morally right. He believes he’s a hero when shooting other people in a war. For some religious people, the conscience is a place where God lives, or a source which reminds the person to have fear of God. Maybe the conscience is inhabited by both angels and demons. A politician can then exploit the angels so they succumb to despair, and then he can compel the demons to take over and control the behavior of the soldier. Legal and illegal drugs are often used to deaden the angels. If the angels fall asleep, the person forgets he will be held accountable for his actions.

    Religious people say they are right and claim they protect human rights and injustices. Atheists or non-religious people say that millions of people have been killed in wars in the name of religion. Religious people believe they have a strong moral compass. They go to church, temple, mosque, etc., where ethical behavior is re-enforced in their minds. But non-religious people, especially in America and Europe, can also exhibit very ethical behavior and they don’t seem to have more criminal tendencies than religious people. In the West, more people are educated, compared to poor nations, for example in Africa. If it’s not fear of God, then what is it that prompts secular people to do the right thing and stops them from doing the wrong thing?

    In our daily lives, mentally healthy people can get stuck in bad habits or get lost in thoughts. Their buttons get pushed un-expectedly (or expectedly), which triggers strong emotional reactions within them. Some of these emotions can be: feeling hurt, feeling angry, feeling injured. When a person gets emotionally wounded, these feelings could overpower the moral compass in their conscience. Ethical behavior then is put on hold and fear of God becomes absent, even notions of self-defense can become suspended. At that moment, the person can burst into rage and do things he normally wouldn’t do and thus will regret later. This madness can drive him to commit heinous criminal acts. In the past some criminals would plead “temporary insanity” in court to justify their violent behavior. A stressful situation can push a mentally healthy person over the edge and turn him into a criminal. Possibly, a mentally unhealthy person might be even more fragile and have less self-control. The fears can be un-realistic, for example feeling paranoid that someone will hurt them. So that person might be over-protective of himself or be overly aggressive towards others, because the threats are exaggerated in his own mind.

    Mental illness, like physical illness can strike anyone at any time. Clearly, in our country we don’t do much to address mental illness. Mostly, people are sedated with legal medications, alcohol and illegal drugs. If we call ourselves mentally healthy, we still have normal events happen which cause our minds to play tricks on us. What excuses, lies and justifications do we use on a daily basis to convince ourselves that our un-ethical behavior was okay to do?

    Too many tragedies have happened in America as a result of gun violence. About 87 Americans are killed every day as a result of gun violence, according to the University of Chicago Crime Lab and the Centers for Disease Control. In our nation’s history we have the gunslingers of the wild-west shooting each other mercilessly. As Michael Moore points out in his Academy Award winning documentary, “Bowling for Columbine”, we have a culture of violence and wars. Domestically, the war against the Native Americans, the violence against African Americans during slavery, the wars to take over California, Texas and Hawaii. On foreign lands, there have been 187 US military interventions in the last two hundred years in mostly poor countries of the world

 ( http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/155/26024.html ), which indicates a high tendency towards weapons use. Sadly, the powerful lobby of the National Rifle Association does not allow the government to ban automatic weapons like the military style machine guns. We as a nation somehow feel threatened and paranoid that there are enemies out there. The imaginary bogeyman is just around the corner every day instead of Santa Claus. Yes, there are monsters and criminals out there whom we need to stop and protect ourselves against. But how many machine guns are enough in the home? And how many military bases are enough around the world? And how many nuclear bombs do we need to feel safe? If a Martian lands here, he’ll say this culture of weapons, domestic violence and foreign wars, is very irresponsible, immature and dangerous behavior. Hopefully, the Congress will soon pass a law to prohibit all automatic weapons in our country, and some day ban all weapons at home and wars abroad.

    In last week’s massacre at Sandy Hook another cause is mental illness. There is another factor which brings up the old question: What is the most common and most acceptable form of child abuse in America? The answer is divorce. Children blame themselves for the divorce of their parents. These wounds may never heal and those kids grow up and become divorced parents themselves. Thus the poisonous pedagogy continues. A child would rather deal with the tragedy of both parents dying rather than dealing with the divorce of the parents. But in our society today, we are taught that divorce is normal and not harmful. We are encouraged toward instant self-gratification. “What’s right is what makes you happy”, is a common belief in our culture, which can make the standards of moral behavior very subjective. We can become very narcissistic and ruthless towards others, instead of using objective principles to guide our lives.

     The mother nurtures and spends much more time with the child and teaches a tremendous amount. But it is difficult for her to raise boys, without the help of their father. A boy learns from his father how to be a man. At times, the father has to be stern and tough to discipline the boy, especially to teach him that he should not be a menace to society. Mothers can find it difficult to provide such training consistently because their natural tendency is to be nurturing and forgiving. Women are relationship-oriented and men are individual-oriented and rule-oriented. One reason men like sports is it reminds them of rules and principles in life. Without accountability to rules, men become ruthless savages. A father can teach his son to keep an open mind so that positive messages and non-violent solutions can find a way to his conscience.

    The father’s voice often echoes in the chambers of a child’s mind to do the right thing. Divorce is like throwing your child under a truck. Boys who join gangs or become hoodlums often have fathers missing in their lives. One of the responsibilities of the father is to provide protection and security. So when his son does something dangerous to himself or others, the father should be there to stop it, prevent it and resolve it so that the home and the world are a safe space. As family members, and as fellow citizens, we need to take ownership when things fail, and ask ourselves: What was my role in allowing this to happen? For example, a parent should realize that they should not get divorced. A citizen should commit to civic engagement and ensure that gun violence in our country and wars abroad come to a stop.

    An important question to ask ourselves is: What is my responsibility in making the world a better and safer place?  The students at Penn State University serve as a good example. They came up with 40 acts of kindness and civic engagement:
  http://www.personal.psu.edu/uxg3/blogs/40ActsKindness/ongoing-acts-0105/

 

Wah Wah Ustad Jee

 

(38) Wah Wah Ustad Jee

August '97

by Fazeel Azeez Chauhan

The great master's soul became free from his body a few days ago. We mourn this great loss to humanity. And we send Khan, all our love for giving us so much wealth in the forty nine years he was around us.

I sit and ponder.....listening to one of my favorite Qawalis:

Iss Karam Ka Karun Shukar Kaisay Ada

Jo Karam Mujh Pay Mayray Nabi Kar Diya

I can't help but cry for him, as if he was a dear friend. Because he did give us a lot. He was a guide, a teacher and a light. He lives in a special place in our hearts because he was also a member of our Muslim family. Our brother brought immense honor to our family.

How can I measure and state all the Faiz (benefits) that we received from Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? I didn't believe that he had passed when I saw it on tv last Saturday. I was in shock and denial. Even though I had known for about a year that he was very sick, I didn't want him to go behind the veil so soon. Is that selfish and greedy on my part? No, I think I just love him a lot and wanted him to stick around for a long time.

Since last August, he spent several months here in the Los Angeles area. He used to come to UCLA for treatment and was said to be residing in Santa Monica. And during the last year, I saw him at a few shows. Sometimes I saw him performing and at other times, he was an honorable guest at other artists' shows. I always wanted to meet him but didn't get the opportunity until two months ago.

I was visiting Pakistan and staying in "Data Ki Nagri" Lahore. It was a great honor to visit the shrine of the great saint Data Ali Hajweri:

Na-kasaan Da Peer Kamil

Kamilaan Ra Rahnuma

On the occasion of Data Sahab's Urs, dozens of Qawals paid homage to the great sufi master. As they say, when Aulia-Allah (Enlightened people) become free of their bodies, we should not say that they are dead. Once free from the constraints of a body, the holy souls become even more powerful:

Jin Ki Mehfil Saji Ho

Woh Zaroor Aatay hain

When Khan Sahab concluded the Mehfil-e-Sama at this occasion, I didn't know that two months later, he'd be hanging out with Data Sahab even more. I invited him back to Los Angeles and requested him to sing for a much longer time than his previous show. He just nodded his head saying okay. Okay Khan Sahab, I'm just honored that I got a chance to see you and finally speak to you. You have been speaking to me for so many years through your music. I am truly grateful for what you have given to humanity. We who discovered your music are very lucky. We who speak your language are even more thankful.

You speak of love, passion and humanity. With your message, you were able to change the negative stereotypes that some people have about Islam. At your concerts, you graced us with your mere presence. You made all the people dance with joy, stirring them up with those powerful taals of the tabla . You awakened our souls with the deep vibrations of your melodies. You brought honor, respect and courage to the Muslim people of the world. You reached the top of the world with the Pakistani passport in your pocket and Allah-Hu in your breath and Islam synchronized within your heartbeat. You were truly a Nusrat and Fateh (Victory). And there is no doubt about that.

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, through your words and music, you teach us to feel alive. You teach us to look, to hear, to discover, to learn, to love, to wonder, to be thankful, to love our pain, to get in touch with the Creator, to enjoy life, to have fun, to honor the thousands of Prophets and Aulia-Allah, to keep Islam in our hearts, to act, to treat other people with love and kindness, and to live as good human beings. Thankyou Ustad Jee for giving us all of this and lots more. We are very grateful to you. We will strive to live up to your example. You are always alive in our hearts. And we promise to keep hearing what you have to say to us so that we can reach higher. I will always love you Ustad Jee!

Life is Good, But Why Not My Mood?

Life is Good, But Why Not My Mood?

My son’s a doctor, but I’m still unhappy

My daughter’s a pilot, but I’m still unhappy

My wife loves me, but I’m still unhappy

My grandpa left me his house, but I’m still unhappy

My passport is American, but I’m still unhappy

My insurance paid for my surgery, but I’m still unhappy

My father’s a Haji, but I’m still unhappy

My backyard has a mango tree, but I’m still unhappy

My parents didn’t get divorced, but I’m still unhappy

My accident didn’t cripple me, but I’m still unhappy

My house is not flooded, but I’m still unhappy

My grandparents fled Kashmir and saved us, but I’m still unhappy

My lungs are breathing, but I’m still unhappy

My wall is full of degrees, but I’m still unhappy

My neighborhood doesn’t have wild fires, but I’m still unhappy

My tap has running water, but I’m still unhappy

My friends are caring, but I’m still unhappy

My cousin survived the earthquake, but I’m still unhappy

My heart is beating, but I’m still unhappy

My classmate came back alive from war, but I’m still unhappy

My bank account has millions, but I’m still unhappy

My leaders got independence for Pakistan, but I’m still unhappy

My electricity is always on, but I’m still unhappy

My relatives are supportive, but I’m still unhappy

My God didn’t abandon me, but I’m still unhappy

My pain is under control, but I’m still unhappy

My streets are clean, but I’m still unhappy

My mother’s a saint, but I’m still unhappy

My body is free from chains, but I’m still unhappy

My counselor deals wisdom, but I’m still unhappy

My food is hot, but I’m still unhappy

My vacations are amazing, but I’m still unhappy

My job is a Blessing, but I’m still unhappy

My blood tests are normal, but I’m still unhappy

My community is helpful, but I’m still unhappy

My toolbox is full, but I’m still unhappy

My home doesn’t have a gun, but I’m still unhappy

My mentor is nurturing, but I’m still unhappy

My head is full of knowledge, but I’m still unhappy

My bed is not on the street, but I’m still unhappy

My company is successful, but I’m still unhappy

My vegetables are organic, but I’m still unhappy

My family is self-sufficient, but I’m still unhappy

My holy book is in my hands, but I’m still unhappy

My car takes me on adventures, but I’m still unhappy

My mind is free, but I’m still unhappy

My disease didn’t kill me, but I’m still unhappy

My teachers are living examples, but I’m still unhappy

My air conditioner is cool, but I’m still unhappy

My living room is full of books

My heart is caring, but I’m still unhappy

My boss isn’t a slave-master, but I’m still unhappy

My social circle is beneficial, but I’m still unhappy

My weekends are off, but I’m still unhappy

My salary is not $2 per day like half the world, but I’m still unhappy

My heater keeps us warm, but I’m still unhappy

My stomach is full, but I’m still unhappy

My kids are joyful, but I’m still unhappy

My health is good, but I’m still unhappy

My soul is still in my body, but I’m still unhappy

My sky isn’t falling, but I’m still unhappy

(by Fazeel Azeez Chauhan 8-7-19)

Anti-Death Squad

Abandonment of Religion

Abandonment of Religion

by

Fazeel Aziz Chauhan

(as published in Pakistan Link, Los Angeles, 10-17-97)

When we come to America, our beliefs are tested and challenged like never before. In the old country, you are usually conditioned to living in a homogenous community. This may have been a predominantly Muslim society or a native or eastern culture. Thus the bombardment of all the western and alien elements in the new and contrary environment can often send you into a headspin. So much so that the process of adaptation or assimilation can make you abandon your religion. The loss of these beliefs also translates into the severance of your roots and the crumbling of your personality's foundation. This issue is of great concern specially when it comes to the new generation. Hopefully sooner than later, you realize that you have lost your way. Now how do you get back to the right path?

Life in the States can be very unstable. The opportunities are available for both paths: to learn and progress or to slip and drown. Under the new flag, you may experience more freedom of choice and decide that nobody can tell you what to do anymore. In the past, your father told you to be responsible and held you accountable for your actions. Mother told you to be a good boy and stay away from the company of partying people. Teachers told you to behave yourself and obey authority. Your community pressured you to conform to their religious and cultural norms. 

What leads a person to abandon religion? It probably begins soon after migration when a person first tries to assimilate into the American way of life. You may feel that all those old pressures and restrictions were bogus and need to go out the window. You begin to taste all the forbidden fruits and turn a blind eye toward your beliefs. You see that many Americans laugh at the idea of religion and God, and that concept begins to brainwash you too. Under the influence of this scientific and logical-brain oriented society, you begin to mistrust your heart and soul. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan quotes Allama Iqbal in a Qawali "Man Kee Dunya May Na Daykha May Nay Afrangi Ka Raaj".

Believing the values of the pop culture, you perceive organized religion as being empty and meaningless, only full of dogma and rituals. You entertain the idea that you haven't seen God and that he doesn't exist. The emphasis on individualism, consumerism, and the pleasure principle also encourage you toward worldly things and away from spirituality. Crutches like sex, medicines and alcohol only provide temporary happiness and escape from harsh realities. Some people subscribe to the melting pot philosophy and end up losing their own identity. 

The process of moving away from being Muslim and Pakistani, and into being American involves losses as well as gains. After the initial mild or severe culture shock has diminished, you begin to realize where you are and what you've lost. "By Gosh Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore". The solitary life, separation from family, lack of belongingness, payment of bills and incompatible values can all become very stressful. The loss of a supportive culture can also lead to a loss of the intertwined religious beliefs. 

As your beliefs weaken, any difficulty can turn into a test of faith which can cause you to lose hope and abandon religion. For example, a lack of loving relationships takes a heavy emotional toll and makes you lost and lonely. Not understanding the new culture's values can cause a lot of suffering and confusion. Often you feel stranded between two worlds and even simple decisions can create conflicts that tear you up inside. The harsh American life and lack of ikhlaaq (caring) among people in the big cities stabs at you to cause ulcers. A major problem develops into a test of faith, as you turn to God and pray for help and guidance. And if God doesn't answer in a timely manner, you can feel frustrated and overwhelmed. You can get trapped by grief or heavy burdens and become hopeless, angry, cynical and rebellious. You may end up thinking that maybe there is no God, and religion is not true. Also, folks who become rich or happy with stable lives can say "I don't have a problem, Why do I need religion?". 

Another reason for reaching the point of abandonment of religion is the lack of a strong belief system (Imaan). Some of us were not educated with the proper religious knowledge and understanding. Instead, blind faith, rote memorization and fear tactics were emphasized. Bad experiences with other Muslims who may be unkind, not trustworthy, insincere, deceptive, liars, cheats, greedy, selfish, uncooperative, self-righteous, prejudiced and narrow minded, make us doubtful and bitter. We may start believing the local media who criminalize Muslims and attempt to defeat, belittle and deceive us. 

How does a person come back to God and religion? After abandonment, a person may have embarked on a search for truth and spiritual fulfillment through other means. Many philosophies can help a person find a good path. But a proper understanding of religious teachings can provide guidance on a precise road map. A person can come back home to Islam through the front door, by studying the Quran and Hadith. The ability to decipher the truth can increase with age. It would help if practical solutions to common problems are provided through the mosques. A more progressive approach needs to be promoted to better apply Islamic teachings into every day life. In this matter, new African American and Hispanic Muslims provide us with fresh perspectives, hope and inspiration. 

A person can also find his way back home to Islam through outside channels. Yoga, self-help books, psychology, meditation, support groups, music, 12 step programs, counseling, and self expression through the arts can heal a person. Learning and testing the truth through these alternative methods can validate Islamic teachings. Thus a person can discover that what he was taught in childhood was true after all and he can then return to the right path. The best healer and guide is a sincere and trustworthy friend. Are you going to help someone by being that Muslim friend who serves as an example - like Prophet Mohammed or Hazrat Ali "The Walking Quran"?

Khan Rocks the Pyramid

(as published in Pakistan Link, Los Angeles, 9-19-95)
by Fazeel Aziz Chauhan


Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan should be in the next Memorex commercial. In one of their old TV ads, a woman is shown singing in a high pitch and she causes a glass to break with her powerful voice. But in the new commercial, Khan saheb should be shown causing an avalanche on K-2.
After watching Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's concert in L.A. on Saturday, I wonder if there is a better male vocalist in the world. Is there another example like the great Khan, whose family's musical legacy is hundreds of years old? He took the stage of the Pyramid Arena at Cal State Long Beach in front of a restless audience. They had been anxiously waiting for this concert since the date was announced about three months ago.

Several people bought their tickets in advance from TicketMaster and experienced very long delays at the Will Call window. Some were angry but strangely, this anger was only surface level and very temporary. There was a special feeling in the air. Under similar circumstances, at any other concert, tempers would have been flaring and cursing and fighting would have occurred. But these people who had come to hear Khan were different. They were quiet and mellow. They complained mostly because they were anxious to get inside and dive into the magical ambience Khan had created under the Pyramid. Inside and out, there was a general warm feeling of peace and joy.

According to Khan, Qawali started about eight hundred years ago in the area which is now Afghanistan. A Qawal is a man singing a Qawl. A Qawl is a saying. I suppose it's literally similar to the word Rap. The great difference is that in Rap music, someone is usually making a social or political statement and usually the feeling is harsh. On the other hand, Qawals go to the furthest depths of the soul and sing about Islamic spirituality, creating a state of delicious ecstasy.

The lyrics being sung are usually hundreds of years old and were written by various spiritual leaders. Many of these pious men were Sufi and are also referred to as "Pir" and "Faqeer". They are great men who make incredible sacrifices to reach enlightenment through meditation, Zikr and other means. The spiritual poets often write about their intoxication in the love for Allah and his Prophet Mohammed. The powerful words were obtained as precious gifts after paying the great price of annihilating the self. These spiritual leaders distributed these gifts among their followers. When Qawals sing these words, the music literally transforms the audience into a trance. Since its inception, this enlightening music has helped expose people to the message of Islam.

Some Muslims feel strongly against the involvement of Islam with music, dance and Sufism. However, one might say that the Azan, recitations of Quran and Naat are also forms of music. The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey use dance as a tool in their quest for enlightenment. Chanting and Zikr have a rhythmic element and are also used as tools to meditate, concentrate, contemplate and to detach from the self. Any tool can be misused so we should not throw away the baby with the bath-water. Indeed Allama Iqbal practiced Sufism too.

It was very moving to see thousands of people gathered under the Pyramid to hear the message to their soul. There is a theory among the practitioners of Transcendental Meditation that if 1 percent of the people of a city gather together and meditate for an hour, they can cause a positive change in the entire population of the city. There was something definitely magical that happened at the Pyramid on Saturday and many of us could not put the feelings into words.

The thirsty ears and hungry eyes awaited the great Khan for hours. When he arrived, a crowd of reporters swarmed him on the way backstage. He took the stage with eight of his "Humnawa". They included four background singers, three other alternating singers, two harmonium player and Dildar Hussain with his heart pounding tabla beats.

The musicians sat down on the ground in the form of a crescent, facing the audience, and Khan began with the famous "Allahu". The crowd immediately responded with loud approvals of joy. Allahu is a common mantra used in the practice of Zikr. Thus five thousand people began a collective meditation of 75 minutes. The audience clapped along with the musicians and responded to the entrancing verses with roars of pleasure.

Lots of people shouted their requests during the brief pauses. Khan responded with the next Qawali "Iss Karam Ka Karun Shukr Kaisay Ada". It means: How do I give thanks for this blessing? The next Qawali lit the Pyramid on fire. "Ali Da Malang" caused people to get up and start dancing. Lights were turned on so that everybody could see this great moment of celebration. People started showering Khan with money when he sang "Mera Piya Ghar Aya". There were scores of non-Desi people in the audience and they could not understand why people were throwing money at Khan. But we all understood something that was much more deeper. This was one of the rarest occasions in life when people of all colors, religions, cultures, countries, classes and races were brought together in a peaceful celebration of the human spirit. The vibes of truth were in the air.

"Mast Nazron Say Allah Bacha-ay" caused more people to dance. In Pakistan, people are freely allowed to dance to Qawali and it can put them in a state of trance or "Mast". Unfortunately, people dancing near the stage were told to stop by two large wrestlers. Khan continued with some moving verses that caused the crowd to go wild. Soon it was intermission and people rushed to grab the Desi food. There were a lot of smiles under the pyramid. The concert had brought many young people. For example, there were a lot of Desi young women who appeared very westernized. They are usually not seen at Desi shows because they probably relate more to western music. They were the proof that Khan can bring together all kinds of people. Especially those of us who migrated here at a young age or were born here and have trouble formulating our identities. Khan provides a deeper meaning, especially for those who experience conflicts of belongingness.

Another 75 minute long meditation started after the intermission. Khan sang two short versions of "Sanson Ki Mala Pay Simroon May Pi Ka Naam" and "Mitr Pyaray Noo Haal Mureedan Da Kehna". The latter is a very beautiful piece about followers or "Mureeds" of a spiritual teacher or "Pir". Khan sang powerful sequences of scale tones, waving his hands and arms in circular motions, pointing up, going back and forth, from very low to very high pitches, arriving at a big crescendo that caused loud responses from the listeners. The listeners appeared more like seekers and Khan handed out cup-fulls of intoxicating melodies and enlightening lyrics for their souls.

Some people shouted to request "Gorakh Dhanda" and Khan's keen ear again somehow picked it up out of the joyful noise. When he sang "Jhoolay Jhoolay Laal Dam Must Qalandar", several people went out of control. Many of them danced in their seats and in the aisles. The dancing continued for the rest of the evening. Khan spoke only two sentences during the whole show. And then came time to say goodbye. People gave a long standing ovation and expressed how happy they were. What great gifts Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan gave to the people that night! He gave them love, peace and joy. And most importantly, he fed their spiritually starving souls. There is no bigger service to mankind than that

24 Points for 24 Hours... (and affirmations)

24 Points for 24 Hours

1.    The best of Creation is a human being. God’s Light and Energy are within us

2.    Have your Heart be where your feet are

3.     An un-used gift, becomes a curse

4.     Be Self-reliant: Emotionally, physically, mentally, financially and spiritually

5.     Ordinary people often accomplish extraordinary things

6.     Reign in your ego. It can be used as a weapon or as a tool

7.     Inch by inch, it’s a synch. Yard by yard, can be hard. Working hard or working smart?

8.     Be hear now

9.     I can write my own destiny, one day at a time. Taking ownership, not giving blame

10.   I can start my day over, at any time

12. The inner Self is more powerful than the external influences

13.  Follow your Conscience

14.  The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step

15.   Coulda Woulda Shoulda don’t work. Do your best and leave the rest to God

16.   A Samurai does what he can, til his higher purpose is revealed

17.   Go in the direction of your fears and your fears will disappear

18.   Getting emotional will cloud your decisions

19.    Most people are 95% bluff

18.    Today, I will do what my ideal Self requires of me

20.     We use excuses, lies, distractions and quitting, to not do the right thing

21.     I give and receive help

22.    The present is my present. I am present

23.     I don’t get another chance at life. Delaying til “tomorrow” doesn’t come

24.     Each of us is given a destined number of breaths. Can’t add or subtract from them.

           Count your breaths. Count your Blessings. Value each breath