Sweet Madness!

Neale Donald Walsch, the most modern messenger from GOD, writes about the perceived "hurt" to Islam (public conversion of “A prominent Italian Muslim” to Catholicism and the Dutch government allowing a movie producer to release a controversial film, which Muslims find insulting to the Holy Qu’ran):

Oh boy, here we go again. Why can’t we just find a way to get along? What is making us do all these things? And why must some of us become so personally and deeply insulted over such matters? Can we not live and let live?

It is interesting that a "healing" solution comes from Islam's own backyard: Sufis, DIRECTLY trained by Prophet Mohammed, believe that:

Beloved ones of God, you may belong to any race, cast, creed, or nation, still you are all impartially beloved by God.

You may be a believer or an unbeliever in the supreme Being, but He cares not. His mercy and grace flow through all His powers, without distinction of friend or foe.

The greatest principle of Sufism is, 'Ishq Allah, Ma'bud Allah' (God is love, lover, and beloved).

This whole universe, internally and externally, is governed by the source of love, which is sometimes the cause and sometimes the effect. The producer and the product are one, and that One is nothing but love.

A church, a temple or a Ka'ba stone,
Qur'an or Bible or a martyr's bone,
All these and more my heart can tolerate,
Since my religion now is Love alone' (Abul Ala).

As one of God's beloved, a path is opened for his heavenly journey: at the end he arrives at oneness with God, and his whole individuality is dissolved in the ocean of eternal bliss where even the conception of God and man disappears.

Although love is a sweet madness,
Yet all infirmities it heals.
Saints and sages have passed through it,
Love both to God and man appeals.

Hazrat Inayat Khan was inspired to initiate Universal Sufism, which is based on unity of all people and religions, and the presence of spiritual guidance in all people, places and things.

It is debatable whether Sufism predates (or exists outside) Islam as Universal Sufism, but Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan rightly concludes - Sufism may be called the spirit of Islam, as well as the pure essence of all religions and philosophies.

What is GOD?

Last few days, we have been having a very interesting discussion initiated by soulandsubstance.
She has thrown an An Open Question to Atheists and Agnostics!
Her question is:
If it were theoretically possible for you to change your mind and be convinced that there is a God who created the universe, what would it take for that to happen?
Go, ahead and participate!

Infinite Love!

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk, Sit or lie down, As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.
~Sutta Nipata

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The thoughts of the earth are my thoughts
The voice of the earth is my voice
All that belongs to the earth belongs to me
All that surrounds the earth surrounds me
It is lovely indeed; it is lovely indeed.
~A Navajo Song

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You are a child of the universe,
No less than the trees and the stars;
You have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
~Max Ehrmann in 'The Desiderata'