The ultimate evidence of the non-exsistence of all gods.
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Al-Ikhlas
(Historically Purification)
Surah 112 1
You must skilfully think and then acknowledge by words and actions. The One who is the only One, is not illah (God).
Surah 112 2
The One who is everlasting; the creator of everything and to whose unity everything gives testimony; is the One who is not illah (god)
Surah 112 3
Neither the One begets a God, nor shall one be begotten from the One.
Surah 112 4
Nor has the One any likeness to any god; the One and Only having absolutely no resemblance or likeness to anybody or anything.
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I'm thinking that ultimately, we do actually agree about this. In my view, when I say that there is no god but Allah, it doesn't necessarily mean that "gods" and "goddesses" do not exist; it means that they are individual aspects of the ONE-TRUE-EVERYTHING. From what I have gathered, most religions, at their core, are monotheistic. I think it is humans that have used this term to divide and conquer each other. To me, if there is no god but God, then it doesn't really matter what name you call Allah. To me, monotheism amounts to UNIVERSAL LOVE/ONENESS, and having a holistic view of reality; not arguing with people about whose scripture and rituals are correct.
I really enjoy reading this Sufi blog http//rose-sufi-crescent.blogspot.com/ The latest post talks about Surah 367. I will quote the translation from the blog
"Abraham was not a Jew,
Nor was he a Christian;
But he was true in faith;
And surrendered his will to Allah's,
And he joined not gods with God.Among humans, the nearest relatives are those
that, like Abraham, surrender their will to Allah."The post goes on to say
The point is that Abraham was neither Jew, nor Christian, nor Muslim. Instead, he was one who practiced a deep existential surrender.
This, in deed, is a dividing line between fundamentalist Muslims, who claim that Abraham literally practiced the rituals of Islam and that Muslims restored what was lost and Sufis, who understand that the verse points to a deeper state of being within oneself.
If one follows the logic of the verse than one finds the miracle of unity within it. One doesn't reach Abraham through the rituals or beliefs of any of the three great Near Eastern faiths. One only approaches Abraham through an inner state of surrendering one's will to Allah (the Light).
I would like to hear what people think about that. To submit to God's will, I think the only thing completely necessary is a regular prayer/meditation practice. I respect the Koran, but I most certainly pick and choose with what I accept from it. That might make me a sinner or something, but I am being honest.
To my brothers and sisters, I love you very much. Peace.
sun jedi
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The problem with "gods" are that they historically always are humans or animals, possessing the same qualities as other humans and animals. So they can be ruled out of the equation. What they all share though, is life/consciousness. And this is a phenomena that still puzzles many philosophers. Looking carefully at religion, one can see that consciousness is God. Atman in hinduism, ruach in judaism, ruh in islam.
Surrender to consciousness, is at the heart of Islam.
To me, looking at scripture, and even science, God must be immaterial, preceding essence/creation. Consciousness must therefore be nothing. This is what is called spirit originally. Note that ruh is used today and spirit about jinn instead.
I do believe the sufis have no basis in either gnosis, or scripture, to say that matter is god or consciousness. I have gnosis, and have reserached Islam, and a little bit of other faiths aswell, and find nothing to support this.
So beware of that, so you don`t end up in the idolators world, where objects are divine.
Instead, in Quran, consciousness is ruh, the mind.
In christianity, Jesus says "he is IN everyone".
Judaism has a similar concept of Ruach, that is spirit (invisible/nothing).
Hinduism, atman is "inside".You will also find "The Word" as God, in Abrahamic faith.
Hinduism The Word created everything.
Judaism God Alef Tav created everything (Alef-Tav being the first and last word, of the hebrew alphabet)
Christianity Jesus It is the words I speak to you that is life, the flesh profits not. (word is ruach is god, not flesh/matter).
Greek philosophy is also known for Logos, as the animating force behind everything. Logos means Word. -
Salaam Paradox Uncreated,
In a certain sense, I have already fell into the "trap" of pantheism. I see God manifested in everything. However, I do agree that it is a trap when an individual demands adulation and worship (such as the guru of the Hare Krishnas); or possibly even worse (maybe these are equally not good), worshipping a statue. So in the sense of giving praise to idols, I do not worship any physical manifestation as the SUPREME CREATOR. But I do see Allah inside everything.
Are you familiar with Kaballah? The teachings speak of God Transcendent (Godhead) and God Immanent (manifestations of God). I think that God is both totally transcendent and immanent. However, I am only going to worship and bow to Allah Transcendent, because I believe in complete egalitarianism when interacting with all aspects of physical reality.
Personally, I have to talk about manifestations of Allah, because I prefer dealing with more feminine manifestations of God in personal interaction/prayer/meditation. However, I think that Allah ultimately transcends everything.
Here is a Sanskrit chant that I really enjoy http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3mMiZsxJo&feature=related
jedi
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Pantheism can be close association though. There is a fine difference. Instead of seeing God, one "sees" Gods will. Or even more beautiful to me, is, one sees ones own creation, and what ones has willed into existence. It says something about who you are.
Attribute creation to yourself "Everything is my creation". (Instead of "I am everything.)
If you have been a pantheist for many years, it will take many years to completely change ones mind. So I guess you would want to research everything on your own, which I what I suggest. My pointers in my previous post, will make it a bit easier.
I have read minimal about Kabbalah, but I see they divide the ruh, into "lower self" "higher self" like the sufis, which I do not believe in. Instead lower and higher seems related to jinn, but I``m not quite sure about this yet.
I do not believe in "manifestations" of Allah myself. Instead, all consciousness is God, and uncreated.
The chant you post is interesting. But without it being Brahman, I guess it would have been inane.. Devas in hinduism often strike more as a concept like angels, but then again they are sometimes wicked.. And they are not to be worshipped.