Only in writing these posts does it seem that events have led up to here. Whilst they were occurring I had no idea of course. At the outset I talked about signs and omens and how we have to take time out of the busy-ness of life to be able to recognise them, let alone understand what they mean (and the direction they are pointing) and create the courage to follow them. In the next post I spoke of how I danced with the Genius of Synchronicity whilst on a mini quest to bring my siblings and their children together. That was a truly remarkable event. A guest at that event was a teacher from my youth who loves to tell tales of the ancient fakirs, dervishes and wali.
So the tale moves on to the point when my distinguished teacher and his equally well spoken 3 sons where departing. I knew all three of them very well since we grew up together and still occasionally met. As we shook hands in farewell one of them said quietly to me that they were holding a ceremony throughout the night going in search of Laylat al Qadr and would I like to join them.Who am I to say no to such a sojourn, even though I was due to start work at new job the following day.
- When adventure calls one must take up the gauntlet no matter what the cost.
Note on Advice: May I point you to our disclaimer wherein we quite clearly say, you must not take anything said on this site as advice, guidance or scripture. This site and all therein is informational only. Good, now we have that out-of-the-way let’s get on.
It was still early (the ceremony was starting at midnight) and I was lounging around waiting with anticipation when I got a call from a friend that I have occasionally mentioned in passing. Ahmed, is an exorcist that has to be reckoned with and when my phone blipped with his number I was a bit wary (I don’t do exorcism anymore, they’re too scary). fortunately that wasn’t what he wanted. He had heard that I was going to the gathering that evening and that he had been asked to go too. He had had a better offer but obligation had meant that he would have to attend the gathering instead of where he had wanted to go. However he was calling me to offer his place to me.
What is this event I asked and to my amazement he told me that several Sufi Dervish were visiting nearby and that they were spending the night in discourse and Zikr. Now I have a confession I love Zikr, it is the quickest way to an altered state without any chemicals and the fact that they were Sufi Dervishes wasn’t not lost on me one iota. This night was indeed coming together in a powerful way! Here is a good interpretation of Zikr or as wiki spells it Dhikr…
Dhikr is the means by which Stations yield their fruit, until the seeker reaches the Divine Presence. On the journey to the Divine Presence the seed of remembrance is planted in the heart and nourished with the water of praise and the food of glorification, until the tree of dhikr becomes deeply rooted and bears its fruit. It is the power of all journeying and the foundation of all success. It is the reviver from the sleep of heedlessness, the bridge to the One remembered.
Interesting don’t you think? The reviver from the sleep of heedlessness, isn’t that what I was talking about when I say stepping out of the busy-ness of life? Sounds the same to me. Anyway with no hesitation did I accept his exchange and within minutes I was off to visit with these travelling Sufi Dervishes.
I love the way that western translations of institutions loses its flavour for me. consider the wiki entry on Dervishes. In the tales of Dervishes that I have heard they have often left material trappings behind in favour of the wealth of the love of Allah. In my humble opinion a life led in complete materialistic pursuits is just as bad as a life led in completely spiritual pursuits. Balance is what I seek on my path. (please see above note in regards to advice).
In short order I had arrived at the address given and was led un-questioned I might add, to the back of the home and into a wonderfully large garden. The hour was around 11pm and the stars where shining bright in the sky. There were about 20 people in attendance, all sat in circle with candles in a glass, open, dome in the center.