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Transformers

You may wonder "What have alien mutant machines got to do with religion?" Very little...

In fact I refer to all of us as Transformers because in our ability to transform ourselves, we possess the ability to transform the world. A sort of super power yes, but there are no forces of destruction. There are villains and obstacles in the path to transformation surely but they are villains of the mind and spirit, not of the body.

Walied Jassat: Engineer, musician, producer, writer, artist and philosopher deserving of the title awesome (not just because he is my brother and already blessed by association) recently gave a talk on the power of transformation and the road towards it.

We have reached a stage in our evolution as a species whereby we can honestly say that "for the most intelligent and informed creatures to ever walk this earth we can be pretty darn stupid!" In fact, take a minute to say that to yourself, or the person next to you. (I take no responsibility for what they might do to you.)

Once that's said, what next? Denial? Anger? Bargaining? Depression? or...Acceptance. Notice that Acceptance does not have a ? as it is not an option.

Can we be in denial about the fact that over 100,000 people have died in Syria since March 2011 due to civil war and social unrest?

Can we bargain with each other about consuming less fish in the new year to prevent the impending extinction of the majority of marine life? 

Can (or should) we be depressed and angry about the fact that female infanticide is rife in China and India (two nations who will soon dominate the global economic arena)?

Should Acceptancebe be enough? The short answer is no. It is necessary. It is not an action or emotion itself, but a prelude to action or emotion. How does calling yourself stupid make you feel? How does accepting a bad reality make you feel? I know how it makes me feel. It makes me want to change. Transform.

Here is a summarised version of Walied's transformation message:

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The religions and philosophies of the east tell you to "Look within" to find God, yourself, your potential, your demons...

The religions and philosophies of the middle east tell you to "Look beyond" to find God who is the key to finding salvation, peace, justice and home.

The religions and philosophy of the west tell you to "Look around" to find purpose and meaning to your life as well as a sense of humbleness.

Once you have looked within, beyond and around proceed to the steps to Transformation:

Information - Knowledge - Faith - Action - Transformation

Information is the starting point. Or perhaps taking one step back is obtaining data. The important aspect of information is that it must remain completely objective. Gain  perspective about an issue by analysing it from two different points of view.

For example, the sparked debate about fracking in the Karoo. Environmentalists will bombard you with bullet points about how "fracking" for natural gas is bad for the environment and will ruin the prestine environment around the Karoo. However, scientists and economists will give you several more bullet points about how fracking will be a game changer for the South African economy.

The next step is turning the information into Knowledge by digesting the detail and (here's the crux) forming an opinion. We humans have never had an issue with the opinion-forming part of things in all our history. Our problem with opinions is that they very rarely stem from knowledge.

Once we are attain knowledge, we're well on the way to action but are held back by fear. Fear of our own percieved insignificance, our lack of ability to facilitate and create change or just the fear of stepping out your door. This is where Faith comes in. The ultimate source of our Faith in ourselves comes from knowledge of a Higher Being or purpose for ourselves. However, Faith can come from the people we love and even from ourselves. Ubuntu tells us that we are who we are through other people. No man is an island, and if he is then he is not a Transformer. He is a Maintainer.

Armed with knowledge and Faith in our plans and ability to Transform, we set off towards Action. "Home is behind. The world ahead. There are many paths to tread."

Only butterflies transform while sleeping. The rest of us do not have that luxury. It would be really easy to wait for the world to change. We could all sit on our arm chairs watching the news waiting for the day when good news will flood our screens or when pictures of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders shaking hands will cover every news paper. You better invest in a Cryo-chamber because its likely that it won't happen in your life time. That doesn't mean that you can't pave the way to make it happen in the lifetimes of your children and their children's children.

In any event, very few of us are in a position to affect earth shattering change all by our ownsome, however change starts very small.

Change begins with (as MJ said) "the man in the mirror". There is nothing you can change quite like yourself, your attitude or your outlook. That is, if you think you or the world needs to change. If you dont, and you consider yourself a Maintainer, then you're reading the wrong blog.

When moving on to your community, this kind of Action requires a following. Mostly because you want to reach more people, but also (like Frodo Baggins) you will take the ring to Mordor but you "do not know the way." Good leaders understand that they bring the flame of inspiration but do not know everything, and so allow themselves to benefit from the knowledge and skills of their fellowship.

Sometimes physical transformation is needed (painting school class-rooms or planting trees) but sometimes mental transformation is needed whereby you change minds. There are many tools that Mind-Changers possess, but the most important is using kind words. Hitler's words invoked fear, the Prophets of God (Peace be upon them) invoked concord. There is a difference in the transformations they inspired.

Don't fall in to the trap of being the type of person who is good at making speeches but not so good with the follow up. I won't name names, but it rhymes with Yobama.  Walk your talk! Bite as harshly as your bark! Fear is an illusion.

Like a Bryan McKnight song, 4) Repeat steps 1, 2, 3 (make you fall in love with me). Whenever you believe your work is done, start back at 1.

Transformation is never-ending. As the world changes, so do you. Any good project manager will tell you that you need to take into account your errors and wastages and go back to the drawing board to improve efficiency.

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Your challenge for today, soak this all in and then contemplate how you are going to be a Transformer. Perhaps it will start with a look in the mirror, perhaps it will start with googling fracking, Frodo Baggins or the differences between Hitler and Jesus, but by all means do it. Remember, transformation starts with Information!

[unitethruprayer]

Supplication when entering a place of worship

This was the supplication of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) when entering a place of worship:

‘O Lord, place within my heart light,

and upon my tongue light,

and within my ears light,

and within my eyes light,

and place behind me light

and in front of me light

and above me light

and beneath me light.

O Lord, bestow upon me light.’

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Ancient Celtic Prayer of God's Presence

God to enfold me, God to surround me, God in my speaking, God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping, God in my waking, God in my watching, God in my hoping.

God in my life, God in my lips, God in my soul, God in my heart.

God in my sufficing, God in my slumber, God in mine ever-living soul, God in mine eternity.

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The Prophet-Kahlil Gibran

Such beautiful eloquence.

On Religion

      And an old priest said, "Speak to us of Religion."        And he said:        Have I spoken this day of aught else?        Is not religion all deeds and all reflection,        And that which is neither deed nor reflection, but a wonder and a surprise ever springing in the soul, even while the hands hew the stone or tend the loom?        Who can separate his faith from his actions, or his belief from his occupations?        Who can spread his hours before him, saying, "This for God and this for myself;        This for my soul, and this other for my body?"       All your hours are wings that beat through space from self to self.        He who wears his morality but as his best garment were better naked.        The wind and the sun will tear no holes in his skin.        And he who defines his conduct by ethics imprisons his song-bird in a cage.        The freest song comes not through bars and wires.        And he to whom worshipping is a window, to open but also to shut, has not yet visited the house of his soul whose windows are from dawn to dawn.        Your daily life is your temple and your religion.        Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.        Take the plough and the forge and the mallet and the lute,        The things you have fashioned in necessity or for delight.        For in revery you cannot rise above your achievements nor fall lower than your failures.        And take with you all men:        For in adoration you cannot fly higher than their hopes nor humble yourself lower than their despair.        And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles.        Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children.        And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending in rain.        You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees. 

[unitethruprayer]

Yoruban prayer (Africa)

Oludumare, oh Divine One! I give thanks to You, the one who is as near as my heartbeat, and more anticipated than my next breath. Let Your wisdom become one with this vessel as I lift my voice in  thanks for Your love.

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Prayer by Jalaluddin Rumi

,

O love, O pure deep love, be here, be now. Be all; worlds dissolve into your stainless endless radiance, Frail living leaves burn with you brighter than cold stars; Make me your servant, your breath, your core.

[unitethruprayer]

Adon Olam ( Master of the Universe) A Jewish prayer recited at the start and end of morning prayers

ADON OLAM    

Adon olam, asher malach,

b'terem kol y'tzir nivra.

L'et na'asah v'cheftzo kol,

azai melech sh'mo nikra.

V'acharey kichlot hakol,

l'vado yimloch nora.

V'hu haya, v'hu hoveh,

v'hu yih'yeh b'tifara.

 V'hu echad, v'eyn sheni

l'hamshil lo, l'hachbira.

B'li reishit, b'li tachlit,

v'lo ha'oz v'hamisrah.

 V'hu Eli, v'chai go'ali,

v'tzur chevli b'et tzarah.

V'hu nisi umanos li,

m'nat kosi b'yom ekra.

 B'yado afkid ruchi b'et ishan v'a'irah.

V'im ruchi g'viyati,

Adonai li v'lo ira.

English Translation:

MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE   

The Lord of the Universe who reigned before anything was created. When all was made by His will He was acknowledged as King. And when all shall end  He still all alone shall reign. He was, He is,  and He shall be in glory. And He is one, and there's no other, to compare or join Him.  Without beginning, without end and to Him belongs diminion and power.  And He is my G-d, my living G-d.  to Him I flee in time of grief, and He is my miracle and my refuge, who answers the day I shall call.  To Him I commit my spirit, in the time of sleep and awakening, even if my spirit leaves, G-d is with me, I shall not fear.

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Surahtul Falaq (Chapter of Daybreak) Holy Quraan chapter 113

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem Qul-a'udhu bi Rabb il-falaq Min sharri ma khalaq Wa min sharri ghasiqin 'idha waqab Wa min sharr-in-naffathati fi-l-'uqad Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Say: "I seek refuge in the Lord of Daybreak From the evil of that which He created; From the evil of the darkness when it overspreads, And from the evil of malignant witchcraft, And from the evil of the envier when he envies.

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Surah Ikhlas (Purity) (Holy Qur'an 112:1-4)

Say: He is Allah,

the One and Only!

Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;

He begetteth not nor is He begotten.

And there is none like unto Him.

Similar to the Jewish prayer Shema Yisrael. (Posted before)...

Through the centuries, through all His messengers (Peace and blessings be upon them all) he has sent us one message, in which to unite us in our common love and servitude of Him.

This message is: "I am your Lord! There is no other Lord but me!"

This message, that has survived since the beginning of time, is our salvation and road to peace.

God, though his names are many, has no equal in His Majesty, Grace, Light and Mercy.

He belongs to no one, He belongs to all.

[unitethruprayer]

DEVOTIONAL READINGS from different faiths

Islam: "The believers indeed are brothers; so set things right between your two brothers, and fear God, haply so you will find mercy." (Qur'an 49:10)

Christianity: "I do not pray for these [my disciples] only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee...." (John 17-20-21)

Judaism: "My house shall be called a house of prayer, for all peoples." (Isa. 57:7)

Buddhism: "One thing, when it comes to pass, does so to the loss, to the unhappiness of many folk…to the misery of the gods and humankind. What is that one thing? Schism in the order of the monks. When the order is broken there are mutual quarrels, mutual exclusiveness, and mutual betrayals. (Itivuttaka 11)

Baha'i: "O contending peoples and kindreds of the earth! Set your faces towards unity, and let the radiance of its light shine upon you. Gather ye together, and for the sake of God resolve to root out whatever is the source of contention among you. Then will the effulgence of the world's great Luminary envelop the whole earth, and its inhabitants become the citizens of one city, and the occupants of one and the same throne." (Gleanings, 111)

Christianity 1 John 2:15-17;3:1-3, 17f; 4:7-12.18-21: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not…. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure…. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth…. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Baha’I `Abdu'l-Baha: Paris Talks, pages 35-39: All God's prophets have brought the message of love. None has ever thought that war and hate are good. Everyone agrees in saying that love and kindness are best. Love manifests its reality in deeds, not only in word - these alone are without effect. In order that love may manifest its power there must be an object, an instrument, a motive. There are many ways of expressing the love principle; there is love for the family, for the country, for the race, there is political enthusiasm, there is also the love of community of interest in service. These are all ways and means of showing the power of love. Without any such means, love would be unseen, unheard, unfelt - altogether unexpressed, unmanifested! Water shows its power in various ways, in quenching thirst, causing seed to grow, etc. Coal expresses one of its principles in gas-light, while one of the powers of electricity is shown in the electric light. If there were neither gas nor electricity, the nights of the world would be darkness! So, it is necessary to have an instrument, a motive for love's manifestation, an object, a mode of expression. We must find a way of spreading love among the sons of humanity. Love is unlimited, boundless, infinite! Material things are limited, circumscribed, finite. You cannot adequately express infinite love by limited means. The perfect love needs an unselfish instrument, absolutely freed from fetters of every kind. The love of family is limited; the tie of blood relationship is not the strongest bond. Frequently members of the same family disagree, and even hate each other. Patriotic love is finite; the love of one's country causing hatred of all others, is not perfect love! Compatriots also are not free from quarrels amongst themselves. The love of race is limited; there is some union here, but that is insufficient. Love must be free from boundaries! To love our own race may mean hatred of all others, and even people of the same race often dislike each other….. It is clear that limited material ties are insufficient to adequately express the universal love. The great unselfish love for humanity is bounded by none of these imperfect, semi-selfish bonds; this is the one perfect love, possible to all mankind, and can only be achieved by the power of the Divine Spirit. No worldly power can accomplish the universal love. Let all be united in this Divine power of love! Let all strive to grow in the light of the Sun of Truth, and reflecting this luminous love on all men, may their hearts become so united that they may dwell evermore in the radiance of the limitless love…. When you love a member of your family or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God! Wherever you find the attributes of God love that person, whether he be of your family or of another. Shed the light of a boundless love on every human being whom you meet, whether of your country, your race, your political party, or of any other nation, colour or shade of political opinion. Heaven will support you while you work in this in-gathering of the scattered peoples of the world beneath the shadow of the almighty tent of unity. You will be servants of God, who are dwelling near to Him, His divine helpers in the service, ministering to all Humanity. All Humanity! Every human being! Never forget this!

[unitethruprayer]

A Prayer For World Peace By Dr. Ernest Holmes

I know there is but One Mind, which is the mind of God, in which all people live and move and have their being.

I know there is a divine pattern for humanity and within this pattern there is infinite harmony and peace, cooperation, unity, and mutual helpfulness.

I know that in the mind of humankind, being one with the mind of God, shall discover the method, the way and the means best fitted to permit the flow of divine love between individuals and nations. Thus harmony, peace, cooperation, unity, and mutual helpfulness will be experienced by all.

I know there shall be a free interchange of ideas, of cultures, of spiritual concepts, of ethics, of educational systems and scientific discoveries - for all good belongs to all alike.

I know that, because Divine Mind has created us all, we are bound together in one infinite and perfect world.

In bringing about world peace, I know that all people and all nations will remain individual but united for a common purpose of promoting peace, happiness, harmony, and prosperity.

I know that deep within every person the divine pattern of perfect peace is already implanted.

I now declare that in each person and in leaders of thought, everywhere this divine pattern moves into action and form, to the end that all nations and all people shall live together in peace, harmony, and prosperity, forever.

So it is now.

[unitethruprayer]

I Worship You

I Worship You  Zoroaster (6th century BC, Persia)

I worship you in every religion that teaches your laws and praises your glory.  I worship you in every plant whose beauty reflects your beauty.  I worship you in every event which is caused by your goodness and kindness.  I worship you in every place where you dwell.  And I worship you in every man and woman who seeks to follow your way of righteousness. 

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Prayer for Peace

        Prayer attributed to Swami Omkar. This was a special peace prayer offered by The Mission of Peace- Shanti Ashram, India, for The 1993 Parliament Of The World's Religions (India) 

Adorable Presence!  Thou who art within and without,  above and below and all around; Thou who art interpenetrating  the very cells of our being-  Thou who art the Eye of our eyes,  the Ear of our ears,  the Heart of our hearts,  the Mind of our minds,  the Breath of our breaths,  the Life of our lives,  and the Soul of our souls.

Bless us Dear God,  to be aware of Thy Presence  Now and Here.  This is all that we ask of Thee;  May all be aware of Thy Presence in  the East and the West,  and the North and the South.  May Peace and Goodwill abide  among individuals as well as among  communities and nations. 

This is our Earnest Prayer.  May Peace be unto All Om Shanti! Peace! Shalom! 

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Thanksgiving Prayer – American Indian

Great and Eternal Mystery of Life, Creator of All Things,

I give thanks for the beauty

You put in every single one of Your creations.

I am grateful that You did not fail in making every stone, plant, creature, and human being a perfect and whole part of the Sacred Hoop.

I am grateful that You have allowed me to see the strength and beauty of All My Relations.

My humble request is that all of the Children of Earth will learn to see the same perfection in themselves.

May none of Your human children doubt or question

Your wisdom, grace, and sense of wholeness in giving all of Creation a right to be living extensions of Your perfect love.

[unitethruprayer]

Prayers from many faiths, many races, many tongues and many places...to One God.

[unitethruprayer]

"You are becoming blogmatic ;) "

My hilarious brother who could be a clown in his next life...or this one...

[unitethruprayer]

Thomas Merton's Unity of Faiths Prayer

Thomas Merton, a 20th century Catholic priest and novice monk.

O God, we are one with you.  You have made us one with you.

You have taught us that if we are open to one another, you dwell in us.

Help us to preserve this openness and to fight for it with all our hearts.  Help us to realize that there can be no understanding where there is mutual rejection.

O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept You, and we thank You, and we adore You, and we love You with our whole being, because our being is Your Being, our spirit is rooted in Your spirit.

Fill us then with love, and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes You present in the world, and which makes You witness to the ultimate reality that is love. 

Love has overcome. Love is victorious.