This year, more than ever, the term “Happy” New Year rings hollow for me, and my Sufi seeker sister Zarmina also agreed. Happiness is so relative, so transient, so subjective, and is a happy life all we want really? We can pray for health, peace, growth, development (materially and spiritually) so that we reconnect to the true purpose we were selected to be born. So I will be wishing everyone a “Meaningful” New Year.
Our Sufi teacher (Allah bless him for the knowledge he transmits to us) talked about New Year’s resolutions, which has been a human tradition since the Babylonians. As we know, most of these resolutions fall through. Our goals are usually to eliminate bad habits- which are built unconsciously over time- and build new habits- which take conscious and deliberate effort. In Islam, we are asked to reflect every day- indeed five times a day- on our actions and behaviors, indeed our thoughts. E.g. I was taking a SilverSneakers (a Medicare online exercise program) class in my basement and the instructor had a Southern accent, and right away I noticed an irritation within me. Immediately I stopped myself and thought about how I was thinking (apne sochne per sochna). That is the way we can shift automatic habits and biases- by pausing and reflecting. As our Sufi teacher said: by noticing bad habits or actions and showing remorse (which is part of the Jewish tradition in the Day of Atonement), we blast the automatic neural pathways that we have built up and that make us do things that harm ourselves or harm others unconsciously, even if they are only thoughts. We all know that thoughts determine actions which then embed these habits. It is a great gift to be able to reflect and then deliberately change our own mind, as the founder of psychology William James so famously said: Man’s greatest gift is the ability to change our own minds.
So here is my wish for all my dear family and friends:
May we learn from 2021 the lessons we are meant to learn.
May 2022 continue to bring you strength, health, peace and joy as we continue our journey in this human form!
May it ease your pains and sorrow, and may patience be your companion.
May we remember that the “present moment” is all there is.
May all your actions be guided by the noblest of principles.
May your gratitude deepen, your patience extend and your love spread wide and far to touch whoever you meet.
May you and your family continue to thrive in success in the material world, and also find time for reflection about the beauty and wonder of life.
May we all as a community continue to support and love each other through joy and sorrow, and always be a witness and support to the global human community.
May we learn the lessons that Allah (and the Universe) is trying to teach us before it is too late for the planet.
May all your prayers come true Inshallah.
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