Date: 2010
Dear Diary,
“I am for you, you are for whoever you choose; I accept whatever you want without any expectations whatsoever.”
Today, I find myself reflecting on the path of purification, a journey that revolves around a singular force: Love. It is through Love that we draw closer to the divine, and in our love, we experience God. Each step we take on this path leads us back to Allah, teaching us how to love in the most profound and sacred sense.
A key aspect of expressing our love is through the practice of gratitude. Gratitude is not just a mere emotion; it’s a state of being. When we are truly grateful, our hearts remain in a positive and receptive state. It’s through this positivity that we’re able to naturally extend kindness to others.
Kindness, as I’ve come to realize, is a beautiful manifestation of love. It’s an act that flows from a humble and conscious place within us. To truly offer kindness, we must first observe our own egos. By recognizing the ego’s presence, we can make our offerings with humility and sincerity.
Being humble in our actions means giving without expecting anything in return. It’s about offering without seeking attention or validation from others. When we draw attention to our acts of kindness, we risk falling into the trap of pride. Pride disrupts the authenticity of our actions and introduces expectations.
Expectations, I’ve learned, are ego-driven and can lead to suffering. Through self-awareness and genuine humility, which includes being honest with oneself, we can assess our actions. We can discern whether they stem from the ego or the soul.
Understanding our motives is key. When we give in a state of God-consciousness, we give without any expectations. We offer without desiring a thank-you or any form of validation. True giving is simple, requiring minimal attention to the act itself, and it’s marked by a desire to give unconditionally.
In our giving, we should aim to empower others. We want them to find solace and comfort within themselves, independent of our actions. Our intention is to provide what ignites the divine spark within them, leading them to seek God’s presence within their own souls.
We should strive to help others reach God without fostering dependencies or unrealistic expectations. Humans, no matter how well-intentioned, will inevitably fall short in fulfilling each other’s expectations. This is why detachment, even from our own acts of kindness, is crucial.
Our goal is to strengthen the recipient’s connection with the divine through our selfless giving. We want to nourish their souls gradually and consistently, rather than overwhelming them with unrealistic expectations of our own goodness.
As we embark on this journey of conscious giving, we simultaneously learn the art of receiving. Giving and receiving are intertwined, like two sides of the same coin. When we learn to receive with the humility of a beggar, we fully comprehend gratitude.
In gratitude, we cultivate the light that guides us on our path back home, back to Allah. It is through love, kindness, and the purest intentions that we embark on this sacred journey, knowing that the giving is, indeed, the receiving.
With love and humility,
Shana
