Sufis teach that we first must battle and destroy the evil within ourselves by shining upon it the good within, and then we learn to battle the evil in others by helping their higher selves gain control of their lower selves.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes inner transformation as a prerequisite to addressing external conflicts.
Feisal Abdul Rauf reflects on the Sufi perspective that personal growth and the overcoming of internal struggles are essential steps before one can effectively engage with and assist others. By cultivating the goodness within ourselves and confronting our own evils, we become better equipped to encourage and elevate the higher selves of those around us, promoting a cycle of positive change in the world.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about personal growth and self-awareness at a community workshop.
The justification and the purpose of freedom of speech is not to indulge those who want to speak their minds. It is to prevent error and discover truth. There may be other ways of detecting error and discovering truth than that of free discussion, but so far we have not found them.
I don't believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.
There is no reason to assume that the universe has the slightest interest in intelligence—or even in life. Both may be random accidental by-products of its operations like the beautiful patterns on a butterfly's wings. The insect would fly just as well without them.
When nonviolence is accepted as the law of life, it must pervade the whole being and not be applied to isolated acts.
The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learnt by rote by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer: God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner.
You will never be able to experience everything. So, please, do poetical justice to your soul and simply experience yourself.
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