Saturday 24 January 2015

RE-APPROACHING TRADITIONAL COSMOLOGY & QUANTUM VISUALIZATION (PART 2)

I submit. "Gerak Melindung & Mengasihi" (Loving Protector Motion). These are two composites inspired by a motion-captured image by Nur Zaidi. Nur Zaidi is currently doing his Phd in mapping 'abjad' or Arabic letters through 'gerak' or body movements in a traditional Malay martial art called Silat Titi Sebatang. The lines in the composites were actually traced from moving points (placed on a silat performer body) in space. They were motion captured using multiple cameras. As the points (titik) moved, and viewed from top, they appeared  to form the Arabic letter 'ba' (near enclosed eliptical shape like an ear or a kidney or a seed). 'Ba' is the first letter in the opening of Al-Fatihah, the 'heart' of the Quran. The lines amazingly fit perfectly with the profile contour of a pregnant women. They also appear to envelop and protect a baby as shown below.



Tuesday 13 January 2015

RE-APPPROACHING TRADITIONAL COSMOLOGY AND QUANTUM VISUALIZATIONS

Those with an attention span deficit, please be warned. This is going to be another long entry. Those interested to get 'high' whilst getting 'real' simultaneously, are welcomed to proceed, with an open mind and loving heart hopefully. 

Bismillah, and a deep slow breath.


1. 'KEBUN RUPA'

Recently, x-student Zaidi dropped by at my little Kebun Rupa. He showed me a copy of a book on cosmology (Awang & Kadir: 1997). I haven't read it before. I extend my gratitude. Thank you brader!



I've been interested (and sometimes made fun of by close friends) in geeky subjects with fancy incomprehensible terms since early 1990s, ya, since the last century (to make it sound important). They include quantum physics, quantum visualization, inner space, neural innernet, connectivity, multi-dimensional time-space and so on. If you felt intimidated by the jargon, don't worry, I do too. You know la, 'clever-clever' people like to churn out fancy words. Not so clever people like me sometimes use them to show off. Yet, and beyond jargon, these subjects have always intrigued me. 





Interestingly, most of the materials on these subjects seemed to 'come' to me, instead of me looking for them. That has been my experience with the 'law of attraction'. Sometimes, they fell literally onto my lap, such as books unexpectedly given to me as gifts by close friends. They came or 'manifested' at the right time and circumstances too. 

All the gifts have contributed significantly to a growing collection of Kebun Rupa (resource space). Syukran. Kebun Rupa previously occupied an empty x-squash court building behind MGTF (Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah) USM, until it was instructed to 'move out' from the premise. The building is currently empty, I suspect.

The books are now stationed in my own small rented terrace house. They have become a part of my little 'Baitulhikmah'.

Recent book 'donors' of Kebun Rupa include x-boss and x-VC of USM Tan Sri Dzul, x-master's student Stella Chong, and friend Ch'ng Huck Teng. Jazakallah. 





2. 'NIAT' AND 'GERAK'
Complimentary to a series of books that seemingly fell onto my lap and Kebun Rupa, Zaidi also brought few literature on 'seeing' and visualizing hidden 'abjad' (letters or signs) and 'kalimah' (phrases). They are said to be embedded in the cosmic field, including within human physical forms or 'gerak' (body movements). Sounds a bit esoteric? Perhaps yes if we held on to some common perceptions on certain obscured traditions.

Yet, 'gerak' or body language, beyond the cosmological discourses on 'silat' or traditional martial art, has been scientifically studied through the subject of NLP or neuro-linguistic programming. It basically explains the neurosciences behind both micro and macro body movements or 'gerak'. Different postures resonate and transmit different signals or frequencies, yielding different energy fields within and around the transmitter. 'Gerak' in silat can thus can experienced as receiving and transmitting desired magnetic force or resonance field that influences 'circumstances'. Perhaps, similar resonance field can also be traced during 'solat' or prayer (for Muslims).

Training oneself to practice certain 'gerak' is not only instrumental in conditioning or fine tuning one's mental and emotional states, but also one's physical state and overall 'angin' or 'semangat' or 'chi' or 'prana' or whatever one wants to call it. 

Plus, this is where it gets interesting, the 'angin' is non-local or quantum. It means that it exists as a qwiff (quantum wave function) or quantum signal that can connect with like-wise 'angin' across multiple dimensions, across time and space at the speed of light. This of course includes speaking to and influencing the surrounding 'angin' especially those (human and other living subjects as well as things) in the immediate surrounding environment. Positive 'gerak' yields positive angin yields positive environment yields positive circumstances. As mentioned before, 'gerak' becomes a form of 'receiver' and 'transmitter ' of natural cosmic energy. Certainly not really exotic or too esoteric anymore. 

Check out the following link.
http://hasnulsaidon.blogspot.com/2014/12/marilah-menuju-kejayaan-let-us-achieve.html?m=1

Establishing a presence before a "Kebun Jiwa Halus' session at The Kabin, Kuala Selangor, 2014.
Embracing the Universe. In front of Allahyarham Mohd Fadzil's 'string-based work.
"Mendiri", (2010), mixed-media on plywood.
"Mohon" (2010), mixed-media on plywood.


What do our postures transmit? And consequently receive? What type of energy signal that we really want to send and receive?

What makes Zaidi's materials on 'abjad' in 'gerak' more enticing for me is that other than sources related to traditional cosmology, I've also studied and personally applied, tested and even shared few tips from NLP in several different situations, including in re-branding MGTF USM. It worked, depending strongly on the power and persistence of intention that is in harmony with 'the Will of the universe' or cosmic energy flow. Collective intention is stronger and works faster. This explains why 'solat jemaah' or 'mass  prayer' is stressed in Islam.

The power of intention or 'niat' itself, has been scientifically studied in neurosciences, including in the growing literature on mindfulness. Even the healing effect of 'compassion' and empathy have also been studied, using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and other forms of higher energy scanning. I can quote several studies here but you may just google them.

It has to be noted though that neurosciences as a discipline of research, is not immune to problems related to interpretations of data churned out by high end machines.

3. SHIFTING-RETURN

My point here is that it appears as if recent trajectories of scientific frontiers such as NLP and neurosciences are not only shifting paradigm, but also simultaneously returning back to many forms of previously esoteric knowledge that have manifested more than 2000 years ago in many spiritual traditions. 

In the case of Islam as practiced by Muslims like the person who is writing this, the knowledge and more importantly the wisdom (kearifan), as embedded in the holy Quran, had been embodied and passed on through the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Earlier civilizations across the world have left a legacy of tangible objects and rich resources to explore, study and compare, including for examples the Vedas and Upanishad to I-Ching, the Torah, the Bible to the Quran.

The so-called golden period of Islamic Civilization is another example of rich repository of knowledge generated within its very rich cross-cultural and trans-disciplinary cosmopolitan settings. This enlightened age historically took place during a period interestingly referred to or framed as the 'dark age' of Western world by traditional Western historians. 

As we shift, we also return.

The 'shift' from what few scholars have referred to as an increasingly 'defunct' modernism (that includes 'modern art') to the new quantum frontiers of post-postmodernism, can also paradoxically be taken as a 'return' to traditions. It entices re-approaching traditions, including Eastern cosmology, not anymore through the traditional lens of anthropology, history and modern art (mostly, Western-centric of course), but through contemporary languages such as of new media, quantum physics, mathematics and geometry (have to note here that I managed to maintain a constant F for the last three subjects when I was in school!).

I fancy the term 'shifting-return' as I am also exploring it for my Phd. Ya, Phd at this ripe age. Go ahead, smile. 

Here is also where Zaidi's current endeavour came into the picture with similar re-approach towards Eastern cosmology, specifically Islamic cosmology.



4. ABJAD DALAM SILAT (LETTERS IN TRADITIONAL FORM OF MALAY MARTIAL ART)

Zaidi is also doing his Phd at USM, researching on the use of multiple motion capture cameras as means to unveil 'abjad' formed through traces of moving points (placed on several key body parts of a silat exponent) in a particular 'gerak' or body movement/language.

The resulting images unveil what can be hypothesized as 'energy flow'. They also display interesting intersecting lines in various curvatures, as if mapping and visualizing the flow of inner energy transmitted and unleashed within a 'gerak'. One can also relate the flow of his resulting images to Islamic calligraphy or 'khat', especially of the 'khat Diwan' type. 

I refer to such images (and khat) as examples of quantum visualization, which basically means the act of visualizing (made tangible or manifest) the normally veiled or obscured energy patterns created naturally by the flow of cosmic energy (chi in Chinese tradition). The commonly-heard phrase is 'go with the flow', or allowing the cosmic energy to 'show us the path'. I may sound like Yoda here, but the language of physics speaks almost in the same way too. Theoretical physicists would tell us that energy or 'light traveling through different media always follows the path that takes the least energy', referred to as minimization. It is also referred to as a preferred state (Tung Yau & Nadis: 2010, p.49). I can quote a hadis (saying of the Prophet) that relates to this (on moderation), but my 'mat rock' persona would say that I better leave that to a more qualified candidate to do so. The 'path' in Islam, is provided through 'syariat'.

Of course one can go anywhere in interpreting Zaidi's images. Nonetheless, he is referring to Islamic cosmology as the theoretical and conceptual framework to interpret his findings. Good luck brader!


The diagram above is a topographical view of moving points in a form of intersecting curved lines as motion-captured from the opening 'gerak' (movement) of a silat Titi Sebatang performer. 

Below is a perspective view of similar 'gerak'.


Picture below is a blown-up image of a khat (Islamic calligraphy), focusing on the letter 'lam' and 'alif' in a single movement or 'gerak'. It appears like a knot. I took the picture in Galeri Khat Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang, at Lebuh Acheh, George Town. Its a small gallery that vibrates with lots of healthy energy through many exhibited samples of quantum visualizations. George Town is increasingly becoming a 'happening' city, but don't let me start bragging.

Below the khat is Zaidi's motion-captured image as a comparison. He pointed to me similar 'knot' in the image.



'Lam' and 'alif' in combination creates the sound 'La' (means 'no'), an important utterance in the proclamation of 'syahadah' (witnessing).


5. 'SYAHADAH'

Now, here I have to divert a bit from cosmology and quantum visualizations. Lets 'get high' for a while. 

What I'm about to share is very important since it is the pillar of Islamic cosmology. I know I don't have a 'serban' or 'kopiah' on my head since I don't think I deserve to wear one yet, but I will try my best to share. I'm also recalling what I've learned from my guru and late father Saidon Pandak Noh, Al-fatihah for him.

'Syahadah', is the proclamation of 'Tauhid', meaning 'making One'. It induces the utterer to detach from any form of mental and emotional identifications (or getting attached to thoughts and feelings), proclaiming and affirming that NOTHING really exists, except Allah. 

For a science-minded person, that sounds close to the way Einstein used to describe physical reality as a stubborn or 'persistent' illusion.

Again, 'syahadah' affirms everything is just an illusion, or shadow, much like images that fall on a screen from a film projector. 

'Syahadah' allows the utterer to BE the WITNESS of the illusions, or specifically, witnessing the illusive conjuring of mind - our thoughts and feelings, instead of attaching to or being trapped in them, or worse, totally identify one's sense of self and being (identity) through them. 

Using the film projector again as a metaphor, 'syahadah' allows one to 'step out' and 'see the light', instead of getting caught in the mental and emotional roller-coasters of the images on the screen. 

Mind that conjures thoughts and feelings is an 'instrument' or 'too' bestowed upon humans as a precious gift to be used wisely as a test. Using similar metaphor, mind is like the lens of a projector, not the 'seer'. 

Humans are meant to deploy the gift of mind to fully enjoy the experience thoughts and feelings (images on the screen), of 'living' by bringing forth 'peace and happiness' or in a short Malay term, 'kesejahteraan'. 

Yet, thoughts and feelings can become thick veils (like getting caught up in the 'film screen', saying its the only reality). They can occupy the mind, influencing the mind (the lens) to pretend to be the 'seer'. The mind then creates a false sense of self, that most of us refer to as 'ego'. 

'Syahadah' renders ego powerless and transparent. Mind, thoughts and feelings (ego) are still there, yet they can't pretend to be the true seer or Self once they are being 'witnessed' or 'observed'. 

'Syahadah' allows one to be FREE from the veils of the mind, the noises of thoughts and feelings, the black spots or cracks of the lense. It frees us from the trapping and slavery of ego, which are the roots of 'misery' or 'duka', or to be more direct without icings, the home of 'evil'. 

True freedom, unlike what has been popularly propagated by the global media, is freedom from the slavery of ego, individually and collectively. Acts of terror (killing, torturing, abducting, etc), insulting, hurting, demeaning or ridiculing fellow humans are slavery of ego, that feeds and gets gratification through these acts. They are not freedom in its truest sense! 

'Syahadah' allows one to be the non-judgmental 'silent witness' who observes the ebbs and flows of thoughts and feelings with pure, unconditional and infinite love, joy, compassion, empathy, tolerance, happiness and gratitude.

Once all thoughts and feelings have been rendered transparent, or all false sense of self (ego) have lost its illusive forms (hilang bentuk), the root of misery, the home of evil, have been rendered powerless. They cant slave us anymore, we are free (to return and be in our natural state - unconditional love, joy, compassion, empathy, tolerance, happiness and gratitude.) A natural state (fitrah) induces 'gerak' or actions that heal, while ego slaves us and brings 'duka' (all sorts of miseries and stresses).

The apex of 'syahadah' is to return to the Source of all experiences (again using the film projector, the Source of all the sights and sounds on the screen). 'Syahadah' allows one to return Allah, to the Source of 'Light' so-to-speak, the Solace or Abode of peace, to 'wake up', to B 'enlightened'.

I invite you my beloved readers to 'connect' (our brain cells are healthy when they make connections or synapses) what I have written above with materials that can be read in literature on mindfulness, meditative and contemplative sciences, the power of now, law of attraction, knowledge of self, the healing power of compassion and empathy etc. I hope it can give a glimpse of insight that will yield a more compassionate understanding and appreciation of Islam and its cosmological paradigm.


6. COSMOLOGY & QUANTUM VISUALIZATIONS

Now, back to our illusive and shadowy reality. Back to Zaidi's motion-capture image and another blown-up image of a khat (bottom part of letter 'wau' and 'ha', which can also be 'ba'). Both display almost similar curvy flow of energy. This time I leave it to you to contemplate on it. Everything is our teacher if we open our mind and see with our heart.



It would be unwise to prematurely interpret Zaidi's findings since he is still finalizing his Phd. Yet I could not retain my excitement in anticipating the potentials of using motion-capture and new media technology in re-appproaching traditional cosmology. 


While browsing the materials that Zaidi had brought over, one particular essay stood out.



Amjad (1997) provides appendixes that include a comparative table in three columns. It summarizes in a rather helpful way my previous notion of 'shifting-return' paradigm, a shift from the classical, Newtonian and highly linear model of reality to a post-classical or what Amjad refers to as post-Einstein paradigm. He points out the similarity between traditional paradigm with post-Einstein's, provided that we can skip the increasingly defunct (for some, decadent) 'classical' reading. This also brings me back to my late guru Ismail Zain's proposition to use the language of physics in re-approaching traditions and what he refers to as sacred experience. Reading the comparison below may take a while, but its worth it.


Amjad uses the term 'modern', which I think is rather misleading. Modern and modernity (including modern art) should be in the middle column along the 'classical canons', while post-postmodern is on the right column. Yet even the term post post-modern can also be problematic, rather too mouthful if not 'tired'. Terminologies aside, more important is the concept, the 'shifting-return paradigm'.

Interestingly, I had also came up (around 2003/4 if I'm not mistaken) with a comparative table in one of my essays (without referring to Amjad of course, but an amalgamation of sources quoted from several literature/authors). Since then, I have been updating and using the table several times through successive essays that I have published, presented, lectured, blogged or simply shared and rambled with students and friends during lectures and 'teh tarik' sessions. Some have been littered throughout several blog entries under the 'light, mind, quantum physics and transformation' section of this Jiwa Halus blog. I'm too lazy to list all the links here, sorry. But you may start here. 

http://hasnulsaidon.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-high-or-getting-real-part-1.html

Initially, I called it transforming and paradigmatic shifts. I have even deployed and tested it, intensively during my 7 years of 'gardening' the Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) USM. I would like to think, based on both KPI (Key Performance Indicators) data and KIP (Key Intangible Performance) feedback, that the paradigmatic shifts worked and showed desired results. But that would be my 'prasan' and 'masuk bakul' (self-glorification), so no need to go further.

Back to Amjad, he also provides several diagrams that explain his reading of Islamic cosmology. I also relate to these diagrams as quantum visualizations. One may stumble upon such visualizations in nature, and in many forms of traditional arts such as Hindu, Buddhist and Tibetan mandalas, Islamic arabesques and Chinese geomancy. 

I like to experience quantum visualizations as a form of zikr or repeated positive affirmations, or invocations of cosmic energy (chi). 

In many 'new age' literature, they are said to aid in healing, alligning, rejuvenating, synchronizing and harmonizing the micro and macro, the mind-body-spirit, the IQ(mental intelligence), EQ(emotional intelligence) and SQ(spiritual intelligence), the left and right brain, the arts and sciences, the intellect (akal) and the heart (kalbu), Masculine and Feminine principles, Shiva and Shakti, Ying and Yang, AsSham and AlHillal in a complimentary gathering or embrace of opposites. 


Zikr in the form of quantum visualizations also relates to a state of presence, higher awareness of one's own thinking and feeling, as taught in mindfulness practices. I like to relate this to 'syahadah', as I have explained before. Several studies have shown the tangible benefits of mindfulness, including in dealing with stress. 

The 'balance' gathering or convergence of opposites as mentioned above has also been mapped by Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (2014), my x-Boss at USM. The terms are in Malay, so I have to translate here. 'Berkala' : periodical or temporal, with 'berkekalan' : permanent or eternal. 'Setempat': local, with 'global'. 'Ketara': tangible with 'tak ketara': intangible. 'Luaran': external with 'dalaman': internal. Experiencing these 'gathering of opposites' are four domains or dimensions : intelek (intellect), emosi (emotion), jasmani (physical) and rohani (spiritual).



He explicates the imperative of shifting from the 'classical' (purely material, positivist, empirical and 'scientific') model of learning to a return to tradition, in this case, Islamic model of nurturing a balanced 'insan' (human), fine tuning both the intellect and the heart or 'kalbu' and other opposites as visualized in his diagram above. He basically re-itterates Al-Ghazali's explication on the roles of 'akal' (mind), 'mata hati' (eyes of the heart) and 'pandangan batin' (spiritual insights) in 'Miskat Cahaya'. His writing also reminds me of the term 'terang hati' (enlightened heart) that my mother and late father used to utter so many times, instead of 'cerdik' and 'banyak akal', both refering to mischievious character. 





At the center of the diagram above is 'Ad-Din', meaning 'way of life' that brings forth a balanced and harmonious human being, and consequently, a peaceful society.

I would also like to share another diagram taken from "Alami II Puncak : Post Science-inspired Arts Camp Exhibition" (2002). It maps out the shift-return to awareness of self or 'kesedaran insan', now made popular by increasing interest in mindfulness and meditative science. I have in some ways, deployed these models in my little Kebun Jiwa Halus initiatives. 


In the spirit of re-approaching Eastern cosmology and quantum visualizations, I would like to share here several examples sourced from Amjad's essay, my own, youtube and few other books. I have used few images in my previous blog entries.

Lets begin with the following link to detoxify us from the residues of modernist (perhaps also, modern art) paradigm. We can come back to this writing after this detox. Hit the link now.

;)

The following link provides my understanding of Islamic cosmology and quantum visualizations. It can serve as an appetizer. Check it out.

http://hasnulsaidon.blogspot.com/2012/06/getting-high-or-getting-real-part-2.html 

Now, lets check out the following example of quantum visualization - 'open lotus flower' that can be traced in several forms of Buddhist art, and later adapted as a traditional motif in several forms of Malay traditional art.


The following is another example, from Iran, of Persian tradition. The mandala, as the reflection of the cosmic process, beginning with unity and back with unity. Center of Ardabil carpet, Tabriz, Iran, c.1540. (Source: Laleh Bakhtiar, "SUFI, Expression of the Mystic Quest").


Multiple views or points in modular patterns of Islamic art for example, implies a quantum state, a state of fluid, organic and inter-connected whole.  It is an art in which the ‘moment of observation’ is chosen democratically by the audience. It signals a break from the classical tradition of linear, mechanistic, deterministic observation and description of the world around us, as epitomized by Newtonian physics. It is about ‘getting high’, and in a mystical context, about ascending.

(Note : On the other hand, in Newtonian physics, an outcome of a particular event can be predicted correctly – much like a linear perspective system in which all the receding lines converge on a single vanishing point. In this system, all suspended potentialities are reduced into a single point of view, thus a fixed or single way of looking and observing a picture or object. The view is frozen and determined or given and undemocratically decided for the audience. This is about getting real, and in a mystical context, descending.)  

The pictures below are sourced from one of Tony Buzan's famous mind-mapping books, in this case, images of a diatom with beautiful radiating patterns or energy flow. (Can someone tell me what the heck is diatom?)



The picture below shows similar radiating pattern, this time taken by myself from under the dome of Ubuddiah mosque in Kuala Kangsar. Beautiful.


Another 'radiant', reminding one of radiating galaxies. Its the floor carpet of the same Ubuddiah mosque.


Amjad's schematic descriptions of cosmology.



Quantum visualizations of the cosmology. 




The picture below is another natural radiant pattern, sourced from Tony Buzan's.


Radiant pattern of natural architecture, leaf of saw palmetto plant. See hidden patterns or order, not just forms. Nature is also a mathematical expression of the Creative Force of the Universe. Eastern forms of traditional art mostly employ patterns to return us back to our 'nature', to order, to be a part of the Creative Force of the Universe. They are not merely 'decorations' as stigmatized by some dominant discourses of modern art derived from the Western-centric reading. Eastern forms of traditional art and heritage reflect a quantum reading of the universe, not classical. They focus on synchronizing the spirit, mind-emotion and the body/form; not just merely replicating forms.  (Source: Tony Buzan Barry Buzan, "The Mind Map".)

Check out the following similar pattern in Malay traditional architecture.


The 'tebar layar' or gable ends of a typical Malay house, serve to direct wind into the house to cool the roofing space. Many have beautiful carvings and allow light into the house. The 'tumpal' structure or triangular shape relates to the Malay-Islamic cosmology, as epitomized by 'pohon hayat'. It signifies the balance symbiosis between the ontological (vertical ascend) relationship between humans and their Creator (habluminallah); as well as the epistemological (diagonal and horizontal descend) relationship between humans (habluminannas). It is 'getting high and getting real' in action. The radiant pattern found in some design can be related to 'radiant thinking' (check Tony Buzan's); as well as many patterns found in Nature (Source: Lim Jee Yuan, "The Malay House : Rediscovering Malaysia's Indigenous Shelter System.")

Nakula's interpretation of the different hierarchical stages (maqam) of the cosmos as embodied by a house.


My note, a rather crude simplification of similar stages or 'maqam'. 


In this schematic description of the 'maqam' or stages, and in most literature on Islamic cosmology, the 'soul' is placed between the mind and spirit. 

The mind also encompasses two stages - the lower consciousness and higher consciousness. The higher consciousness is also referred to in learning theory, mindfulness practice and meditative science as meta consciousness/cognition. It is a state of total presence or acute awareness of one's thinking and emotion as they emerge, transpire and submerge or expire, as mentioned earlier. Remember the 'syahadah', of witnessing (aku naik saksi).

The following are again my personal notes and schematic drawings of the cosmology. Basically the diagrams show that all experiences originate from a single Source of origin, the eternal and infinite solace of peace, a point of return.


Diagram abobe : All experiences of 'alami' are embodied within the holy Al-Quran' Al-Fatihah as a 'surah' or chapter, is taken as the embodiment or the heart of the holy Quran, while 'Bismillah hirrahman nirahhim' is embodiment of the Al'Fatihah.'Ba' is the beginning letter of 'Bismillah...' with the single dot under its shape as a point of return, a singularity. 
All basic elements of design begin and return to 'a point'. 
(From top) All the myriads of forms and shapes, different, distinctive/isolated/separated, are interconnected and came from the same source or point of origin.

Below is another example of quantum visualization, found mostly in traditional textile design (batik) in South East Asia. 


The following is another schematic explanation of Islamic cosmology, sourced from Amjad's.





7. PARTING NOTE

So there you go, my small reflection on re-approaching Islamic cosmology and quantum visualization. Trash it if u don't like, correct it if you care and share it if you think its worth your precious time. 

Another note:
Notwithstanding the popular global media assault and demonization of Islam and Muslims, fueled by skewed as well as literal interpretations of the Quran by fanatics and extremists to justify killings of fellow humans and other acts of terror (remember, collective ego), I pray in silence that the world and humanity at large, especially the young and future generations, are able to fully understand, appreciate, enjoy and benefit from the beautiful cross-cultural legacies of Islamic cosmology, especially its relation to other traditions and more interestingly, to current scientific frontiers. With an open mind and loving heart, one can experience the joy of discovery in exploring and re-approaching Islamic cosmology.  

In reproaching, I also hope that we can bypass the veils of narrow chauvinism fueled by greedy ethnocentric and partisan agendas that will only veil and cloud our inner eyes. Again I reiterate here that the root of evil is in the slavery of our souls by 'ego' that likes to pretend to be us. This evil can hide unnoticed deep within everyone of us, regardless of who we are and how we define ourselves. While hiding in us, it conveniently points at the 'others' as evil. We have to be careful not to get caught in the 'shadow-play' of clashing egos that are constantly being 'screened' and bombarding our consciousness in a global scale.

So lets WAKE UP, lets shine the 'light' to our mind, now, and every now so that the slavery of ego will end, and humanity will really be FREE in its truest sense.

Salam and lots of luv.


BALADA MENARA CONDONG & WIRAWATI YG DIPINGGIR LUPA.

BALADA MENARA CONDONG & WIRAWATI YG DIPINGGIR LUPA. Tentang tapak niaga wanita cekal, 'tanah' asal tumpah darah, rumah, pulang k...