Bliss In Practice

When I first began learning about Islam (and I have a lot more to learn) I noticed certain themes repeat themselves. A scrap paper floated to the top of my notes this morning. I had jotted down several words: Light, Victory, Rewards, Submission, Amiableness, Smiling, Knowledge. These mysterious pearls coaxed me to dive deep, hold them and examine them, to see their beauty close up. While sitting on my balcony aka my contemplation platform with my morning tea, I thought about a conversation with my work colleague. He was watching a philosopher on YouTube and began to speak about it's content. The conversation eventually turned to his new girlfriend. They both graduated as social workers just this spring. After the congratulations and usual etiquette he opened up to me. There was a problem he is struggling with. She has an eating disorder. As the conversation evolved we tried to get to the root of this problem. We discussed body dysmorphia and family dynamics like daddy iss...

While looking for the next Sura to read, I came across one that drew me because of it's title “Ranged in Rows”. The title struck me for 2 reasons. I liked the alliteration in the title, it rolled off the tongue. I also was curious as to what exactly was (a)ranged in rows. So, why “ranged” and not “arranged”? My first thought was that of course the angels are always arranged by Allah. They have no will of their own. Then I thought, ranged reminds me of an artillery range which again is fitting with the first image of a stellar battleground. As soon as I typed “ranged” into google the first 3 things that pop up are ranged training, ranged weapons, ranged armour all have to do with runescape. I should ask Ben to explain it to me. The rows bit is I think obviously referring to the hierarchy of angels. The first being on the “front lines” to protect any eavesdropping on the “higher assembly”. I then turned my attention to the psychological effect of sound symbolism in the f...

Its good and healthy to have role models. The people who set a standard to live by mold and shape our lives for the better. As women, we need to pay special attention to other women in our lives and constantly seek out others to emulate or at least learn from.  My maternal grandmother was someone I admired and looked up to. She was strong physically and mentally. She traveled from Italy just herself and 3 young children by boat to meet my grandfather who had come to Toronto ahead of his family. My Nonna's English was poor, but her love of family and tradition was strong. She taught us Italian by speaking to us in Italian. Sometimes the kids would try and answer in broken Italian. She would pinch our cheeks and give us an endearment like "Cara mi bella" or "chichouti". Every Sunday was  a visit to Nonna's. Everybody always showed up and then some. Nonna would happily cook 5 course meals for at least 12 people. Sunday never ended before 8pm. Nonna...

This is one of my favorite go to meals. It is full of protein and veg that is hidden. My 11 year old didn't even mention the zucchini. If everyone likes veggies, add eggplant and peppers too. Makes enough for 4 servings Time: 15-20 min Ingredients: 1 pkg halal ground beef 1 bottle of passata (glass bottle of tomato puree) 1/2 onion diced 1 small zucchini diced 1 large garlic clove diced 1 tbs Italian mix spice 1 tsp rosemary 1/4 cup olive oil (or enough to almost cover the bottom of a large fry pan) 1 beef bovril cube crumbled In a fry pan heat olive oil at medium heat. Add onion, garlic, zucchini and spices. Saute until onion is transparent. Add ground beef breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until beef is no longer pink. Add entire bottle of passata. **some passata has added salt so dont add any if it does** Add beef cube. Turn heat down as it tends to bubble and splatter. Stir and let cook for about 10-15 min on low...

I've been watching tafseers by my favorite scholar Nouman Ali Khan. One in particular intrigued me, a lecture on Sura Al-Kahf. He explained that some suras give correction and direction on historical events like wars and jurisprudence. Sura Al-Kahf is different. There is a reason why we are urged to read it each Friday. This sura is so full of archetypal, symbolic and historical meaning you could spend your lifetime studying it and never know all there is to know. Nouman presents a case for the Catholic history involving the sleepers in the cave. He sites the need to honor the legacy of what came before and take it further. He discusses the Jacobite Christians of Syriac and Arabia and their knowledge of the Youth of the cave. My Catholic background never mentioned this story, or at least I was never formally taught about it. My plan is to research this story and see how it relates to what the Qur'an has to say. Apparently the Arabic Christians had festivals relati...