Now is the time for the world to know that every thought and action is sacred. ~ Hafiz
The mystical traditions of nonduality — including yoga and Buddhism — assert that there is no separation between creation and God. All is One. Some equate this mystical mindset with escapism, assuming that the spiritual seeker aims to "disappear" into the transcendent and leave the ordinary world behind. On the contrary: the ancient, nondualistic traditions demand that we develop a sense of clarity about our dharma, or duty, in each moment. One of the seeker's tasks is to support the divine values of love and compassion in the world.
What we do in our everyday life feeds and informs our spiritual path; part of the seeker's journey is to begin to see all tasks as spiritual tasks, all moments as spiritual moments. As the poet saint Hafiz declares, "Now is the time to know that all that you do is sacred." We can embrace "ordinary" moments — whether cooking, shopping, or resting — as opportunities to mindfully support God's loving presence in the world.
We can see the meeting of our worldly and spiritual tasks in the act of participating in democracies. We have an opportunity to fulfill a dharmic duty during the U.S. midterm elections by supporting leaders and policies that uplift, demonstrate thoughtful compassion, and protect the vulnerable. A spiritual seeker must actively work toward loving-kindness for all, and demand change to systems that demonstrate greed and self-interest. Supporting ourselves and our wider communities with enthusiasm reflects God's loving embrace of all.
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Now is the Time
Now is the time to know That all that you do is sacred.
Now, why not consider A lasting truce with yourself and God. Now is the time to understand That all your ideas of right and wrong Were just a child's training wheels To be laid aside When you finally live With veracity And love. Hafiz is a divine envoy Whom the Beloved Has written a holy message upon. My dear, please tell me, Why do you still Throw sticks at your heart And God? What is it in that sweet voice inside That incites you to fear? Now is the time for the world to know That every thought and action is sacred.
This is the time For you to compute the impossibility That there is anything But Grace. Now is the season to know That everything you do Is sacred. Hafiz, The Gift
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