A Place of Solace

[Zayam]

What do other members here do to find a place of solace? Inner trials (that are set off from outer occurrences) are for making us stronger, still sometimes I need a resting place, a place where I can go and be at peace. It can be a physical place though mainly I am speaking of a spiritual place-a quiet place. though one time in Swat Valley, that place was just a rock in a field, where I would sit for hours reading Islamic poetry.

I have read that each person has certain names of Allah that speak stronger to them, I guess depending who there are and what they are going through in their lives. The 2 names that reach into my depths are Rah-man and Ra-him, maybe because I am always in need of these.

What helps you experience Allah's presence? What makes you feel ( I say "feel" because Allah is always close to us, speaking for myself though I am not always aware) further away?

[Shehbaz Khan]

I personally need a place where I am just with myself alone .. But due to the busy routine of city life its not possible .. The most beautiful time I've for myself is usually after Asar prayer in a mosque .. There I think about myself, my deeds whether good or bad .. And think about what I need to do and what should I avoid .. !!

An isolated place is a blessing sometimes

[Shamaar]

I think the one place where I feel like I could go and stay there for hours is Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California.

I'll just stand there and watch the waves come in. Big ones, small ones, fast ones, slow ones. It's amazing. Since it's nature I guess it also makes you feel the presence of Allah in every wave. Complete and utter serenity.

And it's funny but there's always so many other people doing the exact same thing - nothing. They'll just stand there too and watch the waves. Anyone who's been there will know the feeling. I can't wait to go back.

[Zayam]

Sunset at the Beach

I think the one place where I feel like I could go and stay there for hours is Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California.

I'll just stand there and watch the waves come in. Big ones, small ones, fast ones, slow ones. It's amazing. Since it's nature I guess it also makes you feel the presence of Allah in every wave. Complete and utter serenity.

And it's funny but there's always so many other people doing the exact same thing - nothing. They'll just stand there too and watch the waves. Anyone who's been there will know the feeling. I can't wait to go back.

Around 4 p.m. today I went jogging on the beach with my teenage daughter. It was so peaceful, so beautiful. The sun was beginning to go down, and the sky was orange red, mixed with some low clouds on the horizon. There were many sandpipers running on the beach, yearning for the water, yet not wanting to get wet-

We had a good run (though she is in much better shape than I), just so other-world-like. Today I reflected with my Islamic teacher, and we spoke again about being in Allah's presence, and what things help us to be there. Certainly moments like with my daughter would have to be added to the list.

Zayam

[Dervaish]

Every individual has his own set of mind. It does not matter, where, what time and in whatever situation you feel comfortable. As long as you find that moment of solitude.
There were moments in my life, where I found silence and peace, right in the middle of noisy crowds. Lying on bed at night. Getting up in the middle of the night in darkness.
Time, place and environment do play a role but are not prerequisite. Your feelings create the time and place for you.

[Zayam]

I know what you mean, one can feel at peace in a crowd, or lonely in a crowd, it all depends on the inner world. Your words always seems to resonate with me. Thank you.

On the other hand the beach was perfect for a jog, as this particular beach the sand is very packed, so it was not so hard to jog there, and looking toward the ocean the ebb and flow, very comforting as one jogged along.

I am realizing that I need to get out more, be in nature.

[IamDZJ]

i don't have a place of solace any more. not even in my mind. i am also not sure if i have a need for it. probably not.

[Zayam]

i don't have a place of solace any more. not even in my mind. i am also not sure if i have a need for it. probably not.

I suppose if you had the need then you would be looking or finding it, so maybe you are right.

[IamDZJ]

what do you do with a place of solace when you don't have the peace with in you? it does one more harm than it heals.

[Dervaish]

what do you do with a place of solace when you don't have the peace with in you? it does one more harm than it heals.

The place is not important. You don't look for the space to find peace. You experience peace deep inside you. This can happen in a sudden moment. Recognize it and free yourself of the burden of worldly thoughts you carry. This has nothing to do with your religious creed. It is a flowing wave of energy present there all the time, but suddenly your personal frequency synchronizes with the frequency of that flowing energy and you find peace, silence and undefinable happiness. This synchronization may be triggered by a beautiful scene, singing of a bird, vision of a dear relative or friend, a melody of a song, or some beautiful creative thought. It could be any thing. And you enter into the dimension of peace and tranquility with in you. There will remain no place for harm but peace. Just don't hold back your frequency from merging with the flow but become one with it. Now that is the place of you solace.

[IamDZJ]

^ the existence of such a place emotionally or physically depends on the peace reflecting from inside you. if you don't have that, none of the rest matters.